Abu Dhabi or Abu Zabi (Arabic language: أبوظبي) is the capital city of the emirate of the same name in north central United Arab Emirates. It is also the capital of the UAE, and a seaport on the Persian Gulf. Estimated population in 2000 was about 1,000,000, with about 80% expatriate.
Abu Dhabi was the largest of the Trucial States. The area was originally settled by the Bani Yas in the late 18th century, along with Dubai, but in the 19th century the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches parted ways.
In 1939, Sheikh Shakbut granted oil concessions, and oil was first found in 1958.
Like the other emirates of the area, Abu Dhabi issued its own postage stamps, although exercising much more restraint than some. The first issue was a definitive series on March 30, 1964, marking the first anniversary of the 1963 opening of the Abu Dhabi post office.
(Postal service was actually managed by the UK until the end of 1966.)
In 1966 the currency changed from rupees to fils and dinars, necessitating a series of surcharges issued on October 1, 1966, and new definitives the following April. Abu Dhabi issued a final set, three views of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, on June 3, 1972 (six months after joining the UAE), for a total of 83 stamps.Postage stamps
Shaikh Zaid, 1967 40f
