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The World or
World Islands is an artificial archipelago of various small islands constructed in the rough shape of a world map, located
4.0 kilometres (2.5 mi) off the coast of
Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The World islands are composed mainly of sand dredged from
Dubai's shallow coastal waters, and are one of several artificial island developments in Dubai. The World's developer is
Nakheel Properties, and the project was originally conceived by
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.
As of 2010, only a single island had any building on it, which was a show home - all the other projects having been cancelled or delayed due to the
2008 financial crisis. While the developer,
Dubai government, and researchers from the Emirates Institution for Advanced
Science and
Technology deny it, a participant in a related lawsuit alleged that the islands are sinking back into the sea.
Timeline of construction
Undeveloped islands on 1 May
2007
May
2003: The World development announced by
Nakheel, total completion scheduled for 2008. Initially to have
200 islands and an area of 60,
000,000 square feet (5,600,000 m2).
February 2004: It was announced that The World will comprises 260 islands, and its area will be 6 km by 9 km, area of 250 - 900,000 square feet (84,000 m2) for each island, with 50--100 meters of water between each island.
August 2004: It was announced that land reclamation will cost at
AED 7.3 billion ($2 billion).
April 2005:
Sand dredging 55 percent completed, 88 islands have been completed
.
30 March 2006:
Richard Branson appeared at a media conference on the
Great Britain island. However, this was to announce direct London-to-Dubai flights by
Virgin Atlantic, and was not related to his investing in the project.
October 2006: Seven-time
Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher was presented with one of the islands by
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the occasion of his final
Grand Prix, in
Brazil.
Schumacher's manager
Willi Weber, suggested, "
Perhaps he'll build a kart racing track on [the island].
December 2006: The World reclamation 90 percent completed.
October 2007: Nakheel announced the sale of
Ireland, and
Shanghai in October 2007.
15 November 2007:
Brad Pitt and
Angelina Jolie were reported to have purchased the island
Ethiopia. This has since been denied by the couple.
January 2008: The World breakwater is completed.
19 February 2008: Cinnovation
Group has acquired a 37,000 square metres (400,000 sq ft) island as part of a project valued at $200 million
USD.
Guest and residential villas and a hospitality complex are planned.
Artificial archipelagos, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
25 February 2008:
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre will establish a 6,000 square metres (65,000 sq ft) pearling and marine entertainment center in association with Paspaley Pearling
Corporation. It will be located on an island in the
Antarctic region of The World.
28 December 2008:
Turkey island was bought by Turkey's
MNG Holdings in June 2008 for $19 million USD.
28 December 2008:
China's Zhongzhou
International will be developing a hotel resort on Shanghai island.
28 December 2008: Nakheel says 70 percent of The World has been sold.
September 2008:Dubai's
Limitless announced plans in September 2008 to develop a $161 million USD wellness resort on an island in "
Siberia".
Pearl Dubai paid $27.2 million USD for a 1,600,000-square-foot (
150,000 m2) island nearby.
October 2009: An Emirates
Business report on
13 October 2009 that 2 islands were sold in July and
August 2009.
December 2009: Dubai based
Kleindienst Group say they will start construction of the
Heart of
Europe in early 2010 according to a press report of
17 December 2009.
Islands include
Austria,
Germany,
Netherlands,
St Petersburg,
Sweden and
Switzerland.
January 2010: On
28 January 2010 Emirates Business reported that
Major Trade have started development of their projects on an island in the
Greenland area, a villa and hotel resort.
23 February 2010: Dubai-based Kleindienst Group starts work on the Germany island of The World, according to
a press release on 24 February 2010.
The World islands map, annotated with existing developments
17 July
2012:
The Royal Island Beach Club opened on
Lebanon Island.
10 June
2013: Construction begins on the island
Taiwan.
10 December 2013: Nakheel announces plans to connect the islands with a road.
As of July 2012, a second island, the Lebanon Island was developed and was 'the only island that has so far been developed commercially, is used for private corporate events
and public parties.'
- published: 18 Feb 2014
- views: 221544