Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi (Arabic أبوظبي ʾAbū 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 the capital of the country, in north central UAE. The city lies at the head of a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. An estimated 1,000,000 lived there in 2000, with about an 80% expatriate population.

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).

The area of present-day Abu Dhabi was settled as far back as the 3rd millennium B.C. 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 18th century, who also assumed control of Dubai. In the 19th century the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches parted ways.

Sunny/blue skies can be expected through-out the year. The months June through September are generally hot and humid with temperatures averaging above 110ºF (40ºC). 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 enjoys cooler temperatures even through summer due to sporadic rainfall.

In 1939, Sheikh Shakhbut granted oil concessions, and oil was first found in 1958. 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 gleaming office towers.

Abu Dhabi International Airport serves this city. The local time is GMT + 4 hours.

Postage stamps

Like the other emirates of the area, Abu Dhabi issued its own postage stamps, although exercising much more restraint than some. The first issue was a definitive series on March 30, 1964, marking the first anniversary of the 1963 opening of the Abu Dhabi post office. (mail was actually managed by the UK until the end of 1966.)

In 1966 the currency changed from the Indian rupee to fils, necessitating a series of surcharges issued on October 1, 1966, and new definitives the following April. Abu Dhabi issued a final set, three views of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, on June 3, 1972 (six months after joining the UAE), for a total of 83 stamps.

Trivia

The cartoon cat Garfield would often put his nemesis, the kitten Nermal, in a box and ship him to Abu Dhabi. A common phrase from Garfield: "Abu Dhabi is where all the cute kittens go."

See also

• Marawah

External links

• 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