The
World is one of the most ambitious modern developments
- 300 man made islands in the shape of the world
map off the coast of Dubai. The development is
completely dredged from the sea and is so large
that it is visible from space. The World, which
was the brainchild of Sheikh Muhammed Bin Rashid
Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, is to Dubai what
the Pyramids were to Egypt - an amazing feat of
imagination, and mega engineering.
Each
island ranges from 23,000 m² to 84,000 m²
(250,000–900,000 square feet or 5.74–20.66
acres) in size, with 50–100 m of water between
each island. The development will cover an area
of 9 km in length and 6 km in width, surrounded
by an oval breakwater. The only means of transport
between the islands will be by boat and helicopter.
Prices for the islands range from $15 million
(USD) to $45 million (USD). The average price
for an island is around $25 million (USD). Dredging
started in 2004 and in March of 2007 The World
was around 90% complete.
It
is owned and is being constructed by Nakheel Properties
(Nakheel Corp.)
It
will be located 4.1 km off the shore of Jumeirah,
close to Palm Jumeirah, between Burj Al Arab and
Port Rashid of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The
World is sometimes mistakenly referred to as The
Palm World. It is also known as the Globe Islands.
Unconfirmed
developments
Since the project's commencement, there have been
many unconfirmed reports of celebrities who have
purchased, or intend to purchase, an island.
At
the end of March 2006, Richard Branson appeared
at a media conference on the "Great Britain"
island; however this was to announce direct London-Dubai
flights by Virgin Atlantic, and was not related
to him investing in any of the islands.
Fijian
golfer Vijay Singh has been linked to the archipelago,
but it is not confirmed that he has bought or
intends to buy an island - he is involved with
another Nakheel Properties development at Jumeirah
on the Dubai mainland.
On
October 24, 2006 Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion
Michael Schumacher was presented with one of the
islands by Dubai’s Crown Prince General
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Schumacher's
manager Willi Weber suggested, "Perhaps he'll
build a kart racing track on [the island]."
British
celebrities Rod Stewart and David Beckham have
also been rumoured to have bought into this project,
but neither of these have been confirmed. Beckham
does however own a villa on the nearby Palm Jumeirah
development.
Confirmed developments
One of the few confirmed developments is the purchase
of 14 islands that make up Australia and New Zealand
by Investment Dar. The islands are being terraformed
to the investors specifications to create 19 islands,
to be developed as a resort named OQYANA.
It
was reported on 16 March 2007 that the 'Ireland'
island had been bought by an Irish business consortium,
Larionovo. There are plans to develop 119 units,
by 2010, which will be built using imported Irish
granite and limestone. (Credit: Wikipedia).
