If you’ve ever flown into Dubai International Airport, you may have seen a group of islands that resemble a miniature map of the world.
Floating in the Persian Gulf, around three miles off the coast of Dubai, there are 300 man-made islands spread across around 232km of shoreline.
The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, intended to create a miniature map of the world to attract visitors and investors, and also multiply Dubai’s beachfront.
Construction on The World Islands began in 2003 with an estimated cost of at least $14 billion (£10.6 billion).
Dubai’s state-backed developers brought in some 320 million cubic metres of sand before the project was halted due to the 2008 financial crisis.
Several individuals connected to the islands went bankrupt, and one was sent to jail, reports The Telegraph.
In 2011, a lawyer for Nakheel Properties, the group overseeing the islands, admitted that the project was ‘in a coma’.
While many of the islands are empty, slowly, over the years, some have opened up to tourists.
Floating in the Persian Gulf, around three miles off the coast of Dubai, there are 300 man-made islands spread across around 232km of shoreline
Construction on The World Islands began in 2003 with an estimated construction cost upwards of $14billion (£10.6billion)
Pictured: An aerial view of Lebanon Island, one of The World Islands
In July 2012, Lebanon Island was the only island that had so far been developed commercially, being used for private corporate events and public parties.
One of the most prominent and ambitious developments on the islands is the Heart of Europe.
Led by Austrian developer Josef Kleindienst, he purchased the island representing his homeland in 2007.
He then decided to purchase five more: Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Monaco and St Petersburg.
This project features six themed islands in the shape of a heart, named after European countries.
Across the temperature-controlled and car-free islands, there are sandy beaches, luxury hotels, leisure facilities and boutiques with artificial snow, rain and green mountains.
What’s more, Euros are the only accepted currency.
When the archipelago is fully completed, all the islands will be connected with bridges.
While many of the islands are empty, slowly, over the years, some have opened up to tourists
While the developments are slow-moving, it seems that Dubai’s World Island project is having a revival as tourists trickle in
Another of the resorts which is already open is the Anantara World Islands, which had its soft launch in 2022.
Unlike the Heart of Europe, the Anantara World Islands doesn’t have any geographical theming.
While the developments are slow-moving, it seems that Dubai’s World Island project is having a revival as tourists trickle in.
