Abu Dhabi History

The UAE has developed a world-class transportation network and modern telecommunications system; numerous special economic zones; and a pulsating, business-friendly market economy which has made the country a regional business, trading and leisure centre. As a result, the country of almost 6 million has enjoyed constant economic progress since its establishment, with annual GDP gains over the past decade of more than 7 percent a year. Across the country, residents enjoy high-end shopping malls, luxury hotels, movie theatres, lushly landscaped parks, galleries and museums.

The media industry is especially vibrant, with significant media special economic zones in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. You will find a multitude of English and Arabic language everyday newspapers, weekly and monthly magazines, and a wide range of radio and TV stations, along with access to a wide array of satellite TV channels. The country consistently leads rankings of internet and mobile phone connectivity in the region, with wireless internet access a standard feature of most airports, cafes, shopping centres and hotels.

The close vicinity of Abu Dhabi and Dubai – somewhat more than an hour’s drive apart – means that the leisure, retail, recreation, healthcare and business infrastructure and services of the two cities are shared by their residents. Between the two cities there are two international film festivals, numerous music, art and culture festivals, a large number of unique economic zones, including Abu Dhabi’s media city TwoFour54 and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest structure and Mall of the Emirates along with its indoor ski slope.

Since its establishment in 1971, the UAE has enjoyed an enviable degree of political stability, unequalled in the region. This has enabled the implementation of steady sound economic policies and the reinforcing of the country’s social structure to produce one of the most tolerant, prosperous, secure and safest societies on earth.

The rapidly growing emirate of Abu Dhabi is the capital of the seven-member federation and the country’s largest Emirate, containing approximately 30 percent of the population and 87 percent of the landmass. It's also where the majority of the country’s oil and gas reserves are located.

As a dynamic, cosmopolitan metropolis that aspires to be a global capital city, Abu Dhabi is developing world-class leisure, cultural and entertainment facilities, as well as high-quality housing, education, healthcare and transportation. It has restructured its health and education departments, which control its many world class public and private healthcare and educational institutions that are meeting the daily needs of all its residents.

Abu Dhabi continues to be ranked as one of the top two cities in the Middle East region for quality of life (Mercer Quality of Living City Rankings, 2009). Long-time investors including a wide range of multinational organizations from across the globe have kept operations in the Emirate for many years.

Some of Abu Dhabi’s up-and-coming leisure and lifestyle amenities have already drawn international attention. The 26sq-km natural Saadiyat  Island, which translates as ‘island of happiness’, will have a cultural  district housing the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the  Jean Nouvel-designed Louvre Abu Dhabi, a performing arts centre designed  by Zaha Hadid and a maritime museum designed by Tadao Ando.