The paradise islands that are virtually empty and cost £7.4bn to build

The archipelago of small artificial islands in Dubai cost £7.4 billion to build.

Since being launched in the early 2000s, the project has been subjected to much speculation.

From outlandish, then abandoned, hotels to rumoured celebrity purchases, including Richard Branson, there are questions over whether the archipelago is ever going to be completed after some construction was abandoned following the 2008 financial crash.

The Dubai World Islands are a collection of small artificial islands designed to stand as a miniature global replication, with individual islands being named after their corresponding countries. Consisting of about 300 islands, ranging from 23,000 to 83,600 square miles, the whole collection measures some 5.4 miles across. It sits about 2.5 miles off the coast. 

When it was announced in 2003, the excitement of the elite suggested that the project was to be the next big investment opportunity. 

The concept was initially envisioned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, with Nakheel Projects as the developer. Van Oord and Boskalis, from the same company that built The Palm Jumeirah, were in charge of the construction of the islands.

However, following the financial crisis in 2008, many project developments were stopped. For almost a decade, the project was all but forgotten.

Lebanon Island has been completed and is home to a swimming pool, beaches, restaurants and a beach club.

The South American island of Anantara opened in December 2021. Offering spectacular views of the mainland, it has become a highly sought-after destination. 

The resort has a 70-room establishment with beach and pool villas, and suites with decks, terraces and private balconies. The resort also hosts several world-class amenities including an open-air cinema, Thailand-inspired spas, a floating lounge and many dining options. 

One of the islands is owned by the seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, given to him in October 2006 on the occasion of his final Grand Prix, by the Crown Prince of Dubai at the time.

The Heart of Europe £4.7 billion project is also being developed on six of the 300 islands and is welcoming visitors.

Developed by the Kleindienst Group, the project has the first underwater living experience in the Middle East, with streets that create artificial weather conditions of rain and snow.

It is also a "first-of-its-kind car-free, noise-free, microplastic-free, pollution-free, zero-discharge island destination in the world," according to the Kleindienst Group.

It also includes several luxury hotels, private mansions and floating villas, each designed to reflect different European destinations including Monaco, Portofino and Nice. 

The project also uses the "first Coral Institute in the GCC region," which enables critical reef-building coral species to grow up to 50 times faster than they would naturally. This "significantly speeds up the restoration of marine ecosystems," the Kleindienst Group said.