Year-end special: Feats of 2015

The UAE is no stranger to achieving an outstanding number of firsts. Here's a look at some that made it to the Guinness World Records this year

Largest vertical maze: January 2015

The 55-storey Maze Tower, located on Dubai's bustling Sheikh Zayed Road, was crowned for its intricate façade made out of Verde Bahia granite. Created by Al Rostamani Group, its winning features include an eight-metre video wall at the top, innovative LED lights on its exterior and a rooftop maze garden in its standalone car park.

Largest Cricket Bat: January 2015

With a large expat community interested in cricket, the UAE National Cricket team's sponsor OSN took things a step further to cement the fandom. It created the world's largest cricket bat, which weighed 950 kgs. It was displayed at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Academy in Dubai Sports City until March 2015.

Largest Lenticular Hologram: February 2015

Ever walked up to a store window only to realise that your eyes are playing tricks on you? Paris Gallery LLC teamed up with Image Concepts FZ LLC to set up a massive 39.8-metre wide and 4.11-metre high lenticular hologram in Al Ghurair Mall that gave shoppers the illusion of a fully operational store, and won a spot in the Guinness World Records.

Largest Pyrotechnics Image: March 2015

Fireworks are one of the best ways to celebrate big events, and the UAE knows how to dazzle in style. The 20th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup saw 65,535 square metres of fireworks that depicted the UAE National Flag during a ceremony at the Meydan Racecourse. The feat was set off by US-based manufacturer Fireworks by Grucci.

Largest Infinity Mirror: March 2015

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) marked the Earth Hour with the world's largest infinity mirror, a set of mirrors that creates smaller reflections into the distance. The prop measures seven square metres and represents DEWA's infinite dedication to efforts to preserve the environment.

Greenest City: April 2015

The Guinness World Records compiled 10 incredible environmentally friendly world records this year to mark the Earth Day, where it honoured Masdar City, Abu Dhabi as the Greenest City. Masdar City generates power from renewable resources and makes the best of recycling. It also features electric, hybrid, and driverless underground vehicles to ensure that the city's projected 50,000 citizens leave little carbon footprint.

Largest Money Box: June 2015

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (AWQAF) displayed a donation box that measured 5 metres long, 5 metres wide and 7 metres high in Yas Mall's Town Square. The box is reminiscent of the Money Box the authority uses to collect donations.

Largest Synchronised Car Dance: July 2015

Around 121 Land Cruisers, decked in a rainbow of colours, performed a synchronised car "dance" in the universal peace sign, forming an animated symbol in Dubai's desert. It was a collaborative effort between PepsiCo, Impact BBDO and Swerve Entertainment, and overseen by UK-based graffiti artist INSA.

Fastest time to ascend a 100-metre sand dune by a car: August 2015

Dune bashing is a popular pastime activity in the UAE, so it comes as no surprise that the country would attempt to scale sandy banks within a record time. A Nissan Patrol from Nissan Middle East (UAE) successfully drove up a 100-metre sand dune in 4.9 seconds. The feat took place in Wadi Rum, Jordan.

Largest Bank Card Mosaic: November 2015

MasterCard laid out over 30,000 bank cards on the Dubai Ice Rink floor in Dubai Mall to form the world's largest mosaic in the shape of the UAE Flag to commemorate National Flag Day. The record-breaking set-up was about 8.6 metres by 16.6 metres in size and coloured red, green, white and black with custom-made cards to represent the National Flag.

Source: Khaleej Times