While we did already reference the United Arab Emirates, they are also separated out and thus we feel the need to reference Abu Dhabi too. It is the second-most populated city-state in the UAE after Dubai. The main government offices of the UAE are found here as well as the Supreme Petroleum Council. They are very oil-rich and have used that money quite well. The oil production led to major development and urbanization, which also led to a high average income for those who live in the city-state. On top of this, they bring in the most money annually for the UAE – at least two-thirds of their $400 billion average annual economy.
[Image via Vinnikava Viktoryia/Shutterstock.com]While Dubai is more westernized, Abu Dhabi is much more traditional with its values and expectations. Thus, it is not so much a hot spot for tourists but for major businesses. Their technology institute is very good and has led to major innovations in technology. Plus, a lot of their inventive concepts have led to incredible architecture. They have a Quantum Institute where major physics discoveries are taking place. The Abu Dhabi Global Market is also home to Hub71, which includes at least 102 tech start-ups within the realm of health tech, fintech, and artificial intelligence. Don’t blink, because it is likely this city-state will become a major tech hub.