The World Islands, Dubai is a visionary real estate master‑plan by Nakheel, comprising 300 small, man‑made islands arranged in the shape of a world map about 4 km off Dubai’s Jumeirah coast. Created using vast volumes of sand and rock dredged from the Persian Gulf, the archipelago spans roughly 9 × 6 km, with a shoreline of over 232 km.

Conceived in 2003 and completed in dredging by January 2008, the project was originally intended to host a mix of private estates, luxury resorts, community islands, and commercial plots, each island named after a country or region for thematic identity.

Development stalled after the 2008 financial crisis, leaving most islands undeveloped. Only a handful—such as Lebanon Island and Anantara World Islands Resort (on Argentina Island)—have seen completed resorts or hospitality projects.

In recent years, a revival is underway through projects like The Heart of Europe (THOE) on clustered European-themed islands including France, Sweden, Germany, Venice, and Côte d’Azur. Investors like Ali and Amira Sajwani (via Amali Properties) are transforming islands into ultra‑luxury private villa destinations priced between USD 14M–34M per villa.

The World Islands offer a unique blend of privacy, exclusivity, and coastal luxury, accessible only by boat or helicopter. Amenities across developed sites include upscale resorts, private beaches, spas, marinas, golf courses, and curated entertainment experiences—while several islands still await full infrastructure and water connectivity.