Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates. It makes up nearly 87 percent of the country’s total landmass and includes the capital — the city of Abu Dhabi. Home to over 1.3 million people, the majority of the people who live in the emirate are expatriates. Established in 1971, the UAE is a federation of seven emirates with two separate levels of government. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler  of Abu Dhabi, is also the president of the UAE.

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi holds nine percent of the world’s proven oil reserves and almost five per cent of the world’s natural gas supplies. Nevertheless, the government of Abu Dhabi has an ambitious plan to diversify the local economy to make sure the emirate continues to grow in a sustainable way.

Established in 2010 as a partnership between NYU and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, NYU Abu Dhabi already has an international reputation for excellence in research and teaching and this translates into benefits to the local community as well as the society that sustains it.

Established:  1761
Meaning:  Father of the Gazelle
President:  His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Official languages:  Arabic, English, Hindi
Time zone:  Gulf Standard Time UTC+4
UAE population:  2,908,173 (as of 2016) 
National holidays: Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid al-Adha, Hijri New Year, Commemoration Day, UAE National Day