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Everything
in Abu Dhabi is modern, sleek and
shiny. The United Arab Emirate's capital
is often accused of being a rather
soulless place, but that's going a
bit too far: it's not exactly buzzing
but it does have its attractions.
Apart
from anything else, it's a big city
for doing business. Abu Dhabi is by
far the richest and most politically
important of the UAE's seven emirates.
It's hard to believe that this sprawling
city was a bleak fishing and pearling
village less than 50 years ago. Today,
it's considered safe and secure for
foreigners, although demonstrations
and political gatherings are best
avoided.
Population:
500,000 (estimated)
Country: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Main language: Arabic
Time: GMT/UTC plus 4 hours
Telephone Area Code: +971 2
Orientation
The
city of Abu Dhabi sits at the head
of a T-shaped island jutting into
the Gulf off the central western coast
of the UAE. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi
represents over 85% of the total area
of the UAE.
The
airport is on the mainland, about
30km (18.6mi) north-east of the centre.
The main business district is barely
1 sq km (0.4 sq mi), bounded by Shaikh
Khalifa bin Zayed and Istiglal Sts
to the north, Zayed the Second St
to the south, Khalid bin al-Walid
St to the west and As Salam St to
the east.
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