Emirate of Abu Dhabi
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi (/ˌæbuː ˈdɑːbi/, /ˌɑː-/, or /-ˈdæ-/;[3][4] Arabic: إِمَـارَة أَبُـوظَـبِي Imārat Abū Ẓaby, pronounced [ʔabuː ˈðˤɑbi])[3] is one of seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is by far larger in size than the rest of the federation combined (67,340 km2 (26,000 sq mi)), accounting for approximately 87 percent of its total land area. Abu Dhabi also has the second-largest population of the seven emirates. In June 2011 this was estimated to be 2,120,700 people, of which 439,100 people (less than 21%) were Emirati citizens.[1] The city of Abu Dhabi, after which the emirate is named, is the capital of both the emirate and federation.[5]
Emirate of Abu Dhabi
إِمَـارَة أَبُـوظَـبِي | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms | |
 Location of Abu Dhabi in the UAE | |
| Coordinates: 23.5°N 54.5°E | |
| Country |  United Arab Emirates |
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi |
| Independence from UK | 2 December 1971 |
| Seat | Abu Dhabi |
| Subdivisions | 3 Municipal Regions |
| Government | |
| • Type | Islamic absolute monarchy within a federation |
| • Ruler | Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
| • Crown Prince | Vacant |
| Area | |
| • Total | 67,340 km2 (26,000 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 1st |
| Population (2015) | |
| • Total | 2,784,490[1] |
| • Rank | 2nd |
| • Density | 35.7/km2 (92/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Abu Dhabian |
| Time zone | UTC+4 (UAE standard time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+4 |
| ISO 3166 code | AE-AZ |
| GDP (Nominal) | 2019 estimate |
| Total | AED 915 billion (US$268 billion)[2] |
| Per capita | US$ 96,000 |
In the early 1970s, two important developments influenced the status of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The first was the establishment of the United Arab Emirates in December 1971, with Abu Dhabi as its political and administrative capital. The second was the sharp increase in oil prices following the October 1973 War, which accompanied a change in the relationship between the oil countries and foreign oil companies, leading to a dramatic rise in oil revenues.[6] Abu Dhabi's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates, in 2014, amounted to (EUR 0.24 tril.) AED 960 billion at current prices. Mining and quarrying (includes crude oil and natural gas) account for the largest contribution to GDP (58.5 per cent in 2011). Construction-related industries are the next largest contributor (10.1 per cent in 2011).[1] GDP grew to AED 911.6 billion in 2012, or over US$100,000 per capita.[7] In recent times, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has continuously contributed around 60 per cent of the GDP of the United Arab Emirates, while its population constitutes only 34 per cent of the total UAE population according to the 2005 census.[6]