The Prince and Princess of Asturias arrived in Zaragoza shortly after 11am this morning for their third visit to the 2008 International Exhibition, which kicked off with a tour of the pavilions of Spain's regional autonomies.

The royal couple were greeted by regional president Marcelino Iglesias and Zaragoza mayor, Juan Alberto Belloch.

Their two previous visits, when they were accompanying King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía, coincided with Spain Day on June 24th, and the inauguration ceremony on June 13th.

Among those also visiting the site today, are Argentinian chancellor, Jorge Taiana, Melilla president, Juan José Imbroda, EU Foreign Policy supremo, Javier Solana, and Dutch prime minister, Jan Peter Balkenende.

Expo 2008 visitor numbers exceed expectations
By: thinkSPAIN
Tuesday, July 1, 2008

More and more visitors are flocking to visit the Expo 2008 exhibition in Zaragoza.

Last week, 358,314 people visited the site, 29,000 more than organisers had hoped for though, on no single day has the daily target visitor total of 101,000 yet been reached.

Notwithstanding, the exhibition's growing success means that visitors are having to wait for up to two hours to enter the most popular pavilions.

The record daily visitor total - 83,646 - was set last Saturday.

From next Monday, organisers are planning reduced tariffs for those who visit after 8pm in the evening when most of the main attractions are closed.

At the moment, they are being charged the full daily rate of €35 euros. 

38,000 visit Expo 2008 on first day
By: thinkSPAIN
Sunday, June 15, 2008

By 11pm last night, 38,000 people had visited the Expo 2008 exhibition in Zaragoza, the theme for which is 'Water and Sustainable Development'.

Hundreds had queued to be first through the turnstiles when the doors opened to the public at 10am, but the honour went to local woman, Araceli González, who turned up at 8am.

Among the shows to have been grabbing the headlines is 'El Hombre Vertiente', a breathtaking 20-minute aerial theatre performance by Argentinian director, Pichón Baldinu.

Depicting the "brutal battle for water," the show dramatically transports the spectator to arid, desert lands that are the inevitable consequence of man's compulsion to control this vital resource.

King and Queen to inaugurate Expo 2008
By: thinkSPAIN
Friday, June 13, 2008

More than five thousand people are expected to attend the opening ceremony for Expo 2008 in Zaragoza tonight.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía will preside the inauguration for the international exhibition, the theme of which is 'Water and Sustainable Development'.

Later, the actress Belén Rueda will compere the 'Enjoyment of Water' show, which is designed to convey the message that water provokes "emotions, joy, pleasure and life," according to joint artistic directors, Joan Lluis Bozzo and Cucki Pons.

After the exhibition opens to the general public tomorrow, organisers are expecting around 96,000 visitors a day.

Opening hours are from 10am-3am though some pavilions will close at 10pm.

Entrance to many of the more than 5,000 cultural events (music, dance and theatre) - most of which start after 10pm - as well as to the main areas of the Water Park (swimming pools, a sandy beach with palm trees, rapids, water chutes and a chill-out terrace), is free.

A one-day adult all-area pass costs €35 euros, though a three-day pass will set you back just €70, and there are discounts for children, pensioners and couples.

They can be obtained at Expo 2008 box offices, from CAI or Ibercaja branches, or at Carrefour outlets. For more information, follow the link below:

http://www.expozaragoza2008.es/index.jsp?seccion=3&seccionRaiz=3&seccionDesplegar=3&idioma=en_GB

Armed forces brought in to protect Expo site
By: thinkSPAIN
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Approximately 750 servicemen and women are taking part in a military operation to provide security at the Expo 2008 exhibition in Zaragoza that started today ahead of the opening ceremony this Friday, the day before the site opens to the public.

According to a Defence ministry statement, the troops' main missions are to protect "critical infrastructures" such as the AVE fast-train installations, and control the air space.

Designed to have a "preventive and deterrent" role, the contingent is made up of representatives from the army, air force and navy, and will remain in place until at least September 14th when the exhibition ends.

The second photo, which shows the Zaha Hadid pavilion-bridge, was taken from the Aramón-Leitner cable car, which will be able to carry a maximum 2,600 visitors an hour.