Stretching over an archipelago of about 200 islands, Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates; the country which was recently titled the 3rd safest in the world. The city’s name (ابو ظبی) in Arabic means father of the gazelle. Legend has it that the first settlers were chasing a gazelle which led them to a spring of freshwater. Thanking the animal for this, they decided not to kill it. Today, with a population of 1.48 million in the urban areas, Abu Dhabi is home to the local and federal government offices as well as the Supreme Petroleum Council of UAE. The city’s rapid development and urbanization, amplified by massive oil and gas production have transformed it into a modern metropolis; a major hub for culture and commerce which accounts for around two-thirds of the nearly $400 billion UAE economy. Abu Dhabi is a vibrant city which treats its visitors with a beautiful mix of modern luxury coupled with old oriental traditions. The Saadiyat Island is transformed in to a cultural and entertainment center. It houses The Louvre Abu Dhabi and the affiliates of New York Guggenheim and the Applied Art and Marine Museums. The jewel of the city is the grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque. It is the largest mosque in UAE and the third-largest in the world. With 82 domes and 1192 pillars, the mosque is spread over 12 hectares and can accommodate around 40,000 worshippers at one time. It has the world’s largest chandelier which is 15m high and weighs 12 tons as well as the world’s largest hand-woven carpet (5,700 sqm). Other attractions include Emirates Palace, Ferrari World on Yas Marina, The Corniche, Yas Waterworld, the 18° leaning Capital Gate building, Abu Dhabi Heritage Village, UAE Pavilion, among many others. Public transport in Abu Dhabi includes public buses, taxis, ferries, and hydroplanes. Street taxis are either silver with a yellow roof sign or white and gold with a green roof sign. Have a good trip and stay in Abu Dhabi! Explore Programs in Abu Dhabi, UAE Find out more and stay updated with Risalat social pages.Quick facts about Abu Dhabi
