History of Abu Dhabi in Timeline
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the second-most populous city in the UAE, after Dubai. It serves as the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District and the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The city is located on a T-shaped island that extends into the Persian Gulf from the UAE's central-western coast.
1905: Birth of Abdulla bin Sulayem
In 1905, Emirati poet Abdulla bin Sulayem, known for his work in Classical Arabic poetry, was born.
January 1936: Concession Agreement with Petroleum Development Trucial Coast Ltd
On January 5, 1936, Petroleum Development Trucial Coast Ltd (PDTC) entered into a concession agreement with Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan to explore for oil.
January 1939: Seventy-Five Year Concession Signed
In January 1939, a seventy-five-year concession was signed for oil exploration following the initial agreement.
1947: British Influence Maintained After Indian Withdrawal
In 1947, following their withdrawal from India, the British maintained their influence in Abu Dhabi as interest in the oil potential of the Persian Gulf grew.
1953: D'Arcy Exploration Company Obtains Offshore Concession
In 1953, D'Arcy Exploration Company, the exploration arm of BP, obtained an offshore concession.
1954: Death of Mubarak Al Oqaili
In 1954, Emirati poet Mubarak Al Oqaili, known for his work in Classical Arabic poetry, passed away.
1958: Oil Discovery in Umm Shaif Field
In 1958, oil was discovered in the Umm Shaif field by Abu Dhabi Marine Areas (ADMA), a joint venture between BP and Compagnie Française des Pétroles, at a depth of about 2,669 metres.
1959: Death of Salem bin Ali al Owais
In 1959, Emirati poet Salem bin Ali al Owais, known for his work in Classical Arabic poetry, passed away.
1959: PDTC's Onshore Discovery at Murban No.3
In 1959, PDTC made an onshore oil discovery with the well at Murban No.3.
1962: ADMA Discovered Bu Hasa Oil Field
In 1962, ADMA discovered the Bu Hasa oil field.
1963: ADMA Discovered Lower Zakum Oil Field
In 1963, ADMA discovered the Lower Zakum oil field.
August 6, 1966: Bloodless Coup by Zayed Al Nahyan
On August 6, 1966, a bloodless coup, backed by the British, led to Shakhbut's younger brother Zayed Al Nahyan replacing him due to perceived mismanagement of oil revenues and fears of a pan-Arab uprising.
1966: Dubai's First Oil Discovery
In 1966, Dubai made its first oil discovery with the offshore Fateh oil field.
1967: City Planned by Katsuhiko Takahashi
In 1967, under the guidance of Sheikh Zayed, Japanese architect Katsuhiko Takahashi planned the city of Abu Dhabi initially for a population of 40,000.
1968: Construction of Al Maqta Bridge
In 1968, the Al Maqta Bridge was built as the first connection to Abu Dhabi island, now part of the E22 highway.
1969: The first town bus entered service
Around 1969, the first town bus entered service in Abu Dhabi, marking the beginning of an informal public transportation service.
December 2, 1971: Formation of the United Arab Emirates
On December 2, 1971, Abu Dhabi, along with five other emirates, formed the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was appointed as the first President of the UAE.
1976: Death of Abdulla bin Sulayem
In 1976, Emirati poet Abdulla bin Sulayem, known for his work in Classical Arabic poetry, passed away.
1977: Opening of Mussafah Bridge
In 1977, the Mussafah Bridge was opened, becoming part of the E20 highway.
1982: Opening of Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
The Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) opened in 1982, replacing Al Bateen Executive Airport as the city's main international airport.
1995: Internet introduced into Abu Dhabi
In 1995, the Internet was introduced into Abu Dhabi, supported by a bandwidth of 6 GB, with 50,000 dialup and 150,000 broadband ports.
November 1996: Construction of the Mosque Began
On 5 November 1996, construction began on the mosque, utilizing materials from various countries.
2004: Death of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
In 2004, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first President of the United Arab Emirates, died, and a memorial was created in his honor.
2005: Crude birth and death rates in Abu Dhabi
As of 2005, the crude birth rate in Abu Dhabi was 13.6%, while the crude death rate was about 2%.
2005: Water demand estimated to be 511 MiGD
The water demand for 2005–06 was estimated to be 511 MiGD in Abu Dhabi.
2006: Water supplied by ADWEA
As of 2006, the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) supplied 560.2 MiGD of water.
2006: Establishment of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (Du)
In 2006, the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), better known as Du, was established, ending Etisalat's virtual monopoly over telecommunication services in Abu Dhabi.
2006: Per capita income grew by 9%
In 2006, the UAE experienced a fast-growing economy, with Abu Dhabi's per capita income growing by 9%, resulting in a GDP per capita of $49,700 and ranking third in the world at purchasing power parity.
September 2007: Publication of Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan
In September 2007, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) published the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan.
December 2007: Opening of Internal Prayer Halls
In December 2007, the internal prayer halls of the mosque were initially opened.
2007: Electricity consumption data
As of 2007, Abu Dhabi's per capita electricity consumption was approximately 41,000 kWh, and the total supplied electricity was 8,367 MW.
2007: Release of The Kingdom movie
In 2007, the film "The Kingdom" was released, featuring scenes shot in Abu Dhabi.
June 2008: Public bus service launched in Abu Dhabi
On June 30, 2008, the Department of Transport began public bus service in Abu Dhabi with four routes, operating between 6 am and midnight every day.
July 2008: High-Rise Buildings Under Construction or Proposed
As of July 2008, there were 62 high-rise buildings between 23 to 150 m under construction, approved, or proposed for construction in Abu Dhabi.
2008: Launch of Abu Dhabi Jiujitsu Schools Program
In 2008, the Abu Dhabi Jiujitsu Schools Program was launched under the patronage of crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, beginning in 14 schools for pupils in grades 6 and 7.
2009: Etisalat announced implementing a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network
During the third quarter of 2009, Etisalat announced the implementation of a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Abu Dhabi, aiming to make the emirate the world's first city with such a network.
2009: New School Model Program supported by licensed teachers
From 2009, the Abu Dhabi Education Council brought over thousands of licensed teachers from native English speaking countries to support their New School Model Program in government schools.
2009: 30%+ growth in passenger usage in International Airport
In 2009, Abu Dhabi International Airport experienced a growth of over 30% in passenger usage.
2009: Government Diversified Economic Plans
In 2009, the government diversified its economic plans, leading to non-oil and gas GDP outstripping the energy sector's contribution. Investment in industry, real estate, tourism, and retail increased.
2009: Inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit
Since 2009, Abu Dhabi has hosted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of Formula One at the Yas Marina Circuit.
September 2010: New York University opens Abu Dhabi campus
In September 2010, New York University opened a government-sponsored satellite campus in Abu Dhabi.
2010: GDP per capita ranks ninth in the world
In 2010, Abu Dhabi's GDP per capita reached $49,600, ranking ninth globally.
2010: Opening of Sheikh Zayed Bridge
In 2010, the Sheikh Zayed Bridge was opened, becoming part of the E10 highway and Sheikh Zayed Road.
2010: Abu Dhabi becomes major film shooting location
Since 2010, Abu Dhabi has risen to prominence as a major shooting location for film companies, including Hollywood.
2011: Completion of Al-Mafraq Bridge
In early 2011, Al-Mafraq bridge was completed, connecting the city to Reem Island.
2011: Cultural Foundation closed for reconstruction
In the spring of 2011, the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi was closed for reconstruction, while still housing the UAE Public Library and Cultural Center.
2012: Opening of Khalifa Port
Khalifa Port opened in 2012. It is owned by Abu Dhabi Ports Company and managed by Abu Dhabi Terminals.
2013: Release of Arrambam movie
In 2013, the film "Arrambam" was released, featuring scenes shot in Abu Dhabi.
2014: Population demographics in Abu Dhabi
As of 2014, out of 2,650,000 people living in the emirate, 477,000 were UAE nationals, with approximately 80% of the population being expatriates. The median age in the emirate was about 30.1 years.
2015: Expansion plan for School-Jitsu program
By 2015, the plan was for up to 500 schools to be participating in the School-Jitsu program, where 9 to 13-year-old students are taught Brazilian jiu-jitsu as part of the curriculum.
2015: Releases of Baby, Furious 7, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens movies
In 2015, Abu Dhabi appeared in several films, including "Baby", "Furious 7", and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens".
2015: Increase in passenger numbers at Zayed International Airport
In 2015, passenger numbers at Zayed International Airport rose by 17.2 percent, with over 23 million travelers passing through its terminals.
2016: Release of Dishoom movie
In 2016, the film "Dishoom" was released, featuring scenes shot in Abu Dhabi.
March 2017: Official Designation of Al Ain and Al Dhafra Regions
In March 2017, Sheikh Khalifa decreed the eastern region as "Al Ain Region" and the western region as "Al Dhafra Region".
2017: International Judo Federation refuses Israeli flag and anthem
In 2017, the International Judo Federation refused to allow the Israeli flag and the Israeli national anthem at the international games in Abu Dhabi, drawing criticism.
2018: Launch of Ghadan 21
In 2018, Abu Dhabi launched Ghadan 21, a series of initiatives with a total investment of AED 50 billion to diversify the economy, focusing on business, investment, society, knowledge, innovation, and lifestyle.
2018: Completion of Qasr Al-Watan Construction
In 2018, construction of Qaṣr Al-Waṭan (Presidential Palace) was completed on the grounds of Ladies beach.
2018: Ban on Israeli symbols lifted
In 2018, the ban on Israeli symbols was lifted and the Israeli flag and national anthem were allowed to be displayed at the International Judo Federation Abu Dhabi grand slam.
2018: Release of Race 3 movie
In 2018, the film "Race 3" was released, featuring scenes shot in Abu Dhabi.
March 2019: Abu Dhabi hosts the first Special Olympics World Games
In March 2019, Abu Dhabi hosted the first Special Olympics World Games in the Middle East, featuring more than 7,500 athletes participating in 24 sporting disciplines from 14 to 21 March 2019.
March 2019: Opening of Qasr Al-Watan to the Public
In March 2019, the UAE Presidential Palace, Qaṣr Al-Waṭan, opened to the public.
June 2019: Inauguration of multi-faith prayer room at Zayed International Airport
On June 30, 2019, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi officially inaugurated a multi-faith prayer room at Zayed International Airport.
July 2019: Abu Dhabi allocates $163 million to entertainment partners
In July 2019, Abu Dhabi allocated $163 million to finance global entertainment partners to diversify its economy away from oil dependence.
July 2019: Grand Mosque Listed Among Top Global Attractions by TripAdvisor
In July 2019, the Grand Mosque was listed among the top global attractions by TripAdvisor, ranking third out of 750 landmarks considered from 68 countries.
July 2019: Completion of Noor Abu Dhabi solar park project
On July 2, 2019, the Noor Abu Dhabi solar park project, the world's largest solar project, was completed as part of the UAE's Energy Strategy 2050 to reduce carbon emissions from power generation by 70%.
September 2019: Granting Licenses to Churches and Hindu Temple
On 22 September 2019, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi granted licenses to 17 churches and the first-ever traditional Hindu temple, under the slogan "A Call for Harmony".
October 2019: Announcement of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)
In October 2019, Abu Dhabi announced the world's first graduate-level AI research institution, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).
2019: Formation of Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
In 2019, the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office (ADGMO) was formed to represent the government in the media and monitor local and international media.
2019: Releases of Saaho and Six Underground movies
In 2019, the films "Saaho" and "Six Underground" were released, featuring scenes shot in Abu Dhabi.
September 2020: MBZUAI begins classes
In September 2020, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) began its classes.
2020: First synagogue commencing construction
In 2020, Abu Dhabi continued to demonstrate its religious tolerance with the commencement of construction of its first synagogue alongside Christian churches, Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras, and Buddhist temples, as well as mosques.
May 2021: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center at Arabian Travel Market
In May 2021, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center attended the Arabian Travel Market 2021 exhibition to promote religious and cultural aspects of society.
2021: Abu Dhabi public bus system passenger trips
As of 2021, the Abu Dhabi public bus system had completed 53.3 million passenger trips, with a fleet of 583 buses for the city.
2021: Introduction of toll gates in Abu Dhabi
In 2021, Abu Dhabi introduced four toll gates on all bridges entering the main Abu Dhabi island, operating during peak hours. By year-end, over 1.8 million registered cars were in the system.
2021: Releases of The Misfits and Dune movies
In 2021, the films "The Misfits" and "Dune" were released, featuring scenes shot in Abu Dhabi.
2021: Number of passengers who used public ferries
In 2021, the number of passengers who used public ferries reached 114,093 in Abu Dhabi.
April 2022: Oil Production in the UAE
As of April 2022, oil production in the UAE was about 3.0 million barrels per day (BPD).
April 2022: Abu Dhabi announces 100% capacity for events
On 29 April 2022, Abu Dhabi announced a 100% capacity for commercial activities, tourist attractions and events in the emirate.
2022: Launch of autonomous public transport options in Abu Dhabi
In 2022, Abu Dhabi launched autonomous self-driving public transport options on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, including trams, taxis, and minibuses.
2022: Renovation and expansion of Al Bateen Executive Airport
In 2022, Al Bateen Executive Airport underwent renovation and expansion to accommodate twin-aisle jets, resuming operation to private, business, and VIP traffic, and also hosting an Abu Dhabi Police search and rescue base.
February 2023: Inauguration of Abrahamic Family House
In February 2023, the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island was inaugurated.
March 2023: Opening of Abrahamic Family House to the Public
In March 2023, the Abrahamic Family House officially opened to the public, featuring a mosque, a church, and a synagogue.
October 2023: Launch of ART Service as part of Smart Mobility project
During October 2023, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) launched the ART Service on mainland Abu Dhabi as a pilot phase as part of the Smart Mobility project, spanning approximately 27 kilometers.
2023: Completion of Etihad Rail network's second phase
In 2023, Abu Dhabi City was connected to the second phase of the Etihad Rail network, completed for freight operations across the seven emirates. Passenger traffic has been confirmed but no date has been set.
2023: Abu Dhabi Population and Investment Authority Status
In 2023, Abu Dhabi's urban area had an estimated population of 2.5 million, out of 3.8 million in the emirate. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) manages approximately US$1 trillion in assets.
2023: Inauguration of Umm Yifeenah Bridge
In 2023, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan inaugurated the Umm Yifeenah Bridge, an 11 km highway connecting Al Reem Island and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street.
July 2024: Launch of "Smart Travel" biometric at Zayed International Airport
In July 2024, Zayed International Airport launched the world's first-of-its-kind "Smart Travel" biometric.
December 5, 2024: Zayed International Airport wins "World's Most Beautiful Airport" title
On December 5, 2024, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi (AUH) was awarded the title of "World's Most Beautiful Airport" at the Prix Versailles for its architectural design.
2024: Confirmation of second Sphere venue
In 2024, the Madison Square Garden Company confirmed that a second Sphere venue, identical to the Sphere in Las Vegas would be built in Abu Dhabi.
May 2025: Disney announces seventh worldwide theme park resort
On 7 May 2025, The Walt Disney Company announced that it plans to build its seventh worldwide theme park resort in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island.
2025: Opening of Abu Dhabi's first flying taxi vertiport
Abu Dhabi's first flying taxi vertiport will open at the Zayed Port Cruise Terminal by late 2025, offering direct access to Saadiyat Island, the Corniche, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
2025: Abu Dhabi ranked safest city in the world
In 2025, Abu Dhabi was ranked as the safest city in the world for the ninth consecutive year by the statistical analysis website Numbeo.
2025: Confirmation of Disneyland Abu Dhabi
In 2025, it was confirmed that Disney would build a theme-park in Abu Dhabi called Disneyland Abu Dhabi on Yas Island.
2030: Government's Surface Transport Master Plan 2030
A massive expansion of public transport is anticipated within the framework of the government's Surface Transport Master Plan 2030. The expansion was expected to see 130 km of metro and 340 km of tramways and bus rapid transit (BRT) routes.
2030: Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 planned
Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 planned by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council aims to diversify the economy and increase the non-oil portion of income from approximately 40% to around 70%.
2030: Abu Dhabi's 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan
Abu Dhabi's 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan continues with the construction of new bridges and roads to link the main island with other islands.
2030: Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 Encourages Tall Buildings
The Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 encouraged the development of tall buildings, leading to the construction of new skyscrapers in the central business district.
2030: Visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) is the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi's urban environments and the expert authority behind the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan.
2030: UAE's Production Capacity Expansion Target
The UAE is looking to expand its maximum oil production capacity from approximately 4 million BPD to 5 million BPD by 2030.
2031: UAE's National Sport Strategy goal
Abu Dhabi follows the UAE's National Sport Strategy 2031 which aims to increase general participation in sports and expand the types and frequency of sport facilities available in the city.
2050: UAE's Energy Strategy 2050 to reduce carbon emission of power generation by 70%
As part of UAE's Energy Strategy 2050 the goal is to reduce the carbon emission of power generation by 70%
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