Comoros gave the specimen to China in 1997. It was on show at the Beijing Museum of Natural History before it was displayed at the World Expo in Shanghai.

Singing and dancing is part of life in the Africa Joint Pavilion. Mali's band, Uganda royal dance, Kenya's village shows, Djibouti's dagger dance, Togo's mask dance, Burundi's drum music, Cameroon's music and dance, and Niger's fashion show are performed on a daily basis on the joint pavilion's central stage.

On to the islands

Small island states are housed in the Pacific Pavilion and the Caribbean Community Joint Pavilion at the World Expo site.

HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE: Visitors to the Lithuania Pavilion watch a replica fight of 15th-century medieval knights on July 18 (LI BAISHUN)

The Pacific Pavilion is a blue rectangular building painted with sketches of marine creatures. The pavilion hosts exhibitions by Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Tonga, Micronesia, Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Niue as well as the South Pacific Tourism Organization and the Pacific Islands Forum. It showcases the beauty of the Pacific countries, their unique culture and a sustainable lifestyle.

Inside the unassuming structure, there are surprises and festivities. Chen Haiyun, a university student from Guangdong Province, won free round-trip tickets to Fiji, reported the World Expo's official website. Chen visited the Pacific Pavilion on July 16, and he won the award because he was the 3 millionth visitor to the pavilion. Against the backdrop of rhythmic aboriginal percussion music, a South Pacific Tourism Organization officer presented the gift to Chen, and promised that the organization would pay for all of Chen's accommodation in Fiji.

Kiribati celebrated its National Pavilion Day on July 13. Artists from Kiribati performed traditional dances characterized by outstretched arms and birdlike movements. Kiribati is composed of 32 atolls and one island, straddling the equator and bordering the International Date Line to the east.

On July 17, the Caribbean Community also celebrated its Pavilion Day. Artists from Caribbean countries performed local dances and songs. Through exhibits and multimedia presentations, the Caribbean Community showcased its cultural heritage, natural landscape and resources, clean energy development and other highlights.

Other discoveries

There are other smaller pavilions scattered around the Expo site, waiting to be discovered.