Abu Dhabi by Travelscene Samford

Abu Dhabi is both the capital and Federal capital of the United Arab Emirates, and is the largest of the seven emirates. This second most populous city of the UAE lies on a T-shaped island, with its futuristic skyscrapers rising from the desert coast of the Persian Gulf.

Among the modern island city there are remains of an older and more cultural society. Abu Dhabi comprises of international luxurious hotels, never-ending shopping malls, extensive entertainment and leisure facilities, along beautiful green streets and parks.

The city’s origin reflects its true prestige, as it was a major hub for the pearl industry, before it had discovered its rich reserves of oil. There is a stretch of traditional wooden dhows along the harbour, which were not just used for fishing but also for pearl diving.

It is known as the most important cultural city in the UAE, attracting many visitors to its established Cultural Foundation centre, which is responsible for hosting various art exhibitions and musical performances from all over the globe. It is also one of the most prosperous and rapidly developing cities in the world, with an impressive population of 1.45 million (2008). In just over half a century it has become a major centre for tourism, as well as transforming from a small Bedouin village into a thriving investment enterprise. Furthermore, it is surrounded by several major islands and some of them are in the process of developing multi-billion dollar resorts which are set to enrich the emirates’ profile even further.

When it comes to entertainment and adventure, Abu Dhabi offers plenty of activities. The scorching heat and suffocating humidity may create some problem during the summer and early autumn months for outdoor activities, however the climate during the rest of the year is cooler and drier. Abu Dhabi has a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities to keep tourists amused throughout the year.

Camel Safari: Cycling: Fishing: Golf: Ice Skating: Powerboat Racing: Scuba Diving and Snorkelling: Skiing: Walking these are just a few of the activities.

The emirate of Abu Dhabi is huge by comparison to the other emirates, comprising almost 87% of the country’s total area. Just as 50 years ago Abu Dhabi was little more than a fishing village comprising a fort, a few coral buildings and a smattering of barasti huts, the rest of the emirate is very ‘Arabian Sands’ with its enigmatic empty desert, dotted with oases such as Al-Ain and Liwa. While the ruling Al-Nahyan family may have become rich from what lies beneath, you get the sense that their connection to the desert and the sea is something that remains more important than petrodollars.

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