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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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