A stunning archipelago of artificial islands in Dubai has been described as the "Venice of the Middle East" and boasts stunning beaches, as well as sprawling waterfront properties. Palm Jumeirah, on the Persian Gulf in Jumeirah, were created using land reclamation with the help of a Dutch specialist dredging firm. Work on creating the striking palm-tree shaped development, begining in the early 2000s and completed by 2007.

The archipelago is estimated to have cost a staggering $12billion (£9.5bn) to build, and is made from 120 million cubic metres of sand and seven million tonnes of rocks. An 11km-long, crescent-shaped breakwater was also constructed to protect Palm Jumeirah from adverse weather conditions.

Its become a popular destination for some of the worlds richest people, and boasts luxurious hotels, shopping centres, and restaurants.

Homes and villas were built on found in the "leaf" sections, while the "trunk" is home to shops and a residential area, and the "outer crescent" is used for sunswept resorts.

The vast development is said to be visible from space, with an image taken captured NASA Commander Leroy Chiao from aboard the International Space Station in 2005 showing its distinctive shape against the turqouise waters of the Persian Gulf, as per The Guardian.

High end hotels include the famous Atlantis, on the Palm Jumeirah Island's crescent, offering "breathtaking views of the Dubai skyline and the Arabian Gulf" as per travel firm Tui.