The World Islands are an archipelago of artificial islands in the shape of a world map, located in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The islands were developed by Nakheel Properties and were originally conceived by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.
The World Islands Dubai are composed of sand dredged from Dubai’s shallow coastal waters. They range in size from 1.4 to 4.2 hectares (3.5 to 10.4 acres) and are separated by an average of 100 meters (110 yards). The total development covers an area of 6 by 9 kilometers (3.7 by 5.6 mi) and includes roughly 232 km (144 mi) of shoreline.
The World Islands were originally planned to be a luxury real estate development, with each island being developed into a private resort or residential community. However, the project has been slow to develop, and only a handful of islands have been completed.
In recent years, the World Islands have become a popular tourist destination, with visitors able to take boat tours of the islands or even stay on some of the completed islands.
Some of the most notable islands in the World Islands include:
Lebanon
This island is home to a luxury resort complex with hotels, villas, and a marina.
Island Michael Schumacher
This island was gifted to Formula One champion Michael Schumacher by the ruler of Dubai. It is currently undeveloped.
The Heart of Europe
This group of islands is themed after European countries, such as Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. It is home to a number of resorts and villas.
Clarence Island
This island is home to the Anantara World Islands Resort, a Thai-inspired luxury resort.
The future of the World Islands is uncertain. The project has been plagued by financial problems, and it is unclear whether all of the islands will ever be developed. However, the islands have the potential to be a major tourist destination, and they could eventually become a popular real estate investment.