AbuDhabi also spelled Abū Ẓaby, is the capital and the second-most populous city after Dubai of #UnitedArabEmirates, it is also the capital of the largest Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is located on an island in the PersianGulf, off the Central West Coast. Most of the city and the Emirate reside on the mainland connected to the rest of the country. An economic powerhouse, The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is headquartered in the city, is the world’s 5th largest sovereign wealth fund.
In 2021 Abu Dhabi owned a trillion US dollars worth of assets. Unlike Dubai, Abu Dhabi’s economic base rests heavily on #crudeoil and #naturalgas production. Petroleum was discovered in 1958 at the submarine field of Umm al-Shayf. Abu Dhabi means “Father of Gazelle”, it is thought that this name came about because of the abundance of #gazelles in the area. Abu Dhabi is home to all local and federal government offices and seats of #UnitedArabEmirates government and Supreme Petroleum Council.
Ruled by Al Nahyan family, Abu Dhabi with its massive oil and gas reserves and production facility is a developed metropolis. There are numerous archaeological sites around the city. Once known for its #pearl fishing, the modern city was built by #Japanese architect Katsuhiko Takahashi in 1967. Just like Dubai the development of tall buildings has been encouraged under Abu Dhabi Plan 2030, under which many new #skyscrapers are to be built in this decade. An important #landmark, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a key fixture of the city’s architectural patrimony. Its construction was initiated under the administration of late President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The mosque was constructed with materials from around the world, including #Italy, #Germany, #Morocco, #Pakistan, #India, #Turkey, #Iran, #China, #UnitedKingdom, #NewZealand, #Greece, and #UAE. Among other landmarks are Founder’s Memorial, Presidential Palace, Multi-faith worship places, Qasr Al Hosn, as well as numerous parks and gardens. Abu Dhabi’s emirate is the wealthiest in UAE in terms of #GDP and #PerCapitaIncome. More than US$1 trillion was invested worldwide into the city to set up numerous industries. Well connected by air, land, and sea with all major countries and cities of the world.
Abu Dhabi like other emirates of UAE is home to #migrantworkers mostly from the #Indian subcontinent who form the backbone of the workforce also making it a diverse and multicultural society. Abu Dhabi is home to a number of cultural institutions including the Cultural Foundation, National Theater, UAE Public Library, and Cultural Center. Various cultural societies such as the Abu Dhabi Classical Music Society have a strong and visible following in the city. The Emirates Foundation offers grants in support of arts, as well as to advance science and technology, education, environmental protection, and social development
The city has several #restaurants that offer variety of #cuisine including #arabic, #Indian #chinese and #international variety. Abu Dhabi is a major #tourism hub with numerous places worth visiting such as #Louvre Anu Dhabi, turquoise blue waters, #sandy beaches #sanddunes as well as #National #Aquarium the largest #underwater park. Abu Dhabi shares international borders with #Qatar, #SaudiArabia, and #Oman and national boundary with #Dubai and #Sharjah. All this makes Abu Dhabi a must-visit place.
