Abu Dhabi

Sheikhdom in southwest Asia, on the Gulf, the largest of the seven United Arab Emirates. Its capital, Abu Dhabi, is also the capital of the United Arab Emirates; area 67,350 sq km/26,000 sq mi; population (2004 est) city 578,000; emirate 1,272,000. Formerly under British protection, it has been ruled since 1971 by Sheikh Sultan Zayed bin al-Nahayan, who is also president of the Supreme Council of Rulers of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi has rich oil reserves, both on- and off-shore, which have brought great prosperity in recent decades.