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.
|
