The World

“The World,” a series of 300 man-made islands 4km (21⁄2 miles) off the coast of Dubai, is protected by an oval breakwater and situated to form the shape of a map. It was designed by UAE developer Nakheel Properties, which is also responsible for the Palm Islands project, at a cost of roughly $14 billion. Each of the islands ranges in size from 23,000 to 84,000 sq. m (247,569–904,168 sq. ft.), with 50 to 100m (164–328 ft.) of water between them, and are being sold at a mere $15 to $45 million. Although the developer won’t release the names, it’s reported that prospective buyers have included Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Rod Stewart, and Tommy Lee.

Reachable only by boat or helicopter, “the World” is a tourist and residential development with construction on the individual islands tailored to the owners’ wishes. With land reclamation almost complete as of press time, the islands are being turned over to their new owners in 2008.

New projects seem to be announced every day. Here are a number of key developments underway:

The Arabian Canal will link the Dubai Marina with the new Dubai Waterfront, facilitating the expansion of more waterfront communities. The $11-billion project envisions a 75km (47-mile) man-made waterway, which will flow inland from Dubai Waterfront, passing to the east of the new Dubai World Central International Airport before turning back toward Palm Jumeirah.