In recent decades, Dubai has been striking in the miracles of modern engineering: the world's highest Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the most luxurious Burj-Arab Hotel and the unique artificial island of Palm-Jumeira along the coastline.
However, not all ambitious projects ended successfully.
20 years ago, the construction of an artificial archipelago of 260 islands began in Dubai, which were supposed to resemble the continents of the Earth.
The islands were named after different countries, cities and famous people, such as Australia, Buenos Aires, Michael Schumacher Island.
The archipelago was called The World, the World.
However, in 20 years, only a few of these "countries" are inhabited.
Why failed to implement an ambitious project, which was spent $ 15 billion? The World is about 4 km from the Dubai coast.
The project was conceived as a luxurious residential and tourist complex, where each island had to offer acquaintance with different cultures of the world. Some islands were planned as private residences, while others should have hotels, restaurants, resorts, villas and other amenities.
Dubai authorities were counting on the support of private investors. Nakheel, the largest state developer of Dubai, was developed.
They have just completed the construction of Palm-Jumeira's artificial island with 4000 luxurious real estate and dozens of hotels.
The World was to become an even more ambitious project, increasing the length of the city beaches by about 230 kilometers.
It was expected that it would also increase the flow of tourists.
The project was announced in 2003 by the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
In the same year, Nakheel started working on The World's project.
With the help of special ships, four kilometers from the shore, they sow 260 new islands.
This required 321 million cubic meters of sea sand (the sand from the desert was not suitable due to rapid blurry) and millions of tons of stones.
Ecologists have stated that the underwater works have caused damage to the coral reefs in the Persian Gulf. However, Nakheel hired marine biologists to restore and rehab them.
Nakheel completed construction in 2008 and reported that she sold 70% of the islands to private developers.
However, the work on the islands stopped due to the financial crisis, which began in Dubai in 2007 and lasted until 2010. Dubai real estate prices have fallen significantly, forcing many developers to suspend or cancel their plans.
Nakheel has accumulated billions of debts. The company was only solved in 2009 when Dubai received a $ 10 billion loan from Abu Dhabi. Some of this money went to Nakheel's debt.
To draw attention to the project, Nakheel has placed an exhibition building on Lapland Island and presented one of the World Cup islands of Formula-1 Michael Schumacher in recognition of his success.
In 2012, the Royal Island Beach Club opened on the island of Lebanon.
And in 2022, the resort of Anantara World Islands was launched with hotel rooms, luxury, villas and spa.
However, the rest of the islands remain empty. "One of the great problems The World is that, unlike other artificial islands, it has no physical connection with Dubai," says Alastoter Bonnett, Professor of Geography at Newcastle University.
"There is neither a bridge nor a road connection that can be reached by car islands."
This means that it is difficult for developers to deliver workers and materials to construction sites, as well as provide the islands with water and electricity.
The only transport that visitors can get to the islands is a steam.
For the last ten years, the project has been engaged in the largest European developer in the UAE Kleindienst Group.
They created the Heart of Europe Complex in the Archipelago - a series of luxurious hotels, private estates and European -style floating villas.
The highlight of the complex was the street, where visitors in too hot weather will be able to stroll in artificial rain.
The complex is planned to open in 2026. Initially, it was assumed that each island would have its own electricity and water, but it turned out to be expensive and impractical.
Therefore, Nakheel wants to combine all 260 islands into continents so that they have joint drainage and other communications.
