Durrat Al Bahrain (23 Jan. 2011) --- Durrat Al Bahrain, Bahrain, is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 26 crew member on the International Space Station. Set at the southern end of Bahrain Island, at the furthest point from the cities of the kingdom, is a new complex of 14 artificial islands designed for residential living and tourism with luxury hotels and shopping malls. Aimed at a cosmopolitan clientele, the Durrat Al Bahrain includes 21 square kilometers of new surface area—for more than 1,000 residences—that has been designed as The Islands (six “atolls” leading off five fish-shaped “petals”), The Crescent, Hotel Island in the center of the complex, and Durrat Marina in the north. The spectacular outline of this development, and others such as the Palm Jumeirah and World Islands developments in the Persian Gulf, are best appreciated from above. Views from jet liners at high altitude—and orbital platforms such as the International Space Station—are the only ways to fully appreciate these sights. This detailed photograph shows that construction on the southern two atolls and petals has yet to begin. Artificial beaches have been created on the inner shorelines of the Crescent and petals, with smaller beaches on the inner ends of the atolls and Hotel Island. The angular outline of the golf course, where many more residences are planned to line the fairways, can be seen between The Crescent and the marina. What may be a second marina at the south end of the complex mirrors the one on the north, appears to be part of the complex, but it does not figure in some earlier plans for the Durrat Al Bahrain. It can be inferred that this image was primarily taken for which of the following reasons? A. to illustrate the extravagance and absurdity of creating artificial islands in the Gulf B. to promote tourism and sell resorts on Durrat Al Bahrain C. to encourage viewers to join or support the endeavors of space exploration D. to provide viewers with a glimpse of where urban development is headed in the future E. to present to the masses a unique visual perspective that only a few can physically experience