The World

The World is a collection of 300 man-made islands in the shape of the world map located 4km from Dubai's coast. The development can only be reached by boat, seaplane, or helicopter.

About 320 million cubic metres of sand have been used to create the islands, which will range in size from 150,000 square feet to 450,000 square feet, with the average island measuring approximately 300,000 square feet. The average distance between islands is 100 metres.

Land reclamation on the World is nearly complete and should be finished in 2008, when the first investors will begin constructing their developments. Most of the islands are now in place and these will add 232km of beachfront, albeit exclusive, to Dubai's coastline.

Sales of the individual islands are by invitation only. As of May 2007, 45 per cent of the World had been sold, including 20 islands in the first four months of 2007. The cost of an island ranges between $15-$45m.

A number of celebrities have been rumoured to have bought into the project, including former Motley Crue member Tommy Lee, who is reported to have purchased the island of Greece for his former wife Pamela Anderson. Reports have also linked UK celebrities Rod Stewart and David Beckham to the project, but neither of these has been