Introducing Abu Dhabi
With the oil predicted to run out sometime after 2100 AD, you’d forgive Abu Dhabi for wanting to just sit pretty and count the money. But this attractive, green and distinctly Arab city just appears to be hitting its stride. While not as cosmopolitan or as sophisticated as Dubai, Abu Dhabi also lacks traffic jams and the poseurs that plague its neighbour, making it a much more liveable city if you don’t crave clubbing. After closely watching Dubai’s phenomenal growth, Abu Dhabi has chosen its development projects wisely, and while the laid-back feel might eventually change, the local Emirati flavour of the capital appears certain to remain.
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The emirate of Abu Dhabi is huge by comparison to the other emirates, comprising almost 87% of the country’s total area. Just as 50 years ago Abu Dhabi was little more than a fishing village comprising a fort, a few coral buildings and a smattering of barasti huts, the rest of the emirate is very ‘Arabian Sands’ with its enigmatic empty desert, dotted with oases such as Al-Ain and Liwa. While the ruling Al-Nahyan family may have become rich from what lies beneath, you get the sense that their connection to the desert and the sea is something that remains more important than petrodollars.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Backpacking UAE
by dxb1969 13 September 2011
You can backpack pretty much anywhere, but the UAE is not exactly well set up for backpacking or budget travllers and I can think of better…
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Re: UAE to Saudi Arabia by bus - how do I obtain tickets?
by tallybalt 11 September 2011
I have never heard of a public bus between the UAE and Saudi. There's a bus that runs from the UAE to Muscat, Oman, but that seems to…
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RE: Abu Dhabi Budget Accomodation
by fishtails04 11 September 2011
Thanks for that, good to know the hotel is ok and I can still get a drink across the street!
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