Abu Dhabi: Have you seen this island full of alabaster rocks?

An island in Abu Dhabi features so many alabaster rocks that it's been named 'Almarmar', after the tough white stone.

Located east of the Sir Bani Yas Reserve in Al Dhafra region, the island — off the coast of Ruwais — the island's new name comes from the abundance of alabaster found on the island.

Alabaster is a fine-grained, translucent form of gypsum, that is typically white in colour and often carved into ornaments.

Under the directives of Mohamed bin Zayed & the follow-up of Hamdan bin Zayed, @AbuDhabiDMT has named an island off the coast of Al Dhafra ‘Almarmar’, meaning ‘alabaster’, after the tough, white stone found in abundance on the island. pic.twitter.com/QrybmIfvQX

— (@admediaoffice) December 24, 2020

According to a notice issued by Abu Dhabi Media Office, the initiative comes under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the follow-up of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC).

The total area of the island measures 4.3 square kilometres.

Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport-Abu Dhabi, said that the department has prioritised the process of renaming several areas of the emirate to preserve Emirati traditions and keep pace with the process of development witnessed by the emirate, noting that the given names generally reflect the UAE’s historical heritage.

Abu Dhabi has many charming natural landscapes and various unique islands, making the emirate rich in biodiversity and natural resources, he added, while pointing out that the directive highlights the significant efforts of the UAE leadership to protect natural resources.