NatGeo goes in Arabic

National Geographic Channel (NGC) will now be free-to-air following a strategic alliance, making it the first international factual entertainment channel to be launched in Arabic language. The newly-formed National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi, which will be dubbed into Arabic, is a result of the channel's alliance with Abu Dhabi Media Company.

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UAE money

Currency

UAE Dirham (AED) = 100 fils. Notes are in denominations of AED1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of AED1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils (10 and 5 fils coins are rarely used).

The Dirham is tied to the US Dollar.

Currency Exchange

Most hotels will handle the exchange of foreign currency.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted.

Traveller's Cheques

These are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours

Sat-Wed 0800-1300, Thurs 0800-1200. Some also open Sat-Wed 1630-1830.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Date Apr 09

£1.00= AED5.48

$1.00= AED3.67

                                                       €1.00= AED4.88

UAE attractions

As time goes on, UAE attractions keep growing in number and size. Though there are many natural UAE attractions found throughout the country there are also an amazing number of man-made attractions that have drawn a lot of attention to the region.

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Abu dhabi duty free ADDF

Award-winning Abu Dhabi Duty Free is among the region’s top duty free facilities, with top brand names on offer in fashion, cosmetics, fragrances, confectionaries, beverages, tobacco, electronic equipment,

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Dubai Duty Free

Dubai Duty Free, which celebrated its 25th Anniversary on 20th December 2008, has had a remarkable quarter century that has seen its business grow from Dhs70 million (US$20 million) in 1984 to Dhs3.9 billion (US$1.1 billion) in 2008.

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UAE Key Facts

Location
Middle East

Time

GMT + 4.
Area
77,700 sq km (30,000 sq miles).
Population
4.4 million (UN, 2007).
Population Density
57 per sq km.
Capital
Abu Dhabi. Population: 1.5 million (2008 figure for entire emirate).

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Everything you need to know about the UAE

Since arriving here, I have been totally overwhelmed with the amount of things you dont know (and cant find information about) prior to embarking on an adventure of this kind. Once here, the secrets are revealed. A few useful resources I have come across that will help any bright-eyed and busy tailed new arrival as well as those planning a grand adventure to the land of dates, camels and lots of sand.



The Gulf News – Residence Guide
http://www.gulfnews.com/uaessentials/residentsguide/index.html



Explorer Guides
These guides are a little out of date, can only be purchased here it seems and their website is terrible but the information within has proved to be very helpful.
http://www.explorerpublishing.com/residents/abu-dhabi



Important Documents and Carry On

Important and original documents should be carried in your carry on luggage, not carried in your suitcases. Important documents include passports, visa copies, marriage and birth certificates, pet documentation, etc. For more information on important documents click here.

We recommend you carry one to two days’ worth of clothing and toiletries in your carry on luggage in case luggage is lost en route or if you experience unexpected delays.

UAE Visa

Entry Service Permit

An Entry Service Permit applies to the following categories and their families accompanying them: company manager’s representatives, sales managers, account auditors, delegations from companies or establishments to carry out a commercial activity in the UAE, consultants requested by companies operating in the UAE that are required to carry out an urgent task.

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