23 Abu Dhabi Facts: Make This Persian Gulf Your Next Travel Spot
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The actual meaning of the name Abu Dhabi is 'Father of Gazelle' as 'abu' means father, and the Arabic word 'dhabi' means gazelle.
One of the interesting facts about Abu Dhabi is that the police force of Abu Dhabi is famous worldwide for driving supercars like Lamborghini Aventador and Bugatti Veyron. Pearl diving was the key industry of the city before the discovery of enormous oil resources in the area.
Abu Dhabi alone accounts for a significant chunk of the entire world's natural gas. Abu Dhabi is also one of the wealthiest cities in the world.
The ruler, the Sultan of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed, guided the Japanese architect Dr. Takahashi to design the city according to his specifications in 1967-68. In 1971, Abu Dhabi joined the United Arab Emirates and became its capital city after the UAE received political independence from the British.
Abu Dhabi was designated as the United Arab Emirates' temporary capital for five years. Its position was extended multiple times until it was selected as the permanent national capital in the early '90s.
Abu Dhabi is famously known for holding F1 races with its luxurious racing circle famous all over the world.
Meat (lamb, mutton, camel, fish), dates, and rice are among the most popular staple food that people of Abu Dhabi prefer to eat. Some food can be expensive in Abu Dhabi, but there are cheaper alternatives with different varieties of food from all over the world that are also available for people to enjoy.
The Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi - completed in January 2010 - broke the world record for the tallest human-made leaning architecture.
If you enjoy the following facts and want to know and learn about more interesting facts, check out our Benin facts and Burkina Faso facts.
Geographical Location Of Abu Dhabi
The capital city of the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi and it's also the second-most populous city of the seven emirates after Dubai. It's also the biggest of the seven emirates that form the United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi is in a desert area and hence has a desert climate naturally. The desert climate can mean sweltering conditions and the average summer temperature reaches around 104° F (40° C).
Abu Dhabi is situated on an island in the Persian Gulf, off the central west coast of the United Arab Emirates. The emirate and the majority of the city are located on the mainland, which is connected to the rest of the region.
Abu Dhabi is situated in the Arabian Peninsula's north-eastern corner, on the Persian Gulf. The island city is not far from the mainland, which is home to several other suburbs connected to the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi Corniche is a unique feature of the city, offering the opportunity to stroll, cycle, or jog along the island's gorgeous shoreline. The Abu Dhabi Emirate is bordered on the east by Oman, on the south by Saudi Arabia, and on the northeast by Dubai.
Al Ain, the headquarters of the emirate's eastern sector and home to the spectacular Hajar Mountains, is a prominent city in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi shares a border with the Sultanate of Oman. The western section of Abu Dhabi is home to tens of villages and communities and the capital is Zayed City. The main onshore oil fields are also located here.
The two main bridges - Al Maqta and Mussafah - connect Abu Dhabi city's island to the mainland, with additional construction plans in the works. Around 200 islands are part of Abu Dhabi's territory, with Saadiyat, Al Futaisi, and Sir Bani Yas Island being among the most important.
The coastline of Abu Dhabi stretches for about 435 mi (700 km) and accounts for a substantial portion of the country's landmass.
Most of the organized Abu Dhabi city is located on the island itself. Abu Dhabi is a desert emirate with a total area of 26,000 sq mi (67,340 sq km).
As of 2016, the metropolitan area of Abu Dhabi had an estimated population of 1.48 million, out of a total population of 2.9 million in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Archaeological evidence from past civilizations, such as the Umm an-Nar Culture, which dates back to the third millennium BC, may be found in the Abu Dhabi area. Other towns were discovered in the emirate's eastern and western districts, which are located outside of the present metropolis of Abu Dhabi.
The History Of Abu Dhabi
Archaeological findings abound throughout the emirate. In certain areas of Abu Dhabi, evidence suggests that the first settlements date back to the third millennium BC and the place itself is over a millennia-old.
Its early past is reminiscent of the nomadic period, with herding and fishing as mainstays. Settlements dating back over 5000 years have been discovered in and around Abu Dhabi, including Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain and on the island of Umm al Nar.
The Bani Yas Bedouin tribe's settlements along the coast around the 16th century were the most prominent in Abu Dhabi. The Bani Yas Tribe made Abu Dhabi their capital city in the '70s. Following the finding of freshwater, the tribe moved to the island, which was more productive and had a greater variety of species.
Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan from the Bani Yas tribe became the leader of the city in the year 1818. The ruling Al Nahyan family followed suit and fled to the island.
Under the administration of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa, Abu Dhabi prospered in the pearl trade, and the first exclusive contract of Abu Dhabi with the United Kingdom was signed in 1892.
The Trucial Coast was developed because the emirates' location was considered a significant strategic convenience linking it to India and the east. Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan awarded the Trucial Coast Development Oil Company (later called the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Company, ADPC) a petroleum concession in 1939 to hunt for large oil deposits.
Substantial offshore oil reserves were discovered in 1958, and onshore deposits were identified a year later. However, oil exports did not begin until the '60s, launching Abu Dhabi on the path to unimaginable fortune.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the new ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966. Two years later, the British declared their plans to depart for good and this is when (and why) the Sheikh founded the United Arab Emirates federation in 1971.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is known as the largest mosque in Abu Dhabi. It was established to unite the Muslims and represent their culture.
In 1971, Abu Dhabi joined the United Arab Emirates, and today, Abu Dhabi is a significant industrial, political, cultural, and commercial center.
The ruler of Abu Dhabi had realized that maintaining a strong position in the oil business required a strong relationship with Britain. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was chosen as the country's first president, and with the help of the British, he had begun to implement his vision of the country's development through greater oil earnings.
Due to the exploration of oil reserves, the fate of the city changed. The modern city of Abu Dhabi now has the biggest skyscrapers, Ferrari park, theme park, amusement park, indoor amusement park, heritage park, Louvre Abu Dhabi (art and civilization museum), Emirates Palace, and some of the largest shopping malls in the world.
Famous Tourist Spots In Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is, hands down, the safest city in the United Arab Emirates for tourists from all over the world, and almost half of the city revenue today comes from the tourism industry right, second only to income from the world's proven oil reserves.
Because of the thriving tourism industry the city possesses, Abu Dhabi's economy is continuously rising, with numerous tourist spots spread all over the capital city.
Right from when you land at the Abu Dhabi airport as a tourist, there are many fascinating things to do. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that are open 24/7 for you to enjoy delicious food.
There is also a luxurious lounge for your convenience at the airport itself, with world-class features to entertain you while waiting for your return flight. Abu Dhabi always has something to offer you in terms of entertainment and amusements.
If you want to explore the cultural history of Abu Dhabi, then the Sheikh Zayed Mosque can be your first stop in the city. It is considered to be one of the most amazing human-made marvels of architecture. The mosque can accommodate almost 50,000 people at a time.
The Emirates Palace Hotel is another amazing display showcasing the aura of the Arab world and its lavish lifestyle. Emirates Palace is a seven-star luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi with a private bay. This renowned Abu Dhabi landmark is not to be missed if you have a taste for the finer things in life.
If you like to visit museums and would like to know more about history and culture, then the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum should be on your list. Louvre Abu Dhabi is a civilization and art museum and is part of the 30-year agreement between the French government and the city of Abu Dhabi.
Lake Park and Heritage Park are the most visited parks in Abu Dhabi. The charming Heritage Park, located near Abu Dhabi's Mina Zayed harbor, is great for a solo evening stroll or a promenade with loved ones.
Abu Dhabi owns the Ferrari world amusement park located on Yas Island. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is one of Abu Dhabi's most famous tourist attractions. Flying aces, turbo track, Scuderia Challenge, and Formula Rossa - the world's fastest roller coaster, are just a few of the exhilarating attractions available in the Ferrari World theme park.
From luxury sports cars, al qurm corniche, gold bars, outstanding parks, museums, zoos, and other amazing human-made things to the natural gas reserves, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates has something for every tourist to enjoy.
What language is spoken in Abu Dhabi and why?
Abu Dhabi is a city with multiple cultural groups, including immigrants from all over the world.
Arabic is the official language of the city, but due to the high percentage of foreigners in the city, other prominent languages like English and Urdu are also popular in Abu Dhabi. Many people can speak multiple languages, with English recognized as the second language in the city.
However, the immigrant community, which outnumbers the locals, speaks the languages of their homelands. This can span from European languages like French and Russian to Hindi, Malayalam, and Bengali, among other Indian languages.
You should be able to move around most of the nations in the Arabian Gulf if you are fluent in either English or Arabic. English is most beneficial in cities, while Arabic is most useful in the interiors, with Hindi/Urdu also being handy if you don't speak Arabic.
Although the official language of the city is Arabic, English is the language that is widely spoken as English is considered to be a universal language all over the world. The UAE, with its level of development, is no exception.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy!
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