Abu Dhabi is the capital and second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi in its English translation means "Father of gazelle". It is the largest of the seven emirates and lies on a T-shaped island with its towering and futuristic skyscrapers dotting its desert coast on the Persian Gulf.

Abu Dhabi is geographically located on the north-eastern portion of the Persian Gulf in the Arabian Peninsula. It is located approximately 250 meters from the mainland and has an impressive population of 1.45 million as of 2008. The very first settlements of Abu Dhabi dates as far back as the 3rd millennium BC, however, it was during the rule of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa that Abu Dhabi became respectively known as a trader of pearls. When Abu Dhabi's pearl industry was badly hit because of Japan's pearl industry intervention, it opened up a whole new road towards prosperity for the country. In 1962, Abu Dhabi's oil exports began, giving the city its unbelievable wealth.

Though considered a modern city, it still has remains of its older and more cultural society such as the stretch of wooden dhows located along the harbor which was used for pearl diving. Abu Dhabi attracts many visitors all over the world because it is known as the most important cultural city in the UAE, hosting many art exhibitions and musical performances in its established Cultural Foundation Centre.