上海成功获得2010年世界博览会的主办权，这无疑是继北京成功申奥之后中国的又一大盛事 。但相对于奥运会而言，人们对有“经济和科技领域的奥林匹克”之称的世博会还比较陌生。世博会，那是一场什么样的盛会呢？

Q: What is the World Expo?

A: The World Expo is a large-scale, global, non- commercial Expo. It aims to promote the exchange of ideas and development of the world' s economy, culture, science and technology, to allow exhibitors to publicise and display their achievements and improve international relationships. Accordingly, the World Expo with its 150 year history is regarded as the Olympic Games of economy, science and technology.

Q: When and where was the first World Expo held?

A: The first World Expo was held in London on 1 May 1851. At that time, Britain was the greatest power in the world. To display the power and pride of the country, the British government built a 1,700 feet long and 100 feet high "Crystal Pa lace" in Hyde Park with 4,500 tons of steel and 300,000 blocks of glass (later de stroyed in the Second World War). Queen Victoria invited ten countries to exhibit products inside this "Palace". A total of 6.3 million people attended the Expo throughout the 160 days of its duration.

Q: What are the types of the World Expo?

A: There are two types of World Expo, the "Comprehensive World Expo" and the "Special World Expo". Over the past 50 World Expos, most have been Comprehensive. The products exhibited at Comprehensive World Expos covered items of every nature. On the free sites provided by the host country, the exhibitors built Expo halls at their own expense to display their achievements in science, technology, culture, economy and society. Comprehensive World Expos are held once every five years. The products exhibited at Special World Expos are specialised. The following the mes are recognised as being those of Special World Expos: ecology（生态学）， transportation, hunting, entertainment, atomic energy, mountains, urban planning（城 市规划）， animal husbandry（畜牧业）， meteorology（气象学）， marine¹ life（水产 ）， chemical industry, forestry², habitat（居留地）， medicine, data processing（ 数据处理） and agriculture. The exhibitors need to decorate such Expo halls. The 1999 Kunming World Expo was a Special World Expo.

Q: What is the charm of the World Expo?

A: The World Expo is a global event, huge in space and content. The Expo does n ot discriminate³ against exhibitors on any basis whether it be political, religiou s or racial, creating an opportunity for the host country to publicise itself and improve foreign relations. The exhibitors demonstrate their most distinctive⁴, latest and advanced products, which the host country can witness and learn from at little expense. The host city can also use the World Expo to accelerate municipal construction (市政建设). During the World Expo, visitors from all over the world gather in the host country, which is advantageous⁵ for business and industry. The host country is provided with opportunities to publicise and promote itself.

Q: Which countries have hosted the World Expo?

A: To date, a total of 24 cities in 13 countries have hosted the World Expo, in cluding Britain, France, America, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Japan, Australia, Spain, Italy, Korea, Portugal and China.

Q: Why do the international metropolises⁶（都会，大城市） compete to host the World Expo?

A: Many of modern society' s concepts have been inspired by World Expos, such as department stores as well as new tourism ideas such as pleasure grounds, holiday villages and entertainment clubs. The World Expo differs from trade promotion⁷ and investment displays and provides an opportunity for the host to display social, economic and cultural achievements and development prospects⁸. Since the first World Expo was held in Britain, the international metropolises all crave⁹ the honour of hosting the World Expo. Paris, France, has hosted the World Expo six times in 1855, 1867, 1878, 1889, 1900 and 1937. The famous Eiffel Tower was constructed for the 1889 Paris World Expo and it remains¹⁰ a symbol of France and Paris.