Photographs from the 1970s reveal Abu Dhabi being built - in pictures

  • A wrecked plane at Liwa airfield in 1977. All photos: Peter Schneider
    A wrecked plane at Liwa airfield in 1977. All photos: Peter Schneider
  • An airfield in Liwa, 1977.
    An airfield in Liwa, 1977.
  • An abandoned car on the way to Liwa, 1977.
    An abandoned car on the way to Liwa, 1977.
  • A fort close to the border with Saudi Arabia, in 1977.
    A fort close to the border with Saudi Arabia, in 1977.
  • A desert settlement in Liwa, 1970s.
    A desert settlement in Liwa, 1970s.
  • The Tourist Club area in Abu Dhabi in 1978 with Le Meridien hotel in the background. The hotel had not yet opened.
    The Tourist Club area in Abu Dhabi in 1978 with Le Meridien hotel in the background. The hotel had not yet opened.
  • The Tourist Club area of Abu Dhabi in 1977. The neighbourhood, now known as Al Zahiyah, was then in the middle of a building boom.
    The Tourist Club area of Abu Dhabi in 1977. The neighbourhood, now known as Al Zahiyah, was then in the middle of a building boom.
  • The location of Wimpy Burger in Old Airport Park, Abu Dhabi, in 1977.
    The location of Wimpy Burger in Old Airport Park, Abu Dhabi, in 1977.
  • The Nihal Hotel on Hamdan Street in Abu Dhabi under construction in 1977. The hotel is still there today but called 'Nehal'.
    The Nihal Hotel on Hamdan Street in Abu Dhabi under construction in 1977. The hotel is still there today but called 'Nehal'.
  • Electra Street, now known as Zayed the First, with the famed 'Onion Tower' on left in 1978.
    Electra Street, now known as Zayed the First, with the famed 'Onion Tower' on left in 1978.
  • The Bateen fishing port in Abu Dhabi, 1978.
    The Bateen fishing port in Abu Dhabi, 1978.
  • Al Maqta Bridge in Abu Dhabi, 1970s. It opened in 1968.
    Al Maqta Bridge in Abu Dhabi, 1970s. It opened in 1968.
  • A new road cuts through the mountains between Dibba and Masafi in 1978.
    A new road cuts through the mountains between Dibba and Masafi in 1978.