Photos of Abu Dhabi, capital city of the United Arab Emirates

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Abu Dhabi, capital city of the UAE

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate by area (67,340 km²), accounting for approximately 86% of the total land area of the United Arab Emirates. The seat of the President of the United Arab Emirates is located in Abu Dhabi city, which also hosts many oil companies, foreign embassies and the federal cabinet.

Abu Dhabi suburbs
 
Saeed al-Maktoum Street
 
Central Abu Dhabi
 
City Centre
 
Abu Dhabi's Corniche
 
View to the Breakwater
 
Mosque, al-Ittihad Square
 
Giant monuments
 
Qasr al-Husn Palace Fort
 
Mosque at Qasr al-Husn
 
Inside Qasr al-Husn
 
View from Qasr al-Husn
 
Playground along Corniche
 
Light globe sculptures
 
View from Breakwater
 
Abu Dhabi Heritage Village
 
Traditional stone house
 
Camel portrait
 
Bedouin tent
 
Minaret, Heritage Village
 
Huts and wind-tower
 
Umm al-Nar Street
 
The Public Beach
 
Along the Corniche
 
Abu Dhabi Mall
 
Abu Dhabi by night
 
From Shangri-La Hotel
 
Shangri-La Hotel lobby
 
Rulers' portraits
 
Beach, Shangri-La Hotel
 
Marina Plaza
 
Shangri La Hotel gate
 
Bedou guest room
 
College Dining hall
 
Ordering food
 
Creek, Shangri La Hotel
 

The city of Abu Dhabi lies on an offshore island that was first settled in 1761 by Bedouin of the Bani Yas tribe, who came from the Liwa Oasis to the south. The island was a haven for wildlife and was therefore called "Abu Dhabi" (literally "father of gazelle"). Sheikh Shakhbut (1793-1816) then permanently transferred his capital to the island from Al Mariyah in Liwa and became the first effective ruler of Abu Dhabi. It was during this time the first tower of the Qasr al-Husn fort was built. This was the home of the ruler and seat of government until 1966. Until the mid-20th century there was 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 living in mud or coral huts.

After the discovery and exploitation of oil and independence in 1971 Abu Dhabi has become a modern city with striking architecture, set along the Corniche with its pleasant waterfront promenade. Across from the Corniche is the Breakwater, a peninsula which houses the Heritage Village with its displays of Arabian culture and the Marina Plaza, a huge shopping centre. But its centre remains the Qasr al-Husn fort, now a museum, from where the view, of the city's skyscrapers, is dramatically different from 50 years ago, when it was just desert with a few "barasti" palm leaf dwellings and coral huts.