There are natural islands, and then there are man-made islands. While some places around the world enjoy stunning natural islands, rich biodiversity, and vibrant island life, other countries lack these opportunities due to having no access to the sea, ocean, or even a river.
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Thanks to human engineering, creativity, and ambition, we now have man-made islands, which have become quite famous. These islands serve diverse purposes, such as luxury living, tourism, cultural landmarks, and more. Human innovation has transformed open waters into thriving centres of culture, commerce, and leisure.
Here are six of the most famous man-made islands that have captivated the world.
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
Palm Jumeirah is perhaps one of the most iconic man-made islands in the world. If it is unclear from the name itself, the island is shaped like a palm tree. It is probably one of the most ambitious projects in Dubai. The construction of Palm Jumeirah began in 2001, and after just five years, in 2006, it’s construction was completed. The island is home to some of Dubai’s most luxurious hotels.
The World Islands, Dubai, UAE
The World Islands in Dubai is another ambitious project which is yet to be completed. Under this project, 300 private islands are under construction, and they are all placed in a way that the island resembles the world map. Each island represents a country or region. While some islands remain undeveloped, a few have been turned into luxury resorts and private estates, adding to Dubai’s reputation as a city that pushes the boundaries of innovation and wealth.
The Pearl-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
The Pearl-Qatar spans nearly 4 million square metres in the Arabian Gulf, and is located off the coast of Doha. The island is designed to resemble a string of pearls, a tribute to Qatar’s historic pearling industry. The Pearl-Qatar is one of the country’s premier residential and entertainment hubs, with luxury homes, high-end shopping outlets, and a marina.
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Hulhumalé, Maldives
Hulhumalé is a man-made island in the Maldives that was designed to address the country’s growing population and the threat of rising sea levels. Interestingly, this island was built by reclaiming land from the ocean. It was inaugurated in 2004, and ever since, it has played an important part in fighting environmental challenges.
Flevopolder, Netherlands
Created as part of the Zuiderzee Works, it was reclaimed from the IJsselmeer, a large lake, and completed in 1968. Flevopolder is unique in that it is technically not a traditional island; it is a landmass reclaimed from the sea and surrounded by water. Also, Flevopolder is the largest artificial island in the world.
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Kansai International Airport, Japan
Did you know that Kansai International Airport is actually located on a man-made island in Osaka Bay? No wonder, the airport is recognized as one of the world’s most impressive feats of engineering. The airport was built in the 1990s to address land shortage issues for airport expansion. The airport is designed to withstand natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons.
