At the start of the millennium, Dubai had become the fastest growing tourist destination in the world. This placed huge demands on its beaches and the idea was proposed to build a circular island offshore. HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum then had the vision that an island in the shape of a palm leaf would maximise the beach area.
To realise the vision took exceptional planning. Nothing on this scale of land reclamation had ever been attempted before and experts were brought in to look at every aspect, from offshore wave conditions to disposal of waste water.
A crescent was added to the design, a breakwater that would protect against the worst imaginable sea storms, yet still offer uninterrupted views of the sea.
Today, people live along the 16 fronds of Palm Jumeirah and the 11 kilometre crescent that surrounds the palm itself is filling with hotels and entertainment venues. Built entirely on natural rock and sand, and surrounded by coral reef, Palm Jumeirah is proving the ideal place to live, invest or enjoy the holiday of a lifetime.
GALLERY
- 1. Breakwater The 11km crescent provides a beautiful breakwater for the fronds.
