|
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.
|
