The Palm Jumeirah is the world's largest man-made island - a residential and tourism destination created by Nakheel, a key company in the transformation of Dubai from a sleepy fishing village into one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It is a part of the trilogy of three islands called The Palm Islands which will increase Dubai’s shoreline by a total of 520 kms. The Palm Jumeirah is the smallest of the three Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira). It is located on the Jumeirah coastal area of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The unique man-made island is built in the shape of a date palm tree and consists of a trunk, a crown with 17 fronds, and a surrounding crescent island that will form a water-breaker.

The Jumeirah Palm island is primarily a retreat and residential area for living, relaxation, and leisure. It will contain themed boutique hotels, three types of villas (Signature Villas, Garden Homes, and Canal Cove Town Homes), shoreline apartment buildings, beaches, marinas, restaurants, cafes and a variety of retail outlets.

The Palm Jumeirah will contain over 25 of the top international hotel brands including Movenpick, Antara, Fairmont, Radisson SAS, Hilton, Metropolitan, Shangri La, One and Only Royal Mirage, Starwood, Marriott, Oberoi, Chedi, Taj and Dusit. Other developments will include Al Basri Building, Al Habool Building, Al Anbara Building, Emerald Palace, The Fairmont Palm Residence, Jewel of the Palm, and the Trump Plaza and Marina Residences. Construction began on the Palm Jumeirah island in June 2001.

The Palm Islands, also referred to as The Palm Dubai and The Palms, are the three largest man-made islands in the world, which are being built on the coast of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Its concept was announced in May 2002 and the three resort islands are expected to maintain Dubai's position as a premium tourist destination. The Palm Islands is also the self-declared 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.

Each of the islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Deira) are being built in the shape of a date palm tree and consist of a trunk, a crown with fronds, and are surrounded by a crescent island that acts as a breakwater. The islands will support luxury hotels, freehold residential villas, unique water homes, shoreline apartments, marinas, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls, sports facilities, health spas, cinemas and various diving sites.

In May 2007, a fire caused by an electrical fault burned for two hours and resulted in the hospitalisation of one construction worker and the treatment of two others for smoke inhalation at the scene.^[1]

On May 1, 2007, Nakheel signed a major partnership with the Canadian circus company, Cirque du Soleil, to create a new permanent show in a 1,800-seat theatre in one of the hotels scheduled to open in late 2010 after successfully sponsoring one of their travelling productions Quidam in January 2007 for an exclusive 15-year contract.