UAE Pavilion
I think the upcoming World Expo in Shanghai will be quite something to see. The preparations have been going on for the better part of the last decade, and the excitement is in the air. The theme of the expo is “Better City, Better Life” – and given the accelerated urbanization that has been occurring in China over the past several years, coupled with some of the largest cities in the world – I can’t think of a more appropriate place for this event.
Some interesting Expo / World Fair statistics:
1. It’s held on an ‘irregular’ basis
2. The first World Exposition was held in 1851 in The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, England under the title, “Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations”
3. The history of expositions have been divided into three categories: 1951-1938: Industrialization; 1939-1987: Cultural Exchange; 1988+: Nation Branding
The Official 2010 Expo Site is quite impressive:
If you look at nothing else, check out the various country pavilions – fyi; there are 192 countries participating so far. The Iceland Pavillion is one of my favorites, but I’ve included others below (including the country of my heritage – Poland):
Turkey Pavilion
Czech Pavilion
Iceland Pavilion
Poland Pavilion
