Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the largest of its seven emirates. It is located on an island in the Persian Gulf and is connected to the mainland by bridges. The city serves as the political, economic, and cultural centre of the UAE.

Abu Dhabi is home to the UAE government, the Presidential Palace, and key financial institutions. The economy is mainly based on oil and gas, as the emirate holds a large share of the country’s oil reserves. Other industries, including finance, tourism, and renewable energy, are also growing. Masdar City is a major initiative in clean energy and sustainability.

The city has a modern skyline with important landmarks. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world and a major attraction. The Louvre Abu Dhabi displays international artworks. Yas Island is known for Ferrari World, Yas Marina Circuit, Warner Bros. World, and Yas Waterworld. Saadiyat Island is being developed as a cultural hub, with projects like the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

• As of 2023, the estimated population of Abu Dhabi is around 3.8 million.
• Abu Dhabi contributes approximately 60% of the UAE’s GDP, with a nominal GDP of around $278 billion as of 2023.
• The city is home to many government officials, including the UAE Government and the Supreme Petroleum Council. Government offices, including the Presidential Palace, are located in Abu Dhabi.
• Abu Dhabi is the largest and most developed metropolitan area in the UAE, featuring modern infrastructure, advanced transport networks, and a diverse economy.

The city is working under the rules of the Department of Municipal Affairs and is also part of the Central Capital District. The funding for the development of the city is going through the state government because the city is the capital of the UAE and the major thing the president's office is also located in this city.

Abu Dhabi is the wealthiest emirate of the UAE in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and per capita income.

Abu Dhabi's economic base rests heavily on crude-oil production. The emirate produces 9% of the world’s proven oil reserves and 5% of the World’s Natural Gas. Petroleum was discovered in 1958 at the submarine field of Umm al-Shayf, about 75 miles offshore. Additional offshore fields are at the Ruqq Al-Zukum (Zukum shoal, northwest of Abu Dhabi city) and connected by submarine pipeline to Das Island, and at Umm al-Dalkh, north of Abu Dhabi town. Principal onshore production is from the Murban and Bu Hasa fields, the centers of which are in the central part of the state, 25 to 40 miles from the coast.

In regards to manufacturing, the dominant industries have been chemicals and plastics along with aluminum. The UAE government also has made significant investments in petrochemicals and other downstream hydrocarbon industries. In addition, the government is encouraging local-foreign ventures to invest in manufacturing and offering low-interest loans through the Emirates Industrial Bank to private financiers willing to invest in manufacturing in the UAE. Fifty percent of all manufacturing centers are in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi plays a significant role in the global economy, partly due to its substantial sovereign wealth funds. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is among the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, with assets estimated at $875 billion. Current estimates suggest that the UAE has sufficient oil reserves to last over a century and natural gas reserves are expected to last approximately 150 years.

Abu Dhabi has a well-developed infrastructure that supports its economy, transport, energy, and public services. The city has a modern road network with wide highways and bridges connecting different parts of the emirate. The Sheikh Zayed Bridge and Maqta Bridge are major connections between the island and the mainland. Plans for a metro system and high-speed rail, including a connection to Dubai via the Etihad Rail project, are in progress.

Abu Dhabi International Airport is one of the busiest in the region, handling millions of passengers each year. The Midfield Terminal, when completed, will increase capacity and improve services. The Khalifa Port, located in Taweelah, is the main deep-water port, handling cargo and container shipments. Zayed Port is another major port used for commercial and passenger transport.

The city has a strong energy infrastructure, with most of its electricity generated from natural gas. The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the first nuclear plant in the UAE, provides a significant share of clean energy. Solar energy projects, such as the Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant, are also part of the emirate’s strategy for sustainability.

Water and sewage infrastructure is advanced, with desalination plants providing most of the city’s drinking water. Taweelah Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant, one of the largest in the world, supplies fresh water to residents. The city also has an advanced waste management system, with recycling and waste-to-energy projects being developed.

Education and healthcare infrastructure is extensive. Zayed University, Khalifa University, and UAE University offer higher education, while major hospitals include Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. The city has well-planned housing projects, parks, and recreational facilities.