Abu Dhabi, officially the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (Arabic: إمارة أبو ظبي Imārat Abū Ẓaby), is one of seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "Dhabi" is the Arabic name of a particular species of native Arabian gazelle that was once common in the region. Abu Dhabi means the place rich in "Dhabi" (gazelle). It is the capital of the UAE and is the largest emirate by area (67,340 km²), accounting for approximately 87 per cent of the total land area of the UAE. Abu Dhabi also has the largest population of the seven emirates. In June 2011, it was estimated to be 2,120,700 people, of which, 439,100 people (more than 20%) were Emirati citizens., which has risen to 2.3 million in 2012.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.Abu Dhabi’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates, in 2011, amounted to AED 806,031 million at current prices. Mining and quarrying (includes crude oil and natural gas) accounts for the largest contribution to GDP (58.5 per cent in 2011). Construction related industries are the next largest contributor (10.1 per cent in 2011). GDP grew to AED 911.6 billion in 2012, or over 100,000 USD per capita.In recent times, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has continuously contributed around 60 per cent of the GDP of the United Arab Emirates, while its population constitutes only 34 per cent of the total UAE population according to the 2005 census.In the early 1970s, two important developments helped the Emirate of Abu Dhabi achieve leaps on the path of development. The first was the establishment of the United Arab Emirates in December 1971 with Abu Dhabi as its political and administrative capital. The second was the sharp increase in oil prices following the October 1973 War, which accompanied a change in the relationship between the oil countries and foreign oil companies, leading to a dramatic rise in oil revenues.
Founding date
1971-12-02
Leader title
Emir
Population density (/sqkm)
35.700000
Population total
2210700
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