Sunday, May 2, 2010

Facts about Shanghai World Expo

Expo 2010 logoImage via Wikipedia
China's business and financial centre, Shanghai, is hosting the World Expo, which opened to massive crowds on Saturday.

The following is a fact file on the event, also known as the World's Fair:

WHAT IS IT?: Organisers call it the Olympics of science, technology and ideas. The main attractions are country pavilions where governments promote their values, culture and achievements.

THEME: Each Expo chooses a universal theme relevant to the future of humanity. Shanghai will look at urbanisation with the theme "Better City, Better Life".

DURATION: Six months, May 1 to October 31.

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES: 189

VISITORS: Up to 100 million are expected.

CHINESE VISITORS: 95 percent of visitors are expected to be Chinese.

BUDGET: Shanghai has spent 400 billion yuan (58.6 billion dollars) in direct and indirect investments preparing for the Expo, according to state media -- more than was spent on the Beijing Olympics. But the Shanghai government only confirms its budget for the site is 28.6 billion yuan.

TICKETS: 160 yuan (23.50 dollars)

STATE VISITS: 20 world leaders were in Shanghai for the opening ceremony, but about 100 are expected to visit throughout the Expo.

SITE: 5.3 square kilometres (two square miles), more than twice the size of Monaco.

FREQUENCY: Expos have two categories: Large-scale "Universal Expositions", like the one in Shanghai, are held every five years, but smaller "International Expositions" can take place in between.
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