Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (the most populous being Dubai), and also capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the UAE's seven emirates.

Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast.

Abu Dhabi houses federal government offices, is the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government, home to the Abu Dhabi Emiri Family and the President of the UAE, who is from this family.

Abu Dhabi's rapid development and urbanization, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed the city into a large and advanced metropolis.

Today the city is the country's center of political and industrial activities, and a major cultural and commercial center, due to its position as the capital.