Abu Dhabi is not only the capital of the United Arab Emirates but also the largest of the seven emirates.
We can find the origins of the modern Abu Dhabi in the late XVIIIth Century in the Bani Yas tribal confederation. Originally from the area of Liwa Oasis, this tribe came to Abu Dhabi in 1793. Liwa Oasis is situated on the corner of the Empty Quarter Desert.
Two centuries later, the Bani Yas tribe divided into two main clans in coincidence with the moment when Dubai and Abu Dhabi became two separate cities. Until the 1950’s, Abu Dhabi’s economy was based on fishing, camel herding and pearl diving as well as in the production of dates and vegetables in the oasis of Al Ain and Liwa.
In 1952, oil was discovered in the city. Eight years later, on shore petroleum was found and the actual exploitation of petroleum started in 1962. However, the ruler of Abu Dhabi at that time, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, cautiously approached the newly developing petroleum industry, failing to see its great economic potential. In 1966, he was replaced by his brother, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whow was convinced that the wealth provided by the oil industry would turn Abu Dhabi into a world-class metropolis.
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