The World Exposition 2010 was officially opened in Shanghai on Friday, the 30th of April.  The $44 billion World Expo’s opening was marked by fireworks, a laser show and performances by almost 2,300 performers and musicians from all over the world. The World Expo is another grand event for the country after the successful Beijing Olympics in 2008.

This is the first time that the 159-year-old World Expo is being held in a developing country since the inaugural fair in London in 1851. Shanghai had won the bid to host the World Expo in 2002 at Monte Carlo, Monaco. However, Shanghai is said to be China’s richest city and is among the 10 largest cities in the world.

The lavish opening ceremony was attended by many World leaders including France’s President Sarkozy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Chinese President Hu Jintao declared that The Expo Park will officially open to the public on Saturday and is expected to draw 70 million people to pavilions from across the world. This year's expo is focused on the challenges of urbanization under the motto "Better City, Better Life."

The World Expo 2010 is a six month event that will start on the 1st of May and continue till 31st of October 2010. It will host 250 countries and international organizations that will showcase their culture in an event themed around sustainable development. The expo has...