The Pearl-Qatar - City Built In The Ocean

The Pearl-Qatar in Doha, Qatar is an artificial island spanning nearly four million square metres. When completed it will be the first land in Qatar to be available for freehold ownership by foreign nationals.Once completed The Pearl will create over 32 kilometers of new coastline, for use as a residential estate with an expected 15,000 dwellings by 2010. Developed by United Development Company (UDC) and master planned by architecture and design firm Callison, the island is located 350 metres offshore of Doha’s West Bay Lagoon area.

Residential development on the island is intended to incorporate various national and international themes including aspects of Arabic, Mediterranean and European culture. Commercial and educational facilities are also planned to support the various residential precincts. Visitors can now get a first look at phase one of The Pearl-Qatar, Porto Arabia. The first five parcels of Porto Arabia, the first three bays developed on The Pearl-Qatar are now complete.

The name "The Pearl" was chosen because the island will be built on one of Qatar's previous major pearl diving sites. Qatar was one of the major pearl traders of Asia before the Japanese introduced cheaper more affordable pearls just before Qatar's oil boom. The Pearl Qatar will help represent Qatar's rich past in the pearl industry. Once completed The Pearl will represent a string of pearls.

There will be over 13 islands when finished. The largest of the islands will feature a large range of luxury villas, apartments, three 5 star hotels and over two million square meters of international retail, restaurants, cafes and entertainment. Eight other private islands will be for sale to private owners with the opportunity to build upon them whatever they wish.

Credit : Wikipedia.org