ith its oil resources running out, Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has launched a multi-billion dollar tourism drive in an effort to establish itself as the Gulf’s leisure hub. It has unveiled plans for a palm tree-shaped resort island on land reclaimed from the sea that will add 120 kilometres of sandy beaches and be visible from the moon.

"Palm Island", will include 2,000 villas, up to 40 luxury hotels, shopping complexes, cinemas and the Middle East’s first marine park.

The twin-island will be built in the shape of 17 huge fronds surrounded by 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) of protective barrier reefs, extending five kilometres (three miles) into the sea south of Dubai city. The islands will be accessible by 300-metre (990-feet) bridges from the mainland or boat to two marinas, while the main causeway will also have a monorail system.

Scheduled to be completed by 2006, the multi-billion-dollar Palm Island project will be built on 80 million cubic metres (2.8 billion cubic feet) of land dredged from the approach channel to the emirate’s Jebel Ali port, an operation that will deepen the channel to 17 metres (56 feet).

Due to its immense scale and unique shape, The Palm, Jumeirah and The Palm, Jebel Ali are likely to be visible from space with the naked eye.

The creation and development of The Palm is an unparalleled feat of design and engineering. The Palm is destined to be like no other place on earth. The brilliance of The Palm is both in its tribute to the date palm tree, referred to as 'bride of orchard', and in its ideal geometry for creating maximum beach frontage.

Each island will add 60 kilometres of shoreline to Dubai, increasing the UAE's beachfront by an extraordinary 166%. Rocks weighing a total of 7 million metre cubed (per island) are being brought in from sixteen different quarries throughout the United Arab Emirates.

The Palm comprises approximately 100 million cubic metres of sand and rock. If all the fill materials used to build one Palm island were placed end to end, a wall two meters high and half a metre thick could circle the world three times!

Dredges play a prominent role in building The Palm. Sand is first dropped into place and piled at a specific angle of repose, ensuring it will hold its place. After the initial dumping of sand, a dredger brings the sand level to the surface with a process called "rainbowing", which literally sprays the sand into proper position.

The Crescent surrounds the island and acts as a breakwater - able to withstand a 4m wave. It is built from the bottom up, beginning with the sand, geotextile fiber, small rocks, and then medium sized rocks. Expert Divers examine rock placement underwater to ensure correct positioning. Divers are also used to review placement of geotextile.

Over 100 studies from transportation, marina design and water supply to technology and civil works have been completed to assess and ensure The Palm's feasibility.

Where do all the trees that the islands will require come from? Over 12,000 Palm trees will be grown on a nursery in Jumeirah, Dubai.

From crabs to shell fish, reefs, coral and rocks, the Arabian Gulf is full of marine life. The Palm will help stimulate its development by adding nutrient rich materials. Residents and visitors will delight in snorkelling, scuba and diving in this rich resource.

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