The seven wonders of Dubai

THE SEVEN WONDERS OF Dubai Forty years ago Dubai was a small fishing village. Now it's one of the most modern cities on Earth, a bustling tourist and business hub, MAGNIFICENT MAN-MADE ISLANDS THE PALM JUMEIRAH Three enormous artificial archipelagos have been constructed off the coast of Dubai. Two in the shape of palm trees and one which replicates a map of the world. THE PALM JEBEL ALI 4,000 5x5km residences main island 50% 250,000 larger than Palm Jumeirah residents THE WORLD ISLANDS 232 km 321million of shoreline created cubic metres of sand used during construction 6. WORLD'S LARGEST PERFORMING FOUNTAIN Although there are eight other fountains in the world that are taller, the numerous jets, choreographed movements and sheer amount of water used make this gargantuan fountain record-breaker. O. 30 acre 20 miles 275 m man-made lake distance the fountain (902 ft) long can be seen from 6,600 lights illuminate the fountain 240 feet the height water shoots into the air 5 ) WORLD'S MOST LUXURIOUS HOTEL - BURJ AL ARAB The fourth tallest hotel in the world, Burj Al Arab stands on a purpose-built artificial island connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. The shape of the structure is designed to mimic the sail of a boat and is 'unofficially' the world's only seven-star hotel. 2$ 202 $45,000 luxury suites one night in the most expensive suite 24-hour Helicopter butler service transfer available award-winning restaurants WORLD'S LARGEST MANMADE MARINA The record, currently held by Marina del Rey in California, USA, for the world's largest man-made marina will belong to the Dubai Marina when its construction is finished in 2014. 120,000 people it is built to 3 km stretch of shoreline it runs along accommodate 2$ 8 km 1.2 billion of landscaped public walkways cost of the waterway construction [3 SKI SLOPE IN THE DESERT Ski Dubai was the world's largest indoor ski slope. It has now been surpassed, but this impressive feat of engineering remains a wonder. While temperatures always exceed 30 degrees Celsius outside, the slope inside is maintained at a cool -I degrees Celsius. SKI DUBAI 22,500 m2 0.4 km of indoor ski area the longest run 2 ski-lifts 60 metre 5 one tow-bar high indoor mountain ski slopes one chair-lift 2) WORLD'S LARGEST SHOPPING CENTRE - DUBAI MALL The world's largest mall, the Dubai Mall, is a wonder of commerce servicing over 54million visitors in 2011 alone. This also makes it the world's most-visited shopping and leisure destination. Over 1,200 floors stores 502,000 m? 750,000 (5,400,000 sq ft) of floor space visitors every week WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDING - BURJ KHALIFA Possibly the greatest wonder anywhere in the world is the Burj Khalifa. More than twice the size of the Empire State Building and beating its closest rival, Taipei Tower, by an incredible 320m, this tremendous tower is an incredible engineering feat. 828 metres 163 (2,716.5 feet) tall floors ATMOSPHERE 2$ 309,473 m2 (3,331,100 sq ft) at base 1.5 billion US$ cost BURJ KHALIFA HOLDS 17 WORLD RECORDS INCLUDING: Tallest building in the world Tallest free-standing 504m structure in the world highest elevator rise World's highest restaurant World's highest nightclub 122nd floor 144th floor World's fastest elevators 64 km/h (40 mph) THE WONDERFUL FUTURE OF DUBAI Due to the global recession, many wonders that were to due be built have had to be put on hold. But with demand for both tourist and residential accommodation outweighing supply, it may only be a matter of time before Dubai becomes even more wondrous with the addition of the following buildings. WATER DISCUS HOTEL Want to sleep with the fish? You can at this incredible hotel. Under the sea is the place to be. WIND-POWERED HOTEL This innovative hotel plans to use wind power to not only generate its internal energy, but also to rotate the hotel itself. FALCONCITY OF WONDERS This compound plans to emulate all the wonders of the world in one place. The Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and more will all grace this unbelievable complex. SOURCES: DUBAI'S HISTORICAL URBAN DEVELOPMENT - www-scf.usc.edu Dubai had largest number of rooms under construction in June - www.gulfnews.com Artificial Archipelagos - www.designrulz.com WET Unveils World's Largest Performing Fountain - www.prnewswire.com Dubai Marina - www.designbuild-network.com Ski Dubai - www.theplaymania.com Media Centre - www.thedubaimall.com Burj-Al-Arab Info - www.jumeirah.com The Tower - www.burjkhalifa.ae Info - www.falconcity.com New Wonders of the World - www.flashydubai.com Dubai Mall is world's most visited destination in 2011 - www.arabianbusiness.com PRODUCED BY TM TravelSupermarket com 4+