The city of Shanghai
Located some 25-30 kilometres inland from the east coast of China, Shanghai developed during the second half of the 19th century due to the increasing trade with the outside world. The centre of Shanghai still bears the hallmarks of Western architecture, reflecting the 100 years that this central area was run as an international zone outside Chinese control. The modern Shanghai which has emerged over the past couple of decades is a city of tall buildings and major motorways. The rapid pulse of the city is all-pervasive.
Shanghai has grown rapidly and its population has now reached some 20 million. The economy is growing at a great rate; Shanghai has maintained a double-digit annual GNP growth since 1992. China’s most important city for trade and finance, Shanghai is believed by many to be well on the way to becoming the leading finance and business centre in East Asia.
World Expo 2010 will be arranged in central Shanghai on an area covering 5.28 square kilometres straddling the Huangpu River. The pavilions of the official corporate partners of World Expo are on the northern bank of the river, along with the Best Urban Practice Area which is a separate exhibition area for cities. On the south bank of the river are the national pavilions, the Chinese pavilion, World Expo Park, as well as the auditorium, stages and conference facilities. The Swedish pavilion will be located in the European section alongside the other Nordic countries.
