Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's second-most populous city, after Dubai. The city is situated on a T-shaped island, extending into the Persian Gulf from the central-western coast of the UAE.
Typical weather
1981–presentCity Rhythm
measuredOpening hours, by kind of place
median across mapped venuesVital absurdities
measured · the Anti-AwardsSame time system
by rhythmWhat to do each season
2winter
warm, occasionally foggy, with a few days of rain; mean 20.0-30.6 °C across the range; January mean min 17.9 °C; sandstorms intermittent; this is the outdoor-civic-and-tourist season
- Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit (late Nov / early Dec)
- the Louvre Abu Dhabi (2017, Jean Nouvel) and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island
- the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (2007 — one of the world's largest, 40,000 worshippers) at full visitor flow
- the Abu Dhabi Corniche beach-and-promenade activates
summer
extreme heat and essentially rainless; mean 30.3-35.1 °C, July mean max 38.2 °C, August 38.9 °C; daily peaks regularly above 45 °C; humidity from the Persian Gulf raises the apparent temperature; sandstorms can reduce visibility to a few metres
- outdoor civic life ceases in the daytime — the indoor-climate malls (Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, Galleria Al Maryah) and indoor theme parks (Ferrari World, Warner Bros World) at maximum use
- many expatriate families leave for the summer; the UAE 'summer exodus' pattern
- Ramadan (movable, ~11 days earlier each year) — day-fasting reshapes the civic rhythm
- the 'summer in Abu Dhabi' festival programme activates indoors
What it is known for
Important moments in a year
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
- Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit — the season finale
Eid al Fitr
- Eid al Fitr — marks the end of Ramadan; major public holiday
National Day
- National Day — marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971
Ramadan
- day-fasting; iftar at sunset; reshapes civic rhythm across the whole month
On the record
source-trackedAbu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's second-most populous city, after Dubai.
The city is situated on a T-shaped island, extending into the Persian Gulf from the central-western coast of the UAE.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), headquartered in the city, is estimated to manage approximately US$1 trillion in assets, making it the world's third-largest sovereign wealth fund.
Abu Dhabi has over a trillion US dollars' worth of assets under management in a combination of sovereign wealth funds headquartered there.
Abu Dhabi has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh). Sunny blue skies can be expected throughout the year.
The peak summer months are July and August, with maximum temperatures averaging above 40 °C (104 °F). During this time, sandstorms occur intermittently, in some cases reducing visibility to a few metres.
Due to high humidity, especially in coastal areas, the heat index, or "feels-like" temperature, can be significantly higher than the actual air temperature.
Abu Dhabi owns the majority of these resources — 95% of the oil and 92% of gas. Abu Dhabi thus holds 9% of the world's proven oil reserves (98.2bn barrels) and almost 5% of the world's natural gas.
Abu Dhabi is generally more tolerant than its neighbours, including Saudi Arabia. Christian churches, Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras (with the first synagogue commencing construction in 2020), and Buddhist temples can be found alongside mosques.
Its long coastline was once the world's best waters for pearling. Abu Dhabi was also the first emirate to export oil from the Umm Shaif offshore field in 1962.
Abu Dhabi city is home to the 8th largest mosque in the world, an opulent palace, the national museum, an art gallery that is a branch of the Louvre, and an aquarium.
Non-Muslims are permitted to bring up to 4 litres of alcohol into Abu Dhabi. Alcohol is also available in hotel bars, but bringing any of it home requires a liquor license.
The method behind this atlas — 196 pp. Not published yet.