Babylon the Great is...rising, is rising!

Dubai is rising!

Dubai is on the move. The United Arab Emirates city is located near the mouth of the Persian Gulf (click here to see a map). There is certainly a lot of money over there, given the oil revenues. Could Dubai be the new Babylon, or a forerunner of it? I have no idea; but it's an interesting question. Here's an except from a recent article on a big building boom going on over there:

Those looking for tranquil, unspoilt beaches, rustic charm and authentic maritime culture will probably choose to look elsewhere. But for the world's permatanned classes with bling to display and money to burn this extraordinary construction project in the Persian Gulf is an irresistible draw.

Begun in 2001, the Palm Islands are a 12-square-mile group off the shores of Dubai. With 14,000 labourers toiling day and night, the first of three unfeasibly large, palm shaped artificial islands, Palm Jumeirah, is nearing completion, and about to receive its first residents....

Once finished, the Palm Jumeirah, which extends four miles into the Gulf, will accommodate some 60,000 residents in 2,500 exclusive beachside villas, 2,500 apartments in 20 high-rise blocks and 50 luxury hotels.
At least 50,000 workers will staff the hotels, two marinas, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls, sports centres, health spas and cinemas.

Who knows. Just a thought.

Night view of the developing man-made islands of Dubai