With much of the Olympic spotlight shining on Beijing and preparations for the 2008 summer games, Russia—set to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea city of Sochi—vows not be outdone. Russian developers revealed plans for Federation Island, an artificial island in the shape of Russia to be built off the coast of the planned Olympic complex. Expected to house 25,000 people, two marinas, three religious centers, roads, and parkland on a total of 350 hectares, the floating mini-Russia will boast artificial rivers made to mimic the continent's real waterways (think Volga, Don, and Ob) to ensure authenticity. Costing an estimated 6.2 billion dollars, the project is part of a larger effort by the Russian state to revamp the area's Soviet-era infrastructure before the big event. And hey, they've got to spend all that oil money somewhere.

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