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).
