About Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Year-round sunshine, pristine beaches, spectacular sand dunes and pulsating cosmopolitan lifestyle await every guest in Abu Dhabi. Such idyllic setting cuddles this emirate known around the world for its massive oil reserves and majestic mosques with towering minarets. These, combined with the distinct Arabic hospitality and mystique - and world-class infrastructure - make Abu Dhabi an excellent destination both for the experienced and novice traveller.

The famous Liwa oasis in the south is home to some of the largest and most beautiful sand dunes in the world. It is also the frontier that leads to the legendary Rub Al-Khali (Empty Quarter), a vast expanse of desert that extends through Saudi Arabia and Oman, which has been the object of many explorers' conquest in the past.

Abu Dhabi city bursts with dazzling business-cum-leisure facilities ranging from state-of-the-art convention centre, luxurious hotels, spas, designer golf courses, theatres and very soon, some of the world's most famous museums particularly Guggenheim and Louvre. The palace-like shopping malls and indigenous souqs in Abu Dhabi make for a great shopping expedition, offering the best handicraft from local Bedouins to the best of Paris' or Milan's high street fashion brands, sans the ubiquitous sales tax.

Gastronomic treats further abound from cool and sophisticated cafes, clubs and restaurants. For the fitness conscious, jogging and cycling (or even roller blading) are a welcome treat especially during the cooler months in the city's charming corniche or beachfront, merely minutes away from the bustling city centre.

Furthermore the garden city of Al Ain - lying near the Oman border - is home to one of the famous peaks of the majestic Hajar Mountain and the highest point in Abu Dhabi (Jebel Hafeet) , which rises about 1,300 metres. A world-class hotel (Grand Mercure) is nestled close to the mountain's peak offering travellers a great relaxing stay and a panoramic view of the emirate.

Cultural sites abound in Abu Dhabi, whose name implies "Father of the Gazelle" most likely due to the large number of gazelles and oryx that once flocked the emirate's arid deserts. These heritage sites provide holiday makers with a glimpse of this emirate's storied past - reaching as far back as 5000 BC - and an understanding of its people's culture, values and aspirations. Being the capital, Abu Dhabi also houses embassies and hosts ambassadors from all over the world.

Visas - Abu Dhabi

All visitors to the UAE require a visa except nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries; Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia. However, nationals of 33 other countries can obtain a one-month visit visa upon arrival at UAE airports or other ports of entry. These countries are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States and the Vatican.

Climate - Abu Dhabi

Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Abu Dhabi's climate as a result is subtropical and arid, with temperatures that vary from warm in the winter months to hot in the summer. Sunny blue skies prevail throughout the year and rainfall is infrequent.
The weather in Abu Dhabi is mildest in the months of December (average 20.3° C, with a maximum of 27° C and a minimum of 15.2° C) through March (average 22° C, max. 29° C and min. 16.5° C). January is the coolest month of the year, with an average temperature of 18.4° C (max. 24.6° C and min. 13.4° C). The thermometer starts to climb in April, rising to 26.4° C (max. 34.5° C and min. 19.5° C), and continues to climb steadily to record the emirate's hottest month in August at an average temperature of 34.9° C (max. 43.2° C and min. 29.1° C). The temperature begins to cool down in September (average 32.5° C, max. 40.6° C and min. 26.4° C) with temperatures in November dropping considerably to 24.4° C (max. 31° C and min. 18.5° C).

Humidity in Abu Dhabi is highest in the winter months, averaging 69 percent in December and 67 percent in January, falling to a low of 49 percent in May and an average of 53 percent in June through August. While humidity is high in the coastal areas of the emirate throughout most of the year, the weather is dry inland, especially during the summer months.

Meanwhile, January is the wettest month of the year, with minimum monthly rainfall of 22mm, followed by the month of March, which registers an average of 17.7mm of rainfall. The months of May through October see very little rainfall, if any.

Geography - Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's geographical coordinates are 24° 28' 0" North, 54° 22' 0" East. It is the largest of seven emirates comprising the UAE, occupying more than 80% of the country's total land mass and featuring a coastline that stretches over 700 kilometres.
Nearly 200 islands fall under the Abu Dhabi territory including Das, located 170 kilometres northwest of Abu Dhabi city, and Mumbraz and Bani Yas, which are located approximately 180 kilometres west of the capital.
Desert dominates Abu Dhabi's terrain, covering as much as 70 percent of its land area.

The city of Abu Dhabi, which is located on a low-lying island, features a Manhattan like skyline with tree-lined roads and landscaped parks and gardens. Sparkling waters of the Arabian Gulf, which surround the city, complete the scenic vista.
The imposing Hajar Mountain from the east and the vast tracts of arid desert enclose Abu Dhabi emirate's second city - Al Ain. Ironically, Al Ain boasts a highly fertile soil relative to other emirates in UAE, which has encouraged the growth of vast vegetation in the area. The Hajar Mountain, on the other hand, produced copper that was traded by the first tribes that occupied this desert community over four thousand years ago.

Another well-known feature of the emirate is the Liwa oasis, located at the centre of the Al Dhafra region, where greenery and water resources are in abundance. The two and a half-hour drive from the capital city to Liwa provides visitors with a magnificent view of some of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in the world.

Flora & Fauna

The parched, vast stretches of desert and little rainfall in the emirate do not preclude thriving species of plants and animals. The emirate hosts about 3,500 endemic plants, which are highly adaptable to the extreme salinity of the soil and the harsh environment.

The most common and widely cultivated indigenous flora in the emirate and across the whole country is the date palm, which can be found daintily lining up the city streets, providing impressive highlights to palace gardens, or creating a sea of green leaves in the wild oases.

A slew of salt-resistant plants, which botanists call halophytes, belie the seemingly dull deserts of Abu Dhabi. These include the salsola imbricate, zygophyllum mandavillei and tamarix. Grasses like panicum turgidum, pannisetum divisum and haloxylon salicornicum also grow in various stretches of the desert.

To complement natural vegetation in the city, the government has been working, with very impressive results, to keep Abu Dhabi city green for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Landscaped gardens keep the sand from blowing across the road or in any other direction particularly during bad weather, and at the same time provide a verdant, calm environment for residents. The landscaped parks and gardens likewise encourage faunas like birds to migrate and breed, hence, enhancing the city's ecological system.

Furthermore the desert - with its little or no supply of water - is home to a wide range of animals which are biologically designed to survive for long periods of time with little or no water and amid extremely harsh weather conditions. Most of these animals have also instinctively acquired strategies to adapt to their environment by "burrowing or spending long periods resting in holes well below the surface, while others move rapidly beneath the surface of uncompacted sand."

Reptiles

The desert wild, however, has been friendlier to a certain group of animals than others. Reptiles, observers say, are the dominant animal group in the desert; various breed of lizards are commonly sighted including the "delicate geckos, the more robust dhubs or spiny-tailed lizards together with the giant of desert lizards, the monitor, which could grow up to a metre in length." Several species of snakes likewise exist in the desert including the poisonous horned viper.

Birds

Lacking skills to burrow or hibernate (aestivate), birds migrate to more tolerable zones to survive. Admittedly there are less bird species found in Abu Dhabi's desert compared to more tropical domiciles like Asia or Africa. Several bird species that are known to be desert adaptable are the hoopoe lark, the cream-coloured courser and the black-crowned finch lark. Buzzards and desert eagle owls are also known to maintain small breeding populations in the desert, so are brown-necked ravens.

Mammals

Sadly several species of animals have suffered extinction in the desert over the last decades. These include the wolf, oryx, striped hyaena and jackal. Fortunately, two species of gazelle still survive - the sand and mountain gazelle. The Western region of the Abu Dhabi emirate is also known to host some of the most shy if not nocturnal species that could be found in the desert such as the sand cat, Rueppell's fox, cape hare and even the jerboa and several species of the hedgehog. There are still rare sightings of the Arabian leopard and the ibex, which are both highly endangered. Outside of these endangered or nocturnal-shy mammals, the most common fauna in Abu Dhabi are camels and goats, which could be found grazing wantonly close to the roads in the desert.

Marine

The UAE's waters are known to have just below 240 fish species. Reports further indicate that four globally endangered species of shark - including the whale shark - are found in the waters of Abu Dhabi. Less than 3,000 dugongs (sea cow) are also present in the country's sea waters, with anecdotal evidence indicating that this species could be breeding quite healthily. Two critically endangered sea turtles - the hawksbill turtle and green turtle - are found in Abu Dhabi, with an estimated summer population of around 7,500 for the two species combined. Whale sightings are also not uncommon in Abu Dhabi's waters

Country Size

Size & Topography

Abu Dhabi's land surface measures 67, 340 square kilometres, which is equivalent to about 80% of the UAE's total land area. Only 30 percent of the emirate is inhabited, with the remaining vast expanses covered mainly by desert and arid land - constituting about 93% of the total land area. Land cultivation and irrigation for agriculture and forestation over the past decade has increased the size of "green" areas in the emirate to about five percent of the total land area, including parks and roadside plantations. About 1.2 percent of total land area is now used for agriculture. A small part of the land area is covered by mountains, containing several caves. The coastal area contains pockets of wetland and mangrove colonies. Abu Dhabi also has dozens of islands, mostly small and uninhabited, some of which have been designated as sanctuaries for wildlife.

Topography and Major Geographical Landmarks

Mountains: The isolated mountain of Jabal Hafeet lies to the south of the city of Al-Ain, and is shared with Oman. The mountain, which is an extension to the Hajjar mountain range, has the highest peak in the emirate, which measures 1,300 metres

Oases: The natural oases at Al-Ain and Liwa, which were the habitat for the earliest agricultural settlements in Abu Dhabi, are the largest in the emirate, and they continue to expand with irrigation.

Lakes (Natural): Al-Wathba Wetland Reserve. The five-square-kilometre reserve is a splendid combination of natural and manmade surface water bodies

Lakes (Artificial Reservoirs): Artificial lake at Al Mabrazah (which is part of eco-tourism projects in the emirate's Eastern Region)

Rivers: Abu Dhabi has no permanent river, though it has one permanent spring, at Ain bu Sukhanah (at Ayn Al Fayda), in Al-Ain. Short-lived seasonal flow of rain water feeds the many wadis surrounding the mountain area.

Waterfalls: Occasional waterfalls occur at Jabal Hafeet during winter and immediately after rainfall.

Caves: There are several caves in Jebel Hafeet which are of archaeological importance. There are also a cave network in the Hajar Mountains, beyond Buraimi, near Al Ain. The largest and most impressive of these cave systems is the Magharet Qasir Hafee, which has 450 metres of shafts, passages and chambers reaching to a depth of 96 metres.

Islands: There are about 200 islands of which the largest one is the island of Abu al-Abyadh, some are natural wildlife reserves

Forest: Saxaul 'dew forest'. A small belt of two to three metre high saxaul trees (Haloxylon persicum) found inland to the south of Abu Dhabi has been dubbed the 'dew forest' on account of its foliage dripping condensation.

Lagoons: The lagoon complex made of mangrove to the north-east of Abu Dhabi city is much-prized. Several low-lying islands exist and the area has considerable natural beauty.

Population - Abu Dhabi

Population in the Abu Dhabi emirate, inclusive of Al Ain, the Western region and the Islands, stood at 1,463,491 as of end 2006, comprising one third of UAE's total population. Population grew by a compounded average of 4.57% annually between 2001 and 2006, and a similar growth is expected until 2010, when the emirate's population is forecasted to reach over 1.75 million.

Presently urban residents comprise 68.5% of Abu Dhabi's total population, and annual growth in the number of urban dwellers from 2001 and 2006 - at 4.93% - has been slightly higher than the emirate's average.

In addition to the locals, the population figures include many expatriate residents that live and work in the emirate. Across the UAE, Emirati nationals comprise roughly 20% of total population, while expatriate workers' nationalities include Asians, Africans, Europeans as well as from both North and Latin Americas.

Men outnumber women with a ratio of 2.03 men for every woman, which is slightly lower than the national average. Upbeat real-estate and construction industry in the emirate in the medium term, however, almost guarantees a more rapid increase in male population due to the influx of expatriate male construction workers or laborers into the emirate.

Abu Dhabi Population (2001-10)

Source: Abu Dhabi Department of Planning and Economy

Language & Religion - Abu Dhabi

Arabic is the official national language, although English, Hindi and Urdu are also widely spoken. Arabic is considered the state's official business language but English is commonly used from the busy suoqs all the way to the executive boardroom of the region's blue chip companies. As a rule, the farther away you are from a business or city centre, the less English is spoken or understood. Hence, it is not uncommon for restaurant menus, street names and road signs in the UAE to be printed in both English and Arabic.

Most government forms and official contracts - e.g. tenancy, residence visa - are in Arabic. Official documents (e.g. university diploma, marriage certificate) that have to be submitted to a government agency for processing or authentication also frequently require translation into Arabic. Designated typing shops that are conveniently located within the proximity of various government agencies, however, could readily perform translation chores at a minimum fee.

Islam is the official religion of the UAE, which is widely practised by Emirati nationals as well as expatriates originating from other Arab countries, Pakistan, Africa and India, amongst others.

Abu Dhabi, as is the entire UAE, is tolerant of other religions. Residents who profess a different faith are allowed to perform their religious duties such as attending worship services or mass in churches or chapels. The government, however, disallows overt religious activities that may interfere with Islam such as handing out evangelical leaflets near a mosque or in other designated public places.

For the uninitiated, the following pointers are worth remembering:

• Friday is the Islamic holy day (compared to Sunday in other religions/states)
• Each Muslim is expected at least once in their lifetime to make a pilgrimage (called Hajj) to the holy city of Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia
• A Muslim is required to pray five times a day facing Mecca; timings vary according to the position of the sun
• Some Muslims may pray outside the mosque; basic courtesy requires not to stare at people praying or not to walk over prayer mats

Hospitals & Clinics- Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's healthcare system consists of an extensive network of hospitals, clinics and medical facilities throughout the emirate. Visitors who become ill during their stay in Abu Dhabi can be assured of receiving the highest quality healthcare at any of the emirate's private and public hospitals and clinics.

In case of emergency, visitors will be treated for free at public hospitals, but other non-emergency medical services must be paid for, while private hospitals charge for all medical services provided. Visitors are therefore advised to purchase travel and health insurance from their home countries before travelling, especially if they need to visit a private hospital or clinic during their stay in Abu Dhabi as treatment can be very expensive.

For emergencies, call 998 for ambulance services.

Health certificates are not required of visitors to Abu Dhabi, except for those visitors arriving from cholera or yellow fever infected areas. No special immunizations are required, but visitors are advised to take extra precautions when travelling from health-risk areas. Although malaria is uncommon in the UAE and malaria tablets are rarely prescribed for travellers to the country, visitors are advised to use mosquito repellants to avoid any risks. Check the World Health Organization website before your trip for updates on required immunizations, if any.

In order to avoid common stomach ailments that can spoil your trip, avoid buying food or drink from street vendors, especially in the summer, as it is relatively easy for such food to become contaminated. Remember to pack a few medications to guard against travel ailments, but these can also be purchased from local pharmacies.

Take note that some prescriptions or over the counter medicines purchased in other countries are illegal in the United Arab Emirates. Codeine, for example, is banned in the UAE and no products containing codeine can be imported or sold in the country. If in doubt, contact the Ministry of Health's Drug Control Department (+971-2-6117000) prior to your trip. It is advisable to carry a physician's prescription for any medication you may require during your stay in the emirate as well as a medical report if you need to travel with syringes or other medical equipment.

If you did not bring enough prescription medicine for your entire trip, you will find most medicines readily available at pharmacies in the emirate. You may need to have your doctor state both the trade and generic names for your medications on your prescription, in case the specific brand isn't available.

Pharmacies in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are abundant. While most are generally open from 8:30 to 22:30, some are open 24 hours a day. For a list of pharmacies on duty, see the Abu Dhabi Police website or call the Abu Dhabi Municipality 24 hour hotline (+971-2-6777929)

Major Hospitals and Clinics

Banks & Currency - Abu Dhabi

Currently there are 22 locally incorporated commercial banks and 25 branches of foreign banks operating within UAE. With the exception of one local bank and three foreign banks, all other banks operating in the UAE have branches in Abu Dhabi. Furthermore six local banks and eight foreign banks are headquartered in the capital.

UAE's banking sector has been witnessing impressive year-on-year growths due the country's booming economy. This has resulted in the expansion of most banks in terms of branches and automated teller machine installations to reach a wider audience. Competition has also increased availability of flexible housing loans and Islamic banking schemes that meet public demand for Shariah-compliant financial products.

All commercial banks and financial institutions are governed by the Central Bank of UAE. Abu Dhabi has hosted several high-level conferences on ‘Corporate Governance' in the past few years to build awareness and improve the banking industry's legal and supervisory framework.

Whilst the number of banks operating in the UAE has remained the same for some time, the banks have notably expanded in terms of the number of branches. As of 2007, there are a total of 209 bank branches in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, where 73.2% comprised local bank branches.

Of the local bank, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi held the most number of bank branches, accounting for 30 branches in Abu Dhabi and an additional six branches in Al Ain. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic bank each had 19 branches in Abu Dhabi, and six and eight branches in Al Ain, respectively. Other than Citibank, Bank of Baroda, Standard Chartered Bank and Habib Bank AG Zurich, which each had two branches in the capital city, all foreign banks maintain only one branch in Abu Dhabi.

Most banks operate five days a week, Sunday to Thursday, from 8:30 to 13:30 while a few others are also open on Saturdays from 8:00 until 12:00. Branches located in prominent city centres and malls open at 9:00 am, and remain open until early evening, say 6:00 pm. To locate your preferred bank's branch or ATM closest to you, visit our interactive location maps or the respective bank's local website.

Visitors can also avail 24- hour telephone banking services by dialling their respective bank's toll free number.
If you are visiting Abu Dhabi during the month of Ramadan, it's wise to call up the bank to confirm their operating hours. Some banks open one hour later during Ramadan compared to their normal opening hours, while a few others operate shorter hours at daytime and re-open in the evenings after the iftaar.
Public Holidays
The Central Bank of UAE is in charge of issuing or declaring public holidays for all banks. With the exception of two Eid holidays, all other occasions listed are celebrated with a day off.

• New Year's Day (1 January)
• Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
• Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
• Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
• Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
• Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
• National Day (2 December)

Cards and Currency Used
Nearly all major retail establishments in Abu Dhabi accept credit card payment; however it is advisable to carry some loose local currency, in dirham, to use at smaller local convenience stores. There are numerous money exchange bureaus and ATM machines located conveniently around the city. Look for internationally recognized logos like ‘Cirrus' or ‘Plus' on your bank card to ensure it can be used at check-out counters. International Credit cards like American Express, MasterCard and Visa are most commonly used in Abu Dhabi.

Currency and Foreign Exchange
The official currency of the United Arab Emirates is the dirham (abbreviated to Dhs or AED), with each dirham divided into 100 fils. Dirham notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 denominations, while coins come in Dhs 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.10 and 0.05 fils. The latter two denominations are rarely used anymore.

There is some limitation on the import of currency into the country. Cash exceeding Dhs 40,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency must be declared to airport customs control upon entry. The dirham is pegged to the US Dollar at the official exchange rate of Dhs 3.671 to every US Dollar. There are no foreign exchange restrictions in place in the country, and foreign currency of almost any denomination is readily exchanged. Banks and money exchange bureaus can be found throughout Abu Dhabi, the latter located in most shopping malls and key locations. All major hotels will also readily exchange currency for guests.

Credit cards, such as MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club, are widely accepted in the United Arab Emirates, as are traveler's cheques. Travelers are advised to carry traveler's cheques in either US Dollar or UK Pounds Sterling to avoid additional exchange rate charges.

Emergency, Safety and Police services - Abu Dhabi

There is virtually zero crime rate in Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Police has highly efficient law enforcement and emergency procedures in place. Law enforcement officers are also extremely courteous and helpful to visitors and residents alike.

However, for emergencies you may call the following toll-free numbers:
998 - Ambulance services
999 - Police (also 02 - 4461461)
997 - Fire
999 - Helicopter Service

These 24-hour hotlines ensure that residents and visitors receive the best support they could from law enforcement and medical agencies in the event of accidents, illness, petty crimes or any form of force majeure, which subsequently promotes overall security among residents in the community.

International Driving License - Abu Dhabi

Visitors to Abu Dhabi can rent or drive a car in the emirate if they have a valid international driving license issued by the country from which their driving license has been granted. Visitors are not allowed to use their national driving license during their stay in Abu Dhabi. Note must be made that while the law allows visitors to drive privately registered vehicles, some insurance companies will not cover accident claims, as they only insure vehicles for drivers holding a valid UAE driving license.
Nationals or residents of other Gulf Cooperation Council countries do not require an international driving license, and can drive or rent a car in Abu Dhabi using their GCC-issued driving license for the duration of their visit in the emirate (up to three months).

Water & Electricity - Abu Dhabi

Electricity

The electricity supply in Abu Dhabi is 220/240 volts at 50 Hz. Square three-pin sockets are standard. It is advisable to bring a plug adapter with you, but most hotels can supply you with adapters for other kinds of plug or you can purchase adapters locally.


Drinking Water

Tap water is perfectly safe to drink in Abu Dhabi, but if you prefer the taste of bottled water, locally bottled mineral water is readily available in supermarkets and grocery stores everywhere.

Dress code - Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is generally conservative but tolerant when it comes to dress code. The attitude to dress is relaxed, but visitors (both men and women) are advised not to wear excessively revealing clothing in public places, as a sign of respect for local culture and customs. This also applies to public beaches, where swimmers should avoid excessively revealing swimming suits. Most nightclubs require their guests not to wear shorts, caps or sport shoes on their premises. Unless otherwise indicated, official events usually require non-locals to wear formal dress; a suit and tie for men and an evening dress for women.
As for the weather requirements, lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year (summer, spring and autumn), though a light sweater or cardigan could be handy when visiting a shopping mall, hotel or restaurant where the temperature might be kept too low to counter the outdoor heat. Slightly warm clothes are needed for the short winter season, especially in the evening.

Restrictions - Abu Dhabi

Alcohol is served to non-Muslims in all major hotels and licensed restaurants, but public drunkenness and drinking and driving are not tolerated. The latter is a serious offence, with zero tolerance for driving while under the influence of alcohol. Serving, selling or giving alcohol to Muslims is also against the law. There is also no tolerance for drug use, and visitors may face long prison sentences if apprehended with any drugs, however small the quantity. The Ministry of Health's Drug Control Department publishes lists of restricted drugs and medications that may otherwise be prescribed in travelers' home countries, so travelers must take special care to ensure that their medications or other substances are not restricted before traveling.

Visitors to Abu Dhabi should avoid photographing women in general, and particularly national women, without their permission. It is always courteous to ask before photographing people. There are few other restrictions on photography in the emirate - only military, government and airport installations are not allowed to be photographed