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Encyclopedia > Abu Dhabi (emirate)

Abu Dhabi (Arabic: أبو ظبيʼAbū Ẓaby, literally "Father of Gazelle") is the largest of the seven emirates that compose the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. Arabic ( or just ) is the largest living member of the Semitic language family in terms of speakers. ... Species Several, see text A gazelle is an antelope of the genus Gazella. ... Etymologically an emirate or amirate (Arabic: إمارة Imarah, plural: إمارات Imarat) is the quality, dignity, office or territorial competence of any Emir (prince, governor etc. ... UAE redirects here; for other uses of that term, see UAE (disambiguation) The United Arab Emirates is an oil-rich country situated in the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia, comprising seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. ...


Abu Dhabi is also the city of the same name within the Emirate that is the capital of the country, in north central UAE. The Emirate has approximately 70% of the country's entire wealth. Al Ain is Abu Dhabi's second largest urban area with a population of 348,000 (2003 census estimate) and is located 150 kilometres inland. Abu Dhabi or Abu Zaby (Arabic language: أبوظبي) is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. ... In politics a capital (also called capital city or political capital — although the latter phrase has an alternative meaning based on an alternative meaning of capital) is the principal city or town associated with its government. ... Alain was also the pseudonym of Emile Auguste Chartier. ...

Contents

History

Parts of Abu Dhabi were settled as far back as the 3rd millennium BC and its early history fits the nomadic herding and fishing pattern typical of the broader region. Modern Abu Dhabi traces its origins to the rise of an important tribal confederation the Bani Yas in the late 18th century, who also assumed control of Dubai. In the 19th century the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches parted ways. The 3rd millennium BC spans the Early to Middle Bronze Age. ... Bani Yas is a tribe in the United Arab Emirates. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Coordinates: Emirate Dubai Government  - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Area  - Metro 4,114 km² (1,588. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Into the mid-20th century, the economy of Abu Dhabi continued to be sustained mainly by camel herding, production of dates and vegetables at the inland oases of Al Ain and Liwa, and fishing and pearl diving off the coast of Abu Dhabi city, which was occupied mainly during the summer months. Most dwellings in Abu Dhabi city were, at this time constructed of palm fronds (barasti), with the wealthier families occupying mud huts. The growth of the cultured pearl industry in the first half of the twentieth century created hardship for residents of Abu Dhabi as pearls represented the largest export and main source of cash earnings. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Species Camelus bactrianus Camelus dromedarius Camelus gigas Camelus hesternus Camelus sivalensis Camels are even-toed ungulates in the genus Camelus. ... Binomial name Phoenix dactylifera L. The Date Palm Phoenix dactylifera is a palm, extensively cultivated for its edible fruit. ... Oasis in the Libyan part of the Sahara For other uses, see Oasis (disambiguation). ... Liwa is a chemicals and petroleum company from the United Arab Emirates. ... Strand of akoya pearls from China Pearl farm, Seram, Indonesia A pearl is a hard, rounded object produced by certain animals, primarily mollusks such as oysters. ... Genera Many; see list of Arecaceae genera Arecaceae (sometimes known by the names Palmae or Palmaceae, although the latter name is taxonomically invalid. ... Mudbrick was used for the outer contruction of Sumerian ziggurats — some of the worlds largest and oldest constructions. ... A hut is a small and crude shelter used for dwelling. ...


In 1939, Sheikh Shakhbut Bin-Sultan Al Nahyan granted petroleum concessions, and oil was first found in 1958. At first, oil money had a marginal impact. A few lowrise concrete buildings were erected, and the first paved road was completed in 1961, but Sheikh Shakbut, uncertain whether the new oil royalties would last, took a cautious approach, preferring to save the revenue rather than investing it in development. His brother, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, saw that oil wealth had the potential to transform Abu Dhabi. The ruling Al Nahayan family decided that Sheikh Zayed should replace his brother as ruler and carry out his vision of developing the country. On August 6, 1966, with the assistance of the British, Sheikh Zayed became the new ruler. (See Al-Fahim, M, From Rags to Riches: A Story of Abu Dhabi, Chapter Six (London Centre of Arab Studies, 1995), ISBN 1-900404-00-1.) For other uses, see Sheikh (disambiguation). ... Shakhbut Bin-Sultan Al Nahyan (1905–February 11, 1989) was the son of Sultan bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, the traditional ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1922 to 1926. ... Pumpjack pumping an oil well near Lubbock, Texas Ignacy Łukasiewicz - inventor of the refining of kerosene from crude oil. ... Sheikh Zayed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Arabic:الشيخ زايد بن سلطان أل نهيان)‎, (1918 — 2 November 2004), the principal architect of the seven United Arab Emirates, was the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the UAE for over 30 years (1971-2004). ... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ...


With the announcement by the UK in 1968 that it would withdraw from the Gulf area by 1971, Sheikh Zayed became the main driving force behind the formation of the United Arab Emirates.


After the Emirates gained independence in 1971, oil wealth continued to flow to the area and traditional mud-brick huts were rapidly replaced with banks, boutiques and modern highrises. Banker redirects here; see wiktionary:banker for more meanings. ... Taipei 101, the worlds tallest skyscraper by roof height on high rise. ...


Location

Abu Dhabi is bordered by the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Abu Dhabi is bordered by the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The emirate of Abu Dhabi is located in the oil-rich and strategic Persian Gulf region. It adjoins the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman. The emirate borders the emirate of Dubai to its north. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Map of the Persian Gulf. ... Border stone at Passo San Giacomo between Val Formazza in Italy and Val Bedretto in Switzerland Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, states or subnational administrative divisions. ... Coordinates: Emirate Dubai Government  - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Area  - Metro 4,114 km² (1,588. ...


Language and literature

The majority of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi are expatriate workers and professionals from India, Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Philippines, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. English, Urdu are widely spoken. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... (اردو), historically spelled Ordu, is an Indo-Aryan language of the Indo-Iranian branch, belonging to Indo-European family of languages. ...


The native-born population are Arabic-speaking Gulf Arabs who are part of a clan-based society. The al-Nahyan family, part of the al-Falah branch of the Bani Yas tribe, rules the emirate and has a central place in society. Arabic ( or just ) is the largest living member of the Semitic language family in terms of speakers. ...


Towns and cities

Abu Dhabi city is a modern city with broad boulevards, tall office and apartment buildings, and busy shops. Abu Dhabi or Abu Zaby (Arabic language: أبوظبي) is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. ...


Other urban centers in the Abu Dhabi emirate are Al 'Ain, Baniyas and Ruwais. Al Ain is an agglomeration of several villages scattered around a valuable desert oasis; today it is the site of the national university, UAEU. Al Ain is billed as the Garden City of the UAE. Other work includes the 1st prize international competition of the Abu Dhabi Library and Cultural Center won by the Architects Collaborative, designed by Hisham N. Ashkouri of Boston, Massachusetts and New York, NY. View over Al Ain Al Ain (Arabic: العين, the spring) is the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates with a population of 421,948 (2005 estimate). ... Baniyas (Arabic: بانياس) is a city of northwestern Syria that is located 55 km to the south of Latakia, and 35 km north of Tartous. ... Ruwais is a town located some 240 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi city, the Ruwais•I-industrial and Housing Complex has been developed by ADNOC as a major contributor to the national economy and represents a series of multi-million-dollar investments by the Company. ... Hisham N. Ashkouri Portrait Hisham N. Ashkouri (born August 15, 1948, Baghdad, Iraq) is a Boston and New York-based architect. ...


Current ruler

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan was the first hereditary emir and ruler of Abu Dhabi, as well as the first president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Khalifa bin Zayed, president of the UAE. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan (Arabic: ‎, born 1948) is the current president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ... Entrance to the emirs palace in Bukhara. ...


Postage stamps

Scan of Abu Dhabi 40f stamp of 1967, made by User:Stan Shebs, 170px across This image of a postage stamp may be copyrighted and/or have other restrictions on its reproduction imposed by the issuing authority. ... Scan of Abu Dhabi 40f stamp of 1967, made by User:Stan Shebs, 170px across This image of a postage stamp may be copyrighted and/or have other restrictions on its reproduction imposed by the issuing authority. ... Shaikh (Arabic: شيخ ),(also rendered as Sheik, Shaykh or Sheikh) is a word in the Arabic language meaning elder of tribe, lord or a revered old man. ... Sheikh Zayed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Arabic:الشيخ زايد بن سلطان أل نهيان)‎, (1918 — 2 November 2004), the principal architect of the seven United Arab Emirates, was the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the UAE for over 30 years (1971-2004). ... Shaikh Zayed, 1967. ...

Climate

Sunny/blue skies can be expected throughout the year. The months June through September are generally hot and humid with temperatures averaging above 40ºC (110ºF). During this time, sandstorms also occur intermittently, in some cases reducing visibility down to a few meters. The weather is usually pleasant from October to May. January to February is cooler and may require the use of a light jacket. This period also sees dense fog on some days. The oasis city of Al Ain, about 150 km away, bordering Oman, regularly records the highest summer temperatures in the country, however the dry desert air and cooler evenings make it a traditional retreat from the intense summer heat and year round humidity of the capital city.[1] Alain was also the pseudonym of Emile Auguste Chartier. ...


Transport

Abu Dhabi International Airport- (AUH) serves the emirate. The local time is GMT + 4 hours. Private vehicles and taxis are the primary means of transportation in the city, although public buses, run by the Abu Dhabi Muncipality, are available, but mostly used by the lower-income population. There are bus routes to nearby towns such as Baniyas, Habashan and the garden city of UAE Al Ain, among others. There is a newer service started in 2005 between Abu Dhabi and the commercial city of Dubai (about 160 km away) Link title Abu Dhabi International Airport (IATA: AUH, ICAO: OMAA) is an airport located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. ... For alternate meanings of GMT, see GMT (disambiguation). ... Baniyas (Arabic: بانياس) is a city of northwestern Syria that is located 55 km to the south of Latakia, and 35 km north of Tartous. ... Alain was also the pseudonym of Emile Auguste Chartier. ... Coordinates: Emirate Dubai Government  - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Area  - Metro 4,114 km² (1,588. ...


Culture and the arts

Abu Dhabi is home to a number of cultural institutions including the Cultural Foundation and the National Theater. The Cultural foundation is home to the 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. Several countries have a National Theatre. ... The Abu Dhabi Public Library and Cultural Center Designed by architect Hisham N. Ashkouri as the 1st Prize entry in an International Design Competition in 1976, this building is a cluster of three buildings, a one million volume National Library, a complete 600-seat Auditorium with full performance art stage...

  • The island development will also include museums for classical art and performing arts centers among other state-of-the-art cultural facilities.
  • $28 billion has been set aside to budget this cultural development.

An island 500m off the coast of Abu Dhabi island. ... The Guggenheim Museum refers to any of several museums worldwide created and run by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. ... Frank Owen Gehry, (born Ephraim Owen Goldberg in Toronto, Ontario on February 28, 1929) is a Pritzker Prize winning architect based in Los Angeles, California. ... This article focuses on the cultural movement labeled modernism or the modern movement. See also: Modernism (Roman Catholicism) or Modernist Christianity; Modernismo for specific art movement(s) in Spain and Catalonia. ... Contemporary art refers to recently produced visual art. ... 2011 (MMXI) will be a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Guggenheim Museum refers to any of several museums worldwide created and run by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. ...

Schools and universities

Schools and universities in Abu Dhabi:

Abu Dhabi Mens College (ADMC) is one of 12 colleges that constitute the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), the largest institution of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ... The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) was established in 1988, and is now the largest institution of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with over 16,500 students. ... Abu Dhabi Womens College (ADW) is one of 12 colleges that constitute the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), the largest institution of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ... The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) was established in 1988, and is now the largest institution of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with over 16,500 students. ... The American International School in Abu Dhabi was founded in 1995 to serve the needs of the local and expatriate residents of Abu Dhabi who want their children to pursue both American and International Baccalaureate curricula in an international setting. ... The International School of Choueifat, Abu Dhabi is the first branch of the International School of Choueifat, opened in 1975. ... Bangladesh Islamia School and College is to provide sound academic education to international students in preparation for higher education while encouraging the personal and social skills necessary for the development of positive and effective young adults in harmony with the global community. ...

In the media

  • The cartoon cat Garfield would often put the kitten Nermal in a box and ship him to Abu Dhabi. The phrase "Abu Dhabi is where all the cute kittens go" is sometimes used in the comic.

Garfield is a comic strip created by Jim Davis, featuring the cat Garfield, the pet dog Odie, and their owner Jon Arbuckle. ... Nermal Cat is a fictional character in the comic strip Garfield by Jim Davis. ...

See also

The First Tower (1761) seen from the gate The Qasr al-Hosn (Arabic: قصر الحصن), is the oldest stone building in the city of Abu Dhabi, UAE. // It is located along Sheikh Zayed the First Street (i. ... Mina Zayid (Arabic: ميناء زايد) (Port Zayid, sometimes written as Zayed), is the commercial deep-water port that serves the city and Emirate of Abu Dhabi. ... Alain was also the pseudonym of Emile Auguste Chartier. ... Marawah is a low-lying island off the coast of Abu Dhabi. ... A postal authority organises collection and delivery of mail (US) or post (UK) within its area of control. ... Coordinates: Emirate Dubai Government  - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Area  - Metro 4,114 km² (1,588. ... Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 1,088 km paved: 1,088 km unpaved: 0 km (1998 est. ... Andrew Geoffrey Kaufman (January 17, 1949 – May 16, 1984) was an American entertainer and performance artist. ...

External links

Look up Abu Dhabi (Emirate) in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... It has been suggested that French Wiktionary be merged into this article or section. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ...

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