[58] Abu Dhabi thus holds 9% of the world's proven oil reserves (98.2bn barrels) and almost 5% of the world's natural gas (5.8 billion cubic metres or 200 billion cubic feet). [96] There are also Arabs who are from other parts of the Arab World. 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. [53][54] It was built on the grounds of Ladies beach and construction was finished in 2018. All population figures in this table prior to 1968 are estimates obtained from populstat.info. Privacy Policy -Terms & Conditions - [49], In July 2019, the Grand Mosque was listed among the top global attractions by TripAdvisor. As with other parts of the UAE, foreign workers are not given proper treatment[citation needed] and many companies (both government and private) have yet to improve things. As of 2020, Abu Dhabi's urban area had an estimated population of 1.48 million,[6] out of 2.9 million in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, as of 2016. [99] [118] Shisha and qahwa boutiques are also popular in Abu Dhabi. Consideration of durability motivated the choice of many materials specified in the design of the structure. [14], The pearl diving business was a key industry prior to the discovery of oil reserves. A total of 1,360 buses are expected to be in operation by 2010.[103]. [67], There are four main areas these initiatives must fall under business and investment, society, knowledge and innovation and lifestyle. [16] The divers were not paid for a day's work but received a portion of the season's earnings. [90] The median age in the emirate was about 30.1 years. There has also been a drive to promote tourism and real estate with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Development Investment Company undertaking several large-scale development projects. Abu Dhabi is the richest capital city in the Middle East. A unique form of poetry to the UAE was formed in the 8th century by Al Khalil bin Ahmed and it was written in 16 metres (52 feet). 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. Due to this planning, a modern city with tall offices, apartment buildings, broad boulevards, and busy shops is present. [126] Universities from every corner of the world exhibit their career programs and scholarship programs. According to a source about pearling, the Persian Gulf was the best location for pearls. Today, the city's population far surpasses the original estimated maximum population when it was designed. 8. [81] The first phase includes over 50 initiatives that reflect the priorities of citizens, residents and investors. The Cultural Foundation, while closed for reconstruction as of spring 2011, is home to the UAE Public Library and Cultural Center. The divers had a leather nose clip and leather coverings on their fingers and big toes to protect them while they searched for oysters. The International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) will be based in Abu Dhabi. [5][13], The Bani Yas bedouin was originally centered on the Liwa Oasis in the western region of the Emirate. [77][78][79] [114], The Red Bull Air Race World Series has been a spectacular sporting staple for the city for many years, bringing tens of thousands to the waterfront. [46], The Sheikh Zayed Mosque represents a key fixture of the city's architectural patrimony. [61] 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. Directions must often be given based on nearby landmarks. [63] This idea of diversifying the economy is also seen in the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030[64] planned by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. [9], Abu Dhabi houses local and federal government offices and is the home of the United Arab Emirates Government and the Supreme Petroleum Council. In 2009, the Department of Transport plans to have 21 bus routes in the city, operated by 820 buses. It has taken on an active diversification and liberalization program to reduce the UAE's reliance on the hydrocarbon sector. Admissions for the top international schools in Abu dhabi tend to have waiting lists so it is recommended that parents apply well in advance to secure a spot for their children. Although there is an addressing system for the city, it is not widely used, causing problems in describing building locations. The total injection is AED 50 billion. [119], Today in Abu Dhabi there is a group called the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation that works to preserve the art and culture of the city. [108], Abu Dhabi has a diverse and multicultural society. Explore Abu Dhabi's sunrise and sunset, moonrise and moonset. [128][129] The ban on Israeli symbols was lifted in 2018 and Israeli flag and the national anthem was allowed to be displayed. The sale and consumption of pork, though not illegal, is regulated and it is sold only to non-Muslims in designated areas. [104] Morton, Michael Quentin, "The Abu Dhabi Oil Discoveries", GEO Expro article, issue 3, 2011. A massive expansion of public transport is anticipated within the framework of the government's Surface Transport Master Plan 2030. The city's per capita electricity consumption is about 41,000 kWh and the total supplied is 8,367 MW as of 2007[update]. Annual Weather Averages Near Abu Dhabi. The historic modification was implemented due to the economic challenges that occurred amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The Etihad Towers and Emirates Palace Hotel were some of the city's landmarks used as filming locations for the movie Furious 7, in which cars rush through the building and smashed through the windows of the towers. However, owing to the desert terrain, inland exploration was fraught with difficulties. [109] The city's cultural imprint as a small, ethnically homogeneous pearling community was changed with the arrival of other ethnic groups and nationals—first by the Iranians in the early 1900s, and later by various Asian and European ethnicities in the 1950s and 60s. This tribe was the most significant in the area, having over 20 subsections. Most of the city and the Emirate reside on the mainland connected to the rest of the country. The Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium is located on the outskirts of the city and is currently home to the Pakistan Cricket Team. Under the rule of the Department of Municipal Affairs, the city is part of the Central Capital District,[a] which is separate from the eastern and western municipal regions of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. [76] The distribution of electricity is carried out by companies run by SCIPCO Power and APC Energy. This is evident in the emphasis on industrial diversification with the completion of free zones, Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, twofour54 Abu Dhabi media free zone and the construction of another, ICAD II, in the pipeline. [12], "Abu" is Arabic for father, and "Dhabi" is the Arabic word for gazelle. It is the country's center of politics and industry, and a major culture and commerce center. The main settlement of the eastern region, officially "Al Ain Region" since a decree by Sheikh Khalifa in March 2017, is Al Ain City, and that of the western region, officially "Al Dhafra Region" as per the same decree,[31][32] is Madinat Zayed. Based on weather reports collected during 2005–2015. Cricket is also popular because of the South Asian ex-pats. The current network is supported by a bandwidth of 6 GB, with 50,000 dialup and 150,000 broadband ports. The stadium hosts at least two series per year in the last 4 years. The UAE has a fast-growing economy: in 2006 the per capita income grew by 9%, providing a GDP per capita of $49,700 and ranking third in the world at purchasing power parity. Abu Dhabi Airports has announced the launch of rapid COVID-19 PCR testing. [82], Mail is generally delivered to post-office boxes only; however, there is door-to-door delivery for commercial organizations. Edarabia strives to offer parents the latest updates, helping you find the best school in Abu Dhabi, with details on ADEC school ratings, tuition fees, videos, photos, location map and community reviews. [117] Similarly, the sale of alcoholic beverages is regulated. [105] The expansion is expected to see 130 km (81 mi) of metro and 340 km (210 mi) of tramways and/or bus rapid transit (BRT) routes. [19], In the mid to late 1930s, as the pearl trade declined, interest grew in the oil possibilities of the region. Construction began on 5 November 1996. In 1958, using a marine drilling platform, the ADMA Enterprise, oil was struck in the Umm Shaif field at a depth of about 2,669 metres (8,755 ft). On 5 January 1936, Petroleum Development Trucial Coast Ltd (PDTC), an associate company of the Iraq Petroleum Company, entered into a concession agreement with the ruler, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to explore for oil. 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. 7 and so on. [100], The first town bus entered service in about 1969 but this was all part of a very informal service. Some bus drivers reported as many as 100 passengers on a bus at one time. [113] Various cultural societies such as the Abu Dhabi Classical Music Society have a strong and visible following in the city. In 1793, the Al Bu Falah subsection migrated to the island of Abu Dhabi on the coast of the Persian Gulf due to the discovery of freshwater there. [33], 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 thought that this name came about because of the abundance of gazelles in the area and a folk tale involving Shakhbut bin Dhiyab al Nahyan. Khaleej Times jobs announce vacancies for every nationality and every position which job seekers need. All schools in the emirate are under the authority of the Abu Dhabi Education Council. Neighboring Dubai gets a lot of attention, but in recent years Abu Dhabi has become a popular destination. [130] Israeli minister of sports Miri Regev was also allowed to attend the event. The addressing system is up to international standards, This page was last edited on 1 April 2021, at 14:40. Several airlines offered flights to Dubai, the largest city in the UAE, which is about a 90-minute drive from Abu Dhabi, before airport closures began earlier this year. [57], Mangroves at Mangrove National Park, near Al Qurm Corniche on Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street in the eastern part of the city[27], The UAE's large hydrocarbon wealth gives it one of the highest GDP per capita in the world and Abu Dhabi owns the majority of these resources—95% of the oil and 92% of gas. © Edarabia.com - All Rights Reserved 2021    | [60], Abu Dhabi's Emirate is the wealthiest of the UAE in terms of Gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita income. The cooler season is from November to March, which ranges between moderately hot to mild. 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. 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 Landmark and the 74-story, 310 m (1,017.06 ft) Sky Tower, all of them completed. Experts reveal all", "Abu Dhabi Population 2019 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)", "Report: Abu Dhabi Investment, the third largest sovereign wealth fund in the world", "Wealth fund newbie comes into focus in Abu Dhabi's $1 trillion sovereign hub", "Abu Dhabi economy grows 5.2 pct in 2013, slower than expected", Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, "Pearl Diving in the United Arab Emirates", GEO ExPro – The Abu Dhabi Oil Discoveries, "Al Raha Beach Hotel ***** – Luxury Hotel Abu Dhabi – OFFICIAL SITE", Abu Dhabi has world's largest population of humpback dolphins, Abu Dhabi proves a haven for humpback dolphins, Abu Dhabi leads world in humpback dolphin numbers, "Motorists face major roadworks on busy Abu Dhabi street", National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "Monthly Abu Dhabi water temperature chart", "Khalifa renames Eastern and Western Regions", "Sheikh Khalifa renames Abu Dhabi regions", "Abu Dhabi Government Media Office launched", "Abu Dhabi Government Media Office Launched", "Abu Dhabi Government Media Office set up", "Building a city from the sands – The National", "Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Tower, Abu Dhabi – 131499 – EMPORIS", "Hilton Abu Dhabi Hotel – United Arab Emirates", "Etisalat Headquarters, Abu Dhabi – 203736 – EMPORIS", "Luxury 5 Star Hotel in Abu Dhabi – Emirates Palace", "Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council – Abu Dhabi Vision 2030", "Theory & Implementation – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center", "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Abu Dhabi", "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Listed Amongst Top Global Landmarks", "Inside Qasr Al Watan: Palace in Abu Dhabi opens doors to public", "Qasr Al Watan opens to the public: First-person account of a visit", "UAE's first official synagogue to open in multi-faith complicated in 2022 – Center East", "18 Non-Muslim Places of Worship Granted Licences in Abu Dhabi", "Welcome to Abu Dhabi – Beaches and Coasts", "Abu Dhabi's oil reserves to last another 150 years", "Abu Dhabi – Economic Base Diversifying", Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council – Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, "Abu Dhabi creates US$163 million funds for 'mega-events, "Abu Dhabi is buzzing with Fast & Furious 7 filming rumours – The National", "Ghadan 21: Abu Dhabi to boost business and ecotourism with major new reforms", "Government Accelerators – The Official Portal of the UAE Government", "Abu Dhabi's ADCB to Lay Off 400 Employees, Sources Say", State of the Environment Abu Dhabi – Themes – Water, Abu Dhabi faces water crisis – The National Newspaper, State of the Environment Abu Dhabi – Themes – Waste, "World's largest 1.17GW solar project completed in Abu Dhabi", "Breaking News, UAE, GCC, Middle East, World News and Headlines – Emirates 24/7", "Abu Dhabi named safest city in the world for second year running", "The UNITED ARAB EMIRATES : urban population", "UAE Permanent Mission in Vienna " The UAE-Seven Emirates", "Gulfnews: Cost of living rises for ex-pats in Abu Dhabi and Dubai", "Updated version of "Explore Abu Dhabi through Statistics, 2015" released", "Moving to Abu Dhabi – expats living in Abu Dhabi – Expat Arrivals", "The Gulf's Newest Billionaire – Forbes", "Passenger numbers at Abu Dhabi airport up 17% on the year", "Abu Dhabi International Airport officially opens its multi-faith prayer room", "Abu Dhabi Travel Guide | Turizm.com: Your One-stop Travel Partner", "Mohamed bin Zayed Views 'The Surface Transport Master Plan 2030, "ADT signs 30-year concession for first Khalifa port container terminal", "Metropolitan Dubai Area United Arab Emirates (UAE)", "بوابة حكومة أبوظبي الإلكترونية", "Red Bull Air Race airport officially opens in Abu Dhabi", Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards, "Abu Dhabi, UAE's conservative capital, ends alcohol licenses", "36 Winners Awarded at Abu Dhabi Public Schools Jiu-Jitsu Cup", "Judo federation wants younger state pupils to take up the sport", "Brazilian instructors boost School-Jitsu scheme", "Abu Dhabi opens world's first graduate-level AI university", "At a sporting event in an Arab capital, an unexpected sound: The Israeli national anthem", "Special Olympics World Games 2019: Tickets, Opening Ceremony, and the Torch Run", Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities (DPM), Cultural property of national significance in Abu Dhabi, An unrecognised or partially-recognised nation, Baynunah Tower Hotel (formerly Baynunah Hilton), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abu_Dhabi&oldid=1015444694, Populated coastal places in the United Arab Emirates, Populated places in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Articles with dead external links from August 2016, Articles with dead external links from June 2016, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox settlement with possible demonym list, Articles containing potentially dated statements from July 2008, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2006, Articles 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Fast food and South Asian cuisine are also very popular and are widely available. Arab food is very popular and is available everywhere in the city, from the small shawarma to the upscale restaurants in the city's many hotels. For example, the international business school established a campus in February 2010, offering an Executive MBA and executive education courses. Street taxis are easily recognized. Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), currently estimated at $875 billion, is the world's wealthiest sovereign fund in terms of total asset value. [38] 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. [123] The Abu Dhabi Jiujitsu Schools Program began in 2008 under the patronage of Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a keen Brazilian jiujitsu competitor. [41] and the Etisalat headquarters are usually found in the financial districts of Abu Dhabi. [102] The four routes, which operate between 6 am and midnight every day, run at a frequency of 10 to 20 minutes. It enables graduation for students, businesses and governments to advance artificial intelligence. In October 2019 Abu Dhabi announced the world's first graduate-level AI research institution, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). 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.[131]. This was followed in 1959 by PDTC's onshore discovery well at Murban No.3. [7] Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the world's 3rd largest sovereign wealth fund in 2020 is headquartered in the city,[8] while Abu Dhabi itself has over a trillion US dollars worth of assets under management in a combination of various sovereign wealth funds headquartered there. 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. Schools in Abu Dhabi ( مدارس في أبو ظبي ) work under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and the UAE Ministry of Education. The capital of the United Arab Emirates and with a population of 2.6 million (2015), Abu Dhabi is home to a diverse curricula of private schools and colleges, with subjects taught in Arabic and English. A majority of mosques are Maliki or Muwahhid oriented. Passenger numbers at Abu Dhabi International Airport rose by 17.2 percent in 2015, with more than 23 million travelers passing through its terminals during that year. The city also stages hundreds of conferences and exhibitions each year in its state-of-the-art venues, including the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) which is the Persian Gulf's largest exhibition center and welcomes around 1.8 million visitors every year. The crude birth rate, as of 2005[update], was 13.6%, while the crude death rate was about 2%. Motorsport is popular throughout the country and the circuit has also hosted other events such as the V8 Supercars series of Dubai. These boast several languages that make up the population of the city. Abu Dhabi has several parks and gardens and more than 400 kilometres (249 miles) of coastline, of which 10 kilometres (6 miles) are public beaches. 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.[56]. Get Abu Dhabi's weather and area codes, time zone and DST. This goal is seen in the amount of attention Abu Dhabi is giving its International Airport. The Emirate has many ports. Entrance is usually free for children, however, there is often an entrance fee for adults. It is a state-sponsored organization that communicates the latest developments in the capital, and the emirate's vision, values and traditions. This organization oversees and administers public schools and licenses and inspects private schools. Edarabia strives to offer parents the latest updates, helping you find the best school in Abu Dhabi, with details on ADEC school ratings, tuition fees, videos, photos, location map and community reviews. 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.[51]. A 2nd runway and new terminal was also built recently Located away from the main airport, the prayer room aims at enhancing the country's "position as an international hub for tolerance". [45] The UPC is also working on similar plans for the regions of Al-Ain and Al-Gharbia. A 2nd runway and new terminal was also built recently[97]. [69], The desalinated water supply and power production are managed by the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA). According to an article from an Abu Dhabi tourism page, sheikhs, teachers, sailors and princes make a large bulk of the poets within the UAE.