The World or World Islands is an artificial archipelago of various small islands constructed in the rough shape of a world map, located 4.0 kilometres (2.5 mi) off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The World islands are composed mainly of sand dredged from Dubai's shallow coastal waters, and are one of several artificial island developments in Dubai. The World's developer is Nakheel Properties, and the project was originally conceived by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.
As of 2010, only a single island had any building on it,
which was a show home - all the other projects having been cancelled or delayed
due to the 2008 financial crisis. While
the developer, Dubai government, and researchers from the Emirates Institution
for Advanced Science and Technology deny it, a participant in a related law
suit has alleged that the islands are sinking back into the sea.