Three huge entry gates that will welcome visitors to Expo 2020 have arrived in Dubai after a journey spanning thousands of kilometres.
The carbon-fibre structures measure 30 x 21 metres and will stand at the entrances to the site in south Dubai.
They were transported from Bavaria to Europe's second largest port Antwerp then on to Jebel Ali by Expo logistics company UPS.
The structures were placed at the three main entrances to the site ahead of the launch on October 20, 2020.
The entryways will transform the skyline of the Expo 2020 site and symbolise the futuristic spirit of the world fair, Expo officials said.
“The hosts of Expo 2020 wanted a structure that would stand the test of time - and there are no other entryways like this on the planet,” said Martin Osswald, chief executive of Germany manufacturer HA-CO Carbon GmbH.
“It’s incredible for us to imagine that 25 million visitors will pass through these iconic doors that were made in Germany.”
The Expo site - which is being built from scratch in a patch of desert near Dubai World Central airport - is the size of about 600 football fields.
The government said it will welcome an estimated 25 million visitors in the six months between October 2020 and April 2021.
Tens of thousands of staff will work on the site and 200 restaurants will produce up to 300,000 meals per day.
The world fair, as it is also known, is expected to showcase the latest technology and feature a pavilion from every country in the world.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
