A development is seen on one of the islands of The World Islands project in Dubai Jan. 7. The World Islands is located approximately 2.5 miles off the coast of Jumeirah. The collection of man-made islands are shaped into the continents of the world, and will consist of 300 small private artificial islands divided into four categories - private homes, estate homes, dream resorts, and community islands, according to the development company Nakheel Properties Group.