Abu Dhabi, trying to understand where it came from. Have you been?

Ok so what's with Abu Dhabi? Why has this place become what it is today? And how long has it been amoung the weathiest and techno savy cities? Seems to me you didn't hear to much about it until somewhat recently. I know that it wasn't mentioned nearly as much years ago as is being talked about now. Is this place like the world version of our Las Vegas? I guess this is just a new seculed place for the very rich. I'm guessing the war with Iraq has helped in it's (what seems to me) new popularity.
A lot of us complain about gas prices and yet a place like this was built off of oil weath and it's acceptable.
Has anyone here been? What was it like?
I'm just getting more curious about this place and learning more on it and it's history. It just kinda hit me and now I want to learn more.

Looking for your thoughts.

Steven G. Ogden

 

Sorry yes I should have included Dubai especially. But I am really refuring to all of those.

It looks to be taking on a name as a vacation area too. Not just for business but weathly travelers as well.