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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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