History of Abu Dhabi in Timeline
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is the second-most populous city in the UAE, after Dubai. Located on a T-shaped island extending into the Persian Gulf, it serves as the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District.
2 days ago : Abu Dhabi Strengthens US Ties: Chamber Deals, Company Registrations Surge, Customs Cooperation Enhanced.
Abu Dhabi Chamber secures US deals after American memberships surge by 50%. The city also reports a spike in US company registrations. Abu Dhabi Customs explores enhanced cooperation with US Customs and Border Protection to streamline trade.
1905: Birth of Abdulla bin Sulayem
In 1905, Emirati poet Abdulla bin Sulayem, noted for his contributions to Classical Arabic poetry, was born.
January 1936: Petroleum Development Trucial Coast Ltd. Concession Agreement
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 Oil Concession Signed
In January 1939, a seventy-five-year concession was signed regarding oil exploration in Abu Dhabi.
1947: British Influence Maintained After India Withdrawal
Following their withdrawal from India in 1947, 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 which was then transferred to Abu Dhabi Marine Areas (ADMA).
1954: Death of Mubarak Al Oqaili
In 1954, Emirati poet Mubarak Al Oqaili, who contributed to Classical Arabic poetry, passed away.
1958: Oil Discovered in Umm Shaif Field
In 1958, ADMA discovered oil in the Umm Shaif field at a depth of about 2,669 metres (8,755 ft) using the marine drilling platform, the ADMA Enterprise.
1959: Death of Salem bin Ali al Owais
In 1959, Emirati poet Salem bin Ali al Owais, known for his contributions to Classical Arabic poetry, passed away.
1959: PDTC's Onshore Oil Discovery
In 1959, PDTC made an onshore oil discovery at Murban No.3.
1962: ADMA discovers Bu Hasa oil field
In 1962, ADMA discovered the Bu Hasa oil field.
1963: ADMA discovers Lower Zakum oil field
In 1963, ADMA discovered the Lower Zakum oil field.
August 6, 1966: Zayed Al Nahyan Becomes Ruler in Bloodless Coup
On August 6, 1966, Shakhbut's younger brother Zayed Al Nahyan became the ruler of Abu Dhabi after a bloodless coup backed by the British.
1967: City Planned by Katsuhiko Takahashi
In 1967, the city of Abu Dhabi was planned under the guidance of Sheikh Zayed by Japanese architect Katsuhiko Takahashi, for an initial population of 40,000.
1968: Construction of Al Maqta Bridge
In 1968, the Al Maqta Bridge was built as the first connection to the previously small fishing village on the island, now part of the E22 highway.
1969: First town bus entered service
In about 1969, the first town bus entered service in Abu Dhabi, though it was part of a very informal 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 contributions to Classical Arabic poetry, passed away.
1977: Opening of Mussafah Bridge
In 1977, the Mussafah Bridge was opened, now part of the E20 highway that transforms into Khaleej Al Arabi Street.
1982: Opening of Abu Dhabi International Airport
Abu Dhabi International Airport opened in 1982.
1995: Introduction of the Internet
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 Began on the Mosque
Construction of the mosque began on November 5, 1996, using materials from countries around the world.
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. The Founder's Memorial was later built in his memory.
2005: Birth and death rates
As of 2005, the crude birth rate in Abu Dhabi was 13.6%, while the crude death rate was about 2%.
2005: Water demand estimation
The water demand for 2005-06 was estimated to be 511 MiGD.
2006: Water supply and demand
As of 2006, the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) supplied 560.2 MiGD of water, while the water demand for 2005-06 was estimated to be 511 MiGD.
2006: Establishment of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC)
In 2006, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), better known as Du, was established, challenging Etisalat's virtual monopoly over telecommunication services in Abu Dhabi.
2006: Fast-growing economy
In 2006, the UAE experienced a fast-growing economy, with per capita income growing by 9%, resulting in a GDP per capita of $49,700 and ranking third globally in 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: Internal Prayer Halls Opened
In December 2007, the internal prayer halls of the mosque were initially opened.
2007: Electricity consumption and supply
As of 2007, Abu Dhabi's per capita electricity consumption was about 41,000 kWh, and the total supplied was 8,367 MW.
2007: Release of "The Kingdom"
In 2007, the film "The Kingdom" was released, featuring Abu Dhabi as one of its shooting locations.
June 2008: Commencement of public bus service
On June 30, 2008, the Department of Transport began public bus service in Abu Dhabi with four routes, which were zero-fare until the end of 2008.
July 2008: High-Rise Buildings Under Construction, Approved or Proposed
As of July 2008, there were 62 high-rise buildings 23 to 150 m under construction, approved for construction, or proposed for construction in Abu Dhabi.
2008: Abu Dhabi Jiujitsu Schools Program began
In 2008, the Abu Dhabi Jiujitsu Schools Program was launched under the patronage of crown prince (now President) Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, starting in 14 schools for pupils in grades 6 and 7.
2009: Growth in passenger usage at International Airport
In 2009, Abu Dhabi's International Airport experienced a 30%+ growth in passenger usage.
2009: Etisalat announces implementing fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network
In 2009, Etisalat announced implementing a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Abu Dhabi during the third quarter to make the emirate the world's first city to have such a network.
2009: Government Diversifies Economic Plans
In 2009, the government diversified its economic plans and the country's non-oil and gas GDP outstripped that attributable to the energy sector.
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, typically the last race of the season.
2009: Abu Dhabi Education Council brings over licensed teachers
Starting in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Education Council began recruiting thousands of licensed teachers from native English-speaking countries to support the New School Model Program in government schools.
September 2010: New York University opens Abu Dhabi campus
In September 2010, New York University inaugurated a government-sponsored satellite campus in Abu Dhabi.
2010: GDP per capita
In 2010, Abu Dhabi's GDP per capita reached $49,600, ranking ninth in the world.
2010: Opening of Sheikh Zayed Bridge
In 2010, the Sheikh Zayed Bridge was opened, now part of the E10 highway and Sheikh Zayed Road.
2010: Abu Dhabi becomes a major shooting location for film companies
Since 2010, Abu Dhabi has emerged as a prominent filming location for numerous film companies, including Hollywood productions.
2011: Cultural Foundation closed for reconstruction
In 2011, the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi, which houses the UAE Public Library and Cultural Center, closed for reconstruction.
2011: Completion of Al-Mafraq Bridge
In early 2011, Al-Mafraq bridge, a multi-layer interchange bridge with 27 lanes, was completed connecting the city to Reem Island.
2013: Release of "Arrambam"
In 2013, the film "Arrambam" was released, featuring Abu Dhabi as one of its shooting locations.
2014: Demographics of Abu Dhabi
As of 2014, 477,000 of 2,650,000 people living in the emirate were UAE nationals, with approximately 80% of the population being expatriates and the median age being about 30.1 years.
2015: Expansion of School-Jitsu program
By 2015, the plan was to have up to 500 schools participating in the school-Jitsu program, which teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu to 9 to 13-year-old students.
2015: Releases of "Baby", "Furious 7", and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
In 2015, Abu Dhabi featured in the films "Baby", "Furious 7", and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", as a filming location.
2015: Increase in Passenger Numbers at Zayed International Airport
In 2015, Passenger numbers at Zayed International Airport rose by 17.2 percent, with more than 23 million travelers passing through its terminals during that year.
2016: Release of "Dishoom"
In 2016, the film "Dishoom" was released, featuring Abu Dhabi as one of its filming locations.
March 2017: Eastern and Western Municipal Regions Officialized
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, resulting in criticism.
2018: Construction of Qaṣr Al-Waṭan Finished
Construction of Qaṣr Al-Waṭan was finished in 2018.
2018: Launch of Ghadan 21
In 2018, Abu Dhabi launched Ghadan 21, a series of initiatives to diversify the economy, with a total injection of AED 50 billion across four main areas: business and investment, society, knowledge and innovation, and lifestyle.
2018: Ban on Israeli symbols lifted
In 2018, the ban on Israeli symbols was lifted in Abu Dhabi, allowing the Israeli flag and the national anthem to be displayed at the International Judo Federation event.
2018: Release of "Race 3"
In 2018, the movie "Race 3" was released, which included Abu Dhabi as a filming location.
March 2019: Abu Dhabi Hosted Special Olympics World Games
In March 2019, Abu Dhabi hosted the first Special Olympics World Games in the Middle East, featuring over 7,500 athletes participating in 24 sporting disciplines.
March 2019: Qaṣr Al-Waṭan Opens 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, aiming to enhance the country's "position as an international hub for tolerance".
July 2019: Allocation to finance global entertainment partners
In July 2019, Abu Dhabi allocated $163 million to finance global entertainment partners as part of its plan to diversify the economy and wean it off oil.
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 number three out of 750 landmarks.
July 2019: Completion of Noor Abu Dhabi solar park project
On July 2, 2019, the Noor Abu Dhabi solar park project, the largest solar project in the world, was completed as part of UAE's Energy Strategy 2050 to reduce the carbon emission of power generation by 70%.
September 2019: Licenses Granted to Churches and Hindu Temple
On September 22, 2019, the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi granted licenses to 17 churches and the first-ever traditional Hindu temple under the slogan "A Call for Harmony".
October 2019: Abu Dhabi Announces New AI University
In October 2019, Abu Dhabi announced the establishment of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world's first graduate-level AI research institution.
2019: Abu Dhabi hosted the 2019 AFC Asian Cup
In 2019, Abu Dhabi hosted the AFC Asian Cup, adding to its history of hosting international football events, including FIFA Club World Cups.
2019: Formation of the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
In 2019, the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office (ADGMO) was formed to represent the government in the media.
2019: Releases of "Saaho" and "Six Underground"
In 2019, the films "Saaho" and "Six Underground" were released, featuring Abu Dhabi as one of their filming locations.
September 2020: Classes to Begin at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
In September 2020, the first classes are scheduled to begin at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), which began accepting applications a year prior for master's and PhD programs.
2020: First synagogue construction commences
In 2020, Abu Dhabi began the construction of its first synagogue, reflecting the emirate's growing cosmopolitan atmosphere and religious tolerance alongside Christian churches, Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras, and Buddhist temples.
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.
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 of Abu Dhabi.
2021: Introduction of toll gates
In 2021, Abu Dhabi introduced four toll gates on all bridges (Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqtaa Bridge, Mussafah Bridge, and Sheikh Khalifa Bridge) entering the main Abu Dhabi island that only operate during peak hours, and by year-end had over 1.8 million registered cars in the system.
2021: Releases of "The Misfits" and "Dune"
In 2021, the films "The Misfits" and "Dune" were released, showcasing Abu Dhabi as a shooting location.
2021: Passenger usage of public ferries
In 2021, the number of passengers who used public ferries reached 114,093.
April 2022: UAE Oil Production
As of April 2022, oil production in the UAE was about 3.0 million barrels per day (BPD).
April 2022: Abu Dhabi Announced 100% Capacity for Activities
On April 29, 2022, Abu Dhabi announced a 100% capacity allowance for commercial activities, tourist attractions, and events in the emirate.
2022: Launch of autonomous self-driving public transport options
In 2022, Abu Dhabi launched autonomous self-driving public transport options in Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, including autonomous trams (Automated Rapid Transit or "ART"), 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 and resumed operation to private, business, and VIP traffic in addition to hosting an Abu Dhabi Police search and rescue base.
February 2023: Inauguration of Abrahamic Family House
The Abrahamic Family House, a multi-faith complex on Saadiyat Island was inaugurated on February 16, 2023.
March 2023: Official Opening of Abrahamic Family House to the Public
The Abrahamic Family House, a multi-faith complex on Saadiyat Island, officially opened to the public on March 1, 2023.
October 2023: Launch of ART Service on mainland Abu Dhabi
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. It spans approximately 27 kilometers from Reem Mall, Al Reem Island, until Marina Mall, serving 25 stations in total.
2023: Completion of the second phase of the Etihad Rail network
In 2023, Abu Dhabi City was connected to the second phase of the Etihad Rail network, completed in 2023, for freight operations across the seven emirates.
2023: Abu Dhabi Population and Investment Authority Assets
In 2023, Abu Dhabi's urban area had an estimated population of 2.5 million. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) managed approximately US$1 trillion in assets, making it the world's third-largest sovereign wealth fund.
2023: Inauguration of Umm Yifeenah Bridge
In 2023, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan inaugurated the Umm Yifeenah Bridge, an 11 km highway connection between 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 system.
December 5, 2024: Zayed International Airport Wins "World's Most Beautiful Airport" Title
On December 5, 2024, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi (AUH) won the title of "World's Most Beautiful Airport" at the Prix Versailles, a prestigious award for architecture and design.
2024: Second Sphere venue confirmed for Abu Dhabi
In 2024, the Madison Square Garden Company confirmed the construction of a second Sphere venue in Abu Dhabi, mirroring the one in Las Vegas.
2024: Releases of "Crew" and "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan"
In 2024, the films "Crew" and "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan" were released, featuring Abu Dhabi as a filming location.
May 2025: Walt Disney Company Plans to Build Theme Park
On May 7, 2025, The Walt Disney Company announced plans to build its seventh worldwide theme park resort in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island.
2025: Opening of first flying taxi vertiport
Abu Dhabi's first flying taxi vertiport will open at the Zayed Port Cruise Terminal by late 2025. It will serve helicopters and eVTOLs, offering direct access to Saadiyat Island, the Corniche, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
2025: Abu Dhabi ranked as the safest city
In 2025, Abu Dhabi was ranked as the safest city in the world for the ninth year running by the statistical analysis website Numbeo.
2025: Confirmation of Disneyland Abu Dhabi construction
In 2025, it was confirmed that Disney will build a theme park in Abu Dhabi called Disneyland Abu Dhabi, located on Yas Island.
2030: Abu Dhabi's 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan
Abu Dhabi's 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan.
2030: Surface Transport Master Plan 2030
Public transport systems in Abu Dhabi are expected to undergo a massive expansion within the framework of the government's Surface Transport Master Plan 2030.
2030: Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030
The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, planned by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, envisions a sustainable economy not dependent on any single source of revenue, with the non-oil portion of income planned to increase from about 40% to about 70% by 2030.
2030: UAE's Maximum Oil Production Capacity Expansion
The UAE is looking to expand its maximum production capacity from approximately 4 million BPD to 5 million BPD by 2030.
2030: Abu Dhabi Plan 2030
The development of tall buildings has been encouraged in the Abu Dhabi Plan 2030, which will lead to the construction of many new skyscrapers, particularly in the expansion of Abu Dhabi's central business district such as the new developments on Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island.
2031: UAE's National Sport Strategy 2031
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
UAE's Energy Strategy 2050 aims to reduce the carbon emission of power generation by 70% by 2050.
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