Dubai:The World Islands

The World Islands, are a collection of man-made islands shaped into the continents of the world, located off the coast of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
It will consist of 300 small private artificial islands divided into four categories: private homes, estate homes, dream resorts, and community islands.

The World's overall development costs were estimated at $14 billion USD in 2005.
Individual islands have been sold for prices ranging between $15-$50 million dollars USD, with one island known to have been offered for sale at a price of $250 million USD.

The project was unveiled in May 2003 by Sheikh Mohammed and dredging began four months later in September 2003.
By January 2008, 60% of the islands were sold, 20 of which were bought in the first four months of 2007.
On 10 January 2008 the final stone on the breakwater was laid, completing development of the archipelago(is a chain or cluster of islands that are formed tectonically).
As of November 2009, commercial and residential properties are not currently being constructed on purchased islands.
The Times Online reports in 2009 that work on The World had been suspended due to the effects of the global financial crisis.
The Irish businessman John O'Dolan, who purchased "Ireland" and "Britain" islands, committed suicide in February 2009, after his consortium fell into financial difficulty.