Centro Yas Island - Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE and the largest of the seven emirates has seen great transformation in the last few years. Despite its humble and quiet stature, the emirate has now launched itself into the international tourism market with its wealth of quality infrastructure and breathtaking offerings.

The bustling city lies on a T-shaped island in the Persian Gulf, with an estimated population of one million people ? 80% of which are from the expatriate community. The city prides itself in being the largest and richest of the seven emirates, while still holding on to its rich Arabian culture and history.

Abu Dhabi?s own Louvre Museum

A deal was signed recently between France and Abu Dhabi for the building of a branch of the renowned Louvre Museum on Saadiyat Island. The ?Louvre Abu Dhabi? will be an impressive 24,000 square-metre branch of the famous Parisian museum.

The emirate dished out a reported $930 million license fee - $530 million of which is for the rights of the ?Louvre? brand. In response, France will make expertise and art works available from its most prestigious museum. Each piece of art will be on loan to the ?Louvre Abu Dhabi? for a period of two years.

The ?Louvre Abu Dhabi? will be housed in a futuristic building that is designed by architect Jean Nouvel, who also designed the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. The museum will cost $110 million to build, and is slated for completion in 2012.


Formula One races to Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi recently secured the right and privilege to host a Formula One Grand Prix from 2009. The franchise has been awarded to the emirate for a renewable seven-year term.

The track will be built on Yas Island, a man-made island of around 6,000 acres that is part of a sophisticated tourism development, including three golf courses, a polo field and a Ferrari theme park.

The track will be 5.6 kilometres long and will be divided into a three-kilometre permanent circuit for the public, and a 2.6 kilometre city layout, exclusively for Formula One racing.

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