Expo ’98

world’s fair, Lisbon, Portugal

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July 22, 2026

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Expo '98 was a world's fair held in Lisbon, Portugal, from May to September 1998. The event's theme was "Oceans, a Heritage for the Future," focusing on the importance of the oceans and their preservation. Expo '98 spurred significant modernization of Lisbon's infrastructure, including the construction of the Vasco da Gama Bridge and improvements to the city's transportation network. It attracted millions of visitors and contributed to economic growth and increased tourism in the region. The fair was a registered exhibition under the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).123

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Portugal
Stabilization and the European future
…hosted the World’s Fair (Expo ’98), which also marked the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Vasco da Gama in Asia following his discovery of an all-water route from Europe. As the celebrations ended and the 21st century began, many wondered how the new Portugal would conceive of its…
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…hosted the World’s Fair (Expo ’98), which also marked the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Vasco da Gama in Asia following his discovery of an all-water route from Europe. As the celebrations ended and the 21st century began, many wondered how the new Portugal would conceive of its…
Read More