So, how did the islands come to be? Dredging sand from the Persian and Arabian Gulf floors, the sand was then sprayed and "vibro-compacted" into form using GPS technology for precision and enclosed by millions of tons of rock for protection. The resulting structure is an island paradise.
Dubai has been called the Manhattan of the Middle East because it is such a futuristic city. With its tall buildings and huge infrastructure projects, it's no wonder people are moving here from all over the world. However, the city is also having problems with its water supply; there is a shortage of water in some areas of the country!
But this isn't the only unique thing about Dubai. The city has three separate climate zones at different temperatures worldwide so individuals can live without clothes during the hot summer months.
People have also compared Dubai to a giant casino because there are many casinos in the city. But instead of playing games of chance, you can play games of skill in them! There are hundreds of poker tables in Dubai where you can play Texas hold 'em or Omaha high-low split pots.
In fact, gambling is so popular in Dubai that there are even gambling apps that you can use your phone or tablet for. You can play games of poker, blackjack, roulette, and more!
1. It is constructed of millions of tons of rock and sand. While the desert emirate is surrounded by sand, the island was formed from 120 million cubic meters of sand scraped from the seabed. This makes Dubai a sea-levelled city.
2. Water plays an important role in the construction of Dubai, as well as its future survival. The city is built on islands connected by bridges of sand which can be washed away at any time. Even if all the other islands were to disappear, Dubai would still be able to sustain itself because it has enough oil reserves to fuel its economy for many years to come.
3. The scarcity of water is one of the major problems facing Dubai today. Most homes are using up to 15,000 gallons of water per year even though only three percent of them have water rights. The other 97% are overusing their water supply with no hope of getting caught for illegal connections or other violations.
4. Dubai's government has announced plans to become completely water-independent by 2020, although this may not be possible since some services may need to be provided by electricity instead. The goal is to reduce consumption to below 9500 million gallons per year by 2020, compared to about 170 million gallons per day today.
In an unexpected twist, the construction of massive sand islands has the potential to alter an ecosystem. The huge excavation necessary to develop the island has severely altered the Persian Gulf's wave, temperature, and erosion patterns, killing a square mile of coral. When completed, the island will be home to luxury resorts, a marina, golf courses, and more.
Palm Island was announced by Sheikh Mohammed in January 2014, just months after he declared a "permanent ban on new building projects on land owned by government agencies." The ban is intended to preserve natural resources for future generations. It also prevents further encroachment into the Persian Gulf's delicate ecosystem.
Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad Al Maktoum announced the first phase of Palm Island in August 2015. The $1 billion project will include a city with skyscrapers up to 160 feet high built from white sand and blue water. The aim is to provide world-class facilities within a 5-minute drive from every home on the island.
In November 2016, another major development was announced on Palm Island: a theme park called World Islands Resort & Theme Park. It will feature rides, games, and live entertainment and will take visitors back in time through old Arabian cities and across ancient desert routes.
The entire project is expected to be complete by 2020.