Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates, occupying 84% of the national landmass territory. It has 200 islands and a long coastline stretching 700km. Its total area is 67,340 sq. km.
Recognised as one of the safest cities on earth, Abu Dhabi's virtually crime-free environment and well-organised emergency services will bring you peace of mind and a relaxing stay.
Abu Dhabi city in the Emirate is the federal capital of the UAE.
Population
According to Abu Dhabi Statistics Centre, the estimated population of the Emirate around mid-2016 was 2,908,173 (comprising 1,857,618 males and 1,050,555 females). 551,535 were UAE nationals and 2,356,638 were expatriates. The average annual population growth rate for the years from 2010 to 2016 was 5.6 per cent.
Location and geography
The emirate of Abu Dhabi lies on the coast of the Arabian Gulf and is bordered by Sultanate of Oman to the east, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the south and the west and the emirate of Dubai to the northeast. The three main regions of the emirate are:
- The city of Abu Dhabi (an island less than 250 metres from the mainland)
- Al Ain in the east
- Al Dhafrah (earlier known as Al Gharbia) in the west.
- In the eastern region, to the south of Al Ain city is Jebel Hafeet - the Emirate's highest peak (1,240 metres).
- Al Dhafrah has seven main cities: Liwa, Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi, Ruwais, Mirfa, Sila and Delma Island.
- The city of Abu Dhabi is connected to the mainland by four bridges: Maqta bridge, Mussafah bridge, Sheikh Zayed bridge and Sheikh Khalifa bridge.
Economy
Over the recent decades, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has undergone a significant transformation in economic growth. Due to the vision of Abu Dhabi's leaders and the abundance of oil and natural gas reserves, the Emirate has grown to become a dynamic hub and major competitor on the global stage. While recognising the success of the oil sector, Abu Dhabi is working hard to reduce its hydrocarbons reliance and broaden the Emirate's economy. Investment in infrastructure, tourism, transport, health and education is continuing, in line with the government's 2030 economic plan.
Tourism is playing an integral role in Abu Dhabi's economic development. Major investment in new luxury resorts and business hotels is underway. Abu Dhabi has many things to offer to its visitors and residents: a versatile landscape, thriving investment hub, and a friendly environment boasting one of the highest per capita incomes and one of the lowest crime rates in the world. GDP of Abu Dhabi for the year 2014 was AED 960,146 million (at current prices).
Food
Abu Dhabi has a range of impressive dining options on offer, with stylish restaurants, cafés and bistros serving cuisines from around the globe. From family-friendly casual restaurants to fine-dining options perfect for romantic dates, beachside eateries boasting stunning views to some of the highest restaurants in the world, on-boat dining to private-chef serviced desert-dune dinners under the stars, visiting travellers are always awed by the sheer volume and diversity of choice across the emirate.
In Abu Dhabi you can find any cuisine you crave, from Japanese to Peruvian, American to Chinese, British to French, Indian to Lebanese, Emirati to Italian and much more. Travelling with fussy eaters? Abu Dhabi’s restaurants and their friendly staff will always go out of their way to please all palates, showcasing that genuine, warm hospitality that the emirate has become famous for.
Hotel outlets serve alcohol and there are also many unlicensed options across the city that are worth exploring. Non-Muslims can consume pork in certain restaurants, with any dishes prepared using pork ingredients being cooked separately from non-pork dishes and clearly marked on the menu.
Transport
Taxi services are quite cheap here: landing is 3.5 dirhams, every kilometre that you drive is from 2 dirhams, depending on the tariff. If you will permanently reside in Abu Dhabi, it is easier and cheaper to buy your own car.
They are not too expensive here: a new foreign car can be purchased for 60-100 thousand dirhams. Car maintenance will be completely cheap for you: in the UAE a litre of gasoline costs from 1.5 dirhams.
If you have an international license, then you only need to issue a driving license in the UAE, if not, you will have to obtain a license in the Emirates: courses cost from 2900 to 3700 thousand dirhams.
Cost of living
- fruits and vegetables – from 5 dirhams per kilogram;
- meat – from 20 dirhams per kilogram;
- bread – from 4 dirham per loaf;
- milk – from 6 dirham per litre;
- cereals – from 8 dirhams per kilo;
- drinking water – 2 dirhams for a bottle of 1.5 litres, etc.
If you came to a permanent place of residence in the UAE with your family: wife and minor kids, you would have to take care of preschool or school (depending on age) educational institutions for them.
There are no free schools and kindergartens for immigrants in Abu Dhabi, so you have to fork out for your kids to get a good education.
The payment for education in kindergarten and school largely depends on which country founded this institution, what program is used to teach and what is the reputation of the school or kindergarten.
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