Abu Dhabi was inhabited about 250 years ago when the Bani Yas (a nomadic tribe) discovered water on the Island of Abu Dhabi in 1760 and constructed their first town. Abu Dhabi remained a small fishing village until oil was discovered. The transformation from small village to modern city was made possible by the large amounts of revenues from oil
Abu Dhabi is a vibrant city with an impressive skyline, parks and gardens, luxury hotels, palatial villas and beaches.
As the Capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is the center of government and business life in the UAE. All the embassies, most of the oil company headquarters and the parliamentary buildings are located in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi offers many cultural destinations such as the Al Hosn Palace, commonly known as the White Fort; Heritage Village, a living exhibition of culture; the Cultural Foundation, featuring art exhibits, a library and theatre auditorium and the nearby Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium. The Corniche is a park-lined coastal boulevard providing one of the most picturesque sites in Abu Dhabi.
The city is a convenient base for visits to Al Ain, the Garden City of the Gulf and the Liwa Oasis, one of the largest oasis in Arabia.