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Compared to a natural island, a manmade or artificial
island is an island constructed by people. It is formed either through
expanding desert islands and/or existing reefs, or by merging several
natural islets into a bigger island. Years before, a manmade island
includes wooden or megalithic structures floating in shallow waters. As
technology speeds up, manmade islands shave been created through land
reclamation. How amazing technology has aided human’s creativity. Now
almost every part of the world boasts their artificial islands. Let’s
take a look at the most awesome and top 10 biggest manmade islands in
the world.
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1-2-3. PALM TRILOGY: PALM JUMEIRAH, PALM JEBEL ALI
and PALM DEIRA (UAE)
Created to solve the shortage of beach in Dubai, the Palm Trilogy was
first a concept by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Through the
years, the project has realized the biggest group of artificial islands
in the world. Jan Del Nul and Van Oord, Dutch and Belgian dredging and
marine constructors were hired for the project. Each settlement of the
artificial archipelago is in the shape of a palm tree.With a surface
area of 8 km², Palm Jumeirah started construction in 2001 and currently
houses the luxurious Palm Atlantis resort hotel. Palm Jumeirah has added
78 kilometers to the Dubai coastline.By October of 2002, the
construction of the even larger Palm Jebel Ali began, measuring 50
percent bigger than the Palm Jumeirah. It includes a water theme park, a
sea village, six marinas and residences built on stilts and boardwalks
that encircle the frond of the palm. Now it houses to more than 250, 000
people.Since then the project has been expanding. By 2014, construction
of Palm Deira, which measures 43 km² of reclaimed island, will be
completed. It is said to be even bigger than Paris. The 58 km² Palm
Trilogy has been multiplying Dubai’s tourist offerings from residences
to entertainment centers. When fully completed, bridges will be
connecting the islands which will be integrated into the road
transportation system of Dubai Metro train system. |
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FLEVOPOLDER (Netherlands)
Measuring 970 km² Flevopolder is the world’s largest reclaimed island in
the world. It was formed through merging it to the mainland by bridges.
Flevopolder is a polder or a region of a reclaimed part of land in
Flevoland, Netherlands. |
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YAS ISLAND (UAE)
You can reach this artificial island in Abu Dhabi, UAE by car, seaplane
or boat. It measures approximately 25 km² and currently holds the Yas
Marina circuit, hosting the Formula Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In November 2009, World Travel Awards named the island as the leading
tourism project in the world. |
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ROKKO ISLAND (Japan)
Located in the southeast region of Port of Kobe, Japan, this 5.8 km²,
Rokko’s construction began in 1970s. The entire reclamation of this
island was completed in 1992. Rokko Island houses hotels, sea view
apartment buildings, a water theme park, sports and conventions
facilities, port facilities, markets and the Kobe Fashion Museum. Also,
the island is linked to JR Sumiyoshi Station by the Rokko Liner which
stops at several points along its route, dividing the apartments to two
different sections: east and west. |
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Neeltje Jans
Neeltje Jans is an artificial island in the Netherlands in the province
of Zeeland, halfway between Noord-Beveland and Schouwen-Duiveland in the
Oosterschelde. It was constructed to facilitate the construction of the
Oosterscheldedam. The island was named after a nearby sand bank.
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