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The World (archipelago)
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The World is a man-made archipelago of 300 islands constructed in the shape of a world map and located four kilometres off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The World is one of several artificial island developments in Dubai. Like the other artificial island projects such as the Palm Islands, The World was built primarily using sand dredged from the sea. Development was by Nakheel Properties and originally conceived by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.
Islands in the archipelago range from about 14,000 m² (150,000 square feet) to 42,000 m².
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Encyclopedia
The World is a man-made archipelago of 300 islands constructed in the shape of a world map and located four kilometres off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The World is one of several artificial island developments in Dubai. Like the other artificial island projects such as the Palm Islands, The World was built primarily using sand dredged from the sea. Development was by Nakheel Properties and originally conceived by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.
Islands in the archipelago range from about 14,000 m² (150,000 square feet) to 42,000 m². Distance between islands is an average of 100 metres. The entire development covers an area 9 km in length and 6 km in width, surrounded by an oval breakwater. Roughly 232 km of shoreline were created. Overall development cost of The World was estimated to be $14 billion USD in 2005. As for individual islands, prices have ranged between $15 and $50 million USD with one island offered for sale at a price of $250 million USD.
The project was unveiled in May 2003 by Sheikh Mohammed and dredging began four months later in September 2003. By January 2008, 60% of the islands were sold, 20 of which were bought in the first four months of 2007. On 10 January 2008 the final stone on the breakwater was laid, completing development of the archipelago. Commercial and residential properties are being constructed on purchased islands.
Concept
The World is serviced by four major transportation hubs linked by waterways. Land parcels are zoned for various uses: estate, mid density, high density, resorts and commercial. A Dubai Infinity Holdings construction planner has stated that developers have been negotiating with Nakheel about temporary siting of a cement batching plant on one of the islands to supply subdivided construction.
Utilities are routed underwater, with water plants at each of the hubs pumping fresh water to the islands. Power is supplied by the Dubai Grid and distributed through underwater cables. Waste water and refuse systems are an individual concern for each island.
Confirmed Sub-Developments
- Nakheel Group is itself further developing a resort named Coral Island over 20 islands that make up the North American part of The World. The low-rise development will include a marina and hotel village.
- The second largest confirmed development is the purchase of 14 islands that make up Australia and New Zealand by Investment Dar. The islands are being terraformed to be developed as a resort named OQYANA.
- Irish business consortium Larionovo has plans to develop the Ireland island into an Irish-themed resort. The plans include a large internal marina, apartments and villas, a gym, hotel, and an Irish-themed pub. In July 2007 it was announced that the Ireland Island would feature a recreation of Northern Ireland's famous Giants Causeway.
- Cinnovation Group has acquired a island as part of a project valued at $200 million USD. Guest and residential villas and a hospitality complex are planned.
- Dubai Multi Commodities Centre will establish a 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.
- In April 2008, Salya Corporation announced that it had acquired the islands of Finland and Brunei in The World and planned to develop them into fashion-themed resorts. Salya spent about Dh800 million ($218 million USD) to purchase the islands and plans to spend a further Dh2.4 billion ($654 million USD) on development. Brunei Island will be turned into a Fashion TV resort and Finland Island will be turned into a fashion community called FTV palace.
- In September 2008, a group of ten Irish investors headed by John O'Dolan bought the Great Britain island.
- 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 island nearby.
- Turkey island was bought by Turkey's MNG Holdings in June 2008 for $9.2 million USD.
- Chinas's Zhongzhou International will be developing a hotel resort on Shanghai island. The island was bought for Dh102 million ($12.7 million USD)
Unconfirmed and Celebrity Developments and Rumours
Since the project's commencement, there have been many unconfirmed reports of celebrities who have purchased, or intend to purchase, islands.
- In 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.
- 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 however involved with another Nakheel Properties development in Jumeirah on the Dubai mainland.
- On 24 October 2006 seven-time Formula 1 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]."
- British superstars Rod Stewart and David Beckham have also been rumoured to have bought into this project, but neither of these have been confirmed. Beckham does own a villa on the nearby Palm Jumeirah.
- On 3 May 2007 Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee announced that he was buying the Greece Island for Pamela Anderson, his ex-wife and the mother of their two children. Lee said he chose the island because of his own Greek heritage, and he hopes Pam, the kids and he can spend time there together.
See also
External links
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