thä`bē, zä–, dä–), Arab. Abu Zabi, sheikhdom (1995 pop. 928,360), c.26,000 sq mi (67,300 sq km), part of the federation of seven United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates, federation of sheikhdoms (2005 est. pop. 2,563,000), c.30,000 sq mi (77,700 sq km), SE Arabia, on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman...... Click the link for more information. , SE Arabia, on the Persian Gulf. The sheikhdom is the largest in the federation; in it is located the city of
Abu Dhabi (1995 pop. 398,695), founded c.1760 and the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates. The city of Abu Dhabi became the provisional capital of the United Arab Emirates when it was formed in 1971.
The history of Abu Dhabi was marked by violence within the ruling dynasty, and Abu Dhabi frequently clashed with the neighboring sheikhdom of Sharjah Sharjah (1995 pop. 320,095), on the Persian Gulf, is the third largest town in the federation, and has been developed especially as an art museum and cultural (rather than commercial) center. Oil has been produced in Sharjah since 1961.
..... Click the link for more information. . In 1892 the sheikhdom became a British protectorate. There was a long period of tranquillity during the rule (1928–66) of Sheikh Shakhbut ibn Sultan, broken only by a war between Abu Dhabi and Dubai Dubai (1995 pop. 669,181), which is the principal port, commercial center, and largest city of the federation and is located on the sheikhdom's central Persian Gulf coast.
..... Click the link for more information. from 1945 to 1948. The pearling industry that once thrived in Abu Dhabi declined after oil was discovered there in the early 1960s. The abundant oil revenues have been used for development and modernization. The current ruler is Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zaid Al Nahayan, who succeeded his father when the latter died in 2004.
Abu Dhabi
Arabic Abu ZabiCity (pop., 2004 est.: 578,000), capital of Abu Zabi emirate and national capital of the United Arab Emirates. It occupies most of the small island of Abu Zabi, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Settled in 1761, it was of little importance until the discovery of petroleum in 1958. Oil royalties thereafter revolutionized its political and economic position, and it has grown into a modern city.
Abu Dhabi
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