10 of the world's most amazing artificial islands: 3 in Dubai
Dubai has bagged three spots on a new list by Weather.com that lists the world’s most amazing artificial islands.
The Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands have taken two spots, which are grouped with the Burj Al Arab, which we guess, can qualify as an archipelago, according to some.
Also making it to the list is Bahrain’s stunning Amwaj Islands project.
Here’s a look the top 10 list:
The Palm Jumeirah
Named after its shape, The Palm Jumeirah is developer Nakheel’s jewel in the crown, with this artificial archipelago now home to some of the world’s top notch hotels and celebrity homes – think the Beckhams and Shah Rukh Khan.
With 16 fronds that boast luxurious beachfront villas, the island also has a surrounding 6.8 mile crescent as a natural breakwater.
Why we love it? What’s not to love.
The World Islands
Another Nakheel project, as its name suggests, The World Islands comprises a group of archipelagos designed in the shape of a map.
The islands are situated approximately 4kms off the coastline, with the only way to reach the islands is by air or sea.
Currently, Lebanon Island has a beach club that hosts corporate events and parties for the UAE’s VVIPs.
Burj Al Arab island
It it’s ranked as the world’s best hotel then what better way to commemorate that title than by giving it its own island.
The Burj Al Aran hotel is housed on an artificial land mass that has been built a little over 900 feet from the coastline.
It was three year tedious task to reclaim this land from the sea, with another three years to bring the hotel to its majestic glory, towering over 1,000 feet.
Today with countless awards to its name, the sail-shaped hotel is the jewel in the crown of Dubai.
Amwaj Islands
If Dubai could do it, would Bahrain be far behind?
This group of man-made islands is similar to The Palm Jumeirah, housing five-star hotels ad sprawling beachfront properties across its 30m square feet of land.
The Amwaj Islands was a pioneering project in Bahrain for being the first to offer 100 per cent freehold land ownership to expatriates living in the Kingdom.
Islands of Uros, Peru
Islands of reed is the foundation of these floating masses.
Before you go, what now? The Uros inhabitants of Peru live on these islands that are made of reed that grows along the edges of Lake Titicaca, Puno.
The Uros harvested the reeds, bundled them together tightly and built floating island platforms.
Seeing it is believing it.
Danube Island, Austria
As much as you know Austria for its picturesque beauty, what really stands out is this stunning strip of an island in the midst of the Danube river.
Housing some of the best nightlife and music festivals this city has seen, the island was actually built in the early 1970s as part of Vienna’s flood protection system.
Excavation material was piled between the New Danube and the river bed to create 13 miles of artificial island, followed by the plantation of millions of trees to give it that picturesque feel.
Peberholm, Denmark
Built as a haven for preserving the world’s ecosystem, this island is home to registered 454 species of plants, along with nearly 10 breeding species of birds and rare spiders.
The island was built as an extension by the Danish as part of the Oresund Bridge project that connects Denmark with Sweden.
With no humans inhabiting the island, it is a pure slice of ecosystem that has allowed nature to run riot with its beauty.
Kamfers Dam, South Africa
If Dubai has Ras Al Khor’s strip of an island for the hundred thousands of flamingos that pass through yearly, South Africa does one better with the Kamfers Dam.
The S shaped island was specifically built as a breeding haven for over 50,000 flamingos that pass through the waters.
However, ecologists are predicting that rising levels of waters and the its deteriorating quality has put this island at risk.
Ile aux Cygnes, France
Before New York’s famous Statue of Liberty (which incidentally was a gift from France), the original Lady stood in Paris, on Ile aux Cygnes or the Isle of Swans.
Situated on the Seine river, the island was formed in 1872 to protect the port of Grenelle.
A tree-lined walkway runs the length of the island, with Lady Liberty perched at the tip, facing west.
Thilafushi, The Maldives
Whne you think Maldives, only picturesque and luxurious island hideaways is what comes to mind for most.
But amongst the 200 islands inhabited also exists Thilafushi, an artificial island built on reclaimed coral reefs in 1992.
For locals, the place is simply called ‘Garbage Island’, which is home to a landfill to dump waste.
In 2005 it was estimated that 31,000 truckloads of garbage are transported to Thilafushi annually. The stench, we wonder?