Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Environment
In its current state, near the completion of the land reclamation, The World exists harmoniously with the diverse, surrounding marine life that inhabits its waters, and this is the basis for its future standard towards the environment. Based on Posford Haskoning’s Environment Gulf report, the quality of seawater surrounding the islands was superior to that tested along the shoreline of Dubai. There exist today at least 31 different types of flora and fauna, including asparagopsis which creates a protective canopy above the seabed. As a result, colonies of pearl oysters and other molluscs are beginning to proliferate. Various sea life, such as coral anemones and sea squirts, thrive along and in between the breakwaters surrounding the islands, accepting it as part of their natural environment. The shoreline areas comprise diverse marine life such as sea cucumbers, oysters, sponges, plankton, butterfly fish and jellyfish. Marine life in and around The World is flourishing. Initiatives, such as the water treatment plan to reuse water and recycle waste, or the incentives provided for ‘Green’ developers, will aid in the continued harmony of The World, its customers and its environment.
Dubai World Island Earth
l Nakheel Properties are working on a Dubai island project that will consist of between 250 and 300 islands shaped like the continents of the world - The Dubai World Islands. The islands will have private homes, estate homes, resorts and community islands. Each will range from 250,000 to 900,000 square feet in size, separated from the others by fifty to one hundred yards of water between islands. The entire development will be about 9 kilometers by 6. It is located four kilometers off the shore of Jumeirah, United Arab Emirates. Each island is expected to fetch upwards of $US7 million.
Larry Niven did something amazingly similar to this in one of his novels. In his award-winning novel Ringworld, Larry Niven creates for us an amazing artifact - a ribbon of matter that entirely surrounds a star. Spin it up for artificial gravity, put some tall edges on it to hold in some atmosphere, and you have an incredible amount of real estate. The Ringworld was created from all of the non-solar matter around its sun, including all of the planets. Since you could create upon the surface of the Ringworld any shape continent or sea, wouldn't you choose shapes that are familiar?
"Hold it. I want a closer look at those groups of islands!"
"Why, Louis? That we might stop for provisions?"
"No... Do you see how they tend to form clusters, with wide stretches of deep water between? Take that grouping there." Louis's forefinger circled images on the screen. "Now look up at that map."
"..And that grouping in what you called a bay, and that map behind you. The continents in the conic projections are a little distorted... See it now? Ten worlds, ten clusters of islands. They aren't one-to-one scale; but I'll bet that island is as big as Australia, and the original continent does not look any bigger than Eurasia on the globe."
"Hold it. I want a closer look at those groups of islands!"
"Why, Louis? That we might stop for provisions?"
"No... Do you see how they tend to form clusters, with wide stretches of deep water between? Take that grouping there." Louis's forefinger circled images on the screen. "Now look up at that map."
"..And that grouping in what you called a bay, and that map behind you. The continents in the conic projections are a little distorted... See it now? Ten worlds, ten clusters of islands. They aren't one-to-one scale; but I'll bet that island is as big as Australia, and the original continent does not look any bigger than Eurasia on the globe."
Continent or Island?
Why should Australia be considered a continent and Greenland an island? The answer is not clear-cut, but there are rational reasons behind it.
The characteristics of continents are these:
Areas of geologically stable continental crust, or cratons, tectonically independent from other continents
Biological distinctiveness, with unique animal and plant life
Cultural uniqueness
Local belief in separate continental status
Obviously, the first two are scientific, and the second two are more subjective.
To elaborate:
Australia is separated from all other continents by young oceanic crust. Greenland is geologically part of North America.
Australia has highly distinct plants and animals. Greenland's are largely shared with northern North America.
Australia is considerably larger than Greenland. If separation is key, then Antarctica should also be considered an island (making Australia second largest).
Australia has unique, ancient cultures. Greenland's Arctic cultures, while unique, are part of larger North American Arctic culture.
Everyone agrees that everything smaller than Australia is an island. Australians themselves are divided, and often claim that Australia is both the world's largest island and the world's smallest continent.
So, there are good reasons to assert that Australia is a continent and not an island.
However, it has to be conceded that there can be no definitive answer. The questions only grow more complex when you look at the details:
By scientific criteria, Madagascar and several other islands are continents.
Europe is really just a series of peninsulas off western Asia. Only culture, tradition, and a sense of separateness gave it continental status.
Siberia and Alaska are not part of separate continents geologically. The sea barrier between them is just a happenstance of the current high sea levels of this interglacial period.
Africa is solidly joined to southwest Asia, though in the process of rifting away.
The Americas are joined by a substantial but recent land bridge.
The characteristics of continents are these:
Areas of geologically stable continental crust, or cratons, tectonically independent from other continents
Biological distinctiveness, with unique animal and plant life
Cultural uniqueness
Local belief in separate continental status
Obviously, the first two are scientific, and the second two are more subjective.
To elaborate:
Australia is separated from all other continents by young oceanic crust. Greenland is geologically part of North America.
Australia has highly distinct plants and animals. Greenland's are largely shared with northern North America.
Australia is considerably larger than Greenland. If separation is key, then Antarctica should also be considered an island (making Australia second largest).
Australia has unique, ancient cultures. Greenland's Arctic cultures, while unique, are part of larger North American Arctic culture.
Everyone agrees that everything smaller than Australia is an island. Australians themselves are divided, and often claim that Australia is both the world's largest island and the world's smallest continent.
So, there are good reasons to assert that Australia is a continent and not an island.
However, it has to be conceded that there can be no definitive answer. The questions only grow more complex when you look at the details:
By scientific criteria, Madagascar and several other islands are continents.
Europe is really just a series of peninsulas off western Asia. Only culture, tradition, and a sense of separateness gave it continental status.
Siberia and Alaska are not part of separate continents geologically. The sea barrier between them is just a happenstance of the current high sea levels of this interglacial period.
Africa is solidly joined to southwest Asia, though in the process of rifting away.
The Americas are joined by a substantial but recent land bridge.
The World Islands
The World Islands, which is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Palm World or Globe Islands, are a collection of man-made islands shaped into the continents of the world, located off the coast of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. It will consist of 300 small private artificial islands divided into four categories - private homes, estate homes, dream resorts, and community islands.
The World Islands will be located 4 kilometers off the shore of Jumeirah, close to the Palm Jumeirah, between Burj Al Arab and Port Rashid at approximately 25°13 North and 55°10 East. The AED 6.6 billion (US$ 1.8 billion) project will cover a total area of 9 kilometers (5.4 miles) in length and 6 kilometers (3.6 miles) in width, surrounded by an oval shaped breakwater. The only means of transportation between the islands will be by marine or air transport and boat transportation from the mainland will be from the umm suqeim and jumeirah fishing harbours.
Each island of The World will range from 250 to 900 thousand square feet (23.2 to 83.6 thousand square meters) in size, with 50 to 100 metres (164 to 328 feet) of water between each island. Each island will be sold to selected private developers and are expected to have pricing beginning at AED 25 million (US$ 6.85 million). Individuals who own on an island in The World Islands include Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher.
Oqyana-WorldOqyana will comprise of 19 islands of The World, covering the islands of Australasia (Australia and New Zealand).
Perseus Resort and SpaThe two islands of Rostov and Orenburg, that are regions in Russia and part of the Euro-Asia segment of The World, will be occupied by the exclusive island based spa
hotel and residence development. Rostov will contain 44 villas, each with private beaches/pools, and Orenburge will contain 220 one, two and three bedroom apartments with sea or marina views. The islands will have Greek Mediterranean Island style of architecture and where purchased by dubai-based Perseus Property Management Ltd.
Jasmine GardensThe five star residential island resort will occupy the Thailand island of The World and designed with the inspiration of traditional Thai architecture. It will contain 56 studio and 1-bedroom suites as well as 4-bedroom stilt houses and beach villas.
The World Islands will be located 4 kilometers off the shore of Jumeirah, close to the Palm Jumeirah, between Burj Al Arab and Port Rashid at approximately 25°13 North and 55°10 East. The AED 6.6 billion (US$ 1.8 billion) project will cover a total area of 9 kilometers (5.4 miles) in length and 6 kilometers (3.6 miles) in width, surrounded by an oval shaped breakwater. The only means of transportation between the islands will be by marine or air transport and boat transportation from the mainland will be from the umm suqeim and jumeirah fishing harbours.
Each island of The World will range from 250 to 900 thousand square feet (23.2 to 83.6 thousand square meters) in size, with 50 to 100 metres (164 to 328 feet) of water between each island. Each island will be sold to selected private developers and are expected to have pricing beginning at AED 25 million (US$ 6.85 million). Individuals who own on an island in The World Islands include Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher.
Oqyana-WorldOqyana will comprise of 19 islands of The World, covering the islands of Australasia (Australia and New Zealand).
Perseus Resort and SpaThe two islands of Rostov and Orenburg, that are regions in Russia and part of the Euro-Asia segment of The World, will be occupied by the exclusive island based spa
hotel and residence development. Rostov will contain 44 villas, each with private beaches/pools, and Orenburge will contain 220 one, two and three bedroom apartments with sea or marina views. The islands will have Greek Mediterranean Island style of architecture and where purchased by dubai-based Perseus Property Management Ltd.Jasmine GardensThe five star residential island resort will occupy the Thailand island of The World and designed with the inspiration of traditional Thai architecture. It will contain 56 studio and 1-bedroom suites as well as 4-bedroom stilt houses and beach villas.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
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