Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

It serves as the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District. It is also the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The city is the second-most populous city in the UAE. It is located on a T-shaped island in the Persian Gulf. This island sits off the central-western coast of the country. Most of the city and the Emirate reside on the mainland. This mainland is connected to the island by several bridges.

These include the Maqta and Mussafah bridges. The Sheikh Zayed Bridge was also opened in 2010. The city is a major center for politics, industry, culture, and commerce.

The geography of the area is defined by its relationship with the sea and the desert. The city sits on the southeastern side of the Arabian Peninsula. Many suburban districts exist on the mainland, such as Khalifa City and Al Raha Beach. These areas are connected to the island via motorways and bridges. One notable structure is the Al-Mafraq bridge. This bridge connects the city to Reem Island. It is a multi-layer interchange bridge with 27 lanes. It allows roughly 25,000 automobiles to move per hour.

To the east of the island lies the Mangrove National Park. This park is located on the Al Qurm Corniche. The name Al Qurm means "The Mangrove" in Arabic.

The climate of Abu Dhabi is classified as a hot desert climate. This is known scientifically as a BWh climate. You can expect sunny blue skies throughout the entire year. The months from May to September are extremely hot and humid. July and August are the peak summer months. During this time, maximum temperatures average above 40 degrees Celsius. High humidity makes the heat index feel much higher. Sandstorms also occur intermittently during these months. These storms can reduce visibility to just a few meters. The cooler season runs from November to March. January is typically the coolest month of the year.

The history of the region reaches back to ancient times. Archaeological evidence shows the Umm Al Nar Culture existed here. This culture dates back to the third millennium BC. Later, the Bani Yas tribe settled in the Liwa Oasis. The Al Nahyan family comes from this tribe. In 1761, a hunting party led by Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa Al Nahyan found fresh water. This discovery led to a new settlement near the coast. A popular story says they were pursuing a gazelle. This is why the name Abu Dhabi means "Father of Gazelle."

The Qasr Al Hosn fort remains at the city's center.

Before oil was found, the pearl trade was the main industry. The Persian Gulf was considered the best location for pearls. This industry boomed from the late 19th century until the early 20th century. Pearl divers performed very difficult work. They dived for one to three minutes at a time. Some divers made up to 50 dives per day. They did not use mechanical devices or air tanks. Instead, they used leather nose clips and finger coverings. Divers were not paid daily wages. Instead, they received a portion of the season's total earnings.

The discovery of oil and gas transformed the region. In 1936, a concession agreement was signed to explore for oil. This was an agreement with Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Exploration was difficult due to the desert terrain. In 1958, oil was discovered in the Umm Shaif field. This discovery was made using a marine drilling platform. Later, the Bu Hasa and Lower Zakum fields were found.

These resources helped the city become a developed metropolis. Abu Dhabi now accounts for about two-thirds of the $503 billion UAE economy. It is the largest and wealthiest of the seven emirates.

Today, Abu Dhabi is a global center for finance and governance. It is home to the UAE President and the federal government. The city manages massive amounts of wealth. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is headquartered here. ADIA manages approximately US$1 trillion in assets. This makes it the third-largest sovereign wealth fund in the world. It follows Norway's Government Pension Fund Global and China's CIC.

The city also features unique architecture. The skyline includes many modern buildings like Capital Gate.

Even the natural world is unique here. The Gulf waters hold the world's largest population of Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins.