World Expositions are galleries of human inspiration and thought. Since 1851, when the Great Exhibition of Industries of All Nations was held in London, World Expositions have attained increasing prominence as grand events for economic, scientific, technological and cultural exchange, serving as an important platform for displaying historical experience, exchanging innovative ideas, demonstrating the human spirit and looking ahead to the future.

World Expo 2010 Shanghai will be the first registered World Exposition held in an emerging market.
Theme:“Better City, Better Life”
Duration:May 1 to October 31, 2010
Expected Number of Visitors:70 million
Expected Number of Participants:Over 200 countries and international organizations
Venue:Between Shanghai’s Nanpu Bridge and Lupu Bridge, on both sides of the Huangpu River
Shanghai Expo Park occupies 5.28 square kilometers (3.93 square kilometers in Pudong and 1.35 square kilometers in Puxi). As of August 2009, 192 countries and 49 International organizations had confirmed their participation.

The emblem, which depicts three people – you, me and him/her – holding hands, symbolizes the family of humankind. Inspired by the shape of the Chinese character"世"(meaning “the world”), the design conveys the organizers' wish to host an event that is of global scale and showcases the diverse urban cultures of the world.

The name of the mascot of World Expo 2010 Shanghai is Haibao, which means “treasure of the sea.” The name is easy to remember, echoes the color of its blue body and is a name symbolizing good luck in Chinese tradition.
Like the mascots for other global events such as the Olympics and FIFA World Cup, the mascot of World Expo 2010 Shanghai is very important for interpreting the theme and expressing the culture of the event. The emblems and images of past World Expositions have become unique legacies. They have not only become representative of the events, but also embody the culture and spirit of host countries and cities.

The first World Exposition was held in The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, in 1851 under the title “Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations.” As such, it influenced the development of several aspects of society including art and design education, international trade and relations, and even tourism. It also was the precedent for many international exhibitions, later called “World’s Fairs.”
Since the signing of the 1928 Convention on International Exhibitions, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has served as an international sanctioning body. BIE-approved fairs are divided into different types: universal, international and specialized. They usually run between three and six months.