The World Islands

The World Islands

The World Islands are a series of man-made islands shaped like the continents of the Earth, dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World." They are being constructed offshore from Dubai and are developed and owned by Nakheel Properties, a Dubai-based corporation. Located 4.1 kilometers from the coast of Jumeirah and adjacent to the Palm Jumeirah, the islands are positioned between the Burj Al Arab and Port Rashid in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The World Islands are sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Palm World Islands.

This artificial archipelago near Dubai is truly a geographical marvel. Comprising 300 small private islands designed in the shape of the world’s continents, the project is divided into four categories: private homes, residential villages, holiday resorts, and community islands. The overall development was largely completed by 2008. Spanning 9 kilometers in length and 6 kilometers in width, the World Islands cover an area ranging from 250,000 to 900,000 square feet. Each island is separated by at least 164 feet of water and is encircled by oval-shaped breakwaters. The only means of access to the islands are by boat or helicopter, with the construction cost of each island estimated at around twenty-five million US dollars.