Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi ( ʼAbū Ẓaby) is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. Abu Dhabi is also a city of the same name within the Emirate that is the capital of the country, in north central UAE. The city lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. An estimated 1,000,000 people lived there in 2000, with about an 80% expatriate population. Abu Dhabi city is located at . The Emirate has approximately 70% of the country's entire wealth. Al Ain is Abu Dhabi's second largest urban area with a population of 348,000 (2003 census estimate) and is located 150 kilometres inland.

History

Parts of Abu Dhabi were settled as far back as the 3rd millennium BC and its early history fits the nomadic, herding and fishing pattern typical of the broader region. Modern Abu Dhabi traces its origins to the rise of an important tribal confederation the Bani Yas in the late 18^th century, who also assumed control of Dubai. In the 19^th century the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches parted ways.

Into the mid-20^th century, the economy of Abu Dhabi continued to be sustained mainly by camel herding, production of dates and vegetables at the inland oases of Al Ain and Liwa, and 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 occupying mud huts. The growth of the cultured pearl industry in the first half of the twentieth century created hardship for residents of Abu Dhabi as pearls represented the largest export and main source of cash earnings.

In 1939, Sheikh Shakhbut Bin-Sultan Al Nahyan granted petroleum concessions, and oil was first found in 1958. At first, oil money had a marginal impact. A few lowrise concrete buildings were erected, and the first paved road was completed in 1961, but Sheikh Shakbut, uncertain whether the new oil royalties would last, took a cautious approach, preferring to save the revenue rather than investing it in development. His brother, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, saw that oil wealth had the potential to transform Abu Dhabi. The ruling Al Nahayan family decided that Sheikh Zayed should replace his brother as ruler and carry out his vision of developing the country. On August 6, 1966, with the assistance of the British, Sheikh Zayed became the new ruler. See generally, Al-Fahim, M, From Rags to Riches: A Story of Abu Dhabi, Chapter Six (London Centre of Arab Studies, 1995), ISBN 1 900404 00 1.

With the announcement by Britain in 1968 that it would withdraw from the Gulf area by 1971, Sheikh Zayed became the main driving force behind the formation of the United Arab Emirates.

After the Emirates gained independence in 1971, oil wealth continued to flow to the area and traditional mud-brick huts were rapidly replaced with banks, boutiques and modern highrises.

Location

The emirate of Abu Dhabi is located in the oil-rich and strategic Persian Gulf region. It adjoins the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman. The emirate borders the emirate of Dubai to its north.

Abu Dhabi city is on an island located less than a quarter-kilometer from the mainland and is joined to the mainland by the Maqta and Musaffa Bridges.

Language and literature

The majority of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi are expatriate workers and professionals from India, Pakistan, Egypt, Philippines, Great Britain and elsewhere. English and "Hindustani" (Hindi/Urdu) are widely spoken.

The native-born population are Arabic-speaking Gulf Arabs who are part of a tribal society. The Al Nahyan tribe rules the emirate and has a central place in society.

Buildings and structures

Abu Dhabi city is a modern city with broad boulevards, tall office and apartment buildings, and, busy shops. Principal thoroughfares are Corniche Road, Airport Road, Sheikh Zayed Road, Hamdan Road and Khalifa Street. Abu Dhabi city is known in the region for its greenery; the former desert strip today includes numerous parks and gardens. Key buildings include the Old Fort, Clock Tower, headquarters of oil companies and the Cultural Foundation.

The current developments in Abu Dhabi, like its neighbour Dubai, reflect a number of architechtural masterpieces by, among others, Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry.

Other urban centers in the Abu Dhabi emirate are Al Ain and Ruwais. Al Ain was previously an oasis; today it is the site of a university.

Current ruler

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan is the hereditary emir and ruler of Abu Dhabi, as well as the current president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Postage stamps

Now part of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi was formerly the largest of the seven sheikdoms which made up the Trucial States on the so-called "Pirate Coast" of eastern Arabia between Oman and Qatar. The Trucial States as a whole had an area of some 32,000 square miles (83,000 km²) of which Abu Dhabi alone had 26,000 (67,000 km²). The capital was the town of Abu Dhabi which is on an offshore island and was first settled in 1761.

The name Trucial States arose from treaties made with Great Britain in 1820 which ensured a condition of truce in the area and the suppression of piracy and slavery. The treaty expired on 31 December 1966. The decision to form the UAE was made on 18 July 1971 and the federation was founded on 1 August 1972, although the inaugural UAE postage stamps were not issued until 1 January 1973.

Oil production began on Das Island after prospecting during 1956-1960. Das Island is part of Abu Dhabi but lies well offshore, about 100 miles north of the mainland. Oil production on the mainland began in 1962. As a major oil producer, Abu Dhabi soon acquired massive financial wealth. Investment in long-term construction projects and the establishment of a finance sector has led to the area becoming a centre of commerce which may well secure its lasting importance when the oil resources are exhausted.

In December 1960, postage stamps of British Postal Agencies in Eastern Arabia were supplied to the construction workers on Das Island but the postal service was administered via the agency office in Bahrain. The mail was also postmarked Bahrain so there was no clear indication that a letter had come from Das Island.

On 30 March 1963, a British agency was opened in Abu Dhabi and issued the agency stamps after the sheik objected to the use of the Trucial States definitives. Mail from Das Island continued to be administered by Bahrain but was now cancelled by an Abu Dhabi Trucial States postmark.

The first Abu Dhabi stamps were a definitive series of 30 March 1964 depicting Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan. There were eleven values under the Indian currency that was used of 100 naye paise = 1 rupee. The range of values was 5 np to 10 rupees. Despite the introduction of these definitives, the British agency stamps remained valid in both Abu Dhabi and Das Island until the end of 1966 when they were withdrawn.

A post office was opened on Das Island on 6 January 1966 and this ended the Bahrain service. Mail from Das Island was now handled within Abu Dhabi.

When the treaty with Great Britain expired at the end of 1966, Abu Dhabi introduced a new currency of 1000 fils = 1 dinar and took over its own postal administration, including the Das Island office. The earlier issues were subject to surcharges in this currency and replacement definitives were released depicting the new ruler, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan. Issues continued until introduction of UAE stamps in 1973.

In all, Abu Dhabi issued 95 stamps from 1964 to 1972, the final set being three views of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

Source: Encyclopaedia of Postal History

Climate

Sunny/blue skies can be expected through-out the year. The months June through September are generally hot and humid with temperatures averaging above 40ºC (110ºF). The weather is usually pleasant from October to May. January to February is cooler and may require the use of a light jacket. The oasis city of Al Ain regularly records the highest summer temperatures in the country, however the dry desert air and cooler evenings make it a traditional retreat from the intense summer heat and year round humidity of the capital city.

Transport

Abu Dhabi International Airport serves this city. The local time is GMT + 4 hours. Private vehicles and taxis are the primary means of transportation in the city.

City Planning

The city was planned in the 1970s (all that remains of the previous settlement is Al Hosn Fort) for an estimated maximum population of 600,000. In accordance with what was considered to be ideal urban planning at the time, the city has wide grid-pattern roads, and high-density tower blocks.

On the northerly end of the island, where the population density is highest, streets are lined with 20-storey towers. Inside this rectangle of towers is lower density building (2 storey villas or 6 storey low-rise buildings).

Away from the high-density areas, land is primarily used for government buildings and private villas.

Mail is delivered to post-office boxes only; there is no door-to-door delivery. There are many parks (or 'public gardens') throughout the city. Entrance is usually free for children, however there is often an entry fee for adults.

Planning Problems

The population of the city has far surpassed the estimated maximum population of the city when it was designed, leading to traffic congestion, a shortage of car parking spaces, and over-crowding.
Having Post Office mail delivery only, and thus no widely-usable addressing system for buildings, leads to problems describing the location of a buildings. This means directions must often be given relative to landmarks.
The lack of a comprehensive, reliable, and frequent public transport system has lead to a near complete dependence on private cars as a means of transport.
Grid-pattern roads mean a public transport system is difficult to implement without requiring a moderate amount of walking, which would be a large deterrant to usage.
Closely positioned high-rise towers mean accommodation is often dark and claustrophobic.

Future Development

The city's exhibition centre (ADNEC) is currently experiencing huge development.
A metro, and improved bus services are planned to resolve traffic problems.
Parking meters are currently being trialled as a solution to parking problems.

New developments on islands surrounding the city plan to increase the population of the city by up to 800,000.

Major Projects Under Construction:

Culture and the Arts

Abu Dhabi is home to a number of cultural institutions including the Cultural Foundation and the National Theater. The Cultural foundation is home to the UAE National Library. Various cultural societies such as the Abu Dhabi Classical Music Society have a strong and visible following in the city.

Progress on the creation of a major "up-scale cultural district" on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island has begun with the groundwork for a $400 million Guggenheim Museum.

The Frank Gehry designed museum will display a "prestige collection" of modernist and contemporary art and is scheduled for completion in 2011. Upon completion, it is expected to be the largest exponent of the prestigious Guggenheim Museums.

The island development will also include museums for classical art and performing arts centers among other state-of-the-art cultural facilities.

$28 Billion has been set aside to budget this cultural development.

Trivia

The city of Abu Dhabi, and the majority of UAE, has a large number of stray cats. The cartoon cat Garfield would often put the kitten Nermal in a box and ship him to Abu Dhabi. The phrase "Abu Dhabi is where all the cute kittens go" is sometimes used in the comic.
An Abu Dhabi market place was featured in the children's television show Muppet Babies.

External links

Encyclopaedia of Postal History
Abu Dhabi, The Persian Gulf
abudhabi.com
Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
SPE history, with oil details
Abu Dhabi postal history
ADIAS, Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey
Time Out Abu Dhabi, Guide to life in Abu Dhabi
Career UAE - Useful web site for the job seekers in Abu dabi/United Arab Emirates

U.A.E. based News Papers

Non-Government Organisations

Ansar Burney Trust - human rights and anti-slavery organisation

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