Images of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates [antikvár]

How does one even begin to describe a country with such diversity as the United Arab Emirates? Should we speak of a people, a culture and a civilisation carved out of the most ancient of lands, of the stunning natural beauty emanating from its breathtaking yet delightfully contrasting landscapes, or should we reminisce upon the legendary growth of its cities, modelled after the most advanced in the world, and then surpassing them in technological and industrial prowess Perhaps the UAE's geological phenomena and distinct environs would be an appropriate beginning, for they have silently witnessed the evolution of this land from long before the first settlers arrived in the region. Subdivided into seven emirates, the total land mass of 83,600 square kilometres unveils vast, pristine and untouched regions of such diversity, that when exploring the outback of the country, eachnew turn is a gamble and a charming surprise. Majestic mountain ranges fringe the Gulf of Oman and testify to a time when the region was once entirely bathed in the waters of the Arabian Sea. Stunning canyons, wadis and rich turquoise pools lie cradled in their depths. Where once was water, the desert now reigns supreme, its undulating dunes rising and falling, mimicking ghosts of waves past. This harshest of settings never ceases to astound and amaze, as every so often it grants permission for life to thrive - stunning flora and fauna continue to prosper within the rules it defines, while the occasional oases break these conventions to form lush green carpets amongst the sands. But to describe the UAE based on its physical beauty alone would be an injustice to the people of this great land - a people who have helped carve out its history, as much as the waters have cut through and shaped