Over the years United Arab Emirates has become a wonderland. It is busy in constructing the monuments which people from around the world come to see. Nearly half a century back it was considered a landscape full of sand dunes, but over the years the entire landscape has been changed and now considered one of the most modern place to live, trade with and a tourist attraction.
Yas Island
Yas Island is one of the most spectacular projects of UAE. Located strategically off the city of Abu Dhabi, the entertainment destination of Yas Island will eventually occupy a total land area of 25 square meters. The island is the host to numerous attractions, such as world-class racing circuits, signature hotels, theme parks, marina, golf courses and much more. Yas Island is designed to cater to the local resident population as well as international tourists. The variety of attractions makes it a place for everyone to enjoy. Yas Marina Circuit is home to the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Formula One track is 5.55 meters long and can be split into two smaller tracks of 3.1 meters and 2.4 meters, which can operate simultaneously. Approximately 50,000 spectators can view the action on the circuit from the comfort of permanent, covered grandstands and air-conditioned VIP facilities. Yas Marina Circuit is the only motorsports venue in the world where all the grandstands are covered. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is destined to become the world’s largest indoor theme park, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi to offer a variety of attractions to keep both children and adults entertained. The iconic roof is designed on the classic double-curve body shell of the Ferrari GT car.
Numerous hotels and resorts will border the island’s 32 meters of coastline, including some Championship caliber golfing facilities. Yas Island is adorned with several world class marinas, including the Yas Marina overlooking the Grand Prix circuit. Yas Island is set to be a breathtaking destination with exciting brands and amazing facilities.
Burj Khalifa
It is also tangible proof of Dubai’s growing role in a changing world. In fewer than 30 years, this city has transformed itself from a regional centre to a global one. This success was not based on oil reserves, but on reserves of human talent, ingenuity and initiative. Burj Khalifa embodies that vision. With a height of over 828 meters (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories, Burj Khalifa enjoys the following distinctions:
- Tallest building in the world
- Tallest free-standing structure in the world
- Highest number of stories in the world
- Highest occupied floor in the world
- Highest outdoor observation deck in the world
- Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world
- Tallest service elevator in the world
Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties is on record saying: “Burj Khalifa goes beyond its imposing physical specifications. In Burj Khalifa, we see the triumph of Dubai’s vision of attaining the seemingly impossible and setting new benchmarks. It is a source of inspiration for every one of us in Emaar. The project is a declaration of the emirate’s capabilities and of the resolve of its leaders and people to work hand in hand on truly awe-inspiring projects.”
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Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is probably the most imposing religious and national landmark in Abu Dhabi. It is also arguably one of the most important architectural treasures of contemporary UAE society and one of the most beautiful in the world initiated by the late president and father of the UAE, H. H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The 22,412 square meter Mosque site is equivalent to around the size of five football fields, and can accommodate 40,960 worshippers – 7,126 in the main prayer hall; 1,960 in the open prayer hall; 980 female worshippers in the open prayer hall female section; 22, 729 in the open Sahan (courtyard); 682 in the main prayer hall entrance and 784 in the mosque’s main hall entrance.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque features 82 domes of Moroccan design and all decorated with white marble. The main dome’s outer shell measures 32.8 meters in diameter and stands at a height of 70 meters from the inside and 85 meters from the outside. It has been termed the largest of its kind by the Turkey Research Centre for Islamic History and Culture.
The Mosque has approximately 1,000 columns in its outer areas which are clad with more than 20,000 marble panels inlaid with semi-precious stones, including lapis lazuli, red agate, amethyst, abalone shell and mother of pearl. The 96 columns in the main prayer hall are round in shape and inlaid with mother of pearl. Additionally, the Mosque has four beautiful minarets standing at almost 107 meters each at the four corners of the mosque. Reflective pools, totaling 7,874 square meters and laden with dark tiles, surround the Mosque, whilst colored floral marble and mosaics pave the 17,000 square meter courtyard which is decorated with white marble from Greece.
Irena At Masdar City
Masdar City aims to be of the world’s most sustainable urban developments powered by renewal energy. Masdar City is the most visible component of Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multifaceted future energy company, engaged in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in renewable energy and clean technology. As home to the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Masdar City is testament to the vision of the Abu Dhabi Government to place the city at the crossroads of global innovation and policymaking in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable technology.
Abu Dhabi and Masdar City were selected for IRENA’s secretariat by a vote of the agency’s than-143 member countries in June 2009, as the perfect base for IRENA. The UAE supports the agency with a grant of US$136 million over a six-year period, while also covering all operational costs in perpetuity. Moreover, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development created a special endowment of up to US$50 million annually to be used for loans in support of renewable energy projects in the developing world.
At the heart of Masdar City is the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, developed in cooperation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The institute will offer MSC and PhD programs in alternative energy and sustainable technologies, eventually hosting 600-800 students and more than 100-150 faculty and staff.