If you've ever looked at Dubai's skyline and wondered what it would feel like to float above it, a helicopter takes that daydream and turns it into something unforgettable. The best helicopter tour Dubai can offer is not just a thrill ride; it's a carefully choreographed glimpse into how the city grew from desert to a vertical wonder, with the blue of the Gulf stretched like silk along its edge. You lift off, the blades thrum, and suddenly the city's geometry makes sense: the man‑made islands, the ruler‑straight highways, the glittering towers stitched together by water and light.
What makes a helicopter tour here so special is Dubai's unique layout. Few cities present their story so clearly from the air. The Palm Jumeirah opens like a stylized sketch-fronds, trunk, crescent-instantly recognizable and more intricate than it looks from the ground. The Burj Al Arab sits alone, poised on its own island like a silver sail.
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The Burj Khalifa is impossible to ignore, a needle that pulls the eye to Downtown, where fountains flicker by day and sparkle by night. On a clear morning, the World Islands dot the ocean like punctuation marks. The curve of Dubai Marina, the wheel of Ain Dubai, the gilt frame of, well, the Dubai Frame-each landmark appears and slides past with the smooth inevitability of a well-edited film.
Choosing the right route is half the secret. Shorter flights tend to trace the coastline: takeoff near the Marina or the Palm, then a graceful arc around Atlantis and the crescent, past the Burj Al Arab, and back. It's a compact reel of the greatest hits in 12 to 17 minutes, perfect if you want the sensation without losing half your day. Longer tours expand the canvas, pushing toward Downtown to orbit the Burj Khalifa and glide over Business Bay, sometimes sweeping toward the Creek where Old Dubai's trading history still breathes. With 20 to 30 minutes, the city's contrast becomes the point-glass and steel against the old souks, turquoise sea against the camel-colored desert fringe.
Timing matters. Early mornings often bring the calmest air and the sharpest visibility, especially between November and April when the air cools and the horizon stretches far. Late afternoon flights deliver the drama: the low-angle sun sparking off the water, shadows carving depth into towers, and, for the truly lucky, a sunset that turns the city rose-gold. Night flights can be magical, too-Dubai becomes a jeweled circuit board-but if you're coming for photography, daylight is more forgiving.
Speaking of photos, a few practical tips make a big difference. Wear darker clothing to reduce window reflections in your shots. Turn off your flash; it will only bounce off the plexiglass. If you're using a phone, clean the lens and use burst mode to capture sharp frames despite vibration. If you're carrying a camera, a mid‑range zoom (something in the ballpark of 24–70mm on a full-frame) is versatile for both sweeping views and detail. Shutter speeds on the faster side help, as does bracing your elbows rather than pressing the lens against the window. And don't spend the whole flight hunting for the perfect shot. Put the camera down a few times. Let your eyes do the work.
Safety is reassuringly front and center. Reputable operators in Dubai use modern aircraft with large windows and climate control, and their pilots are experienced in urban airspace. You'll get a pre-flight briefing, sit according to weight distribution for balance, and wear a headset to hear the pilot's commentary. Helicopter tour Old Dubai . Bring a valid ID. Expect security screening similar to an airport's but quicker. If you're prone to motion sickness, pick a morning slot when turbulence is typically lighter, avoid an empty stomach, and request a forward-facing seat if possible.
Helicopter tour Dubai helicopter journey
What about cost? Prices vary by duration and whether you book a shared or private flight. As a rough guide, shorter shared flights often start in the mid-hundreds of dirhams per person, with longer routes stepping up into four figures. Private charters naturally cost more but give you control over seating and route emphasis.
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Look out for inclusions like hotel transfers or a guaranteed window seat; they can add value that justifies a slightly higher fare.
To make sure you end up on the best helicopter tour Dubai has for your needs, think about these factors:
Route: Does it cover your must-see landmarks? If Downtown is on your bucket list, choose a longer itinerary that goes beyond the coast.
Seating and views: Ask about window guarantees and aircraft type. Fewer seats per side usually means better visibility for everyone.
Timing and weather policy: Check the operator's cancellation or reschedule terms in case of poor visibility or high winds.
Commentary and service: A pilot who narrates the city's story elevates the experience from sightseeing to understanding.
Safety record and certifications: Stick with established operators with clear safety standards.
Practical policies: Weight limits, age minimums, pregnancy guidelines, and any extra fees for passengers over a certain weight threshold can vary. Confirm in advance.
There's a soft human rhythm to the whole experience that's hard to capture in brochures. The light tick of your heartbeat syncing with the helicopter's pulse as you lift off. The way the Palm's perfect geometry makes you briefly marvel at human audacity. Children in villas waving at the sky. A bolt of perspective when you realize how tiny each car looks on Sheikh Zayed Road, and how strange it is that we measure our days by the size of our commutes when a city this vast fits in a single, shimmering glance.
If you like a touch of ceremony, pair your flight with a leisurely breakfast afterward-some operators fly early enough that you'll be sipping coffee by the water with the rotor wash still in your hair. If you're more of a sunset person, book late afternoon and linger nearby for dinner, letting your photos cycle as a silent slideshow while you re-live the highlights over mezze or seafood.
Finally, consider the footprint. Helicopter tours are memorable, but they do burn fuel. Choosing operators that maintain modern, efficient aircraft, fly well-planned routes, or participate in carbon offset programs is one small way to balance the equation. It won't change the world, but choices add up, and it's good to let awe and responsibility share the same seat.
In the end, the best helicopter tour Dubai offers is the one that aligns with your sense of wonder. For some, it's a compact, heart-quickening loop over the Palm. For others, it's a longer journey that threads from sea to skyline to creek, telling the full story of a city still writing itself. Dubai helicopter downtown viewHelicopter tour Dubai skyline Either way, the memory lingers: the hush inside the headset, the city flowing beneath you like a map brought to life, and the satisfying realization that sometimes the top-down view is exactly what you needed.
About Burj Khalifa
Skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Burj Khalifa
برج خليفة
The Burj Khalifa viewed across the Dubai Fountain in October 2012
Interactive map of the Burj Khalifa area
Record height
Tallest in the world since 2009
[I]
Preceded by
Taipei 101
General information
Status
Completed
Type
Mixed-use
Architectural style
Neo-futurism
Location
1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai, Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Named for
Sheikh Khalifa
Construction started
6 January 2004; 22 years ago (2004-01-06)
Topped-out
17 January 2009; 17 years ago (2009-01-17)
Completed
1 October 2009; 16 years ago (2009-10-01)
Opened
4 January 2010; 16 years ago (2010-01-04)
Cost
US$1.5 billion
Owner
Emaar Properties
Height
Architectural
828 m (2,717 ft)
Tip
829.8 m (2,722 ft)
Antenna spire
242.5 m (796 ft)
Roof
739.4 m (2,426 ft)
Top floor
585.4 m (1,921 ft)
Observatory
555.7 m (1,823 ft)
Technical details
Structural system
Reinforced concrete, steel, and aluminium
Floor count
154 + 9 maintenance
Floor area
309,473 m2 (3,331,100 sq ft)
Lifts/elevators
57 (mall included)
Design and construction
Architect
Adrian Smith
Architecture firm
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Structural engineer
Bill Baker
Main contractor
Samsung C&T
BESIX
Arabtec
Other information
Parking
2 subterranean levels
Public transit access
M1 At Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall
Website
burjkhalifa.ae
References
[1]
Photographic silhouette of the Dubai skyline; the Burj Khalifa is visible at the center
The Burj Khalifa[a] (known as the Burj Dubai before its inauguration) is a megatall skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, it is the world's tallest structure, with a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft, or just over half a mile) and a roof height (excluding the antenna, but including a 242.6 m spire)[2] of 828 m (2,717 ft). It has also been the tallest building in the world since its topping out in 2009, surpassing Taipei 101, which had held the record for a half-decade.[3][4]
Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004; the exterior was completed five years later. The primary structure is reinforced concrete. Some of the structural steel for the building was salvaged from the demolished Palace of the Republic in East Berlin.[5] The building was opened in 2010 as part of a new development called Downtown Dubai. It was designed to be the centerpiece of large-scale, mixed-use development.
The building is named after the former president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.[6] The United Arab Emirates government provided Dubai with financial support as the developer, Emaar Properties, experienced financial problems during the Great Recession. Then-president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed, organized federal financial support. For his support, Mohammad bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai, changed the name from "Burj Dubai" to "Burj Khalifa" during inauguration.
The design is derived from the Islamic architecture of the region, such as in the Great Mosque of Samarra. The Y-shaped tripartite floor geometry is designed to optimise residential and hotel space. A buttressed central core and wings are used to support the height of the building. The Burj Khalifa's central core houses all vertical transportation except egress stairs within each of the wings.[7] The structure also features a cladding system which is designed to withstand Dubai's hot summer temperatures.[8] It contains a total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators.
Development
[edit]
Construction began on 12 January 2004, with the exterior of the structure completed on 1 October 2009. The building officially opened on 4 January 2010[9][10] and is part of the 2 km2 (490 acres) Downtown Dubai development at the 'First Interchange' along Sheikh Zayed Road, near Dubai's main business district.[citation needed]
The tower's architecture and engineering were performed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill of Chicago, with Adrian Smith as chief architect, and Bill Baker as a chief structural engineer.[11][12] The firm had designed the Sears Tower in Chicago, a previous record holder for the world's tallest building.[13]
Hyder Consulting was supervising engineer and NORR Group Consultants supervised the architecture. The primary contractor was Samsung C&T of South Korea, together with the Belgian group BESIX and the local company Arabtec.[14]
Numerous complaints concerned migrant workers from South Asia, the primary building labour force, who were paid low wages and sometimes had their passports confiscated.[15]
Conception
[edit]
Burj Khalifa was designed to be the centerpiece of a large-scale, mixed-use development to include 30,000 homes,[16] nine hotels (including The Address Downtown Dubai), 3 hectares (7.4 acres) of parkland, at least 19 residential skyscrapers, the Dubai Mall, and the 12-hectare (30-acre) artificial Burj Khalifa Lake. The decision to build Burj Khalifa was reportedly based on the government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy to one that is service and tourism based. According to officials, projects like Burj Khalifa needed to be built to garner more international recognition and hence investment. "He (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum) wanted to put Dubai on the map with something really sensational," said Jacqui Josephson, a tourism and VIP delegations executive at Nakheel Properties.[17]
The tower was known as Burj Dubai ("Dubai Tower") until its official opening in January 2010.[18] It was renamed in honour of the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Abu Dhabi and the federal government of UAE lent Dubai tens of billions of US dollars so that Dubai could pay its debts – Dubai borrowed at least $80 billion for construction projects.[18] In the 2000s, Dubai started diversifying its economy but it suffered from the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Recession, leaving large-scale projects already in construction abandoned.[19]
Records
[edit]
The Burj Khalifa set several world records, including:
Tallest existing structure: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously KVLY-TV mast – 628.8 m or 2,063 ft)
Tallest structure ever built: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously Warsaw radio mast – 646.38 m or 2,121 ft)
Tallest freestanding structure: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously CN Tower – 553.3 m or 1,815 ft)
Tallest skyscraper (to top of spire): 828 m (2,717 ft) (previously Taipei 101 – 509.2 m or 1,671 ft)[20]
Tallest skyscraper to top of antenna: 829.8 m (2,722 ft) (previously the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower – 527 m or 1,729 ft)
Building with most floors: 163 (previously World Trade Center – 110)[21]
World's highest elevator installation (situated inside a rod at the very top of the building)[22]
World's longest travel distance elevators: 504 m (1,654 ft)[22][23]
Highest vertical concrete pumping (for a building): 606 m (1,988 ft)[24]
World's tallest structure that includes residential space[25]
World's highest installation of an aluminium and glass façade: 512 m (1,680 ft)[26]
World's highest restaurant (At.mosphere): 122nd floor at 442 m (1,450 ft) (previously 360, at a height of 350 m (1,148 ft) in CN Tower)[27]
World's highest New Year display of fireworks.[28]
World's largest light and sound show staged on a single building.[29][30][31]
Architecture and design
[edit]
A cross-section of comparisons of various towers, from ground level from top to bottom: Burj Khalifa, Taipei 101, Willis Tower, and the original World Trade Center
The tower was designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM), which also designed the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) in Chicago and the One World Trade Center in New York City. Burj Khalifa uses the bundled tube design of the Willis Tower, invented by Fazlur Rahman Khan.[32][33] Due to its tubular system, proportionally only half the amount of steel was used in the construction, compared to the Empire State Building.[32][34] Khan's contributions to the design of tall buildings have had a profound impact on architecture and engineering. It would be difficult to find any worldwide practices in the design of tall buildings that have not been directly or indirectly influenced by his work.[35] The design is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright's vision for The Illinois, a mile-high skyscraper designed for Chicago, as well as Chicago's Lake Point Tower. When Adrian Smith was conceiving the project at SOM, he looked out his office window toward Lake Point Tower's curved three-wing layout and thought, "There's the prototype".[36] According to Strabala, Burj Khalifa was designed based on the 73 floor Tower Palace Three, an all-residential building in Seoul. In its early planning, Burj Khalifa was intended to be entirely residential.[37]
After the original design by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, Emaar Properties chose Hyder Consulting to be the supervising engineer and NORR Group Consultants International Ltd to supervise the architecture of the project.[38] Hyder was selected for their expertise in structural and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) engineering.[39] Hyder Consulting's role was to supervise construction, certify the architect's design, and be the engineer and architect of record to the UAE authorities.[38] NORR's role was the supervision of all architectural components including on-site supervision during the construction and design of a 6-storey addition to the office annex building for architectural documentation. NORR was also responsible for the architectural integration drawings for the Armani Hotel included in the Tower. Emaar Properties also engaged GHD,[40] an international multidisciplinary consulting firm, to act as an independent verification and testing authority for concrete and steelwork.
The design is derived from Islamic architecture.[22] As the tower rises from the flat desert base, there are 27 setbacks in a spiral pattern, decreasing the cross-section of the tower as it rises and creating convenient outdoor terraces. These setbacks are arranged and aligned in a way that minimizes vibration wind loading from eddy currents and vortices.[7] At the top, the central core emerges and is sculpted to form a finishing spire. At its tallest point, the tower sways a total of 1.5 m (4.9 ft).[41]
The spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra
The spire of Burj Khalifa is composed of more than 4,000 tonnes (4,400 short tons; 3,900 long tons) of structural steel. The central pinnacle pipe weighs 350 tonnes (390 short tons; 340 long tons) and has a height of 200 m (660 ft). The spire also houses communications equipment.[42] This 244-metre (801 ft) spire is widely considered vanity height, since very little of its space is usable. Without the spire, Burj Khalifa would be 585 metres (1,919 ft) tall. This was reported in a Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat study, which notes that the empty spire "could be a skyscraper on its own".[2] Such a skyscraper, if located in Europe, would be the 11th tallest building on that continent.[43]
In 2009 architects announced that more than 1,000 pieces of art would adorn the interiors of Burj Khalifa, while the residential lobby of Burj Khalifa would display the work of Jaume Plensa.[44]
The cladding system consists of 142,000 m2 (1,528,000 sq ft) of more than 26,000 reflective glass panels and aluminium and textured stainless steel spandrel panels with vertical tubular fins.[42] The architectural glass provides solar and thermal performance as well as an anti-glare shield for the intense desert sun, extreme desert temperatures and strong winds. The glass covers more than 174,000 m2 (1,870,000 sq ft) in area.[citation needed] The Burj's typical curtain wall panels measure 4 ft 6 in (1.4 m) wide by 10 ft 8 in (3.3 m) high and weigh about 800 pounds (360 kg) each, with wider panels near the building's edges and taller ones near the top.[45]
The exterior temperature at the top of the building is thought to be 6 °C (11 °F) cooler than at its base.[46][needs update]
A 304-room Armani Hotel, the first of 4 by Armani, occupies 15 of the lower 39 floors.[3][47] The hotel was supposed to open on 18 March 2010,[48][49] but after several delays, it finally opened to the public on 27 April 2010.[50] The corporate suites and offices were also supposed to open from March onwards,[51] yet the hotel and observation deck remained the only parts of the building which were open in April 2010.
The sky lobbies on the 43rd and 76th floors house swimming pools.[52] Floors 20 through 108 have 900 private residential apartments (which, according to the developer, sold out within eight hours of being on the market). An outdoor zero-entry swimming pool is located on the 76th floor of the tower. Corporate offices and suites fill most of the remaining floors, except for the 122nd, 123rd, and 124th, where the At.mosphere restaurant, sky lobby, and an indoor and outdoor observation deck are located respectively. In January 2010, it was planned that Burj Khalifa would receive its first residents in February 2010.[52][53]
The building has 57 elevators and 8 escalators.[42] The elevators have a capacity of 12 to 14 people per cabin, and include the world's fastest double-deck elevators, rising and descending at up to 10 m/s (33 ft/s). Engineers initially considered installing the world's first triple-deck elevators.[25] The double-deckers are equipped with LCD displays to amuse visitors during their travel to the observation deck.[54] The building has 2,909 stairs from the ground floor to the 160th floor.[55]
Plumbing systems
[edit]
The Burj Khalifa's water system supplies an average of 946,000 L (250,000 U.S. gal) of water per day through 100 km (62 mi) of pipes.[22][56] An additional 213 km (132 mi) of piping serves the fire emergency system, and 34 km (21 mi) supplies chilled water for the air conditioning system.[56]
Air conditioning
[edit]
The air conditioning system draws air from the upper floors where the air is cooler and cleaner than on the ground.[57] At peak cooling times, the tower's cooling is 46 MW (62,000 hp), equivalent to that provided by 13,000 short tons (26,000,000 lb; 12,000,000 kg) of melting ice in one day.[56] Water is collected via a condensate collection system and is used to irrigate the nearby park.[22]
Window cleaning
[edit]
To wash the 24,348 windows, totaling 120,000 m2 (1,290,000 ft2) of glass, the building has three horizontal tracks, each holding a 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) bucket machine. Above level 109, and up to tier 27, traditional cradles from davits are used. The top of the building is cleaned by a crew that uses ropes to descend from the top to gain access.[58][59] Under normal conditions, when all building maintenance units are operational, it takes 36 workers three to four months to clean the entire exterior.[42][60]
Unmanned machines clean the top 27 additional tiers and the glass spire. The cleaning system was developed in Melbourne, Australia, by CoxGomyl, a manufacturer of building maintenance units,[61] at a cost of A$8 million.[60]
Features
[edit]
Fountain
[edit]
The Dubai Fountain
Main article: The Dubai Fountain
Outside the Burj Khalifa, WET Enterprises designed a fountain system at a cost of Dh 800 million (US$217 million). Illuminated by 6,600 lights and 50 coloured projectors, it is 270 m (900 ft) long and shoots water 150 m (500 ft) into the air while accompanied by a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and other music. It is the world's largest choreographed fountain.[62] On 26 October 2008, Emaar announced that based on results of a naming contest the fountain would be called the Dubai Fountain.[63]
Observation deck
[edit]
Main article: At the Top (Burj Khalifa)
View of The Dubai Fountain from the observation deckView from the observation deck
An outdoor observation deck, named At the Top, opened on 5 January 2010 on the 124th floor, at 452 m (1,483 ft).[64] It opened the 148th floor SKY level at 555 m (1,821 ft), giving it the highest observation deck in the world on 15 October 2014.[65][66] However, in June 2016 the Shanghai Tower opened with an observation deck at a height of 561 metres, thus taking the title of the world's highest observation deck. Subsequently, the Burj Khalifa reclaimed the record on February 18, 2019, when it opened The Lounge observatory at 585 m (1,919 ft), which is also the highest lounge in the world.[67]
The Burj Khalifa's 124th floor observation deck also features a so-called electronic telescope, an augmented reality device developed by Gsmprjct° of Montréal, which allows visitors to view the surrounding landscape in real-time, and to view previously saved images such as those taken at different times of day or under different weather conditions.[68][69][70] To reduce the daily rush of sightseers, management allows visitors to purchase tickets in advance for a specific date and time, at a 75% discount on tickets purchased on the spot.[71]
On 8 February 2010, the observation deck was closed to the public for two months after power-supply problems caused an elevator to become stuck between floors, trapping a group of tourists for 45 minutes.[72][73][74][75][76]
When the tide is low and visibility is high, people can see the shores of Iran (which is around 153 km or 95 mi away) from the top of the skyscraper.[77]
Park
[edit]
Main article: Burj Park
Burj Khalifa is surrounded by an eleven-hectare (27-acre) park designed by landscape architects SWA Group.[78] Like the tower, the park's design was based on the flower of the Hymenocallis, a desert plant.[79] At the centre of the park is the water room, which is a series of pools and water jet fountains. Benches and signs incorporate images of Burj Khalifa and the Hymenocallis flower.[80]
The plants are watered by water collected from the building's cooling system. The system provides 68,000,000 L (18,000,000 US gal) annually.[80] WET Enterprises, who also developed the Dubai Fountain, developed the park's six water features.[81]
Floor plan
[edit]
Floors
Purpose[42][82]
Dimetric projection with floors colour-coded by function[83]
160–163
Mechanical
156–159
Communication and broadcast
155
Mechanical
152–154
The Lounge observatory
149–151
Corporate suites
148
At the Top Sky observatory
139–147
Corporate suites
136–138
Mechanical
125–135
Corporate suites
124
At the Top observatory
123
Sky lobby
122
At.mosphere restaurant
111–121
Corporate suites
109–110
Mechanical
77–108
Residential
76
Sky lobby
73–75
Mechanical
44–72
Residential
43
Sky lobby
40–42
Mechanical
38–39
Armani Hotel suites
19–37
Residential
17–18
Mechanical
9–16
Armani Residences
1–8
Armani Hotel
Ground
Armani Hotel, Lobby
Concourse
Armani Hotel, Lobby
B1–B2
Parking, Mechanical
Ramadan observance
[edit]
On the higher floors, the sun is seen for several minutes after it has set at ground level. Those living above the 80th floor should wait two extra minutes to break their Ramadan fast, and those living above the 150th floor should wait three minutes.[84]
Construction
[edit]
Animation of construction processAerial closeup of Burj Khalifa under construction in March 2008
The tower was constructed by Samsung C&T from South Korea, which also did work on the Petronas Twin Towers and Taipei 101.[85] Samsung C&T built the tower in a joint venture with BESIX from Belgium and Arabtec from the UAE.[86][87] Turner was the project manager on the main construction contract.[88] Hong Kong-based Far East Aluminium combined to provide the exterior cladding for Burj Khalifa.[89][90]
The contractor and the engineer of record was Hyder Consulting.[91] Under UAE law, the contractor and the engineer of record is jointly and severally liable for the performance of Burj Khalifa.
The primary structure is reinforced concrete. Putzmeister created a new, super high-pressure trailer concrete pump, the BSA 14000 SHP-D, for this project.[24] Burj Khalifa's construction used 330,000 m3 (431,600 cu yd) of concrete and 55,000 tonnes (61,000 short tons; 54,000 long tons) of steel rebar, and construction took 22 million man-hours.[11] In May 2008 Putzmeister pumped concrete with more than 21 MPA ultimate compressive strength of gravel to surpass the 600 metres weight of the effective area of each column from the foundation to the next 4th level, and the rest was by metal columns jacketed or covered with concrete to a then world record delivery height of 606 m (1,988 ft),[24] the 156th floor. Three tower cranes were used during the construction of the uppermost levels, each capable of lifting a 25-tonne load.[92] The remaining structure above was constructed of lighter steel.
In 2003, 33 test holes were drilled to study the strength of the bedrock underlying the structure.[93]"Weak to very weak sandstone and siltstone" was found, just metres below the surface.[94] Samples were taken from test holes drilled to a depth of 140 metres, finding weak to very weak rock all the way.[95] The study described the site as part of a "seismically active area".[citation needed] Another challenging element was the shamal which often creates sandstorms.[20]
Over 45,000 m3 (58,900 cu yd) of concrete, weighing more than 110,000 tonnes (120,000 short tons; 110,000 long tons) were used to construct the concrete and steel foundation, which features 192 piles; each pile is 1.5 metre in diameter by 43 m in length, buried more than 50 m (164 ft) deep.[25] The foundation was designed to support the total building weight of approximately 450,000 tonnes (500,000 short tons; 440,000 long tons). This weight was then divided by the compressive strength of concrete which is 30 MPa which yielded 450 sq. metres of vertical normal effective area, which then yielded 12 metres by 12 metres dimensions.[96] A cathodic protection system is under the concrete to neutralise the sulphate and chloride-rich groundwater and prevent corrosion.[42][20]
During the construction of the Burj Khalifa, over 35,000 tonnes of structural steel was obtained from the Palace of the Republic in Berlin, which had served as the parliament building for the Volkskammer of the former East Germany. The steel was shipped to Dubai after the Palace's demolition was completed in 2008.[5]
The Burj Khalifa is highly compartmentalised. Pressurised, air-conditioned refuge floors are located every 13 floors (on floors G, 13, 26, 39, 52, etc.) where people can shelter on their long walk down to safety in case of an emergency or fire.[42][97]
Special mixes of concrete were made to withstand the extreme pressures of the massive building weight; as is typical with reinforced concrete construction, each batch of concrete was tested to ensure it could withstand certain pressures. CTLGroup, working for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, conducted the creep and shrinkage testing critical for the structural analysis of the building.[98]
The consistency of the concrete used in the project was essential. It was difficult to create a concrete that could withstand both the thousands of tonnes bearing down on it and Persian Gulf temperatures that can reach 50 °C (122 °F). To combat this problem, the concrete was not poured during the day. Instead, during the summer months, ice was added to the mixture and it was poured at night when the air was cooler and the humidity was higher. Cooler concrete cures more evenly and is, therefore, less likely to set too quickly and crack. Any significant cracks could have put the entire project in jeopardy.[99][100][101][102][103]
Milestones
[edit]
Burj Khalifa and skyline of Dubai, 2010
January 2004: Excavation commences.[26]
February 2004: Piling starts.[26]
21 September 2004: Emaar contractors begin construction.[104]
March 2005: Structure of Burj Khalifa starts rising.[26]
June 2006: Level 50 is reached.[26]
February 2007: Surpasses the Sears Tower as the building with the most floors.
13 May 2007: Sets record for vertical concrete pumping on any building at 452 m (1,483 ft), surpassing the 449.2 m (1,474 ft) to which concrete was pumped during the construction of Taipei 101, while Burj Khalifa reached the 130th floor.[26][105]
21 July 2007: Surpasses Taipei 101, whose height of 509.2 m (1,671 ft) made it the world's tallest building, and level 141 reached.[26][106]
12 August 2007: Surpasses the Sears Tower antenna, which stands 527 m (1,729 ft).
12 September 2007: At 555.3 m (1,822 ft), becomes the world's tallest freestanding structure, surpassing the CN Tower in Toronto, and level 150 reached.[26][107]
7 April 2008: At 629 m (2,064 ft), surpasses the KVLY-TV Mast to become the tallest human-made structure, level 160 reached.[26][108]
17 June 2008: Emaar announces that Burj Khalifa's height is over 636 m (2,087 ft) and that its final height will not be given until it is completed in September 2009.[109]
1 September 2008: Height tops 688 m (2,257 ft), making it the tallest human-made structure ever built, surpassing the previous record-holder, the Warsaw Radio Mast in Konstantynów, Poland.[110]
17 January 2009: Topped out at 829.8 m (2,722 ft).[111]
1 October 2009: Emaar announces that the exterior of the building is completed.[112]
4 January 2010: Burj Khalifa's official launch ceremony is held and Burj Khalifa is opened. Burj Dubai was renamed Burj Khalifa in honour of the President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan.[4]
10 March 2010: Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat certifies Burj Khalifa as world's tallest building.[113]
Real estate values
[edit]
In March 2009, Mohamed Ali Alabbar, chairman of the project's developer, Emaar Properties, said office space pricing at Burj Khalifa reached US$4,000 per sq ft (over US$43,000 per m2) and the Armani Residences, also in Burj Khalifa, sold for US$3,500 per sq ft (over US$37,500 per m2).[114] He estimated the total cost for the project to be about US$1.5 billion.[6]
The project's completion coincided with the Great Recession, and with vast overbuilding in the country, leading to high vacancies and foreclosures.[115] With Dubai mired in debt from its huge ambitions, the government was forced to seek multibillion-dollar bailouts from its oil-rich neighbor Abu Dhabi. Subsequently, in a surprise move at its opening ceremony, the tower was renamed Burj Khalifa, said to honour the UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his crucial support.[4][116]
Because of the slumping demand in Dubai's property market, the rents in the Burj Khalifa plummeted 40% some ten months after its opening. Out of 900 apartments in the tower, 825 were still empty at that time.[117][118] Over the next 30 months, overseas investors steadily bought up available apartments and office space.[119] By October 2012, Emaar reported that around 80% of the apartments were occupied.[120]
Official launch ceremony
[edit]
The opening ceremony of Burj Khalifa
The ceremony was broadcast live on a giant screen on Burj Park Island and on smaller screens elsewhere.[121] Hundreds of media outlets from around the world reported live from the scene.[122] In addition to the media presence, 6,000 guests were expected.[123]
The opening was held on 4 January 2010.[124] The ceremony featured a display of 10,000 fireworks, light beams projected on and around the tower, and further sound, light and water effects.[122] The celebratory lighting was designed by UK lighting designers Speirs and Major Associates.[125] Using the 868 powerful stroboscope lights that are integrated into the façade and spire of the tower, different lighting sequences were choreographed, together with more than 50 different combinations of other effects.[citation needed]
Controversies
[edit]
Incidents
[edit]
On 10 May 2011, an Asian migrant worker in his mid-30s jumped to his death from the 147th floor onto the 108th floor's deck. Dubai police said he killed himself because his company refused to let him leave the country.[126]
On 18 May 2015, Dubai police disputed a report that a Portuguese tourist named Laura Vanessa Nunes fell to her death from the Burj Khalifa the prior 16 November, claiming that she fell from the Jumeirah Lake Towers.[127][128] Nine News obtained emails from Portugal's embassy in the UAE under freedom of information laws, which indicated that the female tourist jumped from the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa.[129]
Labour
[edit]
Further information: Human rights in the United Arab Emirates
The Burj Khalifa was built primarily by workers from South Asia and East Asia.[130][131] This is generally because the current generation of UAE locals prefer governmental jobs and do not have an attitude favouring private sector employment.[132][133] On 17 June 2008, there were about 7,500 skilled workers employed at the construction site.[109] Press reports indicated in 2006 that skilled carpenters at the site earned £4.34 a day, and labourers earned £2.84.[130] According to a BBC investigation and a Human Rights Watch report, the workers were housed in abysmal conditions, and worked long hours for low pay.[134][135][136] During construction, one construction-related death was reported.[137] Workplace injuries and deaths in the UAE are poorly documented, according to Human Rights Watch.[134]
In March 2006 about 2,500 workers, upset over buses that were delayed for the end of their shifts, protested and triggered a riot, damaging cars, offices, computers, and construction equipment.[130] A Dubai Interior Ministry official said the rioters caused almost £500,000 in damage.[130] Most of the workers involved in the riot returned the following day but refused to work.[130]
New Year's Eve
[edit]
Emaar New Year's Eve is an annual event held every 31 December at Burj Khalifa, organised by Emaar Properties.[138][139] The event consists of fireworks launched from Burj Khalifa, a light and laser show on the facade of Burj Khalifa, and an accompanying soundtrack and a special fountain show on The Dubai Fountain choreographed to the soundtrack.[140][141] The Emaar New Year's Eve fireworks celebration originated in 2010 with the inauguration of the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa. The celebration was broadcast live to more than 2 million people and lasted for 3 minutes.[142]
Since 2011, national live broadcasting rights have been held by Dubai Media Incorporated and Dubai TV.[142]
Emaar New Year's Eve has won two Guinness World Records, including "Largest LED-Illuminated Facade" in 2015 and 2019.[143][144][145]
In 2017 and 2018, Emaar New Year's Eve was broadcast live on Twitter,[146][147] and YouTube. In 2020, it was broadcast live for the first time on Zoom.[148]
In 2021, Emaar celebrated solidarity in honour of frontline workers of the COVID-19 pandemic.[149]
For the 2022 event, a laser feature was installed on The Dubai Fountain in sync with the Burj Khalifa's laser and fireworks show.[150]
BASE jumping
[edit]
The building has been used by several experienced BASE jumpers for authorised and unauthorised BASE jumping:
In May 2008, Hervé Le Gallou and David McDonnell, dressed as engineers, entered Burj Khalifa (around 650 metres (2,130 ft) at the time), and jumped off a balcony situated several floors below the 160th floor.[151][152]
On 8 January 2010, with permission of the authorities, Nasr Al Niyadi and Omar Al Hegelan, from the Emirates Aviation Society, broke the world record for the highest BASE jump from a building after they leapt from a crane-suspended platform attached to the 160th floor at 672 m (2,205 ft). The two men descended the vertical drop at a speed of up to 220 km/h (140 mph), with enough time to open their parachutes 10 seconds into the 90-second jump.[153][154]
On 21 April 2014, with permission of the authorities and support from several sponsors, highly experienced French BASE jumpers Vince Reffet and Fred Fugen broke the Guinness world record for the highest BASE jump from a building after they leapt from a specially designed platform, built at the very top of the pinnacle, at 828 metres (2,717 feet).[155][156][157]
Climbing
[edit]
On 28 March 2011, Alain "Spiderman" Robert scaled the outside of Burj Khalifa. The climb to the top of the spire took 6 hours. To comply with UAE safety laws, Robert, who usually climbs in free solo style, used a rope and harness.[158]
Awards
[edit]
Burj Khalifa artwork project made of Lego in Bricksworld 2014
In June 2010, Burj Khalifa was the recipient of the 2010 "Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa" award by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.[159] On 28 September 2010 Burj Khalifa won the award for the best project of the year at the Middle East Architect Awards 2010.[160] Awards Chair Gordon Gill, of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, said:
We are talking about a building here that has changed the landscape of what is possible in architecture – a building that became internationally recognized as an icon long before it was even completed. 'Building of the Century' was thought a more apt title for it.[161]
Burj Khalifa was also the recipient of the following awards.[162][163]
Year
Award
2012
Award of Merit for World Voices Sculpture, Burj Khalifa Lobby from Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI), Chicago.
2011
Interior Architecture Award, Certificate of Merit from AIA – Chicago Chapter.
Distinguished Building Award, Citation of Merit from AIA – Chicago Chapter.
Interior Architecture Award: Special Recognition from AIA – Chicago Chapter.
Design Excellence Award: Special Function Room.
Excellence in Engineering from ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) – Illinois Chapter.
Outstanding Structure Award from International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering.
Decade of Design, Presidential Commendation in Corporate Space Small from International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
Decade of Design • Best of Category/Mixed Use Buildings from International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
GCC Technical Building Project of the Year from MEED (formerly Middle East Economic Digest).
Project of the Year from MEED.
2010
International Architecture Award.
Arab Achievement Award 2010: Best Architecture Project from Arab Investment Summit.
Architecture Award (Mixed Use) Dubai from Arabian Property Awards.
Architecture Award (Mixed Use) Arabian Region from Arabian Property Awards.
International Architecture Award from Chicago Athenaeum.
American Architecture Award from Chicago Athenaeum.
Commercial / Mixed Use Built from Cityscape.
Best Mixed Use Built Development in Cityscape Abu Dhabi.
Skyscraper Award: Silver Medal from Emporis.
Award for Commercial or Retail Structure from Institution of Structural Engineers.
International Architecture Award (Mixed Use) from International Commercial Property Awards.
Special Recognition for Technological Advancement from International Highrise Awards.
Best Structural Design of the Year from LEAF Award.
International Projects Category: Outstanding Project from National Council of Structural Engineers Associations.
Best of What's New from Popular Science Magazine.
Spark Awards, Silver Award.
Excellence in Structural Engineering: Most Innovative Structure from SEAOI.
See also
[edit]
United Arab Emirates portal
Architecture portal
List of buildings in Dubai
List of buildings with 100 floors or more
List of development projects in Dubai
List of tallest buildings and structures
List of tallest freestanding structures
List of tallest buildings in Dubai
List of tallest buildings in the United Arab Emirates
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External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Burj Khalifa (category)
Official website
"The Burj Dubai Tower Wind Engineering" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2026. (597 KB) (Structure magazine, June 2006)
"The Wind Engineering of the Burj Dubai Tower" (PDF). Archived from the original on 14 September 2017.cite web: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) (620 KB) (Irwin et al., November 2006)
BBC reports: Burj Khalifa opening, with video and links; Maintaining the world's tallest building
Geographic data related to Burj Khalifa at OpenStreetMap
Records
Preceded by
Warsaw Radio Mast
646.38 m (2,120.67 ft)
World's tallest structure ever built on dry land
2008 – present
Incumbent
Preceded by
KVLY-TV mast
628.8 m (2,063 ft)
World's tallest structure on dry land
2008 – present
An aerial photograph using a drone of Westerheversand Lighthouse, GermanyAerial view of a swimming pool complexAn aerial photograph taken using a drone of the Vistula, a river in PolandAn aerial view of the city of Pori, FinlandAir photo of a military target used to evaluate the effect of bombing
Aerial photography (or airborne imagery) is the taking of photographs from an aircraft or other airborne platforms.[1] When taking motion pictures, it is also known as aerial videography.
Platforms for aerial photography include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or "drones"), balloons, blimps and dirigibles, rockets, pigeons, kites, or using action cameras while skydiving or wingsuiting. Handheld cameras may be manually operated by the photographer, while mounted cameras are usually remotely operated or triggered automatically.
Hraunfossar, Iceland captured by a drone-camera[2]
Aerial photography typically refers specifically to bird's-eye view images that focus on landscapes and surface objects, and should not be confused with air-to-air photography, where one or more aircraft are used as chase planes that "chase" and photograph other aircraft in flight. Elevated photography can also produce bird's-eye images closely resembling aerial photography (despite not actually being aerial shots) when telephotoing from high vantage structures, suspended on cables (e.g. Skycam) or on top of very tall poles that are either handheld (e.g. monopods and selfie sticks), fixed firmly to the ground (e.g. surveillance cameras and crane shots) or mounted above vehicles.
History
[edit]
See also: Aerial reconnaissance § History
This section duplicates the scope of other articles, specifically Aerial reconnaissance#History. Please discuss this issue and help introduce a summary style to the section by replacing the section with a link and a summary or by splitting the content into a new article.(October 2020)
Early
[edit]
Honoré Daumier, "Nadar élevant la Photographie à la hauteur de l'Art" (Nadar elevating Photography to Art), published in Le Boulevard, May 25, 1862
Aerial photography was first practiced by the French photographer and balloonist Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, known as "Nadar", in 1858 over Paris, France.[3] However, the photographs he produced no longer exist and therefore the earliest surviving aerial photograph is titled 'Boston, as the Eagle and the Wild Goose See It.' Taken by James Wallace Black and Samuel Archer King on October 13, 1860, it depicts Boston from a height of 630m.[4][5]
Equipment Used to Make High-Altitude Photographs (1924)Aerial view by Cecil Shadbolt, showing Stonebridge Road, Stamford Hill, and Seven Sisters Curve, part of the Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway, taken from 2,000 feet (610 m) on 29 May 1882 – the earliest extant aerial photograph taken in the British Isles
Kite aerial photography was pioneered by British meteorologist E.D. Archibald in 1882. He used an explosive charge on a timer to take photographs from the air.[6] The same year, Cecil Shadbolt devised a method of taking photographs from the basket of a gas balloon, including shots looking vertically downwards.[7][8] One of his images, taken from 2,000 feet (610 m) over Stamford Hill, is the earliest extant aerial photograph taken in the British Isles.[7] A print of the same image, An Instantaneous Map Photograph taken from the Car of a Balloon, 2,000 feet high, was shown at the 1882 Photographic Society exhibition.[8]
Frenchman Arthur Batut began using kites for photography in 1888, and wrote a book on his methods in 1890.[9][10] Samuel Franklin Cody developed his advanced 'Man-lifter War Kite' and succeeded in interesting the British War Office with its capabilities.
Antique postcard from Grand Rapids, Michigan, using kite photo technique (c. 1911)
In 1908, Albert Samama Chikly filmed the first ever aerial views using a balloon between Hammam-Lif and Grombalia.[11] The first use of a motion picture camera mounted to a heavier-than-air aircraft took place on April 24, 1909, over Rome in the 3:28 silent film short, Wilbur Wright und seine Flugmaschine.
World War I
[edit]
Giza pyramid complex, photographed from Eduard Spelterini's balloon on November 21, 1904
The use of aerial photography rapidly matured during the war, as reconnaissance aircraft were equipped with cameras to record enemy movements and defenses. At the start of the conflict, the usefulness of aerial photography was not fully appreciated, with reconnaissance being accomplished with map sketching from the air.
Germany adopted the first aerial camera, a Görz, in 1913. The French began the war with several squadrons of Blériot observation aircraft equipped with cameras for reconnaissance. The French Army developed procedures for getting prints into the hands of field commanders in record time.
Frederick Charles Victor Laws started aerial photography experiments in 1912 with No.1 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (later No. 1 Squadron RAF), taking photographs from the British dirigible Beta. He discovered that vertical photos taken with a 60% overlap could be used to create a stereoscopic effect when viewed in a stereoscope, thus creating a perception of depth that could aid in cartography and in intelligence derived from aerial images. The Royal Flying Corps recon pilots began to use cameras for recording their observations in 1914 and by the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in 1915, the entire system of German trenches was being photographed.[12] In 1916, the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy made vertical camera axis aerial photos above Italy for map-making.
The first purpose-built and practical aerial camera was invented by Captain John Moore-Brabazon in 1915 with the help of the Thornton-Pickard company, greatly enhancing the efficiency of aerial photography. The camera was inserted into the floor of the aircraft and could be triggered by the pilot at intervals. Moore-Brabazon also pioneered the incorporation of stereoscopic techniques into aerial photography, allowing the height of objects on the landscape to be discerned by comparing photographs taken at different angles.[13][14]
By the end of the war, aerial cameras had dramatically increased in size and focal power and were used increasingly frequently as they proved their pivotal military worth; by 1918, both sides were photographing the entire front twice a day and had taken over half a million photos since the beginning of the conflict. In January 1918, General Allenby used five Australian pilots from No. 1 Squadron AFC to photograph a 624 square miles (1,620 km2) area in Palestine as an aid to correcting and improving maps of the Turkish front. This was a pioneering use of aerial photography as an aid for cartography. Lieutenants Leonard Taplin, Allan Runciman Brown, H. L. Fraser, Edward Patrick Kenny, and L. W. Rogers photographed a block of land stretching from the Turkish front lines 32 miles (51 km) deep into their rear areas. Beginning 5 January, they flew with a fighter escort to ward off enemy fighters. Using Royal Aircraft Factory BE.12 and Martinsyde airplanes, they not only overcame enemy air attacks, but also had to contend with 65 mph (105 km/h) winds, antiaircraft fire, and malfunctioning equipment to complete their task.[15]
Commercial
[edit]
New York City in 1932, aerial photograph of Fairchild Aerial Surveys IncMilton Kent with his aerial camera, June 1953, Milton Kent Studio, Sydney
The first commercial aerial photography company in the UK was Aerofilms Ltd, founded by World War I veterans Francis Wills and Claude Graham White in 1919. The company soon expanded into a business with major contracts in Africa and Asia as well as in the UK. Operations began from the Stag Lane Aerodrome at Edgware, using the aircraft of the London Flying School. Subsequently, the Aircraft Manufacturing Company (later the De Havilland Aircraft Company), hired an Airco DH.9 along with pilot entrepreneur Alan Cobham.[16]
From 1921, Aerofilms carried out vertical photography for survey and mapping purposes. During the 1930s, the company pioneered the science of photogrammetry (mapping from aerial photographs), with the Ordnance Survey amongst the company's clients.[17] In 1920, the Australian Milton Kent started using a half-plate oblique aero camera purchased from Carl Zeiss AG in his aerial photographic business.[18]
Another successful pioneer of the commercial use of aerial photography was the American Sherman Fairchild who started with his own aircraft firm Fairchild Aircraft to develop and build specialized aircraft for high altitude aerial survey missions.[19] One Fairchild aerial survey aircraft in 1935 carried a unit that combined two synchronized cameras. Utilizing two units of ten lenses each with a ten-inch lens, the aircraft took photos from 23,000 feet. Each photo covered two hundred and twenty-five square miles. One of its first government contracts was an aerial survey of New Mexico to study soil erosion.[20] A year later, Fairchild introduced a better high altitude camera with a nine-lens in one unit that could take a photo covering 600 square miles with each exposure from 30,000 feet.[21]
World War II
[edit]
Sidney Cotton's Lockheed 12A, in which he made a high-speed reconnaissance flight in 1940
In 1939, Sidney Cotton and Flying Officer Maurice Longbottom of the RAF were among the first to suggest that airborne reconnaissance may be a task better suited to fast, small aircraft which would use their speed and high service ceiling to avoid detection and interception. Although this seems obvious now, with modern reconnaissance tasks performed by fast, high flying aircraft, at the time it was radical thinking.[citation needed]
They proposed the use of Spitfires with their armament and radios removed and replaced with extra fuel and cameras. This led to the development of the Spitfire PR variants. Spitfires proved to be extremely successful in their reconnaissance role and there were many variants built specifically for that purpose. They served initially with what later became No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU). In 1928, the RAF developed an electric heating system for the aerial camera. This allowed reconnaissance aircraft to take pictures from very high altitudes without the camera parts freezing.[22] Based at RAF Medmenham, the collection and interpretation of such photographs became a considerable enterprise.[23]
Cotton's aerial photographs were far ahead of their time. Together with other members of the 1 PRU, he pioneered the techniques of high-altitude, high-speed stereoscopic photography that were instrumental in revealing the locations of many crucial military and intelligence targets. According to R.V. Jones, photographs were used to establish the size and the characteristic launching mechanisms for both the V-1 flying bomb and the V-2 rocket. Cotton also worked on ideas such as a prototype specialist reconnaissance aircraft and further refinements of photographic equipment. At the peak, the British flew over 100 reconnaissance flights a day, yielding 50,000 images per day to interpret. Similar efforts were taken by other countries.[citation needed]
While stationed on an aircraft carrier in Imperial Japan, FS Hussain, a pilot in the Royal Indian Air Force, was tasked with photographing the aftermath of the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.[24] Unaware of the risks of exposure to radiation, it led to his death in 1969 at the age of 44.[25]
Uses
[edit]
Vertical aerial photography is used in cartography[26] (particularly in photogrammetric surveys, which are often the basis for topographic maps[27][28]), land-use planning,[26] aerial archaeology.[26] Oblique aerial photography is used for movie production, environmental studies,[29] power line inspection,[30] surveillance, construction progress, commercial advertising, conveyancing, and artistic projects. An example of how aerial photography is used in the field of archaeology is the mapping project done at the site Angkor Borei in Cambodia from 1995 to 1996. Using aerial photography, archaeologists were able to identify archaeological features, including 112 water features (reservoirs, artificially constructed pools and natural ponds) within the walled site of Angkor Borei.[31] In the United States, aerial photographs are used in many Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for property analysis.
Aircraft
[edit]
In the United States, except when necessary for take-off and landing, full-sized manned aircraft are prohibited from flying at altitudes under 1000 feet over congested areas and not closer than 500 feet from any person, vessel, vehicle or structure over non-congested areas. Certain exceptions are allowed for helicopters, powered parachutes and weight-shift-control aircraft.[32]
Radio-controlled
[edit]
Advancements in drone technology have allowed aerial photographs to be taken by quadcopter drones, such as this DJI Mavic Pro.
Advances in radio controlled models have made it possible for model aircraft to conduct low-altitude aerial photography. This had benefited real-estate advertising, where commercial and residential properties are the photographic subject. In 2014, the US Federal Aviation Administration banned the use of drones for photographs in real estate advertisements.[33] The ban has been lifted and commercial aerial photography using drones of UAS is regulated under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.[34][35] Commercial pilots have to complete the requirements for a Part 107 license,[36] while amateur and non-commercial use is restricted by the FAA.[37]
Small scale model aircraft offer increased photographic access to these previously restricted areas. Miniature vehicles do not replace full-size aircraft, as full-size aircraft are capable of longer flight times, higher altitudes, and greater equipment payloads. They are, however, useful in any situation in which a full-scale aircraft would be dangerous to operate. Examples would include the inspection of transformers atop power transmission lines and slow, low-level flight over agricultural fields, both of which can be accomplished by a large-scale radio-controlled helicopter. Professional-grade, gyroscopically stabilized camera platforms are available for use under such a model; a large model helicopter with a 26cc gasoline engine can hoist a payload of approximately seven kilograms (15 pounds). One example is the radio controlled Nitrohawk helicopter developed by Robert Channon between 1988 and 1998.[38] In addition to gyroscopically stabilized footage, the use of RC copters as reliable aerial photography tools increased with the integration of FPV (first-person-view) technology. Many radio-controlled aircraft, in particular drones, are now capable of utilizing Wi-Fi to stream live video from the aircraft's camera back to the pilot's or pilot in command's (PIC) ground station.[39]
Regulations
[edit]
See also: Regulation of unmanned aerial vehicles
Australia
[edit]
In Australia, Civil Aviation Safety Regulation Part 101 (CASR Part 101)[40] allows for commercial use of unmanned and remotely piloted aircraft. Under these regulations, unmanned remotely piloted aircraft for commercial are referred to as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), whereas radio-controlled aircraft for recreational purposes are referred to as model aircraft. Under CASR Part 101, businesses/persons operating remotely piloted aircraft commercially are required to hold an operator certificate, just like manned aircraft operators. Pilots of remotely piloted aircraft operating commercially are also required to be licensed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).[41] While a small RPAS and model aircraft may actually be identical, unlike model aircraft, a RPAS may enter controlled airspace with approval, and operate close to an aerodrome.
Due to a number of illegal operators in Australia, making false claims of being approved, CASA maintains and publishes a list of approved remote operator's certificate (ReOC) holders.[42] However, CASA has modified the regulations and from September 29, 2016, drones under 2 kg (4.4 lb) may be operated for commercial purposes.[43]
United States
[edit]
2006 FAA regulations grounding all commercial RC model flights have been upgraded to require formal FAA certification before permission is granted to fly at any altitude in the US.
On June 25, 2014, the FAA, in ruling 14 CFR Part 91 [Docket No. FAA–2014–0396] "Interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft", banned the commercial use of unmanned aircraft over U.S. airspace.[44] On September 26, 2014, the FAA began granting the right to use drones in aerial filmmaking. Operators are required to be licensed pilots and must keep the drone in view at all times. Drones cannot be used to film in areas where people might be put at risk.[45]
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 established, in Section 336, a special rule for model aircraft. In Section 336, Congress confirmed the FAA's long-standing position that model aircraft are aircraft. Under the terms of the Act, a model aircraft is defined as "an unmanned aircraft" that is "(1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere; (2) flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft; and (3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes."[46]
Because anything capable of being viewed from a public space is considered outside the realm of privacy in the United States, aerial photography may legally document features and occurrences on private property.[47]
The FAA can pursue enforcement action against persons operating model aircraft who endanger the safety of the national airspace system: Public Law 112–95, section 336(b).[33]
On June 21, 2016, the FAA released its summary of small unmanned aircraft rules (Part 107). The rules established guidelines for small UAS operators including operating only during the daytime, a 400 ft (120 m). ceiling and pilots must keep the UAS in visual range.[48]
On April 7, 2017, the FAA announced special security instructions under 14 CFR § 99.7. Effective April 14, 2017, all UAS flights within 400 feet of the lateral boundaries of U.S. military installations are prohibited unless a special permit is secured from the base and/or the FAA.[49]
United Kingdom
[edit]
Aerial photography in the UK has tight regulations as to where a drone is able to fly.[50]
Aerial Photography on Light aircraft under 20 kg (44 lb). Basic Rules for non commercial flying Of a SUA (Small Unmanned Aircraft).
Article 241 Endangering safety of any person or property states that a person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property.
Article 94 mentions the following about small unmanned aircraft:
A person must not cause or permit any article or animal (whether or not attached to a parachute) to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft so as to endanger persons or property.
The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft may only fly the aircraft if reasonably satisfied that the flight can safely be made.
The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft must maintain direct, unaided visual contact with the aircraft sufficient to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions. (500 m (1,600 ft))
The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft which has a mass of more than 7 kg (15 lb) excluding its fuel but including any articles or equipment installed in or attached to the aircraft at the commencement of its flight, must not fly the aircraft:
In Class A, C, D or E airspace unless the permission of the appropriate air traffic control unit has been obtained;
Within an aerodrome traffic zone during the notified hours of watch of the air traffic control unit (if any) at that aerodrome unless the permission of any such air traffic control unit has been obtained;
At a height of more than 400 feet above the surface
The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft must not fly the aircraft for the purposes of commercial operations except in accordance with a permission granted by the CAA.
Article 95 has the following to say about small unmanned surveillance aircraft:
You Must not fly your aircraft over or within 150 metres of any congested Area.
Over or within 150 m (490 ft) of an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons.
Within 50 m (160 ft) of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft.
Within 50 m of any person, during take-off or landing, a small unmanned surveillance aircraft must not be flown within 30 m (98 ft) of any person. This does not apply to the person in charge of the small unmanned surveillance aircraft or a person under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft.
Model aircraft with a mass of more than 20 kg are termed 'Large Model Aircraft' – within the UK, large model aircraft may only be flown in accordance with an exemption from the ANO, which must be issued by the CAA.
Types
[edit]
Oblique
[edit]
Oblique Aerial Photo
Photographs taken at an angle are called oblique photographs. If they are taken from a low angle relative to the earth's surface, they are called low oblique and photographs taken from a high angle are called high or steep oblique.[51]
An aerial photographer prepares continuous oblique shooting in a Cessna 206
Vertical (Nadir)
[edit]
Vertical Orientation Aerial Photo
Vertical photographs are taken straight down.[52] They are mainly used in photogrammetry and image interpretation. Pictures that will be used in photogrammetry are traditionally taken with special large format cameras with calibrated and documented geometric properties.
A vertical still from a kite aerial thermal video of part of a former brickworks site captured at night. http://www.armadale.org.uk/aerialthermography.htm
Combined
[edit]
Aerial photographs are often combined. Depending on their purpose, it can be done in several ways, of which a few are listed below.
Panoramas can be made by stitching several photographs taken in different angles from one spot (e.g. with a hand held camera) or from different spots at the same angle (e.g. from a plane).
Stereo photography techniques allow for the creation of 3D-images from several photographs of the same area taken from different spots.
In pictometry, five rigidly mounted cameras provide one vertical and four low oblique pictures that can be used together.
In some digital cameras, for aerial photogrammetry images from several imaging elements, sometimes with separate lenses, are geometrically corrected and combined to one image in the camera.
Orthophotomap
[edit]
Vertical photographs are often used to create orthophotos, alternatively known as orthophotomaps, photographs which have been geometrically "corrected" so as to be usable as a map. In other words, an orthophoto is a simulation of a photograph taken from an infinite distance, looking straight down to nadir. Perspective must obviously be removed, but variations in terrain should also be corrected for. Multiple geometric transformations are applied to the image, depending on the perspective and terrain corrections required on a particular part of the image.
Orthophotos are commonly used in geographic information systems, such as are used by mapping agencies (e.g. Ordnance Survey) to create maps. Once the images have been aligned, or "registered", with known real-world coordinates, they can be widely deployed.
Large sets of orthophotos, typically derived from multiple sources and divided into "tiles" (each typically 256 x 256 pixels in size), are widely used in online map systems such as Google Maps. OpenStreetMap offers the use of similar orthophotos for deriving new map data. Google Earth overlays orthophotos or satellite imagery onto a digital elevation model to simulate 3D landscapes.
Leaf-off or leaf-on
[edit]
Aerial photography may be labeled as either "leaf-off" or on "leaf-on" to indicate whether deciduous foliage is in the photograph. Leaf-off photographs show less foliage or no foliage at all, and are used to see the ground and things on the ground more closely. Leaf-on photographs are used to measure crop health and yield. For forestry purposes, some species of trees are easier to distinguish from other kinds of trees with leaf-off photography, while other species are easier to distinguish with leaf-on photography.[53]
Video
[edit]
The Cliffs of Moher, filmed with a drone (2014)
With advancements in video technology, aerial video is becoming more popular. Orthogonal video is shot from aircraft mapping pipelines, crop fields, and other points of interest. Using GPS, video may be embedded with meta data and later synced with a video mapping program.
This "Spatial Multimedia" is the timely union of digital media including still photography, motion video, stereo, panoramic imagery sets, immersive media constructs, audio, and other data with location and date-time information from the GPS and other location designs.
Aerial videos are emerging Spatial Multimedia which can be used for scene understanding and object tracking. The input video is captured by low flying aerial platforms and typically consists of strong parallax from non-ground-plane structures. The integration of digital video, global positioning systems (GPS) and automated image processing will improve the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of data collection and reduction. Several different aerial platforms are under investigation for the data collection.
In film production, it is common to use a unmanned aerial vehicle with a mounted cine camera.[54] For example, the AERIGON cinema drone is used for low aerial shots in big blockbuster movies.[55]
Wikipedia category for articles on aerial photographers
References
[edit]
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^Ron Graham and Roger E. Read, Manual of Aerial Photography, London and Boston, Focal Press, ISBN 0-240-51229-4
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^ ab"The Shadbolt Collection". Retrieved 27 April 2020.
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^"Royal Flying Corps Founded". History Today.
^Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2003). How It Works: Science and Technology. Marshall Cavendish. p. 33. ISBN 9780761473145.
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^"BFI Screenonline: Friese-Greene, Claude (1898–1943) Biography". www.screenonline.org.uk.
^"Municipal Air Surveys. Contracts From Doncaster And Birkenhead". The Times. No. 44229. column E. Gale:The Times digital archive 1785–1985. 25 March 1926. p. 11. Retrieved 30 August 2012. (subscription required)
^A Modern Ariel with a camera, People [magazine], July 15, 1953, pp. 24-27
^Donald, David (1997). The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Barnes & Noble Books. p. 382. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5.
^Hearst Magazines (October 1935). "Wide Area Is Mapped From Air By Giant Ten Lens Camera". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. p. 535.
^Hearst Magazines (April 1936). "Nine Lens Aerial Camera Films 600 Square Miles". Popular Science. Hearst Magazines. p. 571.
^"Edgerton in World War II: Before Edgerton". web.mit.edu. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
^Cotton, Sidney (1969). Aviator Extraordinary: The Sidney Cotton Story. Chatto & Windus. p. 169. ISBN 0-7011-1334-0.
^Azam Qadri (2014). Sentinels in the Sky: A Saga of PAF's Gallant Air Warriors. PAF Book Club. pp. 12–19.
^"Air Commodore FS Hussain: The pioneer of PAF aerobatics". The News International. 23 March 2019.
^ abc"Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing". University of Colorado Boulder. 2011. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
^Mills, J.P.; et al. (1997). "Photogrammetry from Archived Digital Imagery for Seal Monitoring". The Photogrammetric Record. 15 (89): 715–724. Bibcode:1997PgRec..15..715M. doi:10.1111/0031-868X.00080. S2CID 140189982.
^Twiss, S.D.; et al. (2001). "Topographic spatial characterisation of grey seal Halichoerus grypus breeding habitat at a sub-seal size spatial grain". Ecography. 24 (3): 257–266. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0587.2001.tb00198.x.
^Stewart, J.E.; et al. (2014). "Finescale ecological niche modeling provides evidence that lactating gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) prefer access to fresh water in order to drink" (PDF). Marine Mammal Science. 30 (4): 1456–1472. Bibcode:2014MMamS..30.1456S. doi:10.1111/mms.12126.
^Yan, Guangjian; Li, Chaoyang; Zhou, Guoqing; Zhang, Wuming; Li, Xiaowen (2007). "Automatic Extraction of Power Lines from Aerial Images". IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters. 4 (3): 387–391. Bibcode:2007IGRSL...4..387Y. doi:10.1109/LGRS.2007.895714. S2CID 33499293.
^Stark, M. T., Griffin, P., Phoeurn, C., Ledgerwood, J., Dega, M., Mortland, C., ... & Latinis, K. (1999). Results of the 1995–1996 archaeological field investigations at Angkor Borei, Cambodia. Asian Perspectives 38(1)
^United States Federal Aviation Regulations FAR part 91 section 119(14CFR91.119)
^ abFederal register
^Guthrie, Brett (2018-10-05). "Text - H.R.302 – 115th Congress (2017–2018): FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
^Chavers, Marcus (2018-10-04). "Drone Enthusiasts and Industry Await FAA Reauthorization Act". News Ledge. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
^"Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators". www.faa.gov. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
^Steve Hynes (October 1994). "Eye in the Sky". Professional Photographer. pp. 53–56.
^"Understanding how your drone is controlled". Retrieved 27 March 2023.
^"Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998". Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. December 19, 2002. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
^"Civil Aviation Safety Authority". Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. December 19, 2002. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
^"List of UAS Operator Certificate Holders". Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
^"Part 101 Amendments – Cutting red tape for remotely piloted aircraft". CASA. 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
^Huerta, Michael P. (18 June 2014). "Interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft" (PDF). FAA. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
^"U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces FAA Exemptions for Commercial UAS Movie and TV Production". Press Release. FAA. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
^Public Law 112–95, section 336(c).
^California v. Ciraolo, 476 U.S. 206 (1986)
^"SUMMARY OF SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT RULE (PART 107)" (PDF). FAA. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
^"Security Sensitive Airspace Restrictions". FAA. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
^"UK Drone law". Aerial Republic. 24 March 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
^"Lecture 6.1: Classification of Photographs". The Remote Sensing Core Curriculum. University of Maryland, Baltimore County. 1999. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
^Short, Nicholas (2010-04-28). "Elements of Aerial Photography". Remote Sensing Tutorial Page 10-1. NASA. Archived from the original on March 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
^What is the difference between leaf-on and leaf-off imagery?, MapaSyst, Extension Foundation, August 21, 2019
^Mademlis, Ioannis; Nikolaidis, Nikos; Tefas, Anastasios; Pitas, Ioannis; Tilman, Wagner; Messina, Alberto (2019). "Autonomous UAV cinematography: A tutorial and a formalized shot-type taxonomy". ACM Computing Surveys. 52 (5). New York, NY: ACM: 1–33. doi:10.1145/3347713. S2CID 202676119.
^"AERIGON cinema drone (UAV) pioneering in film production". Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
Further reading
[edit]
Price, Alfred (2003). Targeting the Reich: Allied Photographic Reconnaissance over Europe, 1939–1945. [S.l.]: Military Book Club. N.B.: First published 2003 by Greenhill Books, London. ISBN 0-7394-3496-9
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aerial photography.
Look up aerial photography in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Aerial Photography: An Overview on YouTube, from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
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About Abu Dhabi
Capital city of the United Arab Emirates
This article is about the city. For the municipal region, see Abu Dhabi Central Capital District. For the emirate, see Emirate of Abu Dhabi. For other uses, see Abu Dhabi (disambiguation).
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أبوظبي
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Coordinates: 24°28′N54°22′E / 24.467°N 54.367°E / 24.467; 54.367CountryUnited Arab EmiratesEmirateAbu DhabiMunicipal regionCentral Capital District[1]Government
• TypeMunicipality • BodyAbu Dhabi City Municipality • Director-General of City MunicipalitySaif Badr al-QubaisiArea
• TotalUS$ 118.4 billion (2023) • Per capitaUS$ 75,600 (2023)Time zoneUTC+4 (UAE Standard Time)Websitewww.tamm.abudhabi
Abu Dhabi[a] is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's second-most populous city, after Dubai. The city is situated on a T-shaped island, extending into the Persian Gulf from the central-western coast of the UAE.
Abu Dhabi is located on an island in the Persian Gulf, off the Central West Coast. Most of the city and the Emirate reside on the mainland connected to the rest of the country. As of 2023[update], Abu Dhabi's urban area had an estimated population of 2.5 million,[5] out of 3.8 million in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.[6] The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), headquartered in the city, is estimated to manage approximately US$1 trillion in assets, making it the world's third-largest sovereign wealth fund after Norway's Government Pension Fund Global and China's CIC.[7][8] Abu Dhabi itself has over a trillion US dollars' worth of assets under management in a combination of various sovereign wealth funds headquartered there.[9]
Abu Dhabi houses local and federal government offices and is the home of the United Arab Emirates Government and the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs. The city is home to the UAE's president, a member of the Al Nahyan family. Abu Dhabi's rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the massive oil and gas reserves and production and relatively high average income, have transformed it into a large, developed metropolis. It is the country's centre of politics and industry, and a major culture and commerce centre. Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $503 billion UAE economy.[10]
History
[edit]
For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, brother of Sheikh Zayed, ruled Abu Dhabi from 1928 to 1966
The area surrounding Abu Dhabi abounds in archaeological evidence from historical civilisations, such as the Umm Al Nar Culture, which dates back to the third millennium BC. Other settlements were also found farther outside the modern city of Abu Dhabi, including the eastern[11] and western regions of the Emirate.[12] On December 2, 1971, Abu Dhabi, along with five other emirates, formed the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[13] This union was marked by the establishment of a federal government and the appointment of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as the first President of the UAE.
Etymology
[edit]
"Abu" is Arabic for father, and "Dhabi" is the Arabic word for gazelle. Abu Dhabi means "Father of Gazelle."[14]
Origins of Al Nahyan
[edit]
The Bani Yas, the tribe from which the Al Nahyan family are drawn, was originally settled in the Liwa Oasis in the Emirate's western region. This tribe was the most significant in the area, having over 20 subsections. In 1761, the discovery of fresh water by a hunting party led by Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa Al Nahyan near the coast saw a settlement established there.[14] A popular story is that the hunters were pursuing a gazelle, hence the name of the settlement. The Al Bu Falah subsection of the tribe were the first to establish the new settlement and remained the source of the tribal rulers.[15] Originally consisting of a fort and twenty houses, within two years the town consisted of a settlement of some 400 houses. The fort remains at the centre of Abu Dhabi today, the Qasr Al Hosn.[14]
Pearl trade
[edit]
The pearl diving business was a key industry prior to the discovery of oil reserves. According to a source about pearling, the Persian Gulf was the best location for pearls.[16] The pearl industry boomed from the late 19th century through to the second decade of the 20th century, however it is believed to date back around 7,000 years. Pearl divers dive for one to three minutes and would have dived as many as thirty times per day. Air tanks and any other sort of mechanical device were forbidden. The divers had a leather nose clip and leather coverings on their fingers and big toes to protect them while they searched for oysters.[17] The divers were not paid for a day's work but received a portion of the season's earnings.[18] There are three main journey of pearl divers, happening between the 5th and 9th month each year. Summer was the busiest time. Pearl divers made very deep dives, about 50 dives were made a day, each about 3 minutes long.[19]
Trucial coast
[edit]
In the 19th century, as a result of treaties (known as "truces" which gave the coast its name) entered into between Great Britain and the sheikhs of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf, Britain became the predominant influence in the area.[20] The main purpose of British interest was to protect the trade route to India from pirates, hence, the earlier name for the area, the "Pirate Coast". After the suppression of piracy, other considerations came into play, such as a strategic need of the British to exclude other powers from the region. Following their withdrawal from India in the year 1947, the British maintained their influence in Abu Dhabi as interest in the oil potential of the Persian Gulf grew.[21]
First oil discoveries
[edit]
Abu Dhabi skyline, 1987
In the mid to late 1930s, as the pearl trade declined, interest grew in the oil possibilities of the region. On 5 January 1936, Petroleum Development Trucial Coast Ltd (PDTC), an associate company of the Iraq Petroleum Company, entered into a concession agreement with the ruler, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to explore for oil. This was followed by a seventy-five-year concession signed in January 1939. However, owing to the desert terrain, inland exploration was fraught with difficulties. In 1953, D'Arcy Exploration Company, the exploration arm of BP, obtained an offshore concession which was then transferred to a company created to operate the concession: Abu Dhabi Marine Areas (ADMA) was a joint venture between BP and Compagnie Française des Pétroles (later Total). In 1958, using a marine drilling platform, the ADMA Enterprise, oil was discovered in the Umm Shaif field at a depth of about 2,669 metres (8,755 ft). This was followed in 1959 by PDTC's onshore discovery well at Murban No.3.[22]
ADMA discovered the Bu Hasa oil field in 1962 and the Lower Zakum oil field in 1963. Today, in addition to the oil fields mentioned, the main producing fields onshore are Asab, Sahil and Shah, and offshore are al-Bunduq, and Abu al-Bukhoosh.[22]
Perceived mismanagement of the emirate's oil revenues, as well as fears of a pan-Arab uprising, led to the British backing a bloodless coup by Shakhbut's younger brother Zayed Al Nahyan on August 6, 1966.[23]
Modern development
[edit]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (December 2025)
Geography
[edit]
Abu Dhabi seen from Sentinel-2, European Space Agency
The city of Abu Dhabi is on the southeastern side of the Arabian Peninsula, adjoining the Persian Gulf. It is on an island less than 250 metres (820 ft) from the mainland and is joined to the mainland by the Maqta and Mussafah Bridges. A third, Sheikh Zayed Bridge, designed by Zaha Hadid, opened in late 2010. Abu Dhabi Island is also connected to Saadiyat Island by a five-lane motorway bridge. Al-Mafraq bridge connects the city to Reem Island and was completed in early 2011. This is a multi-layer interchange bridge and it has 27 lanes which allow roughly 25,000 automobiles to move per hour. There are three major bridges in the project, the largest has eight lanes, four leaving Abu Dhabi city and four coming in.[24]
Most of Abu Dhabi city is located on the island itself, but it has many suburban districts on the mainland, for example, Khalifa City A, B, and C; Khalifa City Al Raha Beach;[25] Al Bahia City A, B, and C; Al Shahama; Al Rahba; Between Two Bridges; Baniyas; Shamkha; Al Wathba and Mussafah Residential.
Gulf waters of Abu Dhabi holds the world's largest population of Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins.[26][27][28] To the east of the island is the Mangrove National Park, located on Al Qurm Corniche. Al-Qurm (ٱلْقُرْم) is Arabic for "The Mangrove".[29]
Climate
[edit]
Abu Dhabi has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh). Sunny blue skies can be expected throughout the year. The months of May through September are generally extremely hot and humid with maximum temperatures averaging above 40 °C (104 °F), mainly occurring during the peak summer months of July and August. During this time, sandstorms occur intermittently, in some cases reducing visibility to a few metres.[30] Due to high humidity, especially in coastal areas, the heat index (or "feels-like" temperature) can be significantly higher than the actual air temperature.[citation needed] Dust storms are common during the hot, dry months, affecting air quality and visibility.[citation needed]
Decorated stone cup from Umm Al Nar site, Abu Dhabi on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
The cooler season is from November to March, which ranges between moderately hot to mild. This period also sees dense fog on some days and a few days of rain. On average, January is the coolest month of the year, while August is the hottest. Since the Tropic of Cancer passes through the emirate, the southern part falls within the Tropics. However, despite the coolest month having an 18.8 °C (65.8 °F) average, its climate is far too dry to be classed as tropical.
Climate data for Abu Dhabi (International Airport) 1991-2020
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
34.3
(93.7)
38.1
(100.6)
43.0
(109.4)
44.7
(112.5)
46.5
(115.7)
48.5
(119.3)
49.0
(120.2)
48.2
(118.8)
47.7
(117.9)
43.1
(109.6)
37.9
(100.2)
33.8
(92.8)
49.0
(120.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
24.5
(76.1)
26.5
(79.7)
29.7
(85.5)
35.0
(95.0)
39.6
(103.3)
41.4
(106.5)
42.5
(108.5)
43.4
(110.1)
40.9
(105.6)
36.6
(97.9)
31.0
(87.8)
26.5
(79.7)
34.8
(94.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)
19.1
(66.4)
20.6
(69.1)
23.4
(74.1)
27.7
(81.9)
31.8
(89.2)
33.7
(92.7)
35.5
(95.9)
35.9
(96.6)
33.3
(91.9)
29.7
(85.5)
25.2
(77.4)
21.1
(70.0)
28.1
(82.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
13.8
(56.8)
15.9
(60.6)
17.5
(63.5)
21.1
(70.0)
24.6
(76.3)
26.9
(80.4)
29.7
(85.5)
30.2
(86.4)
27.4
(81.3)
23.7
(74.7)
19.6
(67.3)
15.7
(60.3)
22.2
(71.9)
Record low °C (°F)
5.6
(42.1)
5.4
(41.7)
8.4
(47.1)
11.3
(52.3)
16.6
(61.9)
19.8
(67.6)
22.2
(72.0)
24.9
(76.8)
20.4
(68.7)
15.0
(59.0)
13.1
(55.6)
7.3
(45.1)
5.4
(41.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
12.5
(0.49)
8.1
(0.32)
12.9
(0.51)
5.2
(0.20)
0.3
(0.01)
0.0
(0.0)
0.7
(0.03)
0.1
(0.00)
0.0
(0.0)
0.2
(0.01)
2.4
(0.09)
7.8
(0.31)
50.2
(1.97)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm)
2.8
2.0
2.9
1.4
1.0
0.0
1.0
1.0
0.0
1.0
2.2
2.4
17.7
Average relative humidity (%)
68
66
61
53
50
54
55
54
60
62
65
69
59.7
Mean monthly sunshine hours
249.4
245.7
267.8
294.6
342.9
341.3
328.3
323.8
305.7
303.0
265.3
254.3
3,522
Source 1: NOAA (humidity 1981-2010)[31][32]
Source 2: Climate Yearly Report[33]
Twin cities
[edit]
See also: List of twin towns and cities in United Arab Emirates
For its geography, Abu Dhabi has been twinned with:
Bethlehem, Palestine[34]
Madrid, Spain (2007)[35]
Houston, United States (2002)[36]
Brisbane, Australia (2009)[37]
Minsk, Belarus (2007)[38]
Government
[edit]
See also: Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Skyline of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi City is the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the local government of Abu Dhabi is directly led by the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is the largest and wealthiest of the seven emirates, and it plays a crucial role in the UAE's governance and economy. The Ruler has the executive authority to issue local laws, create or merge government departments, and appoint heads of departments. The Ruler of Abu Dhabi appoints the Abu Dhabi Executive Council to lead the day-to-day management of government affairs. The Department of Municipal Affairs is responsible for municipal affairs for the entire emirate. Abu Dhabi is part of the Central Capital District,[b] which is separate from the eastern and western municipal regions of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The main settlement of the eastern region, officially "Al Ain Region" since a decree by Sheikh Khalifa in March 2017, is Al Ain City, and that of the western region, officially "Al Dhafra Region" as per the same decree,[39][40] is Madinat Zayed.[1][12]
The Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi officially leads both the city and greater emirate with agencies operating out of Abu Dhabi with branches in other cities. The Abu Dhabi Government has various agencies and organisations operating across the emirate such as the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and the Regulation and Supervision Bureau, which are responsible for infrastructure projects in the city.
Because Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, it also serves as the headquarters of the Federal government of the United Arab Emirates, the office of the President of the United Arab Emirates, and seat of the Federal Supreme Council.[41]
The Abu Dhabi Government Media Office (ADGMO) was formed in 2019 and is responsible for representing the government in the media, organising press conferences for the emirate and monitoring local and international media. It is a state-sponsored organisation that communicates the latest developments in the capital, and the emirate's vision, values and traditions.[42][43][44][45]
Cityscape
[edit]
Abu Dhabi skyline as seen from the Marina
Architecture
[edit]
See also: List of tallest buildings in Abu Dhabi
ADIA Tower to the left and The Landmark at the right in Abu Dhabi
The city was planned under the guidance of Sheikh Zayed by Japanese architect Katsuhiko Takahashi in 1967 initially for a population of 40,000.[46] The density of Abu Dhabi varies, with high employment density in the central area, high residential densities in central downtown and lower densities in the suburban districts. In the dense areas, most of the concentration is achieved with medium- and high-rise buildings. Abu Dhabi's skyscrapers such as the notable Burj Mohammed bin Rashid (World Trade Center Abu Dhabi), Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Tower,[47] the National Bank of Abu Dhabi headquarters,[48] the Baynunah (Hilton Hotel) Tower,[49] and the Etisalat headquarters are usually found in the financial districts of Abu Dhabi.[50] Other notable modern buildings include the Aldar Headquarters, the first circular skyscraper in the Middle East[51] and the Emirates Palace with its design inspired by Arab heritage.[52]
The development of tall buildings has been encouraged in the Abu Dhabi Plan 2030, which will lead to the construction of many new skyscrapers over the next decade, particularly in the expansion of Abu Dhabi's central business district such as the new developments on Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island.[53] Abu Dhabi already has a number of supertall skyscrapers under construction throughout the city. Some of the tallest buildings on the skyline include the 382 m (1,253.28 ft) Central Market Residential Tower, the 324 m (1,062.99 ft) The Landmark and the 74-story, 310 m (1,017.06 ft) Sky Tower, all of them completed. Also, many other skyscrapers over 150 m (492.13 ft) (500 ft) are either proposed or approved and could transform the city's skyline. As of July 2008[update], there were 62 high-rise buildings 23 to 150 m (75.46 to 492.13 ft) under construction, approved for construction, or proposed for construction.[54]
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
[edit]
Main article: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque represents a key fixture of the city's architectural patrimony. Its construction was initiated under the administration of the late President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a key figure in the foundation of the modern United Arab Emirates.[55]
The mosque was constructed with materials from countries around the world, including Italy, Germany, Morocco, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Iran, China, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates.[56] More than 3,000 workers and 38 contracting companies took part in the construction of the mosque. Consideration of durability motivated the choice of many materials specified in the design of the structure. These materials include marble, stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals, and ceramics. Construction began on 5 November 1996. The building is large enough to safely contain a maximum of approximately 41,000 people. The overall structure is 22,412 square metres (241,240 square feet). The internal prayer halls were initially opened in December 2007.[55]
As one of the most visited buildings in the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center was established to manage the day-to-day operations, as a place of worship and Friday gathering and as a centre of learning and discovery through its education and visitor programs.[57]
In July 2019, the Grand Mosque was listed among the top global attractions by TripAdvisor. As a part of its Travelers Choice Awards, the travel website placed the architectural masterpiece on number three out of the 750 landmarks considered from 68 countries.[58]
In May 2021, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center attended the Arabian Travel Market 2021 exhibition. This was part of the centre's core strategy to be active in the religious and cultural aspects of society.[59]
The Founder's Memorial
[edit]
Main article: The Founder's Memorial
The Founder's Memorial, a monument and visitor centre in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a memorial to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first President of the United Arab Emirates, who died in 2004. The memorial consists of an open Heritage Garden and Sanctuary Garden at the centre of which is a cubic pavilion housing The Constellation, an artwork dedicated to Zayed's memory.[60]
Presidential Palace
[edit]
Main article: Qasr Al Watan
The UAE Presidential Palace, Qaṣr Al-Waṭan ("Palace of the Nation"),[61] opened to the public in March 2019.[62][63] It was built on the grounds of Ladies beach and construction was finished in 2018. Historically, 'barza' refers to a majlis session during which important matters can be brought to the attention of a Sheikh. After the Great Hall, it is the largest space in the UAE's Presidential Palace which holds up to 300 guests.[64]
Multi-faith worship places
[edit]
St. Paul's Church, Abu Dhabi
The Abrahamic Family House, a multi-faith complex on Saadiyat Island, includes the Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque, St. Francis Church, and the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue—the UAE's first purpose-built synagogue. The project was inaugurated on 16 February 2023 and officially opened to the public on 1 March 2023.[65][66][67]
On 22 September 2019, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi held a ceremony to grant licenses to 17 churches and the first-ever traditional Hindu temple. The listed churches were Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches, including St Joseph's Cathedral. The initiative was taken under the slogan "A Call for Harmony", to allow people from all religions and cultures to practice their faith in the country.[68]
Qasr Al Hosn
[edit]
Main article: Qasr Al Hosn
Photograph of Qasr Al Hosn from the early 20th century
Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest building in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, built by the Bani Yas tribe in 1761. It was once the seat of the government and the palace of the ruling Al Nahyan family. Today, it is a museum open to all visitors portraying the history of Abu Dhabi and early lifestyles. It is where the visitors will notice the art Talli, a traditional form of decorative embroidery done by women, and the making of Al Sadu patterns which represent symbols of daily life. A three-screen mini-theatre is available which describes the traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women.[69]
Parks, gardens, zoo, and beaches
[edit]
Abu Dhabi has several parks, gardens, a zoo, and more than 400 kilometres (249 miles) of coastline, of which 10 kilometres (6 miles) are public beaches.[70]
The Lake Park
Mangroves at Mangrove National Park, near Al Qurm Corniche on Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street in the eastern part of the city[29]
Giraffe at Emirates Park Zoo in Al Bahiyah, near the Abu Dhabi–Dubai highway
Economy
[edit]
Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi
The UAE's large hydrocarbon wealth gives it one of the highest GDP per capita in the world and Abu Dhabi owns the majority of these resources—95% of the oil and 92% of gas.[71] Abu Dhabi thus holds 9% of the world's proven oil reserves (98.2bn barrels) and almost 5% of the world's natural gas (5.8 billion cubic metres or 200 billion cubic feet). As of April 2022, oil production in the UAE was about 3.0 million barrels per day (BPD).[72] The UAE is looking to expand its maximum production capacity from approximately 4 million BPD to 5 million BPD by 2030.[73] In recent years, the focus has turned to gas as increasing domestic consumption for power, desalination and reinjection of gas into oil fields increases demand. Gas extraction is not without its difficulties, however, as demonstrated by the sour gas project at Shah where the gas is rich in hydrogen sulfide content and expensive to develop and process.[22]
An Airbus A380 belonging to Etihad Airways, the second-largest airline in the UAE after Dubai-based Emirates
In 2009, the government diversified its economic plans. Served by high oil prices, the country's non-oil and gas GDP outstripped that attributable to the energy sector. Non-oil and gas GDP now constitutes 64% of the UAE's total GDP. This trend is reflected in Abu Dhabi with substantial new investment in industry, real estate, tourism and retail. As Abu Dhabi is the largest oil producer of the UAE, it has reaped the most benefits from this trend. It has taken on an active diversification and liberalisation program to reduce the UAE's reliance on the hydrocarbon sector. This is evident in the emphasis on industrial diversification with the completion of free zones, Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, twofour54 Abu Dhabi media free zone and the construction of another, ICAD II, in the pipeline. There has also been a drive to promote tourism and real estate with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the Tourism and Development Investment Company undertaking several large-scale development projects. These will be served by improved transport infrastructure, with a new port, an expanded airport and a proposed rail link between Abu Dhabi and Dubai all in the development stages.[74]
Capital Gate The building is owned and was developed by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.
Abu Dhabi's Emirate is the wealthiest of the UAE in terms of Gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita income. More than $1 trillion is invested worldwide in the city. In 2010, the GDP per capita reached $49,600, which ranks ninth in the world. Taxation in Abu Dhabi, as in the rest of the UAE, is nil for a resident or a non-bank, non-oil company. Abu Dhabi is also planning many future projects sharing with the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and taking 29% of all the GCC future plannings. The UAE has a fast-growing economy: in 2006 the per capita income grew by 9%, providing a GDP per capita of $49,700 and ranking third in the world at purchasing power parity.
Marina Shopping Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the city
Abu Dhabi's government is looking to expand revenue from oil and gas production to tourism and other things that would attract different types of people. This goal is seen in the amount of attention Abu Dhabi is giving its International Airport. The airport experienced a 30%+ growth in passenger usage in 2009.[75] This idea of diversifying the economy is also seen in the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030[76] planned by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. In this plan, Abu Dhabi's economy will be sustainable and not dependent on any single source of revenue. More specifically the non-oil portion of income is planned to be increased from about 40% to about 70%.[77] As of 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.[78]
Many Hollywood and other national film production teams have used parts of the UAE as filming locations. Neighbouring Dubai gets a lot of attention, but in recent years Abu Dhabi has become a popular destination. The Etihad Towers and Emirates Palace Hotel were some of the city's landmarks used as filming locations for the movie Furious 7, in which cars rush through the building and smashed through the windows of the towers.[79]
In 2018, Abu Dhabi launched Ghadan 21, a string of initiatives to diversify the economy. The total injection is AED 50 billion.[80] There are four main areas these initiatives must fall under: business and investment, society, knowledge and innovation, and lifestyle. The first phase includes over 50 initiatives that reflect the priorities of citizens, residents and investors.[81]
Utility services
[edit]
See also: Water supply and sanitation in Abu Dhabi
The desalinated water supply and power production are managed by the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA). As of 2006[update], it supplied 560.2 MiGD (million imperial gallons per day) of water,[82] while the water demand for 2005–06 was estimated to be 511 MiGD.[83] The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) states that groundwater is the most significant source of water, as well as desalinated potable water, and treated sewage effluent. At 40.6 MiGD, the Umm Al Nar storage is the largest water source for Abu Dhabi, followed by the rivers Shuweihat and Taweelah.[84] With falling groundwater level and rising population density, Abu Dhabi faces a severely acute water shortage. On average each Abu Dhabi resident uses 550 litres (120 imp gal; 150 US gal) of water per day.[85] Abu Dhabi daily produces 1,532 tonnes of solid wastes which are dumped at three landfill sites by the Abu Dhabi Municipality.[86][87] The daily domestic wastewater production is 330 MiGD and industrial waste water is 40 MiGD. A large portion of the sewerage flows as waste into streams and separation plants.[87]
The city's per capita electricity consumption is about 41,000 kWh and the total supplied is 8,367 MW as of 2007[update].[88] The distribution of electricity is carried out by companies run by SCIPCO Power and APC Energy. As part of UAE's Energy Strategy 2050 to reduce the carbon emission of power generation by 70%, Noor Abu Dhabi solar park project which is the largest solar project in the world was completed on 2 July 2019.[89][90][91] The Abu Dhabi Fire Service runs 13 fire stations that attend about 2,000 fire and rescue calls per year.
State-owned Etisalat and private du communication companies provide telephone and cell phone service to the city. Cellular coverage is extensive, and both GSM and CDMA (from Etisalat and Du) services are available. Etisalat, the government-owned telecommunications provider, held a virtual monopoly over telecommunication services in Abu Dhabi prior to the establishment of other, smaller telecommunications companies such as Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC – better known as Du) in 2006. The Internet was introduced into Abu Dhabi in 1995. The current network is supported by a bandwidth of 6 GB, with 50,000 dialup and 150,000 broadband ports.
Etisalat announced implementing a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Abu Dhabi during the third quarter of 2009 to make the emirate the world's first city to have such a network.[92]
City planning
[edit]
Waterfront park
View of the Beach Rotana
A public park
Abu Dhabi in the 1960s and 70s was planned for a predicted topmost population of 600,000. Following the urban planning ideals of the time period, the city has high-density tower blocks and wide grid-pattern roads.[93] The population density is at its apex on the most northerly part of the island. At this point, the main streets have a large amount of 20- to 30-story towers. These towers are in a rectangular pattern, and inside is an ordinary grid pattern of roads with low rise buildings such as 2-story villas or 6-story low-rise buildings.
Due to this planning, a modern city with tall offices, apartment buildings, broad boulevards, and busy shops is present. Principal thoroughfares are the Corniche, Airport Road, Sheikh Zayed Street, Hamdan Street, and Khalifa Street. Abu Dhabi is known in the region for its greenery; the former desert strip today includes numerous parks and gardens. The design of the inner city roads and main roads are quite organised. Starting from the Corniche, all horizontal streets are oddly numbered, while all vertical streets are evenly numbered. Thus, the Corniche is Street No. 1, Khalifa Street is Street No. 3, Hamdan Street is Street No. 5, Electra Street is Street No. 7, and so on. Conversely, Salam Street is Street No. 8.[94]
Mail is generally delivered to post-office boxes only; however, there is door-to-door delivery for commercial organisations. There are many parks throughout the city. Entrance is usually free for children, however, there is often an entrance fee for adults. The Corniche, the city's seaside promenade, is about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) in length, with gardens, playgrounds, and a BMX/skateboard ring.[95]
In 2007, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) was established, which 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 that was published in September 2007.[53] The UPC is also working on similar plans for the regions of Al-Ain and Al-Gharbia.
Because of the rapid development of Abu Dhabi, a number of challenges to the city's urban organisation have developed, among them:
Today, the city's population far surpasses the original estimated maximum population when it was designed. This causes traffic congestion, a shortage of car parking spaces, and overcrowding.
Although there is an addressing system for the city, it is not widely used, causing problems in describing building locations. Directions must often be given based on nearby landmarks.
However, there is a new naming system under the name of Onwani which is overhauling the entire addressing system of the entire Abu Dhabi Emirate. Its phases have already been implemented and are a success. The addressing system is up to international standards.
Busy road in downtown Abu Dhabi.
Human rights
[edit]
Main article: Human rights in the UAE
Human rights organisations have heavily criticised violations of human rights in Abu Dhabi. As with other parts of the UAE, foreign workers are not given proper treatment[96] and many companies (both government and private) have yet to improve working conditions.[97]
In 2025, Abu Dhabi was ranked as the safest city in the world for the ninth year running by the statistical analysis website Numbeo.[98]
Demographics
[edit]
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1960
25,000
—
1965
50,000
+100.0%
1969
46,400
−7.2%
1975
127,763
+175.4%
1980
243,257
+90.4%
1985
283,361
+16.5%
1995
398,695
+40.7%
2003
552,000
+38.5%
2009
896,751
+62.5%
2013
921,000
+2.7%
2014
1,205,963
+30.9%
2018
1,807,000
+49.8%
2023
3,800,000
+110.3%
The town of Abu Dhabi first conducted a census in 1968. All population figures in this table prior to 1968 are estimates obtained from populstat.info.
Sources:[3][99][100][101]
Abu Dhabi ranks as the 67th most expensive city in the world and the second-most in the region behind Dubai.[102]
As of 2014[update], 477,000 of 2,650,000 people living in the emirate were UAE nationals. Approximately 80% of the population were expatriates.[103] The median age in the emirate was about 30.1 years. The crude birth rate, as of 2005[update], was 13.6%, while the crude death rate was about 2%.[104]
Article 7 of the UAE's Provisional Constitution declares Islam the official state religion of the UAE.[105]
The majority of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi are migrant workers from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Russia, Ethiopia, Somalia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China, Uganda, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Tanzania and various countries from across the Arab world. Some of these expatriates have been in the country for decades with only a few of them awarded citizenship.[106] Consequently, English, Hindi-Urdu (Hindustani), Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Marathi, Tulu, Somali, Tigrinya, Amharic and Bengali are widely spoken.[107]
The native-born population are Arabic-speaking Arabs who are part of a clan-based society. The Al Nahyan family, part of the al-Falah branch of the Bani Yas clan, rules the emirate and has a central place in society.[108] There are also Arabs who are from other parts of the Arab world.
Transportation
[edit]
Air Traffic Control Tower of Zayed International AirportTerminal A at Zayed International Airport (2024)
Rapidly developing transportation in Abu Dhabi city is anchored by vast systems of highways connecting various islands and suburbs together alongside expanding public and private transport options.[109]
Road
[edit]
The main Abu Dhabi island is connected by three vast highways with their own bridges, the oldest of which is Al Maqta Bridge, built in 1968 as the first connection to the previously small fishing village on the island,[110] now part of the E22 highway. The second Mussafah Bridge was opened in 1977,[111] now part of the E20 highway that transforms into Khaleej Al Arabi Street, and the third bridge was the Sheikh Zayed Bridge opened in 2010, now part of the E10 highway and Sheikh Zayed Road, all of which connect the entire island to the Corniche Road, the 8 km promenade and beach at the tip of the island that overlooks the Persian Gulf.[29] As the city expands, new bridges and roads have been constructed, or are currently under construction to link the main island with Al Maryah Island, Al Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and other previously undeveloped islands.[109] For example, 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.[112] This change, and many other, are a part of Abu Dhabi's 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan.[113]
Air
[edit]
Zayed International Airport (AUH) is the city's main aviation hub and the second busiest airport in the UAE. Passenger numbers at Zayed International Airport rose by 17.2 percent in 2015, with more than 23 million travelers passing through its terminals during that year. A second runway and new terminal was also built recently.[114] In July 2024, it was reported that the airport launched the world's first-of-its-kind "Smart Travel" biometric.[115]
On 30 June 2019, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi officially inaugurated a multi-faith prayer room at Zayed International Airport. Located away from the main airport, the prayer room aims at enhancing the country's "position as an international hub for tolerance".[116]
Abu Dhabi City is additionally served by the Al Bateen Executive Airport, situated on the main Abu Dhabi island, which was the old international airport for Abu Dhabi until AUH opened in 1982. The airport underwent renovation and expansion in 2022 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.[117]
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. The award recognised its impressive architectural design in the Airports category. (WAM)[118]
Rail
[edit]
Abu Dhabi City is connected to the second phase of the Etihad Rail network, completed in 2023, for freight operations across the seven emirates. Passenger traffic has been confirmed and will allow for travel from Abu Dhabi city to other emirates on the network, however no date on commencement of operation has been set.[119]
Public transport
[edit]
City Bus Number 56
Public transport systems in Abu Dhabi include public buses, taxis, ferries, and hydroplanes.[120] A massive expansion of public transport is anticipated within the framework of the government's Surface Transport Master Plan 2030.[121] The expansion was expected to see 130 km (81 mi) of metro and 340 km (210 mi) of tramways and bus rapid transit (BRT) routes. The city has nonetheless planned for further smart public transport options in various areas within the city, such as Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, in addition to expected rail service to other nearby cities.[122]
Abu Dhabi Bus Service
[edit]
See also: Abu Dhabi Bus service
The first town bus entered service in about 1969 but this was all part of a very informal service. There are other inter-city buses departing the Abu Dhabi central bus station; these inter-city buses are not only intra-emirate buses, but also inter-emirate services. On 30 June 2008, the Department of Transport began public bus service in Abu Dhabi with four routes.[123] There are also public buses serving the airport. In an attempt to entice people to use the bus system, all routes were zero-fare until the end of 2008.[124] The four routes, which operate between 6 am and midnight every day, run at a frequency of 10 to 20 minutes.[124] Within the first week of service, the bus network had seen high usage. Some of the buses, which have a maximum capacity of 45 passengers, only had room for standing left. Some bus drivers reported as many as 100 passengers on a bus at one time.[125] Due to the new, zero-fare bus service success, many taxi drivers were losing business. Taxi drivers have seen a considerable decrease in the demand for taxis while lines were forming for the buses.[126]
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.[127]
Public bus at a bus stop in Abu Dhabi
Smart Public Transportation
[edit]
In 2022, Abu Dhabi launched autonomous self-driving public transport options in Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. The route in Saadiyat Island stops at cultural and tourist stops such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi whereas the Yas Island route focuses on the attractions in the island such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. The expansion include autonomous trams (Automated Rapid Transit or "ART"), taxis, and minibuses.[6][128]
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 kilometres from Reem Mall, Al Reem Island, until Marina Mall, serving 25 stations in total.[129]
In 2025, WeRide and Uber announced the launch of Level 4 fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations. Public commercial operations commenced on 26 November without a vehicle specialist inside the AV, starting with Yas Island. This initiative is supported by Abu Dhabi's Integrated Transport Centre.[130]
Water transport
[edit]
The Emirate has many ports. One is Port Zayed. The others are Musaffah Port and Khalifa Port, which opened in 2012.[131] They are owned by Abu Dhabi Ports Company and managed by Abu Dhabi Terminals.[132] Water transport includes water taxis which can accommodate up to 12 passengers, and ferries which can carry up to 100 passengers on board. Water taxis can be hired for point-to-point travel across the city's waterways, offering a convenient option for shorter trips, and ferry transport system is a convenient and scenic way to travel between the city's islands and mainland.[133]
In 2021, the number of passengers who used public ferries reached 114,093.[127]
Toll Gates
[edit]
Abu Dhabi introduced four toll gates in 2021 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. Drivers must manually create an account to add balance to their toll gate allowance. Crossing the toll gate costs 4 AED.[127] Abu Dhabi's toll gate system, known as Darb, is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and promoting smoother traffic flow. Drivers must register their vehicles on the Darb app or the official website. The system automatically deducts the toll charges from a prepaid account.[134]
Flying Taxi Vertiport
[edit]
Abu Dhabi's first flying taxi vertiport will open at the Zayed Port Cruise Terminal by late 2025.[135] It will serve helicopters and eVTOLs, offering direct access to Saadiyat Island, the Corniche, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Culture
[edit]
See also: Cultural Policy in Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has a diverse and multicultural society.[136] The city's cultural imprint as a small, ethnically homogeneous pearling community was changed with the arrival of other ethnic groups and nationals—first by the Iranians in the early 1900s, and later by various African, Asian, European, and Middle Eastern ethnicities in the 1950s and 1960s. Abu Dhabi has been criticised for perpetuating a class-based society, where migrant workers are in the lower classes, and suffer abuse which "is endemic to the system".[137]
Major holidays in Abu Dhabi include Eid al Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan, Eid ul-Adha which marks the end of Hajj, and National Day (2 December) which marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates.[138]
This unique socioeconomic development in the Persian Gulf has meant that Abu Dhabi is generally more tolerant than its neighbours, including Saudi Arabia.[139] Emiratis have been known for their tolerance; Christian churches, Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras (with the first synagogue commencing construction in 2020), and Buddhist temples can be found alongside mosques. The cosmopolitan atmosphere is gradually growing; as a result, there are a variety of African, Asian, European, Middle Eastern, and Western schools, cultural centres, and themed restaurants.
Abu Dhabi is home to several cultural institutions, including the Cultural Foundation and the National Theater. The Cultural Foundation, while closed for reconstruction as of spring 2011, is home to the UAE Public Library and Cultural Center.[140] Various cultural societies such as the Abu Dhabi Classical Music Society have a strong and visible following in the city. The recently launched Emirates Foundation offers grants in support of the arts and to advance science and technology, education, environmental protection, and social development. The International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) will be based in Abu Dhabi. The city also stages hundreds of conferences and exhibitions each year in its state-of-the-art venues, including the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), which is the Persian Gulf's largest exhibition centre and welcomes around 1.8 million visitors every year.[141]
The Red Bull Air Race World Series has been a spectacular sporting staple for the city for many years, bringing tens of thousands to the waterfront.[142] Another major event is the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC).[143]
The diversity of cuisine in Abu Dhabi reflects the cosmopolitan nature of society. Arab food is trendy and is available everywhere in the city, from the small shawarma to the upscale restaurants in the city's many hotels. Fast food and South Asian cuisine are also trendy and are widely available. The sale and consumption of pork, though not illegal, is regulated and sold only to non-Muslims in designated areas.[144] Similarly, the sale of alcoholic beverages is regulated. A liquor permit is required to purchase alcohol; however, alcohol is[further explanation needed] available in bars and restaurants within four or five stars hotels. Shisha and qahwa boutiques are also popular in Abu Dhabi.
Poetry in Abu Dhabi and the UAE is highly regarded and often centres around satire, religion, family, chivalry, and love. According to an article from an Abu Dhabi tourism page, sheikhs, teachers, sailors, and princes make up a large bulk of the poets within the UAE. al-Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi formed a unique form of poetry to the UAE in the 8th century and was written in 16 metre. Another Emirati poet, Ibn Daher, is from the 17th century. Daher is important because he used Nabati poetry (AKA Bedouin poetry), a type of poetry written in the vernacular instead of classical/religious Arabic. Other important poets from the UAE are Mubarak Al Oqaili (1880–1954), Salem bin Ali al Owais (1887–1959), and Abdulla bin Sulayem (1905–1976). These poets made headway in Classical Arabic poetry as opposed to the Nabati poetry of the 17th century.[145]
Today in Abu Dhabi, a group called the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation works to preserve the art and culture of the city. According to an article from the English Pen Atlas, Al Jawaher wal la'li was the first manuscript to come out of the UAE. According to another article, this book was written in the 1990s and was banned in the city for some time for making accusations about the ruling family.[146]
For cultural influences, Abu Dhabi, since 2010, has become one of the major shooting spots for many film companies, including Hollywood. Some of the most famous films featuring Abu Dhabi are: The Kingdom (2007), Arrambam (2013), Baby (2015),[147]Furious 7 (2015), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Dishoom (2016), War Machine (2017), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), Race 3 (2018), Saaho (2019), Six Underground (2019), The Misfits (2021), Dune (2021), Vikram Vedha (2022), Crew (2024), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024) and War 2 (2025).
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.[148] The following year in 2025 it was confirmed that Disney would build a theme-park in Abu Dhabi called Disneyland Abu Dhabi. It will be located on Yas Island.[149]
Education
[edit]
Main article: Education in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi University
New York University Abu Dhabi campus on Saadiyat Island
Abu Dhabi is home to international and local private schools and universities, including government-sponsored INSEAD, New York University Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi University. New York University opened a government-sponsored satellite campus in Abu Dhabi in September 2010.[150]
All schools in the emirate are under the authority of the Abu Dhabi Education Council. This organisation oversees and administers public schools and licenses and inspects private schools. From 2009, the council has brought over thousands of licensed teachers from native English speaking countries to support their New School Model Program in government schools.
Every year in the season of admissions, an exhibition is launched in Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center under government supervision.[151] Universities from every corner of the world exhibit their career programs and scholarship programs. Heriot-Watt University, University of Bolton, Cambridge University, Oxford University, the Petroleum Institute, Khalifa University, and Abu Dhabi University attend.
In October 2019, Abu Dhabi announced the world's first graduate-level AI research institution, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). It enables graduation for students, businesses and governments to advance artificial intelligence. The university began accepting applications for masters and PhD programmes a year before the classes, which are scheduled to begin in September 2020.[152]
Sports
[edit]
Abu Dhabi Zayed Sports City Stadium
Abu Dhabi has a diverse and expanding sporting culture underpinned by investments in sporting infrastructure and the hosting of global sporting events. Liwa Motorsport and traditional sports such as camel racing and equestrian sports have developed alongside popular modern sports such as Jiu-jitsu and football. 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.[153]
Zayed Sport City
[edit]
Zayed Sport City (ZSC) is a large free zone complex in the heart of Abu Dhabi city with a mixed-use of properties and sporting facilities to encourage sport participation. ZSC offers practice facilities for basketball, billiards, football, paintball, and a dedicated ice rink.[153] The complex is also home to the Zayed Sports City Stadium, the largest in the UAE with a seating capacity of 45,000 and is the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, which is responsible for hosting events in the city and Mubadala Arena, the home of the UAE Jiu Jitsu team.
Jiu Jitsu
[edit]
Jiu Jitsu is a popular sport in the city with a dedicated complex in the Mubadala Arena. It is a 'Soft Art' originated from the ancient martial art of the Samurai in Japan several centuries ago and it has been adopted by Brazil in the early 1900s. Jiu Jitsu does not include punches or kicks, but it applies the techniques such as throws, control positions and locks.[154] Abu Dhabi government's Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) maintains a comprehensive after-school program for interested and talented jiujitsu students.[155] The Abu Dhabi Jiujitsu Schools Program began in 2008 under the patronage of crown prince (now President) Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a keen Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor. The program launched in 14 schools for pupils in grades 6 and 7 and has since expanded to 42 government schools, with 81 Brazilian coaches brought in as instructors.[156]
9 to 13-year-old students are taught Brazilian jiu-jitsu as part of the curriculum. The plan is for up to 500 schools to be participating in the school-Jitsu program by 2015. The project was set up by special request of Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the head coach of the Emirates jiu-jitsu team, Carlos "Carlão" Santos, now also the managing director of the School-Jitsu Project.[157]
Football
[edit]
Football is the most popular sport in the city and the city has four football stadiums, namely Al Jazeera Stadium, Al Wahda Stadium, Sheikh Zayed Football Stadium (Zayed Sports City) and Hazza Stadium.[158] The city hosts the Al Jazira Club, Al Wahda FC, and Baniyas Club, all of which compete at the UAE Pro League. In addition to local tournaments, the city has hosted international football events including five FIFA Club World Cup and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.[159]
Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix
[edit]
The city hosts the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of Formula One, which has been held at the Yas Marina Circuit since 2009.[160] The race takes place late in the Formula One season in November or December, and it is usually the last race of the season. The Yas Marina Circuit is one of the most expensive racing tracks built and regularly hosts various other local races and tours.[161] The circuit has also hosted other events such as the V8 Supercars series of Dubai.
Yas Marina Circuit
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam
[edit]
Abu Dhabi regularly hosts the International Judo Federation Abu Dhabi grand slam. Engendering some criticism, the International Judo Federation refused to allow the Israeli flag and the Israeli national anthem at the international games in 2017. Some referred to this action as anti-Semitic.[162][163] The ban on Israeli symbols was lifted in 2018 and Israeli flag and the national anthem was allowed to be displayed.[164] Israeli minister of sports Miri Regev was also allowed to attend the event.[164]
Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019
[edit]
Main article: 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games
In March 2019, Abu Dhabi hosted the first Special Olympics World Games in the Middle East. The event took place from 14 to 21 March 2019 and featured more than 7,500 athletes participating in 24 sporting disciplines. The official World Games Flame of Hope was lit in Athens and flown to Abu Dhabi, where it then embarked on the torch run, visiting all seven emirates of the UAE.[165] It was the first time the Special Olympics World Games were hosted in the Middle East and North Africa region, with Abu Dhabi being the host city. More than 2,500 coaches and 20,000+ volunteers were available in the Olympics.[166]
Other sporting events
[edit]
The city has hosted multiple international cricket tournaments, such as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup,[167] and tennis events such as the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.It has also hosted many UFC events.
Sites and attractions
[edit]
Abu Dhabi has many sites and attractions that include the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Mariam Umm Eisa Mosque, Emirates Palace, Qasr Al Watan, Six Flags Qiddya City Yas Marina Circuit, The Corniche, Hayyatii Towers, Etihad Towers, Yas Marina, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Jubail Mangrove Park.[168]
On 29 April 2022, Abu Dhabi announced a 100% capacity for commercial activities, tourist attractions and events in the emirate.[169]
The Walt Disney Company announced on 7 May 2025 that it plans to build its seventh worldwide theme park resort in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island.[170]
^Not to be confused with the Central Business District of the city[1]
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Bibliography
[edit]
See also: Bibliography of the history of Abu Dhabi
External links
[edit]
Abu Dhabi at Wikipedia's sister projects
Media from Commons
News from Wikinews
Travel information from Wikivoyage
Abu Dhabi Government Services
Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities. Archived 3 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine.
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Abu Dhabi topics
History
Timeline
Geography
Government
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History
Trucial Oman
Al Nahyan dynasty
Bani Yas
Geography
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Saadiyat Island
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Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Abu Dhabi Police Force
Department of Municipal Affairs (Abu Dhabi)
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Education
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New York University
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Demographics
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Baynunah Tower Hotel (formerly Baynunah Hilton)
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* Disputed. See: Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute, Cyprus dispute, Status of Jerusalem, Abkhaz-Georgian conflict and Georgian-Ossetian conflict
We booked this as a surprise for my son's birthday and we nailed it - he loved the thrill of the helicopter ride itself, but also the spectacular views from above. The pilot was very friendly and knowledgeable. We learned so much more about Abu Dhabi than we would have ever done from walking around - and the views from above of the Mosque and of the palaces are unmatched.It is MUST experience in Abu Dhabi.
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates