The World (archipelago)

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The development's logo

The World is a man-made archipelago of 300 islands constructed in the rough shape of a map of the landmasses of the Earth, located 4 kilometres off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[1] The World islands are composed mainly of sand dredged from Dubai's shallow coastal waters, and is one of several artificial island developments in Dubai.[1] The World's developer is Nakheel Properties; the project was originally conceived by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.

The Times Online reports in 2009 that work on The World had been suspended due to the effects of the global financial crisis.[2][3]

Contents

[edit] Project

Islands in the archipelago range from 14,000 square metres (150,000 sq ft) to 42,000 square metres (450,000 sq ft) in area.[1] Distances between islands average 100 metres.[1] The entire development covers an area 9 km in length and 6 km in width, surrounded by an oval-shaped breakwater island. Roughly 232 kilometres (144 mi) of shoreline was created.[1] The World's overall development costs were estimated at $14 billion USD in 2005. Individual islands have been sold for prices ranging between $15-$50 million dollars USD,[1][4] with one island known to have been offered for sale at a price of $250 million USD.

[edit] History

The project was unveiled in May 2003 by Sheikh Mohammed[4] and dredging began four months later in September 2003.[4] By January 2008, 60% of the islands were sold, 20 of which were bought in the first four months of 2007.[1][4] On 10 January 2008 the final stone on the breakwater was laid, completing development of the archipelago.[4] As of November, 2009, commercial and residential properties are not currently being constructed on purchased islands.[4]

The Times Online reports in 2009 that work on The World had been suspended due to the effects of the global financial crisis.[2][3]

The Irish businessman John O'Dolan, who purchased "Ireland" and the "English" islands, committed suicide in February 2009[5], after his consortium fell into financial difficulty.[6]

[edit] Concept

The World was serviced by four major transportation hubs linked by waterways. Land parcels are zoned for various uses: estate, mid density, high density, resorts and commercial. [7] 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. [8]

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.[7]

[edit] Confirmed sub-developments

Applications-development current.svg
 This article or section contains information about a structure currently under construction.
It may contain information of a speculative nature, and the content may change dramatically and frequently as construction progresses and new information becomes available.


The World's model island and first structure
  • 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.[9]
  • The second largest confirmed development is the purchase of 14 islands that make up Australia and New Zealand by Investment Dar of Kuwait. The islands are being terraformed to be developed as a resort named OQYANA.[10]
  • Irish business consortium Larionovo has plans to develop the Ireland island into an Irish-themed resort.[11] 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. However on 25th November 2008 a provisional liquidator was appointed to Larionovo.[12]
  • Cinnovation Group has acquired a 37,000 square metres (400,000 sq ft) island as part of a project valued at $200 million USD. Guest and residential villas and a hospitality complex are planned.[13]
  • Dubai Multi Commodities Centre will establish a 6,000 square metres (65,000 sq ft) 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.[14]
  • 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.[15]
  • The islands of Great Britain and Moscow on The World were acquired by Premier Real Estate Bureau in the Summer of 2008. The news was leaked in a Daily Mail article of January 2009, refuting claims that Great Britain was owned by Irish investor John Dolan, Richard Branson or Rod Stewart. [16] Safi Qurashi, the multi-millionaire entrepreneur at the head of Premier has received a lot of interest as the new owner of Great Britain, following his appearance on a UK ITV1 Piers Morgan show about Dubai. Coming from humble roots in South London, the "Balham Boy" and his business partner Mustafa Nagri, paid an estimated $64 million USD for the 11 acre piece of land. Premier are planning to build a sustainable community on the island. British soul singer Mica Paris was submerged off the coast of the Great Britain island in March 2009 to promote fresh water charity Fresh2o.[17]
  • 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 1,600,000-square-foot (149,000 m2) island nearby.[8]
  • Turkey island was bought by Turkey's MNG Holdings in June 2008 for just under $20 million USD.[8]
  • Chinas's Zhongzhou International will be developing a hotel resort on Shanghai island. The island was bought for Dh102 million ($12.7 million USD)[8]

[edit] Unconfirmed and celebrity developments and rumours

Undeveloped islands on 1 May 2007

Since the project's commencement, there have been many unconfirmed reports of celebrities who have purchased, or intend to purchase, islands.

  • 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.[19]

[edit] See also

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: The World

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Dubai's Palm and World Islands - progress update". AMEInfo. 2007-10-04. http://www.ameinfo.com/133896.html. Retrieved 2008-02-02. 
  2. ^ a b "Credit crunch signals end of The World for Dubai’s multi-billion dollar property deal". Times Online UK. September 12, 2009. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article6831481.ece. Retrieved 2009-11-28. 
  3. ^ a b Johann Hari (2009-04-07). "The dark side of Dubai". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/the-dark-side-of-dubai-1664368.html. Retrieved 2009-05-16. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f "The World islands in Dubai complete". ArabianBusiness.com. 2008-01-10. http://www.arabianbusiness.com/507983-the-world-islands-in-dubai-completed. Retrieved 2008-02-02. 
  5. ^ "Funeral today of property developer". http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0303/breaking10.htm. 
  6. ^ "Extravagant Dubai island project sinks under weight of the credit crunch". http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/extravagant-dubai-island-project-sinks-under-weight-of-the-credit-crunch-1884856.html. 
  7. ^ a b Nakheel. "The World Video Gallery". http://www.theworld.ae/videoGallery.html. 
  8. ^ a b c d The National Newspaper. "‘The World’ three-quarters sold out". http://thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081228/BUSINESS/732728603/-1/SPORT. 
  9. ^ "Nakheel unveils super-luxury resort at Coral Island of The World". National Media Council UAE. 2007-03-05. http://uaeinteract.com/docs/Nakheel_unveils_super-luxury_resort_at_Coral_Island_of_The_World/25125.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-26. 
  10. ^ "Nakheel sells Australasia segment of The World". AsiaTravelTips.com. 2005-04-13. http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/134-TheWorld.shtml. Retrieved 2006-12-29. 
  11. ^ "The Island of Ireland". http://www.theislandofireland.com/. Retrieved 2007-07-23. 
  12. ^ "Larionovo". http://www.larionovo.com/. 
  13. ^ "Cinnovation acquires Nova Island on The World". Europe Real Estate Publishers. 2008-02-19. http://www.europe-re.com/system/main.php?pageid=2343&articleid=10631. Retrieved 2008-03-07. 
  14. ^ "Dubai unveils 'Pearls of Arabia' at The World". AMEInfo. 2008-02-25. http://www.ameinfo.com/148011.html. Retrieved 2008-03-07. 
  15. ^ "World's Finland and Brunei to be hub of fashion". Emirates Business 24|7. 2008-04-24. http://www.business24-7.ae/articles/2008/4/pages/worldhub.aspx. Retrieved 2008-04-27. 
  16. ^ "Homesick Balham boy buys Britain-shaped island for £43m". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1120695/Homesick-Balham-boy-buys-Britain-shaped-island-43m--8211-London-pub.html. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 
  17. ^ "Buxom Mica Paris flaunts her curves as she takes a dip in clinging gown on charity shoot in Dubai". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1162585/Buxom-Mica-Paris-flaunts-curves-takes-dip-clinging-gown-charity-shoot-Dubai.html. Retrieved 2009-08-04. 
  18. ^ "Sir Richard Branson 'Stakes his Claim' on The World in Dubai". AsiaTravelTips.com. 2006-03-30. http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news06/303-TheWorld.shtml. Retrieved 2006-12-29. 
  19. ^ "Vijay 'Singhs' Dubai's praises during visit to Nakheel developments". Property World Middle East. 2006-01-30. http://www.propertyworldme.com/content/html/1169.asp. Retrieved 2006-12-27. 
  20. ^ "Schumacher given an island by Dubai prince". Yahoo! Sport. 2006-10-24. http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/24102006/13/schumacher-given-island-dubai-prince.html. Retrieved 2006-12-29. 
  21. ^ "Brangelina buy island in shape of Ethiopia". Ninemsn entertainment. 2007-11-15. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=323045. Retrieved 2007-11-15. 

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 25°13′00″N 55°10′00″E / 25.2166667°N 55.1666667°E / 25.2166667; 55.1666667

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