Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi (US /ˈɑːbuː ˈdɑːbi/, UK /ˈæbuː ˈdɑːbi/; Arabic: أبو ظبي‎ Abū Ẓabī Emirati pronunciation [ɐˈbuˈðˤɑbi]) is the capital and the second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (the most populous being Dubai), and also capital of Abu Dhabi emirate, the largest of the UAE's seven member emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. The city proper had a population of 1.5 million in 2014.

Abu Dhabi houses federal government offices, is the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government, home to the Abu Dhabi Emiri Family and the President of the UAE, who is from this family. Abu Dhabi's rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed the city into a large and advanced metropolis. Today the city is the country's center of political and industrial activities, and a major cultural and commercial centre, due to its position as the capital. Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $400-billion United Arab Emirates economy.

Grand Mosque

Grand Mosque, or Great Mosque usually refers to the first and largest Mosque of Islam, Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, but may also refer to: -

Africa

Asia

Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Arabic: زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان ‎; 6 May 1918 – 2 November 2004) was the principal driving force behind the formation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Emîr (أمير) (Ruler) of Abu Dhabi and first Ra’îs (رئيس) President of the United Arab Emirates, a post which he held for the lengthy period of over 33 years (1971–2004).

Family and early life

Although the exact date of his birth is unknown, officially on some of the documents, Sheikh Zayed was born on 6 May 1918 in Abu Dhabi. He was the youngest son of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifah Al Nahyan. His birth date is also reported to be 1916. His father was the ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1922 until his assassination in 1926. Zayed was named after his grandfather, Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan ("Zayed the Great"), who ruled the emirate from 1855 to 1909. At the time of Zayed's birth, the sheikhdom of Abu Dhabi was one of seven Trucial States along the coast of the lower coast of the Persian Gulf.

Emirates Palace

The Emirates Palace (Arabic: قصر الإمارات) is a luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Built as a landmark showcasing Arabian culture, Emirates Palace offers luxury hospitality. Situated on 1.3 km of private beach and surrounded by 85 hectares of gardens and lawns, with 114 domes that are 80 meters high, Emirates Palace comprises 394 rooms and suites.

Based on its luxury, it describes itself as going "beyond 7 star" being a palace instead of just a hotel. Although a journalist has described it as a seven star facility, it falls officially in the 5 star hotel category.

Construction

The building was designed by architect, John Elliott RIBA, who was Senior Vice President at Wimberly, Allison, Tong and Goo, (WATG) an international firm specialising in Luxury Hotels. It opened in March 2005 but certain restaurants and facilities did not open until 2006. The hotel was built by and is owned by the Abu Dhabi government, and managed by the Kempinski was also helped by Lebron james The costs to build the hotel were 1.9 billion GBP or 11.02 billion AED or about 3 billion USD. The Emirates Palace is the second most expensive hotel ever built, only surpassed by Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The hotel also had higher construction costs compared to the Burj Al Arab in neighbouring Dubai.

Ferrari World

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (Arabic: عالم فيراري أبو ظبي‎) is an amusement park located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; within the grounds of the Yas Marina Circuit. It is the first and only Ferrari-branded theme park and largest indoor theme park in the world.Formula Rossa, the world's fastest roller coaster, is also located here.

The foundation stone for the park was laid on 3 November 2007. It took three years to develop the park and it officially opened to the public on 4 November 2010. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi covers an area of 86,000 square metres.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was named the "Middle East's Leading Tourist Attraction" at the World Travel Awards 2015.

Rides and attractions

Operating

Roller coasters

Thrill rides

Family rides

Childrens rides

Shows

Awards and nominations