The World (archipelago)

The World Islands (Arabic: جزر العالم, romanized: Juzur al-Ālam) are a group of small artificial islands built to look like a world map. They are in the Persian Gulf, near Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. The islands were made mostly from sand from Dubai's shallow waters.

The islands were built by a company called Nakheel Properties. Two Dutch companies, Van Oord and Boskalis, did the building work. They also built the famous Palm Jumeirah.

Building the 300 islands began in 2003 but stopped because of the 2008 financial crisis. By 2008, about 60% of the islands were sold, but most were not built yet. As of July 2012, only one island, called Lebanon Island, was finished and used for special events. By late 2013, only two islands had been developed. In early 2014, a new project called "the Heart of Europe" began, focusing on islands shaped like Europe, Sweden, and Germany.

The World Project

The World Islands are a group of small islands made to look like the world map. They are in the Persian Gulf near Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Each island is from about 0.35 to 4 hectares (about 0.9 to 10 acres) in size and is made from sand and rock.

The islands are arranged into seven groups that show the continents: Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Oceania. Each island is named after a country, landmark, or region, like France, California, Rio de Janeiro, and Australia.

History

The World Islands are small artificial islands shaped like a world map. They are in the Persian Gulf near Dubai, United Arab Emirates. People made them by moving sand from Dubai’s shallow waters. The project started in May 2003 and by January 2008, 60% of the islands were sold. The last part of the islands’ protective wall was finished in January 2008.

Work on the islands slowed down after the 2008 financial crisis. Some reports said the islands were sinking, but the builders said this was not true. Only a few islands have been used so far. One island, called Lebanon Island, is used for special events and parties. Plans for more buildings and resorts were made, but many of these plans have faced delays or changes due to money problems and other challenges.

Timeline of construction

See also: List of Developments on The World Islands

• In May 2003, Nakheel announced plans for The World, expecting it to be finished by 2008. It was meant to have 200 islands.
• In February 2004, the plan grew to 260 islands, each with space for buildings, and water between them.

• In April 2005, half of the sand needed was collected, and 88 islands were built.
• By December 2006, most of the land was ready.
• In October 2007, sales began for some islands, like Ireland and Shanghai.
• By January 2008, the outer wall around the islands was done.
• In February 2008, a company bought an island for $200 million to build villas and a hotel.
• In September 2008, plans for a wellness resort were announced for an island named “Siberia”.
• In December 2008, several more islands, including Turkey and China’s Shanghai island, were sold.
• By October 2009, two more islands were sold.
• In December 2009, building work was set to start on islands representing parts of Europe.
• In January 2010, building began on an island for Greenland.
• In July 2012, a beach club opened on Lebanon Island.
• In May 2013, building on the European islands could continue after a settlement.
• In June 2013, work started on an island for Taiwan.
• In July 2013, more islands were sold, helping the project move forward.
• In December 2013, plans were made to connect the islands with roads.
• In January 2014, building continued on the European islands.
• By December 2016, big steps were taken to build facilities on the European islands.
• In January 2022, a hotel opened on the World Islands.