The Emirate of Abu Dhabi

The emirate of Abu Dhabi is bordered by the Kingdoms of Oman to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south and Dubai to the north east. It is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the UAE and covers more than 85% of the country’s total landmass including 700 kilometres of coastline and 200 offshore islands. The island city of Abu Dhabi is the country’s capital and the seat of the federal government.

 With a century of oil reserves, a modern infrastructure and a stable political system, no significant overseas debt and secure and sustainable growth planned, Abu Dhabi is the economic center of the United Arab Emirates. The emirate is still the highest contributor to the UAE’S total GDP and carries on providing generous financial subsides to the smaller emirates in the country. 

Abu Dhabi is a tax haven and the recent laws allowing foreigners to purchase property leaseholds make this emirate an attractive prospect. Abu Dhabi is surrounded by several major islands and some of them are in the process of developing multi-billion dollar resorts which are set to enrich the emirates’ profile even further. Exceptional Islands are off the coast of Abu Dhabi City: Al Reem Island, Futaisi Island, Lulu Island, Saadiyat Island and Sir Bani Yas Island.

Only 500 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi lies a 27 kilometres natural island, Saadiyat Island. A $27 billion dollar development project, supposed to be completed in 2018, is currently underway, in order to become Abu Dhabi’s prominent cultural centre. The Island is set to feature the largest Guggenheim Museum, the famous French Louvre museum (expected to be completed in 2012), as well as a chain of the New York University for those that want to study abroad.Just seven minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and twenty minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Saadiyat Island will be reached by two major highway bridges linking it with the mainland. 

Saadiyat Island is undergoing a remarkable transformation. In 2004, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) commissioned the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) to make Saadiyat Island a world-class leisure, residential, business, and tourist center of global proportions, all the while maintaining an environmentally sensitive philosophy. Saadiyat Island will be developed in three phases with total completion scheduled for 2018. The master plan envisages six highly individual districts and includes 29 hotels, including an iconic 7-star property, three marinas with combined berths for around 1,000 boats, museums and cultural centres, two golf courses, civic and leisure facilities, sea-view apartments and elite villas.