The World is a ship serving as a residential community owned by its residents. The residents, from about 40 different countries, live on board as the ship slowly circumnavigates the globe—staying in most ports from 2 to 5 days. Some residents live on board full time while others visit their floating home periodically throughout the year. It is operated by ResidenSea, headquartered in Miramar, Florida. At one time ResidenSea's headquarters were in unincorporated Miami-Dade County. The World was the idea of Knut U. Kloster Jr., whose family had a long history in the cruise ship industry. The hull of the ship was built in Landskrona, Sweden, by Öresundsvarvet, and it was then towed to Fosen Mekaniske Verksted in Rissa, Norway, for completion. The ship was launched in March 2002. ResidenSea in Miramar, Florida, remained the management company responsible for operations and administration of the ship, including hiring the hundreds of employees that offer services such as housekeeping, beauty treatments, photography and other amenities. The residents, through their elected board of directors and a network of committees, provide guidance to the management about the ship's itinerary, finances and lifestyle