Middle East - Abu Dhabi: The richest city on Earth - by Toni Salama

If Dubai and Abu Dhabi were '50s film idols, Dubai would be Marilyn Monroe. Abu Dhabi would be Grace Kelly.   Dubai is the sizzle. Abu Dhabi is the steak.

Dubai is the commercial hub of the United Arab Emirates that gets all the attention. Some 60 miles away, the nation's political capital of Abu Dhabi has gone largely overlooked. But Abu Dhabi doesn't have to stand for that anymore, and it isn't going to.

Abu Dhabi

Not that there's a rivalry, but this city, widely regarded as the world's richest, is spending $100 billion -- that's billion-with-a-B -- on infrastructure over the next five years to change its numbers and attract more vacationers. A bigger airport, wider roads and dozens of developments that each measure in the tens of millions of square feet already are under construction, somehow without the frenzied sense of urgency that permeates Dubai.

The world's only extension of Paris' vaunted Louvre Museum will rise, all 258,000 square feet of it, here in Abu Dhabi. A 323,000-square-foot Guggenheim also is in the works. Look for them to open their doors in 2011-'12 on Saadiyat Island, a 10-square-mile natural formation that claims to be the largest single mixed-use development in the Arabian Gulf, which would make it bigger than any of the manmade island projects Dubai's got going.

Arabic is the official language, but English is spoken by most workers in the tourist sector; everything from street signs to menus is bilingual. Islam is the official religion. Those of other faiths are free to attend churches or temples so long as there's no proselytizing. Dress code is on the side of modesty. Women should wear blouses with sleeves, calf-length pants or skirts (but no slits), and avoid exposing cleavage and midriff. There's no need to wear a scarf. Men should wear shirts with sleeves and long pants.

Friday is the Islamic holy day, when many businesses are closed or work shorter hours. Shops are open on Friday but close for prayers 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The rest of the week, shopping in souks is generally 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. Malls usually are open 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Citizens of the following countries are issued with a free 30-day visit visa upon entry: Australia, Andora, Ausria, Brunei, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, The Vatican.

Short Visit Visa: If you’re not from one of the countries listed in the above categories you can apply for a short stay non-extendable visa for four days, costing AED190  ( Euro 40.00 or US $52.00)

Read more: Abu Dhabi: The richest city on Earth - latimes.com