&sq=&lang=&file=File:Artificial_Archipelagos,_Dubai,_United_Arab_Emirates_ISS022-E-024940_lrg_(cropped_to_The_World).jpg) View of the World in 2010 | |
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | United Arab Emirates |
| Coordinates | 25°13′00″N 55°10′00″E / 25.21667°N 55.16667°E |
| Archipelago | The World |
| Length | 9 km (5.6 mi) |
| Width | 6 km (3.7 mi) |
| Administration | |
United Arab Emirates | |
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&sq=&lang=&file=File:The_world_Dubai.jpg)
The World Islands (Arabic: جزر العالم; Juzur al-Ālam) are an archipelago of small artificial islands constructed in the shape of a world map, located in the waters of the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[1] The World Islands are composed mainly of sand dredged from Dubai's shallow coastal waters and are one of several artificial island developments in the emirate.[1] The World's developer is Nakheel Properties, and the project was originally conceived by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. Construction was done by two Dutch joint-venture specialist companies, Van Oord and Boskalis. The same companies also created the Palm Jumeirah.
Construction of the 300 islands began in 2003, before being halted due to the 2007–2008 financial crisis.[2] Though 60% of the islands were sold to private contractors in 2008, development on most of the project has not started.[3] As of July 2012, Lebanon Island was completed and was the only island that had so far been developed commercially, being used for private corporate events and public parties. As of late 2013, only two of the islands had been developed. In January 2014, Kleindienst Group announced the launch of "the Heart of Europe" project.[4] By February 2014, JK Properties, one of Kleindienst Group's brands, announced that the project was "well underway".[5] The first of these series of islands will be Europe, Sweden, and Germany, with development led by Kleindienst Group.
- ^ a b "Dubai's Palm and World Islands – progress update". AMEInfo. 4 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
- ^ Spencer, Richard (28 January 2011). "'The World' is sinking". Stuff.
- ^ Schaffer, Sierra (23 May 2016). "The "World" Is Sinking Back Into the Sea, Dubai's World Islands That Is – TechMalak". TechMalak. Archived from the original on 24 May 2016.
- ^ "Phase two of The Heart of Europe project launched". Khaleej Times. 17 December 2014.
- ^ "Work continues to progress at a pace on the heart of Europe". JK Properties. February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2014.