Abu Dhabi is the federal capital of the United Arab Emirates and the largest city of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is one of the most modern cities in the world and the center of government in the UAE. Abu Dhabi is headquarters to a number of oil operating companies and embassies are based here. With only 420,000 citizens in the entire emirate, each has a theoretical net worth of $17 million, and Abu Dhabi has been described by CNN as the richest city in the world. The city features large gardens and parks, green boulevards, high-rise buildings, international luxury hotel chains and opulent shopping malls.
Long viewed as a staid bureaucratic outpost lacking in neighboring Dubai's pizzazz, things started to change in 2004 after long-time ruler Sheikh Zayed passed away and his son Sheikh Khalifa took over. In a bid to attract tourism and investment, land sales to foreigners were allowed, restrictions on alcohol were loosened and several massive building projects are under way, with the upcoming $28 billion cultural zone of Saadiyat Island and its centerpieces the Guggenheim and Louvre Museums scheduled to open in 2011.