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Everything
in Abu Dhabi is modern, sleek and shiny. The United
Arab Emirate's capital is often accused of being
a rather soulless place, but that's going a bit
too far: it's not exactly buzzing but it does have
its attractions.
Apart
from anything else, it's a big city for doing business.
Abu Dhabi is by far the richest and most politically
important of the UAE's seven emirates. It's hard
to believe that this sprawling city was a bleak
fishing and pearling village less than 50 years
ago. Today, it's considered safe and secure for
foreigners, although demonstrations and political
gatherings are best avoided.
Population:
500,000 (estimated)
Country: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Main language: Arabic
Time: GMT/UTC plus 4 hours
Telephone Area Code: +971 2
Orientation
The
city of Abu Dhabi sits at the head of a T-shaped
island jutting into the Gulf off the central western
coast of the UAE. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi represents
over 85% of the total area of the UAE.
The
airport is on the mainland, about 30km (18.6mi)
north-east of the centre. The main business district
is barely 1 sq km (0.4 sq mi), bounded by Shaikh
Khalifa bin Zayed and Istiglal Sts to the north,
Zayed the Second St to the south, Khalid bin al-Walid
St to the west and As Salam St to the east.
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