Abu Dhabi

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For the emirate of the same name, see Abu Dhabi (emirate).
Abu Dhabi
أبو ظبي Abū ẓabī
—  City  —
City of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's skyline from Marina Mall
Abu Dhabi's skyline from Marina Mall
Flag of Abu Dhabi
Flag
Abu Dhabi is located in United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Location of Abu Dhabi in the UAE
Coordinates: 24°28′N 54°22′E / 24.467°N 54.367°E / 24.467; 54.367
Country United Arab Emirates
Government
 - Type Constitutional monarchy[1]
 - Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
 - Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Area
 - Total 67,340 km2 (26,000.1 sq mi)
Population (2008)
 - Total 945,268
 - Density 293.94/km2 (761.3/sq mi)
Time zone UAE standard time (UTC+4)
Website
Abu Dhabi Government Portal

Abu Dhabi (Arabic: أبو ظبي‎ Abū ẓabī, literally Father of gazelle[2]) is the capital and the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates, It is also the seat of government of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, which is ruled by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan – the current ruling Emir of the UAE. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. The city proper, making up an area of 67,340 km², has an estimated population of 860,000 in 2007.[3]

Abu Dhabi is the houses important offices of the federal government, including the Federal National Council. Abu Dhabi has grown to be a cosmopolitan metropolis. Its rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed Abu Dhabi. Today the city is the country's center of political, industrial activities, and a major cultural, and commercial centre due to its position as the capital. Abu Dhabi alone generates 55% of the GDP of the United Arab Emirates[4][5]. Abu Dhabi is home to important financial institutions such as the, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and the corporate headquarters of many companies and numerous multinational corporations. One of the world's largest producers of oil, Abu Dhabi has actively attempted to diversify its economy in recent years through investments in financial services and tourism.

Contents

[edit] Etymology

The etymology of "Abu Dhabi" is uncertain but many possibilities exist. The area had a lot of Dhibaa [deers] and was nicknamed after that. Another story reveals that its eponym, a man who used to chase "Dhabi" [deer] was named the "father" of the animal and the name caught on. Abu Dhabi was previously called Milh or salt, "probably because of the salty water. Even now, this is the name of an island of the coast of Abu Dhabi.

The word Abu Dhabi means "Father of Deer" referring to the few Dhibaa living in Al Buteen area. Some Bedouins called the city Umm Dhabi (mother of deer). However, British archives refer to the city as Abu Dhabi and according to books written by Arab historians and poets, the name was first used more than 300 years ago. Most likely, the name was originally, tho Dhabi, tho referring to an area that possessed something (in this case, deer). Tho was perhaps dropped because it was either deemed too heavy or did not match the idiom of the local dialect.[6]

[edit] History

Qasr al-Hosn, the oldest building in the city of Abu Dhabi showing the The First Tower (1761) seen from the gate

Parts of Abu Dhabi were settled in 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, which also subsequently assumed control of the town of Dubai. In the 19th century the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches parted ways.

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 Oasis, 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. image:image 132 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 Nahyan, saw that oil wealth had the potential to transform Abu Dhabi. The ruling Al Nahyan 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. [7]

With the announcement by the UK in 1968 that it would withdraw from the Persian 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.

[edit] Governance and politics

Main article: Politics of the United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the hereditary ruler of Abu Dhabi (UAE). He is a son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates. His half-brother, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and wields considerable influence as Chairman of Abu Dhabi's Executive Council and Deputy Supreme Commander of Abu Dhabi's armed forces.[8]

The city is overseen primarily by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, which is chaired by Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The total number of members of the Executive Council has been slimmed down to 12 since the succession and is comprised largely of prominent members of the ruling family as well as a number of respected politicians.[9]

The emirates maintain their hereditary rulers who, as a group, form the UAE’s Supreme Council of Rulers, headed by the president. Although the presidency is renewable every five years through a vote in the council, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan held the presidency from the formation of the UAE until his death in November 2004, and there is an implicit understanding that Abu Dhabi’s ruler will always be elected president.[9]

At a federal level, laws must be ratified by the Supreme Council, however, the Council of Ministers forms the executive authority of the state. This 20-member cabinet is headed by the president’s chosen prime minister, a post currently held by Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The cabinet also refers to the Federal National Council (FNC), a 40-member consultative body to which each emirate appoints a certain number of members. In the case of Abu Dhabi, this is eight. The procedures for appointment to the FNC have recently been amended so that each emirate must now select its representatives through an electoral body. The size of each electoral authority must be 100 times greater than the number of representatives it appoints. Half the members of each electoral body will be selected by the ruler of the emirate while the other half will be directly elected by residents of the emirate. These amendments are considered to be the first step in a wider electoral reform programme which will see greater representation at a federal level.[10]

[edit] Geography

Main article: Geography of the United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi seen from SPOT satellite

Abu Dhabi city is geographically located on the north-eastern part of the Persian Gulf in the Arabian Peninsula. It is on an island located less than 250 metres from the mainland and is joined to the mainland by the Maqta and Mussafah Bridges. A third bridge, designed by Zaha Hadid, is currently under construction. Bridges connecting to Reem Island and Saadiyat Island are also under construction and should be completed in 2011.

Most of Abu Dhabi is located on the island itself, but it has many suburbs on the mainland for example: the Khalifa A, Khalifa B, Rhaha Beach, Between Two Bridges, Baniyas and Mussafah Residential.

[edit] Climate

Sunny/blue skies can be expected throughout the year. The months of April through September are generally hot and humid with maximum temperatures averaging above 40 °C (104 °F). During this time, sandstorms also occur intermittently, in some cases reducing visibility down to a few meters.

The weather is cooler from November to March. This period also sees dense fog on some days. The oasis city of Al Ain, about 150 km (93 mi) 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.[11]


[edit] Cityscape

A panoramic view of modern Abu Dhabi, as seen from the Marina
A panoramic view of modern Abu Dhabi, as seen from the Marina
A panoramic view of the Emirates Palace, a major landmark in Abu Dhabi
A panoramic view of the Emirates Palace, a major landmark in Abu Dhabi

[edit] Economy

Main article: Economy of the United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi Skyline
Abu Dhabi Corniche

Abu Dhabi holds 9% of the world’s proven oil reserves (98.2bn barrels) and almost 5% of the world’s natural gas (5.8 trillion cu metres), the UAE’s large hydrocarbon wealth gives it one of the highest GDP per capitas in the world. Abu Dhabi owns the majority of these resources – 95% of the oil and 92% of gas. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company asserted in August 2006 that the UAE is presently ready to expand production of crude oil to 2.8m barrels per day (bpd)and is on target to push production to 4m bpd by 2010.[10]

Rcently the government has been diversifying there plans, served by the inexorable rise in oil prices, the country’s non oil and gas GDP has outstripped that attributable to the energy sector. Remarkably, non Oil and Gas GDP now constitutes 64% of the UAE’s total GDP. This trend is reflected in Abu Dhabi with substantial new investment in industry, real estate, tourism and retail. As Abu Dhabi is the largest oil producer of the Emirates, it has reaped the most benefits from this trend. It has taken on an active diversification and liberalisation programme to reduce the emirate’s reliance on the hydrocarbon sector. This is evident in the emphasis on industrial diversification with the completion of an industrial free zone known as the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi and the construction of another, ICAD II, in the pipeline. There has also been a drive to promote the tourism and real estate sectors with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Development Investment Company undertaking several large scale development projects. These projects will be served by an improved transport infrastructure with a new port, an expanded airport and a proposed rail link between Abu Dhabi and Dubai all in the development stages.[13]

Abu Dhabi is the wealthiest emirate of the UAE in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and per capita income. The average net worth for Abu Dhabi's 420,000 citizens is AED 62 million (US$ 17 million), and more than $1 trillion is invested worldwide in this city alone. The GDP per capita also reached $63,000,[14] which is far above the average income of the United Arab Emirates and which ranks third in the world after Luxembourg and Norway. Abu Dhabi is also planning many future projects sharing with the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and taking 29% of all the GCC future plannings. The United Arab Emirates is a fast-growing economy: in 2006 the per capita income grew by 9%, providing a GDP per capita of $49,700 and ranking third in the world at Purchasing power parity. Abu Dhabi plays a large role in the world economy. Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), currently estimated at US$ 875 billion, is the world's wealthiest sovereign fund, in terms of total asset value.[15] Etihad Airways maintains its headquarters in Abu Dhabi.[16]

[edit] Utility Services

Etisalat Headquarters. The company held a virtual monopoly over telecommunications in Dubai prior to 2006.[17]

The water supply in Abu Dhabi is managed by the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company. As of 2006, it supplied 560.2 MGD (million gallons per day) of water[18], while the water demand for 2005–06 was estimated to be 511 MGD.[19] The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) states that groundwater is the most significant source of water, as well as desalinated portable water, and Treated sewage effluent. At 40.6 MGD, the Umm Al Nar storage is the largest water source for Abu Dhabi, followed by river Shuweihat and Taweelah.[20] With falling groundwater level and rising population density, Abu Dhabi faces severely acute water shortage. On average each Abu Dhabi resident uses 550 litres of water per day[21]. Abu Dhabi daily produces 1532 tonnes of solid wastes which is dumped at three landfill sites by Abu Dhabi Municipality[22] [23]. The daily domestic waste water production is 330 MGD and industrial waste water is 40 MGD. A large portion of the sewerage flows waste streams, and separation plants.[24]

The city's per capita electricity consumption is about 41,000 kWh and the total supplied is 8,367 MW as of 2007[25]. A few years ago, the power sector in Delhi was handed over to private companies. The distribution of electricity is carried out by companies run by SCIPCO Power and APC Energy. [26] [27] The Abu Dhabi Fire Service runs 13 fire stations that attend about 2,000 fire and rescue calls per year.

State-owned Etisalat and provide telephone and cell phone service to the city. Cellular coverage is extensive, and both GSM and CDMA (from Etisalat and Du) services are available. Etisalat, the government owned telecommunications provider, held a virtual monopoly over telecommunication services in Abu Dhabi prior to the establishment of other, smaller telecommunications companies such as Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC — better known as Du) in 2006. Internet was introduced into Abu Dhabi in 1995. The current network is supported by a bandwidth of 6 GB, with 50,000 dialup and 150,000 broadband ports. Etisalat recently announced implememnting a fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Abu Dhabi during the third quarter of 2009 to make the emirate the world's first city to have such a network[28].

[edit] Transport

Main article: Abu Dhabi Bus service
Abu Dhabi's older taxis are being phased out with newer sliver taxis[29]

Public transport systems in Abu Dhabi include the Abu Dhabi Public Buses, taxis, ferries, and aeroplanes. White and mustard metered taxis traverse most of the metropolis of the city, and now newer silver taxis are coming in, and the old mustard one's are being phased out. [30] Abu Dhabi has about 8,000 7000-8000 old bronze/yellow/gold & white taxis, which will be phased out from 2008 to 2010.[31]

The first town bus entered service in about 1969 but this was all part of a very informal service. On 30 June 2008 the Department of Transport began public bus service in Abu Dhabi with four routes.[32] All routes were free until the end of 2008 in an attempt to entice people to use the bus system.[33] The four routes, which operated between 06:00 and 00:00 every day, come at a frequency of 10 to 20 minutes.[33] Within the first week of service, the bus network had seen high ridership. Some of the buses, which have a maximum capacity of 45 passengers, only had room for standing. Some bus drivers reported as many as 100 passengers on the bus at one time.[34] Although the new, free bus service has been a success, many taxi drivers are losing business. Taxi drivers have seen a considerable decrease in the demand for taxis while lines were forming for the buses.[35] The service steadily expanded and by the end of 2008, 230 buses were in service. In 2009, the Department of Transport plans to have 21 bus routes in the city, operated by 820 buses. A total of 1,360 buses are expected to be in operation by 2010.[34]

A massive expansion of public transport is anticipated within the framework of the government's 'Surface Transport Master Plan 2030'.[36] The expansion is expected to see 130 km of Metro and 340 km of tramways and/or bus rapid transit (BRT) routes.

Interior of Abu Dhabi Airport

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) serves this city. It is the main aviation hub in the city and the second busiest airport in the UAE. Abu Dhabi airport is the second largest in the UAE, serving 9.02 million passengers in 2008, up 30.2 percent on 2007[37] [38]. Its terminal spaces are dominated by Etihad Airways which is the United Arab Emirates's national airline and the second largest airline[39]. A new Terminal opened in 2009 bringing expected that passenger numbers will reach the total current capacity to 12 million passengers per annum[40] by 2011. Development work has also started on a new passenger terminal, to be situated between the two runways and known as the Midfield Terminal. The new mega midfield terminal complex will be capable of handling an additional 20 million passengers a year initially and then later, as Abu Dhabi develops as a major Middle East transport hub, up to 50 million passengers a year (this should provide major competition to Dubai International Airport).[41] The 5.9-million-square-metre terminal will initially include 42 gates, rising to more than 90 gates on completion of the airport[42].

[edit] Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the United Arab Emirates
Year Population
19601 25,000 [43]
19651 50,000[44]
19691 46,400[45]
19751 127,763[46]
1980 243,257[47]
1985 283,361[48]
1995 398,695[49]
2003 552,000[50]
2009 896,751[51]
1 The town of Dubai first conducted a census in 1968. All population figures in this table prior to 1968 are estimates obtained from various sources.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the largest mosque in the country and the sixth largest mosque in the world.[52]

According to the census conducted by the Statistics Center of Abu Dhabi, the population of the emirate was 1,215,218 as of 2002, which included 839,091 males and 376,127 females.[53]

The region covers 67,340 km2 (26,000.1 sq mi). The population density is 293.94/km2 (761.3/sq mi) more than five times that of the entire country however the lowest comapred to the other emirates, with Ajman and Dubai the most densely populated. The figures showed Abu Dhabi had a low density because of its large area, which stood at around 67,340 km2, nearly 87 per cent of the UAE's total area of 77,700 km2.[54] Abu Dhabi also ranks as the 26th most expensive city in the world, and the second most in the region behind Dubai.[55]

As of 2001, 25.6% of the population of the emirate was made up of UAE nationals. Approximately 74.4% of the population was expratiates.[56] The median age in the emirate was about 30.1 years. The crude birth rate, as of 2005, was 13.6%, while the crude death rate was about 2%.[57]

Article 7 of the UAE's Provisional Constitution declares Islam the official state religion of the UAE. The government subsidizes almost 95% of mosques and employs all Imams.

The majority of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi are expatriate workers from India, Pakistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Philippines, the United Kingdom and various countries from across the Arab world. Consequently, English, Hindi, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Amharic, Bengali, and Urdu are widely spoken. Apart from Urdu and Hindi spoken by Indians, many Indian expatriates also contribute other South Asian languages to the cultural milieu, including Malayalam, widely spoken in Kerala.

The native-born population are Arabic-speaking Persian Gulf Arabs who are part of a clan-based society. The Al Nahyan family, part of the al-Falah branch of the Bani Yas clan, rules the emirate and has a central place in society.

See also: Indians in the United Arab Emirates, Islam in the United Arab Emirates, Roman Catholicism in the United Arab Emirates, and Bahá'í Faith in the United Arab Emirates

[edit] Culture

The Abu Dhabi Public Library and Cultural Center

Abu Dhabi has a diverse and multicultural society. It 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. The recently launched Emirates Foundation makes grants in support of the arts, as well as to advance science and technology, education, environmental protection and social development. The International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) will be based in Abu Dhabi.

The creation of a major "up-scale cultural district" on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island has begun with the groundwork for a US$200 million Guggenheim Museum. The Frank Gehry-designed museum will display a "prestige collection" of modernist and contemporary art and is scheduled for completion in 2011. Upon completion, it is expected to be the largest exponent of the prestigious Guggenheim Museums.[58] In addition, there will be three further cultural focal points:[59] The Performing Arts Centre, The Sheikh Zayed National Museum and The Maritime Museum.

Abu Dhabi stages hundreds of conferences and exhibitions each year in its state-of-the-art venues, including the The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) which is the Gulf's largest exhibition centre and welcomes around 1.8 million visitors every year. The Red Bull Air Race World Series has been a spectacular sporting staple for the city for many years, bringing tens of thousands to the waterfront. Another major event is the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC). Since 1998, the city has been host to the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championship, an event that regularly brings together practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Judo, Sambo, Shooto and Mixed Martial Arts from around the world to compete in several weight classes as well as an "absolute" division.

[edit] Sister cities

[edit] City planning

A Public Park in the City
Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (formerly Airport Road)

The city was planned in the 1970s for an estimated maximum population of 600,000. In accordance with what was considered to be ideal urban planning at the time, the city has wide grid-pattern roads, and high-density tower blocks.

On the northerly end of the island, where the population density is highest, the main streets are lined with 20-story towers. Inside this rectangle of towers is a normal grid pattern of roads with lower density buildings (2 story villas or 6 story low-rise buildings).

Abu Dhabi city is a modern city with broad boulevards, tall office and apartment buildings, and busy shops. Principal thoroughfares are The Corniche, Airport Road, Sheikh Zayed Street, Hamdan Street and Khalifa Street.

Abu Dhabi city is known in the region for its greenery; the former desert strip today includes numerous parks and gardens.

Mail is generally delivered to post-office boxes only; however, there is door-to-door delivery for commercial organizations. There are many parks (or public gardens) throughout the city. Entrance is usually free for children, however there is often an entry fee for adults. The city has a "Corniche," or seaside promenade, about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) in length, with gardens, playgrounds, and a BMX/Skateboard ring.

The design of the inner city roads and main roads are quite organised. All horizontal streets (starting from Corniche street, St. # 1) are odd and the verticals are evenly numbered. So Corniche is Street #1, Khalifa is Street # 3, Hamdan is Street # 5, and so on. While Salam Street is St # 8.[63]

Abu Dhabi has since established in 2007 the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC), the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi’s urban environments, and the expert authority behind the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan published September 2007. The UPC is also working on similar plans for the Region of Al Ain and Western Region.

[edit] Planning problems

A street in Abu Dhabi city.
  • The city's population far surpasses the original estimated maximum population when it was designed. This causes traffic congestion, a shortage of car parking spaces, and overcrowding.
  • Although there is an addressing system for the city, it is not widely used, and so causes problems in describing building locations. This means directions must often be given based on nelang-ary landmarks.
  • The lack of a comprehensive, reliable, and frequent public transport system has led to a near complete dependence on private cars and taxis as a means of transport. The addition of free public transportation in the form of public buses has lightened the congestion on the roads recently, and plans to build light railway connections between the center and the airport, and onwards towards Dubai, have been announced.

[edit] Future development

New developments on islands surrounding the city plan to increase the population of the city by up to 2,600,000. These developments will put the city on par with the other major city of Dubai.

The government of Abu Dhabi has announced plans to fund a campus for New York University, the first of its kind to be established by a major US research university outside of the United States. The university is expected to receive students by 2010.[64]

[edit] Major projects

[edit] Education

Main article: Education in Abu Dhabi
 Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (July 2009)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

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  3. ^ United Arab Emirates: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population. World Gazetteer.
  4. ^ http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/09/06/17/10323520.html
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  6. ^ UAEinteract.com. "How did Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other cities get their names? Experts reveal all UAE - The Official Web Site - News". Uaeinteract.com. http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/How_did_Dubai,_Abu_Dhabi_and_other_cities_get_their_names?_Experts_reveal_all/24335.htm. Retrieved on 2009-07-07. 
  7. ^ 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.
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  9. ^ a b "Government in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Politics - Allo' Expat Abu Dhabi". Abudhabi.alloexpat.com. http://www.abudhabi.alloexpat.com/abudhabi_information/government_abudhabi.php. Retrieved on 2009-07-07. 
  10. ^ a b "Emirates: Abu Dhabi: Country Profile - Geography, History, Government and Politics, Population and Economy". Oxfordbusinessgroup.com. http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/country.asp?country=36. Retrieved on 2009-07-07. 
  11. ^ "Sharjah, United Arab Emirates". BBC Weather. http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT002910. 
  12. ^ "Average Conditions of Sharjah, UAE". BBC Weather Centre. http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT002910. 
  13. ^ "Abu Dhabi - Economic Base Diversifying". Entrepreneur.com. 2009-01-05. http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/191913051.html. Retrieved on 2009-07-07. 
  14. ^ Abu Dhabi's GDP per capita reaches $ 63,000
  15. ^ Asset-backed insecurity. The Economist. 17 January 2008
  16. ^ "Our offices." Etihad Airways. Retrieved on 6 February 2009.
  17. ^ United Arab Emirates. OpenNet Interactive. 2008
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  20. ^ http://www.adwec.ae/statistics/pdf/98-06/Water_Tables_Part1.PDF
  21. ^ http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090322/NATIONAL/684266544/1080
  22. ^ http://www.agedi.ae/SOEAssessment/EnvironmentalPolicyandRegulation/SOE%20Results/waste.pdf
  23. ^ http://www.soe.ae/Abu_Themespage.aspx?m=237
  24. ^ http://www.soe.ae/Abu_Themespage.aspx?m=237
  25. ^ http://www.adwec.ae/statistics/pdf/98-06/Electricity_Charts2006.PDF
  26. ^ http://www.adwec.ae/statistics/pdf/98-06/Electricity_Tables_Part1.PDF
  27. ^ http://www.adwec.ae/statistics/pdf/98-06/Electricity_Tables_Part2.PDF
  28. ^ http://www.business24-7.ae/Articles/2009/4/Pages/18042009/04192009_26fb1a58877b40f09494c1f21817769e.aspx
  29. ^ http://www.ameinfo.com/136854.html
  30. ^ http://www.visitabudhabi.ae/en/plan.your.trip/getting.around/taxis.aspx
  31. ^ http://www.dubaifaqs.com/taxi-abu-dhabi.php
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  34. ^ a b Kwong, Matt (2008-07-05). "Buses bulge with passengers". The National. http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080705/NATIONAL/416007683. Retrieved on 2008-07-12. 
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  37. ^ http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/news/news20090118.asp
  38. ^ http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/news/news20090118.asp
  39. ^ http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Company_News/E/Etihad_Airways/
  40. ^ http://www.meed.com/news/2009/04/abu_dhabi_international_capacity_reaches_12_million_as_terminal_3_fully_operati.html
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