Today is the National Pavilion Day of Portugal at the ongoing Shanghai World Expo here. Under two themes, - "Portugal, a plaza to the world," and "Portugal, a whole world of energy," - the pavilion draws visitors with both the past and the future of the country.

A PLAZA TO THE WORLD

The film, "Portugal, a plaza to the world," offers an image of the country and provides visitors to the Portuguese Pavilion with a memorable experience.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, hosted the 1998 World Expo with the theme of "The Oceans - a Heritage for the Future," chosen in part to mark the Portugueses' discoveries 500 years ago.

In the film, visitors may review Portugal's history, understand the spirit of "open ocean" shared by the Portuguese people and see the great change Lisbon has made since the Expo 1998.

After the expo, The Lisbon Expo site reopened in February 1999 as the Park of the Nations, a free park featuring garden, Oceanarium, observation tower, funicular and the Virtual Reality pavilion, which attracts 12 million visitors a year.

Many pavilions such as the Oceanarium, Utopia Pavilion and Portugal Pavilion have become landmark buildings in the city.

While a modern and dynamic country which is in continuous transformation is shown at the pavilion, visitors also get to know Portugal as a country where the excellence of traditional products intersects with innovation in technology and research, namely with regards to renewable energy.

A WHOLE WORLD OF ENERGY

While lacking of resources such as coal, gas and oil, Portugal instead resorts to renewable energy such as tide, wind and sunlight for its economic and environmental development.

The pavilion could be a best example for its achievements in renewable energy.

The Interactive Station for the Production of Wind Power, an interactive simulator which uses paper turbines to create wind, has been installed in the room dedicated to "renewable energy."

Visitors may experience the device which entices interaction and participation and simulates the feel of wind.

Besides, the construction of the pavilion also demonstrates the efforts made by the country in developing renewable energy.

The exterior curtain walls and interior attaching veneers of the pavilion are all decorated with cork, a kind of Portuguese-sourced, recyclable and environment-friendly material.

The cork facade, a source of curiosity for the visitors, serves an example of innovation and environment-friendly practices that enhance the image of Portugal in Expo 2010 Shanghai, which expects 70 million visitors and attracts 189 countries and 57 international organizations.