| |
History of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi 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 24.4667° N 54.3667° E. 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 kilometers inland.
Emirates Palace
Parts of Abu Dhabi were settled as far back as the 3rd millennium
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.
Into the mid-20th 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
better-off families occupying mud huts. The growth of the cultured
pearl industry in the first half of the 20th 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 low rise
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.
For additional information visit the following website:
Explore Abu Dhabi
UAE Interact
|
