Top 10 Crazy Projects In Dubai

Dubai is now officially the land of extreme building projects and, as a result of some of the unique and exciting attractions springing up in the area, tourism is growing fast. A bevy of luxurious and opulent hotels and some glorious beaches to match are making luxury holidays in Dubai extremely popular.

Much of Dubai?s growth is attributable to its remarkable ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, who has overseen the development of many of the projects on this list. If you?re planning a Dubai holiday, make sure to visit some of the amazing sites, buildings and luxury hotels in Dubai - there really is nothing else like them! Here is a countdown of the top ten.

10: Jebel Ali Port

Dubai?s port, Jebel Ali, is the world's largest man-made harbour and the biggest port in the Middle East. The area is also home to 5,500 companies from 120 countries.

9: Dubai Airport

A colossal new airport called Dubai World Central International Airport is currently under construction. Many times larger than the Dubai International Airport, it is expected to be the busiest in the world, with a passenger capacity of more than 120 million - almost 30% more than Atlanta, currently the world's busiest passenger airport.

8: Palm Islands

The three Palm Islands, Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali and The Palm Deira, are the largest land reclamation project in the world and will result in the world's largest artificial islands and a major Dubai holiday attraction.

Each settlement will be the shape of a palm tree, and between the three islands will house over 100 of Dubai?s luxury hotels, exclusive residential beach side villas and apartments, marinas, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls, sports facilities and health spas. The Islands will add 520km of beaches to the city of Dubai and construction will be completed over the next 10-15 years.

7: Sports City

The Dubai Sports City is an entire sports city, about an hour?s drive from the beach, consisting of apartment buildings and sports facilities. This Dubai holiday attraction?s main sports structure is a 60,000 seat, multi-purpose outdoor stadium, to be used for athletics, football and rugby union. Other venues include a 25,000-seat cricket ground, a 10,000-seat indoor arena, a 5,000-seat field hockey stadium and an 18-hole golf course.

6: Dubai Towers

Dubai Towers is a stunning four tower complex in the shape four shining flames, intended to create a dramatic new landmark for Dubai holiday makers and to form the centrepiece of The Lagoons, a mega project which will consist of seven islands. The towers have between 57 to 94 stories and, although the heights are not known, it is believed the tallest will top 400 metres while two others will exceed 300 metres.

5: Dubailand

The soon-to-be-opened Dubailand will take the crown for theme park size. The development is expected to be a full featured city divided into six theme worlds. Developers hope to create a tourism, entertainment, and leisure destination that will attract Dubai holiday makers not only from surrounding countries but also from Europe and Asia.

4: Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab is one of Dubai?s luxury hotels and, at 321 metres, the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel. However, another luxury Dubai hotel, the Rose Tower, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height, will take away its title upon its opening in April 2008.

The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres out from the coast, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. The gigantic luxury Dubai hotel is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the sail of a boat.

3: Burj Dubai

The Burj Dubai has been the world?s tallest building since July, and when it is completed later this year its tower will reach a stomach-churning 800 metres plus. The 164-floor building will be occupied by September of 2009. The building will be used for many purposes and is expected to be a major attraction for Dubai holiday makers.

2: The World

The World is a man-made archipelago of 300 islands in the shape of a world map. This spectacular creation was completed in January this year and, like the other man-made islands in Dubai, was built primarily using sand dredged from the sea, and covers an area of 9 km long and 6 km wide. Rod Stewart is rumoured to have bought the ?Britain? island and Irish business consortium Larionovo plans to develop ?Ireland? into an Irish-themed, luxury Dubai holiday resort, including a recreation of Ireland's famous Giants Causeway.

1: The Universe

The Universe is going to be the next stage in the Gulf?s surreal property programme, made by the same people as The World. A cluster of islands in the shape of the solar system, with the Sun, the Moon and a string of planets in between, The Universe will accommodate 300,000 people, including Dubai Holiday makers, and will take 15 to 20 years to build. The project, which was announced in January, is still in the planning stages.

Rosella Colella is a Dubai expert for key2holidays (http://www.key2holidays.co.uk/dubai), an online tour operator specialising in luxury holidays to Dubai, Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean, Europe, the Far East, the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles, Egypt and Southern Africa.