Capital: Abu Dhabi
Area: 4,114 sq km
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 1,463,491 (2006 figures) comprising one third of UAE’s total population.
Time Zone: Abu Dhabi is 4 hours ahead of GMT
Current GDP growth: AED 100 billion in 2006
Inflation: 2007 - 10.1% (expected to hit 12% in 2008)
Official languages: Arabic is the official language although English is widely used.
Religion: Islam is the official religion of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the majority being Sunni Muslims. The UAE is one of the most liberal places in the Gulf and followers of other religions (except Judaism) are tolerated. The holy day is Friday with most government offices, companies and schools remaining closed on Friday.
Geography: Abu Dhabi’s geographical coordinates are 24° 28' 0" North, 54° 22' 0" East. It is the largest of seven emirates comprising the UAE, occupying more than 80% of the country’s total land mass and featuring a coastline that stretches over 700 kilometres. Nearly 200 islands fall under the Abu Dhabi territory including Das, located 170 kilometres northwest of Abu Dhabi city, and Mumbraz and Bani Yas, which are located approximately 180 kilometres west of the capital.
Climate: Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Abu Dhabi’s climate as a result is subtropical, with temperatures that vary from warm in the winter months to hot in the summer. Sunny blue skies prevail throughout the year and rainfall is infrequent. The weather in Abu Dhabi is mildest in the months of December (average 20.3° C, with a maximum of 27° C and a minimum of 15.2° C) through March (average 22° C, max. 29° C and min. 16.5° C).
January is the coolest month of the year, with an average temperature of 18.4° C (max. 24.6° C and min. 13.4° C). The thermometer starts to climb in April, rising to 26.4° C (max. 34.5° C and min. 19.5° C), and continues to climb steadily to record the emirate’s hottest month in August at an average temperature of 34.9° C. The temperature begins to cool down in September (average 32.5° C) with temperatures in November dropping considerably to 24.4° C (max. 31° C and min. 18.5° C). Meanwhile, January is the wettest month of the year, with minimum monthly rainfall of 22mm, followed by the month of March, which registers an average of 17.7mm of rainfall. The months of May through October see very little rainfall, if any.
Banks and foreign exchange: Abu Dhabi has a large network of local and international banks offering a wide array of commercial and personal banking services. All the banks are controlled by the UAE Central Bank. Banking hours are usually Saturday - Thursday, 8.00am - 2.00pm with some banks offering services until 8.00pm
Taxes: Corporate taxes are reserved only for branches of foreign banks and oil-producing companies in Abu Dhabi. A negligible 5% tariff is imposed on goods imported from non-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, although tobacco and alcohol products are subject to 50% customs duties. Special economic zones altogether offer 100% tax exemptions.
Currency: The legal tender in Abu Dhabi is the UAE dirham (AED or Dhs)
Exchange Rate: The Dirham is pegged to the US dollar; One US$=AED 3.67 (30 April 2008)
Country Dialing Code: +971 (02)
Internet domain: .ae
Credit cards and cash: Most retail outlets, hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express). Smaller retail stores are less likely to accept and some even charge processing fees on transactions. It is advisable to check before hand. In the third quarter of 2007, all petrol stations across the emirate ceased accepting credit or debit cards for payment.
Telecommunications: Abu Dhabi has a healthy telecommunications industry with two telecom operators - Etisalat and the new entrant, ‘du’. Both providers offer comprehensive services that include landline, mobile, broadband and pay TV.
Medical facilities: There are approximately 21 primary health care centres located around Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi’s healthcare system consists of an extensive network of hospitals, clinics and medical facilities throughout the emirate.
Visitors who become ill during their stay in Abu Dhabi can be assured of receiving the highest quality healthcare at any of the emirate’s private and public hospitals and clinics. In case of emergency, visitors will be treated for free at public hospitals, but other non-emergency medical services must be paid for, while private hospitals charge for all medical services provided. Visitors are therefore advised to purchase travel and health insurance from their home countries before travelling.
With 45 percent of Emiratis less than 15 years of age, the next few years will see increasing numbers of nationals entering the job market. Unemployment rates amongst the locals are very high, but there are trends showing an increase in adolescents who want an improved lifestyle and recognition within society. Working for them is perceived as presenting a means of attaining a Courtesy Lilly Bandak personal identity.
Alcohol: Abu Dhabi's licensing laws require that alcohol can only be served in licenced venues primarily attached to hotels and private leisure clubs (golf clubs, sports clubs) and associations and where the legal drinking age is 21. Non-Muslim residents can purchase alcohol from licenced outlets provided they have a valid liquor licence. The liquour permit or licence is valid for a year and allows the holder to purchase a certain amount of alcohol per month. Purchases from retailers that do not have official approval are illegal. During the holy month of Ramadan, sale of alcohol is only permitted after dusk.
The two major distributors in the emirate are Maritime & Mercantile International (MMI) and African & Eastern NE BVI Ltd (A&E). Liquor licences can be purchased from either outlet.
Crime: The UAE is renowned for its low crime rate and many residents regard the emirate as a very safe place. Although it would be ridiculous to declare that any city to be absolutely devoid of crimes, these usually occur however on a very small scale.
A major offence is driving under the influence ofalcohol. The UAE government have enforced a zero-tolerance policy with random checks occurring more frequently. Driving the morning after a heavy night of drinking is also risky. In the course of an accident, regardless of whose fault it is, both parties will be arrested. If any level of alcohol is detected in the blood. The standard penalty is a month in prison with a fine.
Travelling or consuming illegal narcotics is also a major offence in the emirate. Legislation enacted in January 1996 imposes the death sentence for convicted drug traffickers. Since January 2006, possession of even trace amounts of illegal drugs has resulted in sentences of four years imprisonment for foreign citizens transiting the emirate and UAE. If caught, the penalty is more stringent with a minimum of four years followed by deportation. The penalty is usually a life sentence and sometimes even death if found guilty of dealing or smuggling illegal substances.
Some drugs normally taken under a doctor's supervision in the other countries (including over-the-counter drugs and medications) are classified as narcotics in the UAE and are illegal to possess. A doctor's prescription should be carried along with any medication brought into the country. An individual may be subject to arrest and prosecution if possession of prescribed medicines (especially those containing codeine and similar narcotic-like ingredients) if brought to the attention of local authorities.
There are a few other crimes which may incur time in prison or massive fines although they could be disregarded in some cases. These are
- Purchasing alcohol without a liquor licence
- Bouncing cheques
- Public displays of affection (kissing, lewd behaviour)
- Unmarried couples living together
- Homosexual behaviour
- Eating, drinking or smoking in public during Ramadan
- Distributing non-Muslim religious material
Traffic accidents: In addition to the above, traffic accidents earn numerous penalties. If someone is fatally injured or killed in the event of an accident, both parties are incarcerated until an investigation is completed. Once the party at fault is determined, the verdict varies depending if the offender has consumed alcohol or not. In most cases, the offender is imprisoned until the blood money (diya) has been paid to the victim's family or if the family pardons the offender.
The Sharia law states that if one causes the death or injury to another, compensation should be paid to the victim (or his family) in the form of blood money (diya). The value is determined under Sharia law and is intended to both punish and compensate.
Generally, the life of a Muslim is valued higher than a non-Muslim, although the value in the UAE is the same regardless of religion or ethnicity and is set at AED200,000 for all males and AED100,000 for all females. The blood money can only be claimed if a criminal prosecution has taken place, and the judge may revise the value. Blood money is not paid if a person kills another while trying to defend himself, his family, his property or other individuals and their property from harm.