1. This was a main street of Dubai two decades ago

2. This is the same street in 2003

3. … changed even more by now.

4. When completed Dubai Waterfront will be the largest waterfront development in the world.

5. Last 5 years gave rise to this largest artificial islands in the world. There will be three Palms in all.

6. Upon completion, this will have 2,000 villas, 40 luxury hotels, shopping centers, movie houses etc.

7. Another master piece: The World Islands. 300 artificially created islands in the shape of the world.

8. The Burj al-Arab hotel is the only '7 star' hotel in the world. It stands on an artificial island in the sea

9. Hydro polis, the world's first underwater hotel. Built in Germany and assembled in Dubai. Scheduled to be completed by 2009.

10. Construction began in 2005. At an estimated height of over 800 meters, it will be world's tallest building when finished.

11. This is what downtown Dubai will look like soon.

12. This one in Burj Dubai will be three times as tall as the Empire State Building.

13. Currently, the largest amusement park in the world is Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. This Dubai Land is twice that size.

14. The Dubai Marina is an entirely man-made development that will contain over 200 high rise buildings when finished. The completed first phase is seen here.

15. The Dubai Mall will be the largest shopping mall in the world with over 9 million square feet of shopping area.

16. Some of the tallest buildings in the world, such as Ocean Heights and The Princess Tower, which will be the largest residential building in the world at over a 100 stories will line the Dubai Marina.