National Library and Archives launches guide documenting 3,250+ geographical locations across Abu Dhabi

As part of its participation in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2026, the National Library and Archives launched its latest publication, The Emirate of Abu Dhabi: A Gazetteer of Place Names and Geographical Locations, authored by Ali Ahmed Al Kindi Al Murar.

The launch event was attended by Dr Hamad Al Mutairi, Acting Executive Director of the National Library and Archives and Vice President of the International Council on Archives of the National Library and Archives, and the author of the book.

This landmark work provides a vital contribution to Abu Dhabi’s spatial history and place-name documentation, serving as an indispensable reference for scholars, cartographers, and heritage researchers. Accompanying the release, a panel discussion drew a large audience of researchers and fair visitors to examine the work’s contributions to regional history and cartography.

The four-volume book systematically catalogues 3,259 geographical entities across Abu Dhabi, including cities, villages, water resources, oases, islands, mountains, valleys, plains, sand dunes, and other natural landmarks.

The book provides detailed information on place names and the reasons behind their naming, their geographical locations and characteristics, and the historical events associated with them. It also includes information on their inhabitants, landmarks, and what has survived or disappeared over time.

The preparation of the book took more than thirteen years, during which the author drew on a variety of historical and geographical sources, including old and modern maps, travellers’ accounts, documents, reports, and interviews with senior citizens of the emirate.

The author conducted extensive field visits across Abu Dhabi to locate, verify, and photographically record every site. This gave the publication a significant field-research dimension in addition to its academic and historical value.

Dr Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, said the book opens a window into Abu Dhabi’s geography and its social and cultural heritage memory for future generations, while documenting the historical relationship between people and place.

He further stated that the book plays an important role in reinforcing national identity and safeguarding local heritage. It also demonstrates the National Library and Archives’ commitment to preserving the national memory, providing access to specialised academic sources, and enriching Emirati and Arab libraries with valuable references on the UAE’s history, geography, and heritage.

This book serves as a comprehensive reference for anyone seeking to learn about the geography and history of the Abu Dhabi emirate. It is also a documentary record of place names, landmarks, and the memories of ancestors preserved within them, thereby safeguarding national identity and helping ensure that the nation’s present and future remain deeply rooted in heritage and culture.