Palm Islands, Artificial archipelago in Jumeirah, United Arab Emirates
Three palmtree-shaped artificial landmasses project into the Persian Gulf, incorporating residential communities, hospitality facilities and leisure developments across 56 kilometers (35 miles) of constructed shoreline.
Development began in 2001 with sand and rock sourced from nearby quarries, led by Dutch engineering firm Van Oord. The first residential properties were completed in 2006, followed by major hotel openings through the following decade.
These islands symbolize Dubai's emergence as a global tourism hub and reflect the emirate's determination to create new urban spaces through advanced engineering where none existed before.
Access to Palm Jumeirah is available via a subsea tunnel and a 5.4-kilometer (3.4-mile) monorail connecting multiple stations. Taxis and private vehicles serve the residential zones and hospitality properties throughout the development.
Engineers had to redesign the breakwater surrounding Palm Jumeirah after completion to address stagnant water conditions that threatened marine life, adding openings to improve circulation and oxygen levels in the enclosed lagoon.
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