📖 About Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, the capital and second-largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates, stands as a gleaming testament to visionary urban development. In 2025, it was ranked as the safest city in the world for the ninth consecutive year—an extraordinary achievement reflecting its commitment to security, governance, and quality of life. The emirate's total population exceeds 2.8 million, with a diverse workforce participation rate of 83.1%.

The city has emerged as a global cultural destination, with its Saadiyat Island Cultural District housing world-class institutions including the Louvre Abu Dhabi. In the first half of 2025, Abu Dhabi's cultural and heritage sites welcomed over 4 million visitors—a remarkable 47% increase from the previous year. The emirate's Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to attract 39.3 million annual visitors and contribute AED 90 billion to GDP.

Abu Dhabi has successfully diversified its economy beyond oil, with non-oil GDP now constituting 64% of total GDP. The emirate invests heavily in industry, real estate, tourism, and sustainable development, including groundbreaking initiatives like Masdar City—one of the world's most sustainable urban developments. This forward-thinking approach positions Abu Dhabi as a leader in both economic innovation and environmental stewardship.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Abu Dhabi's economy has undergone remarkable diversification. In 2025, tourism contributed AED 62 billion to the economy—up 13% from the previous year—supporting 255,000 jobs across the emirate. The UAE tourism sector overall hit AED 257.3 billion, accounting for approximately 13-14% of national GDP. Hotels generated AED 2.3 billion in Q1 2025 alone, with an 18% year-on-year increase.

The emirate embraces cultural diversity while honoring Islamic traditions. Home to over 200 nationalities, Abu Dhabi hosts world-class events from Formula 1 to art fairs. The government invests heavily in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, maintaining low unemployment at 3.7%. Abu Dhabi's vision extends to becoming a global hub for finance, technology, and sustainable innovation while preserving Emirati heritage and values.

📜 History

Abu Dhabi's history stretches back thousands of years, with archaeological evidence of settlement dating to 7,500 years ago. The modern city's origins trace to the 1760s when the Bani Yas tribe discovered fresh water on Abu Dhabi island. The Al Nahyan family has ruled since then, establishing the emirate as a pearling and fishing center.

The discovery of oil in 1958 transformed Abu Dhabi from a modest coastal settlement to one of the world's wealthiest cities. Under Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the emirate joined with Dubai and five other emirates to form the UAE in 1971. Sheikh Zayed's vision of using oil wealth for national development created the modern metropolis. Today, Abu Dhabi honors his legacy through continued investment in education, culture, sustainability, and economic diversification.