The World Islands is an archipelago in the United Arab Emirates and only one of many other magnificent artificial islands created there. And although the idea of man-made islands sounds very modern, the process has a long history. Many thousands of years ago, prehistoric people used to pile hundreds of boulders on lakes or rivers bottoms to create small islands. We do know the purpose of the "chinampas" - Aztec artificial islands for cultivating crops.
What about more modern man-made islands? Nowadays, islands are created for the need for extra space. Many Asian airports are built on artificial islands. However, not all islands are made with a purpose. Most of the New York Harbor islands are man-made, but not all were actually planned. Belmont Island is just a pile of rocks, disposed of while constructing the underwater metro tunnel. The position of the largest man-made island is taken by the Netherlands island Flevoland. But for some people, one island is just not enough, and whole archipelagos are created. Four enormous projects were completed in the United Arab Emirates. One of them is the aforementioned The World archipelago. Let's have a closer look, shall we?
00:04Years of sea corrosion and nature made this magnificent pattern of a world map out of islands.
00:10Yeah, just kidding. Of course these are man-made.
00:13The World Islands is an archipelago in the United Arab Emirates,
00:17and only one of many other magnificent artificial islands created there.
00:22And although the idea of man-made islands sounds very modern, the process has a long history.
00:28Many thousands of years ago, prehistoric people used to pile hundreds of boulders on lakes or river bottoms to create small islands.
00:37They can still be found in northern Scotland.
00:39The process was challenging and must have taken a lot of time since some of the stones weighed up to 550 pounds a piece.
00:47That means the islands were significant and had some sacred purpose.
00:51But to this day, it's still a mystery.
00:54We do know the purpose of the Chinapaz, Aztec artificial islands for cultivating crops.
01:00Small, ridge-like islands were built on the wetlands and swamps with canals between them.
01:06It provided enough water to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers all year long.
01:11These floating gardens are still present and can be found in some regions of Mexico.
01:16What about more modern creations?
01:19Nowadays, islands are created for the need for extra space.
01:22Many Asian airports are built on artificial islands.
01:25The second, third, and fourth biggest man-made islands are taken by Osaka, Hong Kong, and Tokonami airports.
01:33However, not all islands are made with a purpose.
01:36Most of the New York Harbor Islands are man-made, but not all were actually planned.
01:41Belmont Island is just a pile of rocks, disposed of while constructing the underwater metro tunnel.
01:48The island measures only 100 by 200 feet.
01:51Although it's off-limits for people, in 2004, an artist unsuccessfully tried to proclaim the island as a sovereign nation.
02:00Other New York artificial islands include the Swinburne and Hoffman Islands, built to quarantine immigrants coming to the USA in the late 19th century.
02:10Nowadays, they have a more peaceful purpose as bird sanctuaries.
02:14Speaking of birds, there's a big S-shaped island in South Africa.
02:19And it's not an illusion.
02:20The island is covered in flamingos.
02:23Built in 2006, the island shape creates two bays for birds.
02:28The island also features four ponds and 1,000 artificial nests for the new residents.
02:34The sanctuary now hosts around 10,000 flamingos.
02:38Hey, you two!
02:39Wanna hang out on my front yard?
02:42The position of the largest man-made island is taken by the Netherlands island Flevoland.
02:48After the 1916 flood, they decided to reclaim the local bay and a dam was built, disconnecting the sea's inlet.
02:56By 1968, the land was reclaimed and became the youngest Netherlands province called Flevapolder.
03:03The island measures 370 square miles and supports more than 400,000 inhabitants.
03:09But, for some people, one island is just not enough, and whole archipelagos are created.
03:16Four enormous projects were completed in the United Arab Emirates.
03:20One of them is the aforementioned The World Archipelago.
03:23Let's have a closer look, shall we?
03:26Dubai, the capital city of one of the seven emirates, is known for its luxury.
03:31An opulent oasis in the middle of the desert houses the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, lavish shopping malls, and monumental fountains.
03:41In the early 2000s, the Emirates was experiencing a real estate boom.
03:46And eventually, the coastal land skyrocketed in value.
03:50Soon enough, all the coastlines were occupied.
03:53All of the best prices of land were taken, and there seemed to be no way out.
03:58You can't make new real estate, right?
04:00Well, nothing is impossible in Dubai.
04:03A real estate company announced a new project to create a few islands with more coastal lands to expand the shore.
04:11The original plan included three palm tree-shaped archipelagos, the Palm Jumeirah, Palm Deerah, and Palm Jebel Ali.
04:19And just the first project could double the coastline.
04:22Soon enough, the world project was added.
04:25The archipelago was supposed to look like, you guessed it, a map of planet Earth.
04:30After completion, the universe was supposed to be added.
04:33A group of islands representing the sun, moon, a galaxy, and the Milky Way.
04:38The islands were supposed to be covered in private housing, villas, hotels, water parks, shopping malls, and entertainment centers.
04:47The plans looked grandiose and mind-blowing, but many things went wrong when making it happen.
04:53First, Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali were constructed.
04:57Tons of sand were dug up from the Persian and Arab Gulf's floors.
05:01Then the sand was sprayed and compacted into the needed shape, surrounded by rocks for stability.
05:07The construction began in 2001, and in 2006, the first apartments were completed.
05:14Nowadays, Palm Jumeirah is one of the most recognized man-made islands.
05:19It consists of a trunk and 17 palm leaf shapes, surrounded by a crescent-shaped island.
05:25The project added 40 miles of desired beaches.
05:28It's currently home to the opulent resort Atlantis the Palm, numerous malls, hotels, parks, and villas.
05:35The island is connected to the mainland by a monorail and an underwater tunnel.
05:40And by 2016, more than 10,000 people lived there.
05:44Work on the second Palm Island started in 2002.
05:48It was supposed to be 50% larger than Palm Jumeirah.
05:51Just a year later, work on 300 small islands composing the world began as well.
05:57Unfortunately, the global financial crisis of 2008 didn't avoid Dubai.
06:03All of the construction projects were halted.
06:06Nobody was buying the new property.
06:08The absent interest in land purchases tanked the value of the plots.
06:13The developing company announced refunds to its investors.
06:16Sandbanks were abandoned half-done.
06:19The half-built Palm Jumeirah was rebranded into the Jumeirah Islands in 2013.
06:25It hosts the Night Suit, the largest night market in the world, and the Jumeirah Mall with over a thousand stores.
06:32Hopefully, the plan to develop the other islands will be completed.
06:35They will house more than a quarter of a million people.
06:38By the time the financial crisis hit the industry, most of the world archipelago's land reclamation was done.
06:45The majority of the islands were named after corresponding countries and were already sold.
06:50Some were sold to real estate tycoons.
06:53Some to private buyers.
06:55Virgin Group founder Richard Branson bought the Britain Island.
06:58Ethiopia Island was reported to be purchased by then-married Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
07:06Unfortunately, after purchase, no development followed.
07:10And most of the investors lost their interest and didn't see any future in the project anymore.
07:16Many investors were turned off by the island's size.
07:19Each island is a different size, some as tiny as six acres.
07:23Many are turned off by the lack of connection to the mainland, with only a boat or seaplane being an option, since some islands are two miles away.
07:32By 2013, two islands, Greenland and Lebanon, had been developed, giving some hope to the project.
07:40Alas, the world was struck by another problem.
07:43A report came out stating the islands were sinking back into the ocean.
07:47It's noted that water erosion was slowly washing away the sand.
07:52Right now, the only way to combat it is to manually replace the sand.
07:57This may not be a problem for private owners, but it might be a deal-breaker for a significant portion of residents.
08:03Besides that, the problem of water quality has been bothering the island's residents.
08:08The crescent shape around the Palm Islands was made to protect it from waves and erosion.
08:14In the end, it completely changed the natural tidal movement, making the water around the islands stagnant and stale.
08:22Remember smelling a small egg during an incredibly hot summer?
08:26Same effect here.
08:27It not only smells gross, but it can also be harmful to your health.
08:31Now, not to pile on, but we will.
08:34In addition, the usage of sand from seafloors is now destroying the natural coastlines.
08:40Besides other problems, these ecological concerns makes the project unmarketable and not fit for the current time.
08:48Modern companies are interested in projects developing in coexistence with nature and not disrupting and changing the organic ways.
08:56However, despite all of the controversies, the world is slowly coming back to life.
09:02An Austrian real estate company bought six islands composing Europe's map and developing a new luxury resort called the Heart of Europe.
09:11The project is set to open by the end of 2020.
09:14It has some mind-blowing attractions.
09:17The world's first artificial rainy street, the first floating houses, and the first underwater hotel.
09:24The resort is separated into different zones, each symbolizing a different European country or city.
09:31The heart of Europe is now the only significant development on the world islands.
09:36But hey, if you don't want to buy your own island, I've got a bridge I can sell you.
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