UAE then and now: How Reem Island became an iconic part of Abu Dhabi's skyline

Today, life in the Emirates moves in the fast lane. In a regular series to mark the 50th anniversary of the UAE, we take a little trip back in time and see how much the country has changed.

This series has showcased the huge changes that have taken place in the UAE over the past few decades.

But, in some cases, this transformation has been accomplished much sooner.

Abu Dhabi’s Reem Island in the early 2000s was an expanse of sand surrounded by nothing but mangroves and the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Today, it is home to scores of high-rise towers that have transformed Abu Dhabi’s skyline.

The older shot, taken in 2011, showed the first phase of this huge building boom. The multi-billion-dollar development consisted of luxurious high-rises, schools, offices and even a branch of France’s prestigious Sorbonne University.

Sun, Sky and Gate Towers being built in 2011. The buildings would go on to transform Abu Dhabi's skyline. Andrew Henderson / The National

But Reem Island was just an expanse of sand surrounded by mangroves and the Arabian Gulf. Here is how it looks in 2008 as development ramps up. Nicole Hill / The National

One of the new bridges connecting Reem Island with Abu Dhabi nears completion in 2009. Stephen Lock / The National

The view inside the Sun Tower in 2010 overlooking Reem Island. This was the first phase of the building boom on the island.

Reem island in 2012, looking back towards the city. Ravindranath K / The National

Constructions advances rapidly by 2013. Sun, Sky and Gate Towers can be seen on left. Silvia Razgova / The National

A construction worker rests at the end of his shift on Reem Island in 2014. Silvia Razgova / The National

Al Fay Park on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island today, with Gate Towers visible in the background. Victor Besa / The National

Reem Island has transformed Abu Dhabi's skyline as can be seen in this shot from Saadiyat Island. Victor Besa / The National

It marked a move away from the traditional low-rise developments on Abu Dhabi island and it also became one of the first places in which residents could own freehold apartments.

In the middle of the older photograph, we see the construction of some of Abu Dhabi’s most striking buildings: Sun, Horizon and, on the right, Gate Towers. Sky Tower is hidden behind Horizon. The distinctive cap across the three individual towers of the Gate complex has yet to be set in place but it is not far off.

When the older photograph was taken, construction was coming to a temporary pause because of the fallout from 2008’s global financial crisis. But activity on the island has ramped up significantly since, with more than a 100 towers now completed from the handful that existed in 2011.

The new photograph shows the same scene again and the transformation is clear. The Gate and Sun and Sky development is now one of the largest on the island, while Horizon Towers has also been completed.

UAE then and now: images of an Abu Dhabi airfield show a time long forgotten

Despite the fact that many parts of the island are still waiting to be developed, the foundations are being laid for the future. Reem Mall, which features the world’s largest snow park, is set to open soon, while residents can also enjoy walks through newly-opened parks that champion diversity.

Anyone passing the Eastern Mangroves Hotel on Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street (Salam Street) can also see a huge bridge being built adjacent to the mangroves.

It will eventually connect to Reem through Umm Lafina Island, adding another landmark to what not long ago was just a tract of sand.

Results:

6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer).

7.05pm: Handicap (rated 72-87) Dh 165,000 1,600m.
Winner: Syncopation, George Buckell, Doug Watson.

7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
Winner: Big Brown Bear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

8.15pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,200m.
Winner: Stunned, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

8.50pm: Handicap (85-105) Dh 210,000 2,000m.
Winner: New Trails, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.

9.25pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,600m.
Winner: Pillar Of Society, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

Can NRIs vote in the election?

Indians residing overseas cannot cast their ballot abroad

Non-resident Indians or NRIs can vote only by going to a polling booth in their home constituency

There are about 3.1 million NRIs living overseas

Indians have urged political parties to extend the right to vote to citizens residing overseas

A committee of the Election Commission of India approved of proxy voting for non-resident Indians

Proxy voting means that a person can authorise someone residing in the same polling booth area to cast a vote on his behalf.

This option is currently available for the armed forces, police and government officials posted outside India

A bill was passed in the lower house of India’s parliament or the Lok Sabha to extend proxy voting to non-resident Indians

However, this did not come before the upper house or Rajya Sabha and has lapsed

The issue of NRI voting draws a huge amount of interest in India and overseas

Over the past few months, Indians have received messages on mobile phones and on social media claiming that NRIs can cast their votes online

The Election Commission of India then clarified that NRIs could not vote online

The Election Commission lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police asking it to clamp down on the people spreading misinformation

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
Travel distance: Limited
Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
Duration: Can linger for days
Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
Source: Can be carried from distant regions

FULL%20FIGHT%20CARD

%3Cp%3EFeatherweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Abdullah%20Al%20Qahtani%20v%20Taha%20Bendaoud%0D%3Cbr%3EBantamweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Ali%20Taleb%20v%20Nawras%20Abzakh%0D%3Cbr%3EBantamweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Xavier%20Alaoui%20v%20Rachid%20El%20Hazoume%0D%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Islam%20Reda%20v%20Adam%20Meskini%0D%3Cbr%3EBantamweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Tariq%20Ismail%20v%20Jalal%20Al%20Daaja%0D%3Cbr%3EBantamweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Elias%20Boudegzdame%20v%20Hassan%20Mandour%0D%3Cbr%3EAmateur%20Female%20Atomweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Hattan%20Al%20Saif%20v%20Nada%20Faheem%0D%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Maraoune%20Bellagouit%20v%20Motaz%20Askar%0D%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Ahmed%20Tarek%20v%20Abdelrahman%20Alhyasat%0D%3Cbr%3EShowcase%20Featherweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Mido%20Mohamed%20v%20Yazeed%20Hasanain%0D%3Cbr%3EShowcase%20Flyweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Malik%20Basahel%20v%20Harsh%20Pandya%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

Palestine and Israel - live updates

Ground forces near Gaza 'told to prepare' for possible invasion

BABYLON

%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Damien%20Chazelle%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Brad%20Pitt%2C%20Margot%20Robbie%2C%20Jean%20Smart%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.