Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, is the seat of government and largest state of the United Arab Emirates. A progressive Arabian city of 1.6 million people, its sandy coastline is dotted with over 200 islands, gently lapped by the azure waters of the south-eastern Arabian Gulf. With one of the world's largest oil reserves, resulting revenue has been multiplied with international investment to total 1 trillion dollars making Abu Dhabi one of the world's richest cities.

This modern metropolis of glass-fronted tower blocks is dynamically expanding, with over $140 billion of public sector and development investment committed over the next 5 years. People from across the world are settling to live and work in Abu Dhabi, enjoying first-class shopping, elegant hotels and cultural attractions. Freedom from income tax is a powerful attraction, as is the year-round sunny climate. The city benefits from a cosmopolitan outlook and liberal economy, with Arabic as the official language and English widely spoken.

A unique, forward-looking mix of culture and arts flourishes in the capital, the new Middle-East location for the world-renowned Guggenheim and Louvre galleries along with a new performing arts centre, maritime museum and the Sheikh Zayed National Museum. Across the city, large parks and gardens make for a verdant setting for residents to enjoy, complementing developments of both traditional and modern architectural styles. Trees are pervasive here, more than anywhere else in the Gulf. 120 million have been planted in the emirate over the last 30 years. Once famed for the world's best pearls, Abu Dhabi's maritime culture is preserved in traditional rowing and dhow racing. Today, fishing and diving are just two of many popular leisure pursuits in the new waterfront lifestyle of Abu Dhabi, increasingly popular as an exclusive tourist destination.