Land Where I Live Right Now

Abu Dhabi – second largest city in the United Arab Emirates  – located on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast.  Abu Dhabi is the seat for the UAE Government and the home for the Emarati Royal Family.  It is one of the world’s largest producers of oil, and yet has actively attempted to diversify its economy in recent years through investments in financial services and tourism.  August 1966 Sheikh Zayed became the ruler, and became the main driving force behind the formation of the UAE and all its developments.

The climate in Abu Dhabi is hot and arid.  Sunny, blue skies are the norm here.  The months of June through September are generally hot and humid with maximum temperatures averaging above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).  During this time, sandstorms also occur intermittently.  The weather is cooler from November to March.

There is no one architectural style of buildings since they have been built over a long period of time and from a wide range of influences.  In the more densely populated areas, medium- and high-rise buildings are the norm.  Abu Dhabi’s skyscrapers such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Tower, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi headquarters, the Hilton Hotel Tower and the Etisalat (state-owned telecommunications provider) headquarters are usually found in the financial districts.  Two other buildings that are notable are the Emirates Palace (hotel) and the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.  The main malls for shopping are City Mall and Marina Mall; they are very large and modern – filled with many shops of all kinds, restaurants, IKEA, and Carrefour (similar to a mega-WalMart).

Abu Dhabi is a modern city with broad boulevards, tall office and apartment buildings, and busy shops.  Principal thoroughfares are the Corniche (the beach area), Airport Road (school is located just off this road), Sheikh Zayed Street, Hamdan Street and Khalifa Street.  Abu Dhabi is known in the region for its greenery; the former desert strip today includes numerous parks and gardens.

Mail is generally delivered to post office boxes only, except for some commercial organizations.

Abu Dhabi International Airport is the city’s main aviation hub and the second busiest airport in the UAE.  Its terminal spaces are dominated by Etihad Airways which is the UAE’s national carrier and the country’s second largest airline.  A new terminal opened in 2009 with total capacity reaching 12 million passengers per annum by 2011.  Development work has also started on a new passenger terminal, to be situated between the two runways and known as Midfield Terminal.  The new mega-midfield terminal complex will be capable of handling an additional 20 million passengers a year initially and then later, up to 50 million passengers a year.

The majority of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi are expatriate workers from India, Pakistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Philippines, the United Kingdom and various countries from across the Arab world.  Consequently, English, Hindi, Tagalong, Tigrinya, Amharic, Bengali, and Urdu are widely spoken.

Since Islam is the official state religion it follows that major holidays would include Eid al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.  Another major holiday would be 2 December which marks the formation of the UAE.

The diversity of cuisine is a reflection of the cosmopolitan nature of the society.  Arab food is very popular and is available everywhere in the city, from the small shawarma to the upscale restaurants in the city’s many hotels.  Fast food and South Asian cuisine are also very popular and are widely available.  I have already found wonderful Lebanese food, Chinese food, and Samousa’s within easy, quick walking distance of my apartment – or with free delivery.  The sale and consumption of pork, though not illegal, is regulated and it is sold only to non-Muslims in designated areas.  Similarly, the sale of alcoholic beverages is regulated.  A liquor permit is required to purchase alcohol; however, alcohol is available in bars and restaurants within four or five star hotels but is not sold as widely as in its liberal neighbor Dubai.  Shisha and qahwa boutiques are also popular in this area.

Enough about the area for now . . . . Hope this gives you an idea of the area where I now live.  More of this wonderful adventure later . . .