Abu Dhabi (emirate)

Abu Dhabi, officially the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, ( , literally "father of gazelle"), is one of seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the largest emirate by area (67,340 km^²), and second-largest by population (after Dubai), accounting for approximately 86% of the total land area of the UAE. The seat of the President of the United Arab Emirates is located in Abu Dhabi city, which also hosts many oil companies, foreign embassies and the federal cabinet.

The emirate's main revenues are from industry, construction and financial services Revenues from the industry contributed 65.5% to the economy in 2008. Construction activities represent 11.5% of the economy in 2008, and commercial and financial activities make up the remaining 23.6%.

History

Parts of Abu Dhabi were settled as far back as the 3rd millennium BC 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 18^th century, which...
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