Edu365.cat

Shanghai, China's most populous city, is about to inaugurate a great event: the 2010 World Expo, which will run for six months, from 1 May to 31 October.

The aim of World Expos is to present to the world the great advances made by humanity in different areas. These global events act as platforms for scientific, cultural, economic and technological exchange.

Having said that, we should clarify that there are two kinds of exhibitions: World Expos and International Expos, both of which are regulated by the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE). While World Expos take place in an unlimited area where the participating countries construct their own pavilions, International Expos are held on a smaller, 25-hectare site, last three months (half the length of World Expos) and focus on a specific theme.

The Expo 2010 Shanghai is a World Expo and its theme is 'Better City, Better Life' by which it aims to highlight the need to make cities more habitable, with a better quality of life. The world's population is increasingly concentrated in cities: in 1950, 29% lived in cities; today, the figure stands at almost 55%.

The Expo 2010 Shanghai is expected to be the most-visited in the history of these events. Some 200 countries and international organisations will be represented and visitor numbers are expected to reach 70 million, coming both from China and other countries.