History of Abu Dhabi Timeline

In 1761, a hunting party led by Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa Al Nahyan discovered fresh water near the coast, leading to the establishment of a settlement there that would grow into the city of Abu Dhabi.

Image source: Abu Dhabi

Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest building in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, was built by the Bani Yas tribe in 1761. The iconic fort remains a symbol of the city's origins.

Image source: Qasr al-Hosn

In the 19th century, treaties known as "Truces" were entered into between Great Britain and the sheikhs of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf, giving the coast its name and making Britain the predominant influence in the area.

Image source: Trucial States

Following their withdrawal from India in 1947, the British maintained their influence in Abu Dhabi as interest in the oil potential of the Persian Gulf grew.

Perceived mismanagement of the emirate's oil revenues and fears of a pan-Arab uprising led the British to back a bloodless coup replacing Sheikh Shakhbut with his younger brother Zayed Al Nahyan on August 6, 1966.

Image source: Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

On December 2, 1971, Abu Dhabi, along with five other emirates, formed the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a landmark moment in the nation's history with Abu Dhabi serving as its capital.

Image source: United Arab Emirates

The pearl industry boomed from the late 19th century through to the second decade of the 20th century, though it is believed to date back around 7,000 years, forming the backbone of the coastal economy before oil.

Image source: Pearl hunting

Petroleum Development Trucial Coast Ltd (PDTC), an associate company of the Iraq Petroleum Company, entered into a concession agreement with ruler Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan to explore for oil.

A seventy-five-year concession was signed in January 1939, extending foreign companies' rights to explore for and extract oil in Abu Dhabi.

In 1953, D'Arcy Exploration Company, the exploration arm of BP, obtained an offshore concession which was transferred to Abu Dhabi Marine Areas (ADMA), a joint venture between BP and Compagnie Française des Pétroles (later Total).

Image source: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company

In 1958, using the marine drilling platform ADMA Enterprise, oil was discovered in the Umm Shaif field at a depth of about 2,669 metres (8,755 ft), marking a turning point for Abu Dhabi.

PDTC's onshore discovery well at Murban No.3 followed in 1959, confirming significant onshore oil reserves and accelerating the emirate's transformation.

ADMA discovered the Bu Hasa oil field in 1962 and the Lower Zakum oil field in 1963, further cementing Abu Dhabi's status as a major oil producer.

In 2010, the GDP per capita reached $49,600, ranking ninth in the world, reflecting the strength of the UAE's fast-growing economy driven by diversification efforts.

Image source: Economy of the United Arab Emirates

The city was planned under the guidance of Sheikh Zayed by Japanese architect Katsuhiko Takahashi in 1967, initially designed for a population of 40,000.

The Internet was introduced into Abu Dhabi in 1995 through Etisalat, the government-owned telecommunications provider that held a virtual monopoly over telecommunication services.

Image source: Etisalat

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC, better known as Du) was established in 2006, breaking Etisalat's virtual monopoly over telecommunications services in Abu Dhabi.

Image source: Du (company)

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) was established in 2007 as the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi's urban environments, publishing the Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan in September 2007.

Image source: Abu Dhabi Central Capital District

New York University opened a government-sponsored satellite campus in Abu Dhabi in September 2010, expanding higher education options in the emirate.

A decree by Sheikh Khalifa in March 2017 officially designated the eastern region as "Al Ain Region" with Al Ain City as its main settlement, and the western region as "Al Dhafra Region" centred on Madinat Zayed.

Image source: Al Dhafra FC

As part of UAE's Energy Strategy 2050 to reduce carbon emissions of power generation by 70%, Noor Abu Dhabi solar park — the largest solar project in the world — was completed on 2 July 2019.

Image source: Noor Abu Dhabi

In October 2019, Abu Dhabi announced the world's first graduate-level AI research institution, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), with classes beginning in September 2020.

Image source: Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence

In 2025, Abu Dhabi was ranked as the safest city in the world for the ninth year running by the statistical analysis website Numbeo.

Image source: Abu Dhabi

Al Maqta Bridge was built in 1968 as the first connection to what had been a small fishing village on the island; it is now part of the E22 highway.

The first town bus entered service in about 1969, though it was part of a very informal service in the growing city.

The second Mussafah Bridge was opened in 1977 and is now part of the E20 highway that transforms into Khaleej Al Arabi Street, connecting the island to the mainland.

Image source: Mussafah

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) opened in 1982, replacing the old airport on the main island, which became Al Bateen Executive Airport.

On 30 June 2008, the Department of Transport began public bus service in Abu Dhabi with four routes. All routes were zero-fare until the end of 2008 to entice ridership.

A third bridge, Sheikh Zayed Bridge, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, opened in late 2010 and is now part of the E10 highway connecting the main island to the mainland.

Image source: Zaha Hadid

The Al-Mafraq bridge, connecting the city to Reem Island, was completed in early 2011, supporting development of new residential districts.

Image source: Al Reem Island

On 30 June 2019, the Department of Community Development officially inaugurated a multi-faith prayer room at Zayed International Airport, accommodating travellers of all faiths.

In 2021, Abu Dhabi introduced four toll gates on all bridges entering the main island — operating only during peak hours — and by year-end had over 1.8 million registered cars in the system.

In 2022, Abu Dhabi launched autonomous self-driving public transport options on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, pioneering smart mobility solutions.

Abu Dhabi City is connected to the second phase of the Etihad Rail network, completed in 2023, enabling freight operations across all seven emirates.

Image source: Etihad Rail

In 2023, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan inaugurated the Umm Yifeenah Bridge, an 11 km highway connection between Al Reem Island and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street, part of the 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan.

During October 2023, the Integrated Transport Centre launched the ART Service on mainland Abu Dhabi as a pilot phase of the Smart Mobility project.

Image source: Autonomous Rapid Transit

In July 2024, it was reported that Zayed International Airport launched the world's first-of-its-kind "Smart Travel" biometric system, streamlining passenger journeys.

On December 5, 2024, Zayed International Airport won the title of "World's Most Beautiful Airport" at the Prix Versailles, a prestigious award for architecture and design.

In 2025, WeRide and Uber announced the launch of Level 4 fully driverless Robotaxi commercial operations in Abu Dhabi.

Image source: WeRide

Abu Dhabi's first flying taxi vertiport will open at the Zayed Port Cruise Terminal by late 2025, advancing urban air mobility in the emirate.

Image source: Zayed International Airport

The Abu Dhabi Jiujitsu Schools Program began in 2008 under the patronage of crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a keen Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor, with plans for up to 500 schools participating by 2015.

Image source: Brazilian jiu-jitsu

The city has hosted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of Formula One at the Yas Marina Circuit since 2009, becoming a highlight of the international racing calendar.

Image source: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

In March 2019, Abu Dhabi hosted the first Special Olympics World Games in the Middle East. From 14 to 21 March, more than 7,500 athletes participated in 24 sporting disciplines.

Image source: 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games

On 29 April 2022, Abu Dhabi announced 100% capacity for commercial activities, tourist attractions and events in the emirate, marking a full recovery from pandemic restrictions.

Image source: Economy of the United Arab Emirates