Stealing the spotlight

» Abu Dhabi, makes up approximately 87 per cent of the country's total land mass. While 70 per cent of the land is desert, the emirate has 700 kilometres of coastline and some 200 islands.
» An Abu Dhabi businessman, Saeed Al Khouri, bought the most expensive car plate in the world at an auction held by Abu Dhabi police. The plate, bearing the number 1, was sold for Dh52.2 million in February 2008.
» Aldar Headquarters, a mesmerising disc-shaped building set in Al Raha, was bestowed with the title of 'Best Futuristic Design' in 2008 by The Building Exchange (BEX) Conference in Valencia, Spain.
» Sir Bani Yas Island is officially a protected area for endangered species such as the Arabian Oryx. The UAE also leads the fight to save the dugongs by banning drift net fishing and imposing strict laws to protect them.
» Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the country at 22,412 square metres, which can accommodate around 41,000 attendees. It also houses the world's largest chandelier, which measures 15 metres high, 10 metres in diameter, and weighs more than nine tonnes.
» Luxury five-star hotel Emirates Palace, whose area spans over 1 million square metres including landscaped gardens and a beach, is home to a collection of 1,002 chandeliers with Swarovski's premier Strauss crystals, 744 plasma screens, and 7,000 doors.
» Sheikh Zayed Bridge, an 842-metre structure, is known to be one of the most complex bridges to be built in the region. Conjured by Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Zaha Hadid, the bridge's arches represent wavy sand dunes.
» Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi is the world's fastest roller coaster that reaches a top speed of 240 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
» Skyscraper Capital Gate, completed in 2011, was featured in the Guinness World Records for having the world's largest slope. The 35-storey building leans to the west by around 18 degrees, making it four times greater than the inclination of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
» We bet not many residents have heard of a camel beauty contest! The exclusive competition for the "Ship of the Desert" is held in Al Gharbia, as part of the annual Al Dhafra Festival, and celebrates its value in Emirati society. 
farhana@khaleejtimes.com