Interesting facts:
Virtually 60% of the Emirates’ GDP derive from foreign capital investments income. Full versionThe capital of the United Arab Emirates, as well as the cultural, commercial and industrial center of the country is Abu Dhabi. The population of the city is about one million people, of which only 20% are indigenous people (Arabs). The rest of the population includes immigrants from other Arab countries, Asia, India, Europe, etc. The official language of the UAE is Arabic, but many residents of the capital are fluent in English.
The capital of the UAE has rich history, and there is a beautiful legend about its origin. Some hunters have been chasing a wounded gazelle, escaping from them in the desert. They could not catch it up for many days. And upon some time, after a long chase, weary gazelle reached the Arab Gulf and by wading through reached the island, where the springs of fresh water were bursting. All that time hunters were chasing the gazelle hotfoot. When they approached the spring, they got so excited that they decided to abandon the chase. Subsequently they founded a settlement near that spring. The settlement was named Abu Dhabi - "father of the gazelle".
For many years Abu Dhabi was just a cluster of few huts, while the main sources of income for local residents was pearling and fishing. Rigorous changes in the life of the town occurred in 1950, when not far from that place large deposits of "black gold" (oil) were found. Within just 30 years the tiny settlement became one of the richest cities in the world.
Currently, the capital of the Emirates makes an astonishing impression for its luxury and comfort. The architecture of Abu Dhabi combines subtle charm of the East with features of ultra-modern metropolis. Luxurious hotels, high-speed highways, huge skyscrapers, fountains and gardens of stunning beauty have are located here.
There are many townhouses and villas of wealthy residents in Abu Dhabi, whereas office buildings are concentrated only in the northern part of the city. Thanks to high buildings and skyscrapers in business district of the city, it was nicknamed "Manhattan of the Middle East". There is always something to surprise everyone in the capital of the Emirates. Magnificent architectural monuments, such as Sheikh Zayed Mosque, is sure to astonish even very experienced travelers. The authorities of the capital have ambitious plans for further development of the city, including construction of metro, bridges and development of Saadiyat Island, which will accommodate Louvre and Guggenheim museums.
The most popular type of transport in Abu Dhabi is taxi. Furthermore, the city offers high quality bus transportation services, in addition to air conditioned bus stops.
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