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The Dubai Fountain

The Dubai Fountain is the world's second largest choreographed fountain system set on the 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake, at the center of the Downtown Dubai development in Dubai, United Arab Emirates next to "The Fountain" Okada Manila, Philippines. It was designed by WET Design, the California-based company responsible for the fountains at the Bellagio Hotel Lake in Las Vegas. Illuminated by 6,600 lights and 25 colored projectors, it is 275 m (902 ft) long and shoots water up to 500 ft (152.4 m) into the air accompanied by a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and world music.[1] It was built at a cost of AED 800 million (USD $218 million).

The name of the fountain was chosen after a contest organized by the developer Emaar Properties, the result of which was announced on 26 October 2008.[2] Testing of the fountain began in February 2009,[3] and the fountain was officially inaugurated on 8 May 2009 along with the official opening ceremony of The Dubai Mall. On 2 January 2010 the length of Dubai fountains was increased to 275 m (902.2 ft).[4]

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The Dubai Fountain can spray 22,000 gallons (83,000 liters) of water in the air at any moment. More than 6,600 lights and 25 colour projectors have been installed. During the end of 2010 the fountain had got a new element, fire, which outlined the fountains (the fire was temporary for the 2011 New Years celebration).[4] The Dubai Fountains project water in the air in many different combinations and patterns. The beam of light from the fountain can be seen from over 20 miles away.[5]

The Dubai Fountain consists of many high-pressure water jets and shooters: oarsmen or water robots, which can make the water seem to dance, shooters, which shoot water upwards; super shooters, which shoot water under more pressure up to 240 feet in the air, and extreme shooters, which can shoot water under the most pressure to 500 ft (152.4 m) in the air. These shooters create a loud "boom" noise after water is ejected. The extreme shooters are used the least during each show because it takes a lot of time to build up enough pressure and energy to shoot water that high in the air.

The fountain is animated with performances set to light and music. It is visible from every point on the lake promenade and from many neighboring structures. Performances take place at 1:00 pm and at 1:30 pm as well as every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 10 pm on weekdays, and from 6 pm to 11 pm on weekends (weekends being Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).

Performance repertoire includes:

"Sama Dubai", a tribute to Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed, which is usually the first show of the day

All of the fountain's performances are accompanied by music played through speakers around the lake, although sometimes the fountains are operated without music for testing purposes. When performances are viewed from further away, i.e. from surrounding buildings, the music might not be audible.