Palm Jumeirah was the first of the artificial islands off the coast of Dubai to be built. Shaped like a huge palm tree, it added 56 kilometers (35 miles) to Dubai’s coastline.

Palm Jumeirah includes a trunk with 17 fronds surrounded by a crescent-shaped breakwater. Residences are on the fronds, the trunk has apartments, and hotels line the crescent. The crescent also has a large water park called Aquaventure.

In the early years of the 21st century, substantial progress is seen on this artificial island. Once the island takes shape, vegetation is seen increasing on the new land. The progress on the island matched the urban growth inland during the same time period. New roads, expanded urban areas, and increased vegetation mark the most visible changes in these images.