Nakheel, the developer of Dubai’s luxury offshore project ‘The World’, has said that work on the project is on schedule.

Less than a year after construction began on the 300 islands, the project has begun to take shape. While the island representing the UAE was the first to break the surface of the Gulf in March this year, several other land masses have since been reclaimed or currently are in various stages of completion.
“With several land masses in the geographic area comprising Eurasia and North America having already emerged above water, the entire development has clearly begun to take shape,” says Nakheel chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
“In addition to the two completed islands, work is rapidly progressing on all the continents. Construction of the main protective breakwater is also under way,” he added.
Each of the islands  is being reclaimed from a depth of up to 16 m below the water’s surface, and will be further developed to a height of  3 m above water.
The design incorporates a cluster of 300 man-made islands strategically positioned to form the shape of the world map, with a protective breakwater on its perimeters.
While the leeward breakwater is designed as a submerged reef, the main or “shamal” breakwater will be raised above water, with both offering protection from long and cross shore waves. Shelter provided by these breakwaters is also expected to attract and retain a wealth of marine life.
Nakheel has forecast radically different developments taking place on the islands of The World - ranging from luxurious private villas, to exotic theme parks and super deluxe five star hotels. “The ideas we have been presented encompass everything from private estates to public facilities,” said Bin Sulayem.
The reclamation development of The World is estimated at $2 billion, and is located four kilometres offshore from Dubai, at a point halfway between The Palm – Jumeirah and Port Rashid.