Abu Dhabi
MONEY MATTERS
Banks
Methods of payment
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The UAE operates a free, open economy and there are no currency regulations in operation. It is extremely easy to change money at banks and exchange houses throughout the country where the best rates are available.
CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE RATES
Currency
The dirham (pronounced dir-ham) is the official currency of the UAE. Dirham notes are in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 denominations. The dirham is divided into 100 fils, coins include Dh1, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils (10 and 5 fils are rarely used). The value is written in Arabic only but Arabic numerals are easy to memorize (see section on Arabic Language).
Exchange
There are no currency regulations and foreign currency of almost any denomination is readily exchanged in the UAE. The dirham is index linked to the dollar and the official exchange rate is Dh3.671 = US$ 1.00. The best exchange rates are generally available at private moneychangers found throughout the UAE, but especially in the more popular souqs and shopping centres.
The UAE Exchange Centre (associated with Western Union) has branches throughout the UAE. Thomas Cook Al Rostamani (authorized representative of Thomas Cook’s financial division) and Al Razouki International Exchange Company are also well represented.
The UAE Exchange Centre
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Abu Dhabi
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02 6322166 |
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Dubai |
04 3537070 |
| Sharjah |
06 5625125 |
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Al Ain |
03 7654258 |
| Ajman |
06 7424666 |
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Fujairah |
09 2226665 |
| Ra's al-Khaimah |
07 2271066 |
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Thomas Cook Al Rostamani Exchange Company
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Abu Dhabi
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02 6727717 |
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Dubai |
04 2223564 |
| Sharjah |
06 5614656 |
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Al Ain |
03 7665558 |
| Fujairah |
09 2226822 |
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Al Razouki International Exchange
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Abu Dhabi
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02 6210308 |
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Dubai |
04 2615113 |
| Sharjah |
06 5624129 |
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Al Fardan Exchange
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Abu Dhabi
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02 6223222 |
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Dubai |
04 3513535 |
| Sharjah |
06 5635371 |
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Al Ain |
03 7656325 |
| Ruwais |
02 8774877 |
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Weather
For today's weather and the forecast for the next few days in various areas of the UAE visit:
CLICK HERE
Choose a link to see the latest satellite images of the weather conditions in the Middle East and Europe. Current conditions over the Middle East
Current conditions over Europe (satellite 1)
Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, the UAE is warm and sunny in winter and hot and humid during the summer months. Winter daytime temperatures average a very pleasant 26°C, although nights can be relatively cool, between 12–15°C on the coast, and less than 5°C in the depths of the desert or high in the mountains. Local north-westerly winds (shamal) frequently develop during the winter, bringing cooler windy conditions. Summer temperatures are in the mid-40s, but can be higher inland. Humidity in coastal areas averages between 50 and 60 per cent, touching over 90 per cent in summer and autumn. Inland it is far less humid.
Rainfall is sparse and intermittent. In most years it rains during the winter months, usually in February or March, but occasionally earlier. Winter rains take the form of short sharp bursts, which, if occurring in the Hajar Mountains, run off rapidly into wadis and onto the downwashed gravel plains. Localised thunderstorms occasionally occur during the summer. Generally appearing over the mountains of the south and east of the country, these rumbling cloudbursts can give rise to severe flash floods.
Some years are totally dry and it is only through the regular formation of dew that vegetation and wildlife can survive. This applies even to those places that experience a relatively high annual rainfall: at the Hajar Mountain town of Masafi, for example, 350 mm may fall in a ‘wet’ year, whereas as little as 30 mm may be recorded in a ‘dry’ year.
Table 1.Mean monthly maximum temperature (Bateen airport, Abu Dhabi) and national mean monthly rainfall 1971/72–1988/89. 0°C and mm.
| Temperature in °C |
24 |
25 |
29 |
33 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
40 |
39 |
35 |
30 |
26 |
| Rainfall in mm |
11 |
38 |
34 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
10 |
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Source: The National Atlas of the United Arab Emirates (UAE University, 1993)
