Past to present
Less than 50 years ago the entire emirate of Abu Dhabi was a near-empty desert populated by Bedouin tribes and small villages. Its initial elevation to economic prominence was the result of pearl cultivation until a global recession, coupled with a thriving pearl industry in Japan, put paid to that and relegated Abu Dhabi to the position of poorest emirate. But the discovery of huge offshore oil reserves in 1958 and the subsequent rule of Sheikh Zayed totally transformed its fortunes. As recently as 30 years ago the capital city was still short of a reliable electricity supply and roads. Now its expanse of highways are heavy with traffic and the whole city is embarking on a process of development that – along with neighbouring Dubai – is almost unprecedented in modern times. Spurred on by this heady dose of sibling rivalry Abu Dhabi is now plotting to become the Gulf’s cultural hub.
Gazelles and gold
Having noted that the island stood as a natural stronghold – and also offered fine fishing – the Bani Yas Bedouin tribe settled in Abu Dhabi in the 1760s. They dubbed the region Abu Dhabi, which translates as ‘Father of the Gazelle’, and would thereafter lead a largely unchanged existence for nearly 200 years. Legend tells that the city owes its unorthodox name to gazelle tracks found by a wandering party of Bedouin hunters. The nomads followed the tracks into a shallow inlet of the sea only to discover that they emerged again on the shore of the facing island and ended at a spring of fresh water. They quickly returned to their base in the Liwa oasis and reported the discovery to their leader, Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa, who decreed that the island should be known as Abu Dhabi in honour of their guides.
The discovery of a freshwater well encouraged the ruling Al Nahyan family to relocate from their home in Liwa to Abu Dhabi, securing the city’s first steps on its rise to prominence. And the good times continued through the 1800s, as residents grew prosperous from the seemingly endless supply of pearls that were found off Abu Dhabi’s lengthy coastline. Then came the aforementioned worldwide recession and Abu Dhabi’s subsequent decline, which forced potentate Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan to investigate other potential sources of revenue. Somewhat fortuitously, he granted drilling rights to the British – who had been present in the region since 1892 in the role of overseers of a protectorate – and the search for oil began.
In 1958 huge offshore oil reserves were found; Abu Dhabi became the first of the Gulf States to export oil in 1962, earning an estimated US$70million per year throughout the ’60s. Today, roughly two million barrels of oil are exported from the United Arab Emirates every 24 hours. Current estimates suggest this will continue for the foreseeable future.
The British left the Gulf region in 1971 and the seven factional emirates united to form the UAE, declaring Abu Dhabi the provisional capital. Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan was welcomed as the new state’s first president, and duly returned to power every five years before his death, when his son, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, assumed control. In 1996, the word ‘provisional’ was dropped from Abu Dhabi’s title, making it the official capital city.
