Abu Dhabi (Emirate)
24 27 '33 "N 54 22' 10" E / 24.4591, 54.3694
| Abu Dhabi ( (ar) Ab Zaby (ar)) | |
 | |
|---|---|
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Location map of Abu Dhabi. | |
| Administration | |
| Country |  UAE |
| Type | Emirate |
| Capital | Abu Dhabi |
| Emir | Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
| Creation Date | 1791 (founding of the city of Abu Dhabi ) |
| Geography | |
| Area | 67 340 km 2 |
| Minimum altitude | 0 m |
| Demography | |
| Population | 1,432,900 inhab. (2006) |
| Density | 21.3 inhabitants / km 2 |
| Language (s) | Arabic |
| Ethnic groups | Demography UAE |
Abu Dhabi, also spelled Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi , is the largest emirate of the UAE.
Its largest city, which is also the capital of the UAE, is the city of Abu Dhabi.
Summary |
Etymology and spelling
Origins
Before being called Abu Dhabi, the region was called Milh, which means salt in Arabic , probably because of the abundance of this resource .
Abu Dhabi means Father of gazelle , and its first use dates back over 300 years. The origin of the name having been transmitted from generation to generation through the poems and legends , it is difficult to know the true etymology . Some legends tell that the name was given by a man who hunted gazelle and would have received this nickname. Others say the name of the town was originally Umm Dhabi, is the mother of the gazelle, because of the large number of animals living there.
Spelling
The spelling of the word in French is subject to different interpretations, since it is a transcription of Arabic. Thus, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abu Dhabi's Spells , while the Interinstitutional style European commission and the names of the IGN agree Abu Dhabi .
Geography
Location
The emirate of Abu Dhabi is located in the south and west of the UAE which represents 80.5% of the territory . The majority of the emirate is occupied by the desert of Rub al-Khali and the coast on the Persian Gulf is mostly occupied by sebkhas. The emirate has borders with Saudi Arabia to the south and west, Oman to the east and the emirates of Dubai and Sharjah to the north. It has no enclave or exclave. Its coastline , surrounded by nearly 200 islands, stretches over 700 kilometers.
Relief
Climate
Abu Dhabi enjoys a subtropical arid climate with good weather throughout the year. The summer months are from May to September, with temperatures ranging between 30 and 51 C and can sometimes reach over 55 C during the months of July and August. The winter months from October to April, show temperatures around 24 C.
However, there are large differences in climate between the coastal parts of the emirate and the desert inland, particularly in summer. While the presence of Wed plays the role of regulator in the summer heat, preventing the temperature down a lot during the night, the remote areas of the sea have a high thermal amplitude , with temperatures as low as 15 C night.
Similarly, while the air is very dry place away from the coast, it is actually very humid near the sea, making the heat unbearable.
History
The city of Abu Dhabi was founded in 1791 by the tribe Bedouin of the Bani Yas headed Chakhbut Dhiyab bin. They retreated in the region, fleeing the Wahhabis of Najd , which extended their territory.
Economy
The emirate of Abu Dhabi has 9% of reserves of oil worldwide, or 98.2 billion barrels, nearly 5% of reserves of natural gas worldwide is 5800 billion cubic meters. This abundance of oil explains why the UAE has one of the GNP of the highest in the world . The majority of these resources, 95% oil and 92% of natural gas, the United Arab Emirates are located in Abu Dhabi. The National Petroleum Institute, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company , said in August 2006 that the UAE were now ready to expand their crude production to produce 2.8 million barrels per day and plan to increase production to reach 4 million barrels per day by 2010 .
Recently the government has diversified its projects. With the rising price of oil, the income generated by sectors other than oil have skyrocketed. Business sectors other than oil now account for 64% of the GDP of the UAE. This trend manifests itself in Abu Dhabi as a new investment in industry, real estate, tourism and distribution.
Abu Dhabi is the largest oil producer in the UAE, the emirate has benefited from this resource more than other emirates. However, the emirate has launched programs to diversify and liberalize the economy to reduce its dependence on oil and gas sector. This initiative has grown significantly, particularly in the industrial sector with the creation of a free industrial zone known as the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi and the construction of another industrial zone ICAD II, which is still ongoing. Efforts have been made to promote tourism and real estate sector in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and Tourism Development and Investment Company, which launched several projects to develop large scale. These projects will also benefit from improved infrastructure, with projects such as construction of new port and a railway line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai .
Abu Dhabi is the wealthiest emirate of the UAE in terms of GDP per capita. The average net value of 420 000 citizens of Abu Dhabi is 62 million dirhams and the city alone is investing more than 1 000 billion dollars worldwide. GDP per capita is U.S. 63 000 which is well above the average income per capita in the UAE. Abu Dhabi and is third in terms of income per capita after Luxembourg and Norway. Abu Dhabi and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) have formed a partnership and Abu Dhabi will charge 29% of group projects. The UAE has a thriving economy: in 2006, income per capita rose 9%, GDP per capita reached 49,700 U.S. dollars, ranking the country third in the world in terms of purchasing power. Abu Dhabi plays an important role in the global economy. SWFs of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), whose total value is estimated at 875 billion sovereign wealth fund is the largest in the world by the total value of their assets . The airline Etihad Airways is based in Abu Dhabi .
Politics
Emirs of Abu Dhabi (Al Nahyan dynasty)
- 1761 - 1793 Dhiyab bin Issa bin Nahyan
- 1793 - 1816 Shakhbut I. Dhiyab bin
- 1816 - 1818 Muhammad bin Shakhbut
- 1818 - 1833 Shakhbut II bin Dhiyab
- 1818 - 1833 Tahnun I. bin Shakhbut
- 1833 - 1833 Khalifa bin Shakhbut I.
- 1833 - 1845 Sultan bin Shakhbut I.
- July 1845 - September 1845 Isa bin Khalid (usurper)
- September 1845 - December 1845 Dhiyab bin Issa (usurper)
- 1845 - 1855 Said bin Tahnun
- 1855 - 1909 I. Zayid bin Khalifa
- 1909 - 1912 Tahnun II bin Zayid
- 1912 - 1922 Hamdan bin Zayid
- 1922 - 1926 Zayid bin Sultan II
- 1926 - 1928 Sultan Al Nahyan bin I Shakhbut
- 1928 - 1966 Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan ( 1989)
- 1966 - 2004 Zayid bin Sultan II
- 2004 - present Khalifa bin Zayid II
Demographics
In 2006 , the population was estimated at 1,432,900 inhabitants. The vast majority are migrant workers mainly from other Arab countries and the Indian subcontinent.
The largest city is Abu Dhabi with 619 316 inhabitants. The other major city is that of Al Ain in the oases of the same name in eastern emirate, with 426,985 inhabitants (of 2006 ).
Education
Students Abu Dhabi benefit programs of the most prestigious universities worldwide. Nearly 69,000 Emiratis are enrolled in higher education, including 66% women.
Culture
Philately
Between 1964 and 1972 , Abu Dhabi issued 90 stamps with the caption Abu Dhabi. The last series issued (twelve values) consists of items from the current 1970 - 1971 overloaded letters UAE (United Arab Emirates for "UAE" in French ) and Arabic characters.
Sport
Since season 2009 , the Emirate hosts the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi of Formula 1 on the Yas Marina Circuit characterized by a special start in daylight and finish at night , which earned him the nickname "Grand Prix of the sun setting. The first edition took place on 1 November 2009 and was won by Sebastian Vettel , driver Red Bull Racing .
Since 2005, Abu Dhabi hosts the World Championship Red Bull Air Race and since 2008, Abu Dhabi becomes official sponsor of Hannes Arch, world champion in 2008.
References
Notes
References
- (en) The secret lives of names , Gulf News, March 8, 2007. Accessed March 15, 2010
- a and b (in) Abu Dhabi How did "get icts name? , UAE Interact, 10 March 2007. Accessed March 18, 2010
- a and b Overview of the UAE , France-Diplomacy, April 24, 2009. Accessed April 15, 2010
- List of States, territories and currencies , Europa Publications, 2010. Accessed March 18, 2010
- https: / / www.cia.gov / library / publications / the-world-factbook / geos / ae.html
- Emirates: Abu Dhabi: Country Profile - Geography, History, Government and Politics, Population and Economy , Oxfordbusinessgroup.com. Retrieved on 2009-07-07
- Abu Dhabi - Diversifying Economic Base , Entrepreneur.com, 2009-01-05. Retrieved on 2009-07-07
- Abu Dhabi's GDP Per Capita Reaches 63,000
- Asset-backed Insecurity. The Economist. January 17, 2008
- " Our offices. " Etihad Airways. Retrieved on February 6, 2009.
- france24.com 01-11-09
Notes
Related article
External Links
Sources
- (En) population of Abu Dhabi
- (In) Officers Abu Dhabi
 Emirates of the UAE | |
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| Abu Dhabi Ajman Sharjah Dubai Fujairah Umm al Quwain Ras Al Khaimah |
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