Abu Dhabi’s land surface measures 67,340 square kilometres, which is equivalent to about 80% of the UAE’s total land area. Only 30 percent of the emirate is inhabited, with the remaining vast expanses covered mainly by desert and arid land – constituting about 93% of the total land area. Land cultivation and irrigation for agriculture and forestation over the past decade has increased the size of “green” areas in the emirate to about five percent of the total land area, including parks and roadside plantations. About 1.2 percent of total land area is now used for agriculture. A small part of the land area is covered by mountains, containing several caves. The coastal area contains pockets of wetland and mangrove colonies. Abu Dhabi also has dozens of islands, mostly small and uninhabited, some of which have been designated as sanctuaries for wildlife.
Topography and Major Geographical Landmarks
Mountains: The isolated mountain of Jebel Hafeet lies to the south of the city of Al-Ain, and is shared with Oman. The mountain, which is an extension to the Hajjar mountain range, has the highest peak in the emirate, which measures 1,300 metres
Oases: The natural oases at Al-Ain and Liwa, which were the habitat for the earliest agricultural settlements in Abu Dhabi, are the largest in the emirate, and they continue to expand with irrigation.
Lakes (Artificial Reservoirs): Artificial lake at Al Mabrazah (which is part of eco-tourism projects in the emirate’s Eastern Region)
Rivers: Abu Dhabi has no permanent river, though it has one permanent spring, at Ain bu Sukhanah (at Ayn Al Fayda), in Al-Ain. Short-lived seasonal flow of rain water feeds the many wadis surrounding the mountain area.
Waterfalls: Occasional waterfalls occur at Jabal Hafeet during winter and immediately after rainfall.
Caves: There are several caves in Jebel Hafeet which are of archaeological importance. There are also a cave network in the Hajar Mountains, beyond Buraimi, near Al Ain. The largest and most impressive of these cave systems is the Magharet Qasir Hafee, which has 450 metres of shafts, passages and chambers reaching to a depth of 96 metres.
Islands: There are about 200 islands of which the largest one is the island of Abu al-Abyadh, some are natural wildlife reserves
Forest: Saxaul 'dew forest'. A small belt of two to three metre high saxaul trees (Haloxylon persicum) found inland to the south of Abu Dhabi has been dubbed the 'dew forest' on account of its foliage dripping condensation.
Lagoons: The lagoon complex made of mangrove to the north-east of Abu Dhabi city is much-prized. Several low-lying islands exist and the area has considerable natural beauty.