Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
One of the world's largest mosques, 82 domes, 1,000+ columns and the largest hand-knotted carpet; open to visitors of all faiths.
01 / 07 · The Capital Emirate
Abu Dhabi أبوظبي
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and by far the largest emirate, covering about 87% of the country. Its name means "Father of the Gazelle".
Capital citySheikh Zayed Grand MosqueLouvre Abu DhabiYas IslandFormula 1Liwa desertAl Ain oasis
Now in Abu Dhabi33°CCloudy · 28° / 35° · 57% humidity
About
The emirate
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and by far the largest emirate, covering about 87% of the country. Its name means "Father of the Gazelle".
The emirate holds the vast majority of the UAE's oil and gas reserves and is the seat of the federal government, the Federal Supreme Council and the Federal Supreme Court.
It is organised into three regions: Abu Dhabi City on the coast, the garden city of Al Ain near the Omani border (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the vast Al Dhafra desert region home to the Liwa Oasis and the Empty Quarter.
Today Abu Dhabi balances heritage with ambition, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Hosn stand alongside the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Yas Island entertainment district and the Masdar City clean-tech hub.
Key facts
At a glance
- Capital
- Abu Dhabi City (also Al Ain & Al Dhafra regions)
- Ruler
- HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (also President of the UAE)
- Area
- 67,340 km²
- Population
- ≈ 3.8 million
- Coastline
- Arabian Gulf
- Joined the union
- 2 December 1971
- Government portal
- TAMM, tamm.abudhabi (call 800 555)
- Regions
- Abu Dhabi City · Al Ain · Al Dhafra
- Airport
- Zayed International Airport (AUH)
- Known for
- Capital city, oil wealth, culture & Formula 1
- Utilities
- TAQA Distribution / ADDC & AADC
- Public transport
- Abu Dhabi Mobility (ITC) buses, taxis 600 535 353
- Average rent (2BR apt, city)
- AED 70,000-120,000/year
- Utilities provider
- TAQA Distribution, register online or via TAMM
- Health insurance
- Mandatory, provided by employer or via Daman/Thiqa (citizens)
- Internet & TV
- etisalat by e& · du, AED 300-600/month bundles
- Popular residential areas
- Corniche, Al Reem Island, Yas Island, Saadiyat, Khalifa City
- Cost-of-living note
- High-end but 15-25% cheaper than Dubai for housing
Places
What to see
Landmarks, heritage, nature and days out in Abu Dhabi.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Jean Nouvel's "rain of light" dome museum on Saadiyat Island, universal art from prehistory to today.
Qasr Al Watan
The working Presidential Palace opened to the public, majestic halls, library and evening light show.
Qasr Al Hosn
Abu Dhabi's oldest stone building (1761 watchtower), the story of the city and Emirati crafts.
Yas Island
Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Yas Island and the Yas Marina F1 circuit.
Abu Dhabi Corniche
8 km of pristine beachfront promenade with cycle paths, cafés and Blue Flag beaches.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Opulent gold-domed palace hotel, famous for its gold-flaked cappuccino.
Al Ain Oasis & Al Jahili Fort
UNESCO-listed date-palm oasis with ancient falaj irrigation and a 19th-century fort.
Jebel Hafit
Abu Dhabi's highest peak, winding mountain road and 5,000-year-old beehive tombs below.
Sir Bani Yas Island
Wildlife reserve with free-roaming giraffes, cheetahs and Arabian oryx; luxury eco-resorts.
Saadiyat Cultural District
Louvre Abu Dhabi today, with the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum rising next door.
Liwa Desert & Empty Quarter
Giant dunes on the edge of the Rub' al Khali, dune bashing, camel treks and Qasr Al Sarab resort.
Directory
Who to call in Abu Dhabi
Emirate-level services. Nationwide numbers such as 999 work everywhere.
Emergency number 7
Abu Dhabi Police, Aman (security reporting)Confidential community security channel
Istijaba, Health emergency operations (DoH)Urgent inpatient medical requests across the emirate
TAMM Government ServicesAll Abu Dhabi Government services, one number
Car breakdown assistanceRoadside help
Water & electricity, Abu Dhabi (TAQA)Distribution faults in Abu Dhabi region
Water & electricity, Al Ain (TAQA)Distribution faults in Al Ain region
AD999 AppSOS button for police, ambulance & fire, Abu Dhabi Police app
Online portal / app 8
Hospital 10
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)Public, flagship SEHA/Mayo Clinic hospital
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC)Public, major trauma & tertiary care (SEHA)
Cleveland Clinic Abu DhabiPrivate (Mubadala), multi-specialty, Heart/Vascular
Tawam HospitalPublic, SEHA, oncology centre of excellence
Corniche HospitalPublic, SEHA, women & newborn care
Mafraq HospitalPublic, SEHA, trauma & surgery
Burjeel Medical CityPrivate, quaternary care
NMC Royal HospitalPrivate
Al Rahba HospitalPublic, SEHA
Mediclinic Al Noor / Airport RoadPrivate group
School 7
The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK)British curriculum
Cranleigh Abu DhabiBritish curriculum
Abu Dhabi Indian School (ADIS)Indian CBSE curriculum
American Community School of Abu DhabiAmerican / IB
GEMS American AcademyAmerican / IB
Aldar Academies (Al Yasmina, Al Bateen...)British / American group of schools
Raha International SchoolIB curriculum
University 6
United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)National flagship university
Khalifa UniversityScience, engineering & medicine
New York University Abu DhabiLiberal arts & sciences (NYU)
Sorbonne University Abu DhabiFrench curriculum, humanities, law, sciences
Zayed UniversityFederal university
Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI (MBZUAI)World's first graduate AI university
Court / legal 4
Abu Dhabi Judicial DepartmentCourts of First Instance, Appeal & Cassation; family & labour courts
Federal Supreme CourtHighest federal court of the UAE
ADGM CourtsEnglish common-law courts for ADGM parties
Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation & Arbitration CentreAlternative dispute resolution
Transport 4
Abu Dhabi taxisMetered cream taxis, book via Abu Dhabi Taxi app or 600 535 353
Careem & UberBoth operate city-wide
Intercity busesE100/E101 to Dubai, Al Ain & Sharjah from the main bus terminal
Etihad RailPassenger service connecting Al Dhafra to Abu Dhabi to Dubai to Fujairah (rolling out)
Free zone 6
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)International financial centre, own English common-law courts
KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones)Industry, logistics, manufacturing next to Khalifa Port
Masdar City Free ZoneClean tech, renewables, sustainability R&D
Creative Media Authority (twofour54)Media, gaming, eSports, broadcast & publishing
Hub71Tech start-up ecosystem with incentives on Al Maryah Island
ADAFZ / Abu Dhabi Airport Free ZoneAviation, aerospace, logistics
