Luxury island construction, Dubai. Ikonos satellite image of an artificial palm tree-shaped island created in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Dubai. This is the Jumeirah Palm resort. It is one of two artificial islands (the Palm Islands). The project started in May 2002; this image was taken on 9 June 2004. 200 million cubic metres of sand have been used to create 120 kilometres of shoreline for over 60 hotels, 5000 luxury villas and apartments, marinas, dive sites, restaurants and shopping malls. Construction on the Jumeirah Palm is expected to be completed by early 2006. Dubai is in the United Arab Emirates.