CAPITAL ABU DHABI - POPULATION 4.6 MILLION - AREA 82,880 SQ KM -OFFICIAL LANGUAGE ARABIC
Though for the vast majority of visitors the UAE begins and ends with Dubai, capital Abu Dhabi – along with other parts of the UAE's seven separate sheikhdoms – is currently cornering a chunk of the long-weekend tourism market that's taken the region by storm. International visitors are now heading out from Abu Dhabi on adventure trips to Liwa Oasis, to visit dunes and tiny villages on the edge of Saudi Arabia's Empty Quarter, proving there's more to a visit than duty-free shopping. Recently, the UAE has gained notoriety for its fierce drug laws, apprehending some tourists bringing cold medicines – or even poppy seeds – into the country. Check regulations and your pockets thoroughly to avoid ending up in a spot of bother.
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