A city, an island, and the largest of seven emirates, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a small and new country founded in 1971 on the Arabian Gulf. With a slightly quieter environment than nearby Dubai, Abu Dhabi still gives visitors a memorable experience, including an impressive amount of sunshine, great venues for action and adventure, fantastic dining, and luxurious shopping.

HISTORY

The Bedouin of the Bani Yas tribe settled on the island of Abu Dhabi in 1761. Early on, the centre of power for the tribe remained at Liwa Oasis, where the ruling Al-Nahyan family was based, but in 1793 the family moved to Abu Dhabi. At this time a haven for wildlife (Abu Dhabi literally means ‘Father of the Gazelle’), the town expanded rapidly during the heyday of the pearl trade in the late 19th century. In 1892 its ruler, Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed al-Nahyan (known as Zayed the Great), agreed that the emirate would become a protectorate of Britain and it joined the Trucial States. Zayed the Great died in 1909, and under five subsequent rulers the emirate’s power and prosperity declined, largely due to the collapse of the pearling industry.

Everything changed in 1958 when oil was discovered, and it is from this date that the development of modern Abu Dhabi can be said to have commenced. The current ruler, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, staged a coup against his brother, then the ineffectual ruler, in 1966. Sheikh Zayed subsequently used his vast diplomatic skills to be the main player in creating the UAE and became its first president, a role he held up until his death in November 2004. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Zayed’s ol
dest son, became ruler of Abu Dhabi and was elected President of the UAE soon after.

PRESENT 

Abu Dhabi in the 1970s was planned for an predicted topmost population of 600,000. Following the urban planning ideals of the time period, the city has high-density tower blocks, and wide grid-pattern roads.The population density is at its' apex on the most northerly part of the island.

Due to this planning a modern city with tall offices, apartment buildings, broad boulevards and busy shops is present. Principal thoroughfares are the Corniche, Airport Road, Sheikh Zayed Street, Hamdan Street and Khalifa Street. Abu Dhabi is known in the region for its greenery; the former desert strip today includes numerous parks and gardens. The design of the inner city roads and main roads are well organised. Starting from the Corniche, all horizontal streets are oddly numbered, while all vertical streets are evenly numbered. 

A hospitable city, Abu Dhabi warmly welcomes visitors with some of world's greatest tourist attractions. Home to the largest mosque in the world and the fastest roller coaster, the capital city has much to offer to its guests.