Al Maryah Island (Arabic: جزيرة المارية), formerly known as Sowwah Island, is a natural island located northeast of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is named for a famous oasis region in Abu Dhabi, Al Mariyah, which in turn is named after the species of Arabian deer - Al Mariyah - which live there.[1]
 A view from Maryah Island overlooking the city of Abu Dhabi | |
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 24°30′07″N 54°23′24″E / 24.501934°N 54.389877°E |
| Administration | |
United Arab Emirates | |
Al Maryah Island covers approximately 114 hectares and is currently being developed by Mubadala to be a new city center. It is one of the largest construction sites in Abu Dhabi.[2][3]
The center of the island is Abu Dhabi Global Market Square (formerly Sowwah Square), northeast of the city center of Abu Dhabi. Construction of Abu Dhabi Global Market Square started in 2007, and the first buildings opened in 2011. The island contains multiple towers and buildings, including Al Sila Tower, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Al Maryah Central is a major shopping mall of 2.3 million square feet.
References
edit- ^ "Sowwah Island changes its name". Thenational.ae. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ "Al Sowwah is now called Al Maryah Island". Emirates 247. Dubai Media Incorporated. 22 April 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ "Abu Dhabi renames Sowwah Island as Al Maryah". Gulf News. Al Nisr Publishing LLC. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2019.