Abu Dhabi[a]is thecapital cityof theUnited Arab Emirates.The city is the seat of theAbu Dhabi Central Capital District,the capital city of theEmirate of Abu Dhabi,and the UAE'ssecond-most populous city,afterDubai.The city is situated on a T-shaped island, extending into the Gulf from the central-western coast of the UAE.

Abu Dhabi
أبوظبي
ʾAbū Ẓabī
Coat of arms of Abu Dhabi
Official logo of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is located in United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Location of Abu Dhabi within the UAE
Abu Dhabi is located in Persian Gulf
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi (Persian Gulf)
Abu Dhabi is located in West and Central Asia
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi (West and Central Asia)
Abu Dhabi is located in Asia
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi (Asia)
Coordinates:24°28′N54°22′E/ 24.467°N 54.367°E/24.467; 54.367
CountryUnited Arab Emirates
EmirateAbu Dhabi
Municipal regionCentral Capital District[1]
Government
• TypeMunicipality
• BodyAbu Dhabi City Municipality
• Director-General of City MunicipalitySaif Badr al-Qubaisi
Area
• Total
972 km2(375 sq mi)
Elevation
27 m (89 ft)
Population
(2023)[3]
• Total
1,570,000[2]
DemonymsAbu Dhabian, Dhabyani
GDP
• TotalUS$ 118.4 billion (2023)
• Per capitaUS$ 76,600 (2023)
Time zoneUTC+4(UAE Standard Time)
Websitetamm.abudhabi

Abu Dhabi is located on an island in thePersian Gulf,off the Central West Coast. Most of the city and the Emirate reside on the mainland connected to the rest of the country. As of 2023,Abu Dhabi's urban area had an estimated population of 2.5 million,[5]out of 3.8 million in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.[6]TheAbu Dhabi Investment Authorityis headquartered in the city, and was theworld's 3rd largest sovereign wealth fundin 2022.[7]Abu Dhabi itself has over atrillionUS dollarsworth of assets under management in a combination of varioussovereign wealth fundsheadquartered there.[8]

Abu Dhabi houses local and federal government offices and is the home of theUnited Arab Emirates Governmentand theSupreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs.The city is home to theUAE's President,a member of theAl Nahyan family.Abu Dhabi's rapid development andurbanisation,coupled with the massive oil and gas reserves and production and relatively high average income, have transformed it into a large, developed metropolis. It is the country's centre ofpoliticsandindustry,and a majorcultureandcommercecenter. Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $503 billion UAE economy.[9]

History

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SheikhShakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan,brother of SheikhZayed,ruled Abu Dhabi from 1928 to 1966

The area surrounding Abu Dhabi abounds in archaeological evidence from historical civilisations, such as theUmm Al Nar Culture,which dates back to the third millennium BC. Other settlements were also found farther outside the modern city of Abu Dhabi, including theeastern[10]andwesternregions of the Emirate.[11]On December 2, 1971, Abu Dhabi, along with six other emirates, formed theUnited Arab Emirates (UAE).This union was marked by the establishment of a federal government and the appointment of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as the first President of the UAE.

Etymology

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"Abu" is Arabic for father, and "Dhabi" is the Arabic word forgazelle.AbuDhabimeans "Father of Gazelle." It is thought that this name came about because of the abundance of gazelles in the area and a folk tale involvingShakhbut bin Dhiyab al Nahyan.[4][12]

Origins of Al Nahyan

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TheBani Yaswas originally centered on theLiwa Oasisin the Emirate's western region. This tribe was the most significant in the area, having over 20 subsections. In 1793, the rulingAl Bu Falahsubsection migrated to the island of Abu Dhabi on the coast of the Persian Gulf due to the discovery of fresh water there. The genealogically senior family within this section was theNahyan family,which is now the ruling family of Abu Dhabi,[13]who plays a significant role in theUnited Arab Emirates(UAE), and who has a notable history for several centuries. Over the 19th and early 20th centuries,Al Nahyan familybecame the ruling family of Abu Dhabi and played a central role in the governance and development of the emirate. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has played a vital role in transforming the emirate of Abu Dhabi into a hub for culture and creative pursuits in the Arab world.[14]

Pearl trade

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The pearl diving business was a key industry prior to the discovery of oil reserves. According to a source about pearling, thePersian Gulfwas the best location for pearls.[15]The pearl industry boomed from the late 19th century through to the second decade of the 20th century, however it is believed to date back around 7,000 years. Pearl divers dive for one to three minutes and would have dived as many as thirty times per day. Air tanks and any other sort of mechanical device were forbidden. The divers had a leather nose clip and leather coverings on their fingers and big toes to protect them while they searched for oysters.[16]The divers were not paid for a day's work but received a portion of the season's earnings.[17]There are three main journey of pearl divers, happening between the 5th and 9th month each year. Summer was the busiest time. Pearl divers made very deep dives, about 50 dives were made a day, each about 3 minutes long.[18]

Trucial coast

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In the 19th century, as a result of treaties (known as "truces" which gave the coast its name) entered into betweenGreat Britainand thesheikhsof the Arab States of thePersian Gulf,Britain became the predominant influence in the area.[19]The main purpose of British interest was to protect the trade route to India from pirates, hence, the earlier name for the area, the "Pirate Coast".After the suppression of piracy, other considerations came into play, such as a strategic need of the British to exclude other powers from the region. Following their withdrawal from India in the year 1947, the British maintained their influence in Abu Dhabi as interest in the oil potential of the Persian Gulf grew.[20]

First oil discoveries

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In the mid to late 1930s, as the pearl trade declined, interest grew in the oil possibilities of the region. On 5 January 1936,Petroleum Development Trucial Coast Ltd (PDTC),an associate company of theIraq Petroleum Company,entered into a concession agreement with the ruler,SheikhShakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan,to explore for oil. This was followed by a seventy-five-year concession signed in January 1939. However, owing to the desert terrain, inland exploration was fraught with difficulties. In 1953, D'Arcy Exploration Company, the exploration arm ofBP,obtained an offshore concession which was then transferred to a company created to operate the concession: Abu Dhabi Marine Areas (ADMA) was a joint venture between BP and Compagnie Française des Pétroles (laterTotal). In 1958, using a marine drilling platform, the ADMA Enterprise, oil was discovered in the Umm Shaif field at a depth of about 2,669 metres (8,755 ft). This was followed in 1959 by PDTC's onshore discovery well at Murban No.3.[21]

ADMA discovered theBu Hasa oil fieldin 1962 and theLower Zakum oil fieldin 1963. Today, in addition to the oil fields mentioned, the main producing fields onshore are Asab, Sahil and Shah, and offshore are al-Bunduq, and Abu al-Bukhoosh.[21]In 1966 Dubai made its first oil discovery with the offshore Fateh oil[22]field and the revenue from oil played a crucial role in the early development of the emirate.

Geography

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Abu Dhabi seen fromSentinel-2,European Space Agency

The city of Abu Dhabi is on the southeastern sideof theArabian Peninsula,adjoining thePersian Gulf.It is on an island less than 250 metres (820 ft) from the mainland and is joined to the mainland by the Maqta andMussafahBridges. A third,Sheikh Zayed Bridge,designed byZaha Hadid,opened in late 2010. Abu Dhabi Island is also connected toSaadiyat Islandby a five-lane motorway bridge. Al-Mafraq bridge connects the city toReem Islandand was completed in early 2011. This is a multi-layer interchange bridge and it has 27 lanes which allow roughly 25,000 automobiles to move per hour. There are three major bridges in the project, the largest has eight lanes, four leaving Abu Dhabi city and four coming in.[23]

Most of Abu Dhabi city is located on the island itself, but it has many suburban districts on the mainland, for example, Khalifa City A, B, and C; Khalifa City Al Raha Beach;[24]Al Bahia City A, B, and C; Al Shahama; Al Rahba; Between Two Bridges; Baniyas; Shamkha; Al Wathba and Mussafah Residential.

Gulf waters of Abu Dhabi holds the world's largest population ofIndo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins.[25][26][27]To the east of the island is theMangrove National Park,located on Al Qurm Corniche.Al-Qurm(ٱلْقُرْم) isArabicfor "TheMangrove".[28]

Climate

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Abu Dhabi has ahot desert climate(Köppen climate classificationBWh). Sunny blue skies can be expected throughout the year. The months of June through September are generally extremely hot and humid with maximum temperatures averaging above 40 °C (104 °F), mainly occurring during the peak summer months of July and August. During this time, sandstorms occur intermittently, in some cases reducing visibility to a few meters.[29]Due to high humidity, especially in coastal areas, the heat index (or “feels-like” temperature) can be significantly higher than the actual air temperature. Dust storms are common during the hot, dry months, affecting air quality and visibility.

Decorated stone cup fromUmm Al Nar site,Abu Dhabi on display at theLouvre Abu Dhabi

The cooler season is from November to March, which ranges between moderately hot to mild. This period also sees dense fog on some days and a few days of rain. On average, January is the coolest month of the year, while August is the hottest. Since the Tropic of Cancer passes through the emirate, the southern part falls within theTropics.However, despite the coolest month having an 18.8 °C (65.8 °F) average, its climate is far too dry to be classed as tropical.

Climate data for Abu Dhabi (International Airport) 1991-2020
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 34.3
(93.7)
38.1
(100.6)
43.0
(109.4)
44.7
(112.5)
46.5
(115.7)
50.0
(122.0)
49.3
(120.7)
49.2
(120.6)
47.7
(117.9)
43.1
(109.6)
37.9
(100.2)
33.8
(92.8)
50.0
(122.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 24.5
(76.1)
26.5
(79.7)
29.7
(85.5)
35.0
(95.0)
39.6
(103.3)
41.4
(106.5)
42.5
(108.5)
43.4
(110.1)
40.9
(105.6)
36.6
(97.9)
31.0
(87.8)
26.5
(79.7)
34.8
(94.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 19.1
(66.4)
20.6
(69.1)
23.4
(74.1)
27.7
(81.9)
31.8
(89.2)
33.7
(92.7)
35.5
(95.9)
35.9
(96.6)
33.3
(91.9)
29.7
(85.5)
25.2
(77.4)
21.1
(70.0)
28.1
(82.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 13.8
(56.8)
15.9
(60.6)
17.5
(63.5)
21.1
(70.0)
24.6
(76.3)
27.0
(80.6)
29.7
(85.5)
30.2
(86.4)
27.4
(81.3)
23.7
(74.7)
19.6
(67.3)
15.7
(60.3)
22.2
(71.9)
Record low °C (°F) 5.6
(42.1)
5.4
(41.7)
8.4
(47.1)
11.3
(52.3)
16.6
(61.9)
19.8
(67.6)
22.2
(72.0)
24.9
(76.8)
20.4
(68.7)
15.0
(59.0)
13.1
(55.6)
7.3
(45.1)
5.4
(41.7)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 12.5
(0.49)
8.1
(0.32)
12.9
(0.51)
5.2
(0.20)
0.3
(0.01)
0.0
(0.0)
0.7
(0.03)
0.1
(0.00)
0.0
(0.0)
0.2
(0.01)
2.4
(0.09)
7.8
(0.31)
50.2
(1.97)
Average precipitation days(≥ 1 mm) 2.8 2.0 2.9 1.4 1.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 2.2 2.4 17.7
Averagerelative humidity(%) 68 66 61 53 50 54 55 54 60 62 65 69 59.7
Mean monthlysunshine hours 249.4 245.7 267.8 294.6 342.9 341.3 328.3 323.8 305.7 303.0 265.3 254.3 3,522
Source 1:NOAA(humidity 1981-2010)[30][31]
Source 2: Climate Yearly Report[32]

Twin cities

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For its geography, Abu Dhabi has beentwinnedwith:

Government

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Skyline of Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi City is the capital of theEmirate of Abu Dhabi,and the local government of Abu Dhabi is directly led by theRuler of Abu Dhabi.Abu Dhabi is the largest and wealthiest of the seven emirates, and it plays a crucial role in the UAE's governance and economy. The Ruler has the executive authority to issue local laws, create or merge government departments, and appoint heads of departments. The Ruler of Abu Dhabi appoints theAbu Dhabi Executive Councilto lead the day-to-day management of government affairs. TheDepartment of Municipal Affairsis responsible for municipal affairs for the entire emirate. Abu Dhabi is part of theCentral Capital District,[b]which is separate from the eastern and western municipal regions of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The main settlement of theeastern region, officially "Al Ain Region"since a decree bySheikh Khalifain March 2017, isAl AinCity, and that of thewestern region, officially "Al Dhafra Region"as per the same decree,[38][39]isMadinat Zayed.[1][11]

TheGovernment of the Emirate of Abu Dhabiofficially leads both the city and greater emirate with agencies operating out of Abu Dhabi with branches in other cities. The Abu Dhabi Government has various agencies and organisations operating across the emirate such as theAbu Dhabi Urban Planning Counciland theRegulation and Supervision Bureau,which are responsible for infrastructure projects in the city.

Because Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, it also serves as the headquarters of theFederal government of the United Arab Emirates,the office of thePresident of the United Arab Emirates,and seat of theFederal Supreme Council.[40]

The Abu Dhabi Government Media Office (ADGMO) was formed in 2019 and is responsible for representing the government in the media, organizing press conferences for the emirate and monitoring local and international media. It is a state-sponsored organization that communicates the latest developments in the capital, and the emirate's vision, values and traditions.[41][42][43][44]

Cityscape

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Abu Dhabi skyline as seen from the Marina

Architecture

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ADIA Towerto the left andThe Landmarkat the right in Abu Dhabi

The city was planned under the guidance of Sheikh Zayed by Japanese architect Katsuhiko Takahashi in 1967 initially for a population of 40,000.[45]The density of Abu Dhabi varies, with high employment density in the central area, high residential densities in central downtown and lower densities in the suburban districts. In the dense areas, most of the concentration is achieved with medium- and high-rise buildings. Abu Dhabi's skyscrapers such as the notableBurj Mohammed bin Rashid (World Trade Center Abu Dhabi),Etihad Towers,Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Tower,[46]theNational Bank of Abu Dhabiheadquarters,[47]the Baynunah (Hilton Hotel) Tower,[48]and theEtisalatheadquarters are usually found in the financial districts of Abu Dhabi.[49]Other notable modern buildings include theAldar Headquarters,the first circular skyscraper in the middle east[50]and theEmirates Palacewith its design inspired by Arab heritage.[51]

The development of tall buildings has been encouraged in theAbu Dhabi Plan 2030,which will lead to the construction of many new skyscrapers over the next decade, particularly in the expansion of Abu Dhabi's central business district such as the new developments onAl Maryah IslandandAl Reem Island.[52]Abu Dhabi already has a number ofsupertall skyscrapersunder construction throughout the city. Some of the tallest buildings on the skyline include the 382 m (1,253.28 ft)Central Market Residential Tower,the 324 m (1,062.99 ft)The Landmarkand the 74-story, 310 m (1,017.06 ft)Sky Tower,all of them completed. Also, many other skyscrapers over 150 m (492.13 ft) (500 ft) are either proposed or approved and could transform the city's skyline. As of July 2008,there were 62 high-rise buildings 23 to 150 m (75.46 to 492.13ft) under construction, approved for construction, or proposed for construction.[53]

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

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The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque represents a key fixture of the city's architectural patrimony. Its construction was initiated under the administration of the late President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a key figure in the foundation of the modern United Arab Emirates.[54]

The mosque was constructed with materials from countries around the world, includingItaly,Germany,Morocco,Pakistan,India,Turkey,Iran,China,theUnited Kingdom,New Zealand,Greece,and theUnited Arab Emirates.[55]More than 3,000 workers and 38 contracting companies took part in the construction of themosque.Consideration of durability motivated the choice of many materials specified in the design of the structure. These materials include marble, stone, gold,semi-preciousstones, crystals, and ceramics. Construction began on 5 November 1996. The building is large enough to safely contain a maximum of approximately 41,000 people. The overall structure is 22,412 square metres (241,240square feet). The internal prayer halls were initially opened in December 2007.[54]

As one of the most visited buildings in the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center was established to manage the day-to-day operations, as a place of worship and Friday gathering and as a center of learning and discovery through its education and visitor programs.[56]

In July 2019, the Grand Mosque was listed among the top global attractions byTripAdvisor.As a part of its Travelers Choice Awards, the travel website placed the architectural masterpiece on number three out of the 750 landmarks considered from 68 countries.[57]

In May 2021, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center attended the Arabian Travel Market 2021 exhibition. This was part of the center's core strategy to be active in the religious and cultural aspects of society.[58]

The Founder's Memorial

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The Founder's Memorial,a monument and visitor center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a memorial toSheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,the firstPresident of the United Arab Emirates,who died in 2004. The memorial consists of an open Heritage Garden and Sanctuary Garden at the center of which is a cubic pavilion housing The Constellation, an artwork dedicated to Zayed's memory.[59]

Presidential Palace

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The UAEPresidential Palace,Qaṣr Al-Waṭan( "Palace of the Nation" ),[60]opened to the public in March 2019.[61][62]It was built on the grounds of Ladies beach and construction was finished in 2018. Al Barza is a perfect complement to the fascinate cultural experience which expects visitors at Qasr Al Watan. Historically, ‘barza’ refers to a majlis session during which important matters can be brought to the attention of a Sheikh. After the Great Hall, it is the largest space in the UAE's Presidential Palace which holds up to 300 guests.[63]

Multi-faith worship places

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St. Paul's Church, Abu Dhabi

In September 2019, the construction of UAE's first officialsynagoguewas announced to begin in 2020, as a part of the multi-faith "Abrahamic Family House" complex in Abu Dhabi. It will also give space to amosqueand achurch,the full construction of which was announced to be completed by 2022.[64]

On 22 September 2019, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi held a ceremony to grant licenses to 17churchesand the first-ever traditionalHindu temple.The listed churches wereCatholic,OrthodoxandProtestantchurches, includingSt Joseph's Cathedral.The initiative was taken under the slogan "A Call for Harmony", to allow people from all religions and cultures to practice their faith in the country.[65]

Qasr Al Hosn

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Photograph of Qasr Al Hosn from the early 20th century

Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest building in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, built by the Bani Yas tribe in 1761. It was once the seat of the government and the palace of the ruling Al Nahyan family. Today, it is a museum open to all visitors portraying the history of Abu Dhabi and early lifestyles. It is where the visitors will notice the art Talli, a traditional form of decorative embroidery done by women, and the making of Al Sadu patterns which represent symbols of daily life. A three-screen mini-theatre is available which describes the traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women.[66]

Parks, gardens, and beaches

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Abu Dhabi has several parks and gardens and more than 400 kilometres (249 miles) of coastline, of which 10 kilometres (6 miles) arepublic beaches.[67]

Economy

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Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi

The UAE's largehydrocarbonwealth gives it one of the highest GDP per capita in the world and Abu Dhabi owns the majority of these resources—95% of theoiland 92% ofgas.[68]Abu Dhabi thus holds 9% of the world's provenoil reserves(98.2bn barrels) and almost 5% of the world's natural gas (5.8billioncubic metresor 200 billioncubic feet). As of April 2022, oil production in the UAE was about 3.0 million barrels per day (BPD).[69]The UAE is looking to expand its maximum production capacity from approximately 4 million BPD to 5 million BPD by 2030.[70]In recent years, the focus has turned to gas as increasing domestic consumption for power, desalination and reinjection of gas into oil fields increases demand. Gas extraction is not without its difficulties, however, as demonstrated by the sour gas project at Shah where the gas is rich in hydrogen sulfide content and expensive to develop and process.[21]

AnAirbus A380belonging toEtihad Airways,the second-largest airline in the UAE afterDubai-basedEmirates

In 2009, the government diversified its economic plans. Served by high oil prices, the country's non-oil and gas GDP outstripped that attributable to the energy sector. Non-oil and gas GDP now constitutes 64% of the UAE's total GDP. This trend is reflected in Abu Dhabi with substantial new investment in industry,real estate,tourism and retail. As Abu Dhabi is the largest oil producer of the UAE, it has reaped the most benefits from this trend. It has taken on an active diversification and liberalization program to reduce the UAE's reliance on the hydrocarbon sector. This is evident in the emphasis on industrial diversification with the completion of free zones, Industrial City of Abu Dhabi,twofour54Abu Dhabi media free zone and the construction of another, ICAD II, in the pipeline. There has also been a drive to promote tourism and real estate with theAbu Dhabi Tourism Authorityand the Tourism and Development Investment Company undertaking several large-scale development projects. These will be served by improved transport infrastructure, with a new port, an expanded airport and a proposed rail link between Abu Dhabi and Dubai all in the development stages.[71]

Capital GateThe building is owned and was developed by theAbu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.

Abu Dhabi's Emirate is the wealthiest of the UAE in terms ofGross domestic product(GDP) andper capita income.More than $1 trillion is invested worldwide in the city. In 2010, the GDPper capitareached $49,600, which ranks ninth in the world.Taxation in Abu Dhabi,as in the rest of the UAE, is nil for a resident or a non-bank, non-oil company. Abu Dhabi is also planning many future projects sharing with theCooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf(GCC) and taking 29% of all the GCC future plannings. The UAE has a fast-growing economy: in 2006 theper capita incomegrew by 9%, providing a GDP per capita of $49,700 and ranking third in the world atpurchasing power parity.Abu Dhabi'ssovereign wealth fund,theAbu Dhabi Investment Authority(ADIA), currently estimated at $875 billion, is the world's wealthiest sovereign fund in terms of total asset value.[72]Etihad Airwaysmaintains its headquarters in Abu Dhabi.[73]

Marina Shopping Mall,one of the largest shopping malls in the city

Abu Dhabi's government is looking to expand revenue from oil and gas production to tourism and other things that would attract different types of people. This goal is seen in the amount of attention Abu Dhabi is giving its International Airport. The airport experienced a 30%+ growth in passenger usage in 2009.[74]This idea of diversifying the economy is also seen in the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030[75]planned by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. In this plan, Abu Dhabi's economy will be sustainable and not dependent on any single source of revenue. More specifically the non-oil portion of income is planned to be increased from about 40% to about 70%.[72]As of July 2019, Abu Dhabi allocated $163 million to finance global entertainment partners as part of its plan to diversify the economy and wean it off oil.[76]

Many Hollywood and other national film production teams have used parts of the UAE as filming locations. Neighboring Dubai gets a lot of attention, but in recent years Abu Dhabi has become a popular destination. TheEtihad TowersandEmirates Palace Hotelwere some of the city's landmarks used as filming locations for the movieFurious 7,in which cars rush through the building and smashed through the windows of the towers.[77]

In 2018, Abu Dhabi launched Ghadan 21, a string of initiatives to diversify the economy. The total injection is AED 50 billion.[78]There are four main areas these initiatives must fall under: business and investment, society, knowledge and innovation, and lifestyle. The first phase includes over 50 initiatives that reflect the priorities of citizens, residents and investors.[79]

Utility services

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The desalinated water supply and power production are managed by the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA). As of 2006,it supplied 560.2 MiGD (millionimperial gallonsper day) of water,[80]while the water demand for 2005–06 was estimated to be 511 MiGD.[81]The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) states that groundwater is the most significant source of water, as well as desalinated potable water, and treated sewage effluent. At 40.6 MiGD, the Umm Al Nar storage is the largest water source for Abu Dhabi, followed by the rivers Shuweihat and Taweelah.[82]With falling groundwater level and rising population density, Abu Dhabi faces a severely acute water shortage. On average each Abu Dhabi resident uses 550 litres (120 imp gal; 150 US gal) of water per day.[83]Abu Dhabi daily produces 1,532tonnesof solid wastes which are dumped at three landfill sites by the Abu Dhabi Municipality.[84][85]The daily domestic wastewater production is 330 MiGD and industrial waste water is 40 MiGD. A large portion of the sewerage flows as waste into streams and separation plants.[85]

The city's per capita electricity consumption is about 41,000 kWh and the total supplied is 8,367 MW as of 2007.[86]The distribution of electricity is carried out by companies run by SCIPCO Power and APC Energy. As part of UAE's Energy Strategy 2050 to reduce the carbon emission of power generation by 70%, Noor Abu Dhabi solar park project which is the largest solar project in the world was completed on 2 July 2019.[87][88][89]The Abu Dhabi Fire Service runs 13 fire stations that attend about 2,000 fire and rescue calls per year.

State-ownedEtisalatand privateducommunication companies provide telephone and cell phone service to the city. Cellular coverage is extensive, and both GSM and CDMA (from Etisalat and Du) services are available.Etisalat,the government-owned telecommunications provider, held a virtual monopoly over telecommunication services in Abu Dhabi prior to the establishment of other, smaller telecommunications companies such as Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC – better known asDu) in 2006. The Internet was introduced into Abu Dhabi in 1995. The current network is supported by abandwidthof 6GB,with 50,000dialupand 150,000broadbandports.

Etisalat announced implementing a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Abu Dhabi during the third quarter of 2009 to make the emirate the world's first city to have such a network.[90]

City planning

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Waterfront park
View of theBeach Rotana
A public park

Abu Dhabi in the 1960s and 70s was planned for a 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.[91]The population density is at its apex on the most northerly part of the island. At this point, the main streets have a large amount of 20- to 30-story towers. These towers are in a rectangular pattern, and inside is an ordinary grid pattern of roads with low rise buildings such as 2-story villas or 6-story low-rise buildings.

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 quite organised. Starting from the Corniche, all horizontal streets are oddly numbered, while all vertical streets are evenly numbered. Thus, the Corniche is Street No. 1, Khalifa Street is Street No. 3, Hamdan Street is Street No. 5, Electra Street is Street No. 7, and so on. Conversely,Salam Streetis Street No. 8.[92]

Mail is generally delivered to post-office boxes only; however, there is door-to-door delivery for commercial organisations. There are many parks throughout the city. Entrance is usually free for children, however, there is often an entrance fee for adults. The Corniche, the city's seaside promenade, is about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) in length, with gardens, playgrounds, and a BMX/skateboard ring.[93]

In 2007, theAbu Dhabi Urban Planning Council(UPC) was established, which is the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi's urban environments and the expert authority behind the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan that was published in September 2007.[52]The UPC is also working on similar plans for the regions of Al-Ain and Al-Gharbia.

Because of the rapid development of Abu Dhabi, a number of challenges to the city's urban organisation have developed, among them:

  • Today, the city's population far surpasses the original estimated maximum population when it was designed. This causestraffic congestion,a shortage of car parking spaces, and overcrowding.
  • Although there is an addressing system for the city, it is not widely used, causing problems in describing building locations. Directions must often be given based on nearby landmarks.
  • However, there is a new naming system under the name of Onwani which is overhauling the entire addressing system of the entire Abu Dhabi Emirate. Its phases have already been implemented and are a success. The addressing system is up to international standards.
Busy road in downtown Abu Dhabi.

Human rights

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Human rights organisations have heavily criticized violations of human rights in Abu Dhabi. As with other parts of the UAE, foreign workers are not given proper treatment[94]and many companies (both government and private) have yet to improve working conditions.[95]

In 2023, Abu Dhabi was ranked as the safest city in the world for the sixth year running by the statistical analysis website Numbeo.[96]

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
196025,000
196550,000+100.0%
196946,400−7.2%
1975127,763+175.4%
1980243,257+90.4%
1985283,361+16.5%
1995398,695+40.7%
2003552,000+38.5%
2009896,751+62.5%
2013921,000+2.7%
20141,205,963+30.9%
20181,807,000+49.8%
20233,800,000+110.3%
The town of Abu Dhabi first conducted a census in 1968. All population figures in this table prior to 1968 are estimates obtained from populstat.info.
Sources:[3][97][98][99]

Abu Dhabi ranks as the67th most expensive city in the worldand the second-most in the region behindDubai.[100]

As of 2014,477,000 of 2,650,000 people living in the emirate were UAE nationals. Approximately 80% of the population were expatriates.[101]The median age in the emirate was about 30.1 years. The crude birth rate, as of 2005,was 13.6%, while the crude death rate was about 2%.[102]

Article 7 of the UAE's Provisional Constitution declaresIslamthe officialstate religionof the UAE.[103]

The majority of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi are migrant workers fromNepal,India,Pakistan,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Somalia,Bangladesh,Sri Lanka,thePhilippines,China,Taiwan,Vietnam,theUnited Kingdom,France,Italy,and various countries from across the Arab world. Some of these expatriates have been in the country for decades with only a few of them awarded citizenship.[104]Consequently, English,Hindi-Urdu(Hindustani),Malayalam,Tamil,Telugu,Gujarati,Marathi,Tulu,Somali,Tigrinya,AmharicandBengaliare widely spoken.[105]

The native-born population areArabic-speakingArabswho are part of a clan-based society. The Al Nahyan family, part of the al-Falah branch of the Bani Yas clan, rules the emirate and has a central place in society.[106]There are also Arabs who are from other parts of theArab World.

Transportation

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Air Traffic Control Tower ofZayed International Airport
Entrance to Zayed International Airport

Rapidly developing transportation in Abu Dhabi city is anchored by vast systems of highways connecting various islands and suburbs together alongside expanding public and private transport options.[107]

Road

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The main Abu Dhabi island is connected by three vast highways with their own bridges, the oldest of which is Al Maqta Bridge, built in 1968 as the first connection to the previously small fishing village on the island,[108]now part of the E22 highway. The second Mussafah Bridge was opened in 1977,[109]now part of the E20 highway that transforms into Khaleej Al Arabi Street, and the third bridge was the Sheikh Zayed Bridge opened in 2010, now part of the E10 highway and Sheikh Zayed Road, all of which connect the entire island to the Corniche Road, the 8 km promenade and beach at the tip of the island that overlooks the Persian Gulf.[28]As the city expands, new bridges and roads have been constructed, or are currently under construction to link the main island withAl Maryah Island,Al Reem Island,Saadiyat Island,and other previously undeveloped islands.[107]For example, in 2023,Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyaninaugurated the Umm Yifeenah Bridge, an 11 km highway connection between Al Reem Island andSheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street.[110]This change, and many other, are a part of Abu Dhabi's 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan.[111]

Zayed International Airport(AUH) is the city's main aviation hub and the second busiest airport in the UAE. Passenger numbers at Zayed International Airport rose by 17.2 percent in 2015, with more than 23 million travelers passing through its terminals during that year. A second runway and new terminal was also built recently.[112]In July 2024, it was reported that the airport launched the world's first-of-its-kind "Smart Travel" biometric.[113]

On 30 June 2019, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi officially inaugurated a multi-faith prayer room at Zayed International Airport. Located away from the main airport, the prayer room aims at enhancing the country's "position as an international hub for tolerance".[114]

Abu Dhabi City is additionally served by theAl Bateen Executive Airport,situated on the main Abu Dhabi island, which was the old international airport for Abu Dhabi until AUH opened in 1982. The airport underwent renovation and expansion in 2022 to accommodate twin-aisle jets and resumed operation to private, business, and VIP traffic in addition to hosting anAbu Dhabi Policesearch and rescue base.[115]

Rail

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Abu Dhabi City is connected to the second phase of theEtihad Railnetwork, completed in 2023, for freight operations across the seven emirates. Passenger traffic has been confirmed and will allow for travel from Abu Dhabi city to other emirates on the network, however no date on commencement of operation has been set.[116]

Public transport

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City Bus Number 56

Public transport systems in Abu Dhabi include public buses, taxis, ferries, and hydroplanes.[117]A massive expansion of public transport is anticipated within the framework of the government's Surface Transport Master Plan 2030.[118]The expansion was expected to see 130 km (81 mi) ofmetroand 340 km (210 mi) oftramwaysand bus rapid transit (BRT) routes. The city has nonetheless planned for further smart public transport options in various areas within the city, such as Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, in addition to expected rail service to other nearby cities.[119]

Abu Dhabi Bus Service

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The first town bus entered service in about 1969 but this was all part of a very informal service. There are other inter-city buses departing the Abu Dhabi central bus station; these inter-city buses are not only intra-emirate buses, but also inter-emirate services. On 30 June 2008, the Department of Transport began public bus service in Abu Dhabi with four routes.[120]There are also public buses serving the airport. In an attempt to entice people to use the bus system, all routes werezero-fareuntil the end of 2008.[121]The four routes, which operate between 6 am and midnight every day, run at a frequency of 10 to 20 minutes.[121]Within the first week of service, the bus network had seen high usage. Some of the buses, which have a maximum capacity of 45 passengers, only had room for standing left. Some bus drivers reported as many as 100 passengers on a bus at one time.[122]Due to the new, zero-fare bus service success, many taxi drivers were losing business. Taxi drivers have seen a considerable decrease in the demand for taxis while lines were forming for the buses.[123]

As of 2021, the Abu Dhabi public bus system had completed 53.3 million passenger trips, with a fleet of 583 buses for the city of Abu Dhabi.[124]

Public bus at a bus stop in Abu Dhabi

Smart Public Transportation

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In 2022, Abu Dhabi launched autonomous self-driving public transport options inYas IslandandSaadiyat Island.The route in Saadiyat Island stops at cultural and tourist stops such asLouvre Abu Dhabi,NYU Abu Dhabi,andSorbonne University Abu Dhabiwhereas the Yas Island route focuses on the attractions in the island such asFerrari World Abu Dhabi.The expansion include autonomous trams (Automated Rapid Transit or "ART" ), taxis, and minibuses.[6][7]

During October 2023, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) launched the ART Service on mainland Abu Dhabi as a pilot phase as part of the Smart Mobility project. It spans approximately 27 kilometers fromReem Mall,Al Reem Island, until Marina Mall, serving 25 stations in total.[125]

Water transport

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The Emirate has many ports. One isPort Zayed.The others areMusaffah PortandKhalifa Port,which opened in 2012.[126]They are owned byAbu Dhabi PortsCompany and managed byAbu Dhabi Terminals.[127]Water transport includes water taxis which can accommodate up to 12 passengers, and ferries which can carry up to 100 passengers on board. Water taxis can be hired for point-to-point travel across the city's waterways, offering a convenient option for shorter trips, and ferry transport system is a convenient and scenic way to travel between the city's islands and mainland.[128]

In 2021, the number of passengers who used public ferries reached 114,093.[124]

Toll Gates

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Abu Dhabi introduced four toll gates in 2021 on all bridges (Sheikh Zayed Bridge,Maqtaa Bridge, Mussafah Bridge, and Sheikh Khalifa Bridge) entering the main Abu Dhabi island that only operate during peak hours, and by year-end had over 1.8 million registered cars in the system. Drivers must manually create an account to add balance to their toll gate allowance. Crossing the toll gate costs 4 AED.[124]Abu Dhabi's toll gate system, known asDarb,is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and promoting smoother traffic flow. Drivers must register their vehicles on theDarb appor the official website. The system automatically deducts the toll charges from a prepaid account.[129]

Culture

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Louvre Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has a diverse and multicultural society.[130]The city's cultural imprint as a small, ethnically homogeneouspearlingcommunity was changed with the arrival of otherethnic groupsand nationals—first by theIraniansin the early 1900s, and later by various Asian and European ethnicities in the 1950s and 1960s. Abu Dhabi has been criticised for perpetuating a class-based society, wheremigrant workersare in thelower classes,and suffer abuse which "is endemic to the system".[131]

Major holidays in Abu Dhabi includeEid al Fitrwhich marks the end ofRamadan,Eid ul-Adha which marks the end ofHajj,andNational Day(2 December) which marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates.[132]

This uniquesocioeconomic developmentin the Persian Gulf has meant that Abu Dhabi is generally more tolerant than its neighbours, including Saudi Arabia.[133]Emiratis have been known for their tolerance;Christianchurches,Hindu temples,Sikh gurdwaras(with the first synagogue commencing construction in 2020), andBuddhisttemples can be found alongside mosques. The cosmopolitan atmosphere is gradually growing; as a result, there are a variety of Asian, European, and Western schools, cultural centres, and themed restaurants.

Abu Dhabi is home to several cultural institutions, including theCultural Foundationand the National Theater. The Cultural Foundation, while closed for reconstruction as of spring 2011, is home to theUAE Public Library and Cultural Center.[134]Various cultural societies such as the Abu Dhabi Classical Music Society have a strong and visible following in the city. The recently launchedEmirates Foundationoffers grants in support of the arts and to advance science and technology, education, environmental protection, and social development. The International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) will be based in Abu Dhabi. The city also stages hundreds of conferences and exhibitions each year in its state-of-the-art venues, including theAbu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre(ADNEC), which is the Persian Gulf's largest exhibition centre and welcomes around 1.8 million visitors every year.[135]

TheRed Bull Air Race World Serieshas been a spectacular sporting staple for the city for many years, bringing tens of thousands to the waterfront.[136]Another major event is the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC).[137]

The diversity ofcuisinein Abu Dhabi reflects the cosmopolitan nature of society. Arab food is trendy and is available everywhere in the city, from the smallshawarmato the upscale restaurants in the city's many hotels. Fast food andSouth Asian cuisineare also trendy and are widely available. The sale and consumption of pork, though not illegal, is regulated and sold only to non-Muslimsin designated areas.[138]Similarly, the sale ofalcoholic beveragesis regulated. A liquor permit is required to purchase alcohol; however, alcohol is[further explanation needed]available in bars and restaurants withinfourorfive starshotels.Shishaandqahwaboutiques are also popular in Abu Dhabi.

Poetry in Abu Dhabi and the UAE is highly regarded and often centres around satire, religion, family, chivalry, and love. According to an article from an Abu Dhabi tourism page, sheikhs, teachers, sailors, and princes make up a large bulk of the poets within the UAE.al-Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidiformed a unique form of poetry to the UAE in the 8th century and was written in 16 metre. Another Emirati poet, Ibn Daher, is from the 17th century. Daher is important because he usedNabati poetry(AKA Bedouin poetry), a type of poetry written in the vernacular instead of classical/religious Arabic. Other important poets from the UAE are Mubarak Al Oqaili (1880–1954), Salem bin Ali al Owais (1887–1959), and Abdulla bin Sulayem (1905–1976). These poets made headway in Classical Arabic poetry as opposed to the Nabati poetry of the 17th century.[139]

Today in Abu Dhabi, a group called the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation works to preserve the art and culture of the city. According to an article from the English Pen Atlas, Al Jawaher wal la'li was the first manuscript to come out of the UAE. According to another article, this book was written in the 1990s and was banned in the city for some time for making accusations about the ruling family.[140]

For cultural influences, Abu Dhabi, since 2010, has become one of the major shooting spots for many film companies, includingHollywood.Some of the most famous films featuring Abu Dhabi are:The Kingdom(2007),Arrambam(2013),Baby(2015),[141]Furious 7(2015),Star Wars: The Force Awakens(2015),Dishoom(2016),War Machine(2017),Tiger Zinda Hai(2017),Race 3(2018),Saaho(2019),Six Underground(2019),The Misfits(2021), andDune(2021).

In 2024, theMadison Square Garden Companyconfirmed that a second Sphere venue, identical to theSphereinLas Vegaswould be built in Abu Dhabi.[142]

Education

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Abu Dhabi is home to international and local private schools and universities, including government-sponsoredINSEAD,New York University Abu Dhabi,Khalifa University,Higher Colleges of Technology,Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi,andAbu Dhabi University.New York Universityopened a government-sponsored satellite campus in Abu Dhabi in September 2010.[143]

All schools in the emirate are under the authority of theAbu Dhabi Education Council.This organization oversees and administers public schools and licenses and inspects private schools. From 2009, the council has brought over thousands of licensed teachers from native English speaking countries to support their New School Model Program in government schools.

Every year in the season of admissions, an exhibition is launched in Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center under government supervision.[144]Universities from every corner of the world exhibit their career programs and scholarship programs. Heriot-Watt University, University of Bolton, Cambridge University, Oxford University, the Petroleum Institute, Khalifa University, and Abu Dhabi University attend.

In October 2019, Abu Dhabi announced the world's first graduate-level AI research institution,Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).It enables graduation for students, businesses and governments to advanceartificial intelligence.The university began accepting applications for masters and PhD programmes a year before the classes, which are scheduled to begin in September 2020.[145]

Sports

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Abu Dhabi Zayed Sports City Stadium

Abu Dhabi has a diverse and expanding sporting culture underpinned by investments in sporting infrastructure and the hosting of global sporting events.Liwa Motorsportand traditional sports such ascamel racingandequestriansports have developed alongside popular modern sports such as Jiu-jitsu andfootball.Abu Dhabi follows the UAE's National Sport Strategy 2031 which aims to increase general participation in sports and expand the types and frequency of sport facilities available in the city.[146]

Zayed Sport City

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Zayed Sport City (ZSC) is a largefree zonecomplex in the heart of Abu Dhabi city with a mixed-use of properties and sporting facilities to encourage sport participation. ZSC offers practice facilities for basketball, billiards, football, paintball, and a dedicatedice rink.[146]The complex is also home to theZayed Sports City Stadium,the largest in the UAE with a seating capacity of 45,000 and is the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, which is responsible for hosting events in the city and Mubadala Arena, the home of the UAEJiu Jitsuteam.

Jiu Jitsu

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Jiu Jitsu is a popular sport in the city with a dedicated complex in the Mubadala Arena. It is a ‘Soft Art’ originated from the ancient martial art of the Samurai in Japan several centuries ago and it has been adopted by Brazil in the early 1900s. Jiu Jitsu does not include punches or kicks, but it applies the techniques such as throws, control positions and locks.[147]Abu Dhabi government'sAbu Dhabi Education Council(ADEC) maintains a comprehensive after-school program for interested and talented jiujitsu students.[148]The Abu Dhabi Jiujitsu Schools Program began in 2008 under the patronage of crown prince (now President)Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,a keenBrazilian jiu-jitsucompetitor. The program launched in 14 schools for pupils in grades 6 and 7 and has since expanded to 42 government schools, with 81 Brazilian coaches brought in as instructors.[149]

9 to 13-year-old students are taught Brazilian jiu-jitsu as part of the curriculum. The plan is for up to 500 schools to be participating in the school-Jitsu program by 2015. The project was set up by special request of Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the head coach of the Emirates jiu-jitsu team,Carlos "Carlão" Santos,now also the managing director of the School-Jitsu Project.[150]

Football

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Football is the most popular sport in the city and the city has four football stadiums, namely Al Jazeera Stadium, Al Wahda Stadium, Sheikh Zayed Football Stadium (Zayed Sports City) and Hazza Stadium.[151]The city hosts theAl Jazira Club,Al Wahda FC,andBaniyas Club,all of which compete at theUAE Pro League.In addition to local tournaments, the city has hosted international football events including fiveFIFA Club World Cupand the2019 AFC Asian Cup.[152]

Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix

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The city hosts theAbu Dhabi Grand PrixofFormula One,which has been held at theYas Marina Circuitsince 2009.[153]The race takes place late in the Formula One season in November or December, and it is usually the last race of the season. The Yas Marina Circuit is one of the most expensive racing tracks built and regularly hosts various other local races and tours.[154]The circuit has also hosted other events such as theV8 Supercarsseries of Dubai.

Yas Marina Circuit

Abu Dhabi Grand Slam

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Abu Dhabi regularly hosts theInternational Judo FederationAbu Dhabi grand slam. Engendering some criticism, the International Judo Federation refused to allow the Israeli flag and the Israeli national anthem at the international games in 2017. Some referred to this action as anti-Semitic.[155][156]The ban on Israeli symbols was lifted in 2018 and Israeli flag and the national anthem was allowed to be displayed.[157]Israeli minister of sportsMiri Regevwas also allowed to attend the event.[157]

Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019

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In March 2019, Abu Dhabi hosted the first Special Olympics World Games in the Middle East. The event took place from 14 to 21 March 2019 and featured more than 7,500 athletes participating in 24 sporting disciplines. The official World Games Flame of Hope was lit in Athens and flown to Abu Dhabi, where it then embarked on the torch run, visiting all seven emirates of the UAE.[158]It was the first time the Special Olympics World Games were hosted in the Middle East and North Africa region, with Abu Dhabi being the host city. More than 2,500 coaches and 20,000+ volunteers were available in the Olympics.[159]

Other sporting events

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The city has hosted multiple international cricket tournaments, such as theICC Men's T20 World Cup,[160]and tennis events such as theMubadala World Tennis Championship.

Sites and attractions

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Abu Dhabi has many sites and attractions that include the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque,Mariam Umm Eisa Mosque,Emirates Palace,Qasr Al Watan,Yas Marina Circuit,The Corniche,Hayyatii Towers,Etihad Towers,Yas Marina,Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi,Ferrari World Abu Dhabi,Louvre Abu Dhabi,Yas Island,Saadiyat Island,Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi,SeaWorld Abu Dhabiand Jubail Mangrove Park.[161]

On 29 April 2022, Abu Dhabi announced a 100% capacity for commercial activities, tourist attractions and events in the emirate.[162]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^UK:/ˌæbˈdæbi/,US:/ˌɑːbˈdɑːbi/;Arabic:أَبُو ظَبِيʾAbū ẒabīArabic pronunciation:[ɐˈbuˈðˤɑbi][4]
  2. ^Not to be confused with theCentral Business Districtof the city[1]

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