In one of the most ambitious civil engineering projects ever, the United Arab Emirates company, Nakheel Properties is constructing four enormous man-made islands off the coast of Dubai.
Three islands are in the shape of a palm tree with a number of fronds radiating from a central trunk and capped by a crescent which doubles as a breakwater. They will each house a number of residential homes plus hotels and entertainment complexes.
The first palm island, the Palm Jumeirah was started in 2001 and when completed will have over 4,000 homes and 32 hotels. It measures roughly 5 kilometres square with 78 kilometres of beach.
Construction started on the second palm island, the Palm Jebel Ali in 2002 and when completed it will be half as big again as the Palm Jumeirah.
As well as houses and hotels, the Palm Jebel Ali will also have six marinas and the four "Worlds of Discovery" theme parks announced by Busch Entertainment Corporation.
The third palm island, the Palm Deira announced in 2004 will be eight times the size of the original Palm Jumeirah and has the potential to house one million people making it the world's largest man-made island.
Alongside the Palm Jebel Ali will be the massive Dubai Waterfront with more housing and business districts that will stretch out from the mainland and arc around the Palm Jebel Ali.
