Sights From Expo Milan 2015

The Tree of Life is the symbol of Expo Milan 2015. The 120-foot-tall tree (above) takes its design from Rome's Piazza del Campidoglio. Past World Expo symbols which became enduring icons include the Eiffel Tower (Paris, 1889), the Atomium (Belgium, 1958), the Space Needle (Seattle, 1962), and the Oriental Crown (Shanghai, 2010).

Countries arrived at Expo Milan 2015 with their best ideas for the theme "Feeding the Planet: Energy for Life." The UK Pavilion seen above uses science and technology in a multi-sensorial experience that highlights the importance of bees in feeding the world.

Planners of Expo Milan 2015 expect over 20 million visitors between May 1 and October 31, 2015. Tens of thousands of visitors gather every day at the Cardo and Decumano (pictured above), the main streets of the Expo site, where most international pavilions are located.

This photo essay is a part of CPD's eight-week special series, "Branding Nations at the Milan Expo." For related coverage, see:

• Introducing CPD's Video Series from Expo Milan 2015 (CPD Video)
• U.S. Student Ambassadors on Expo Milan 2015 (CPD Video)
• Expo Milan 2015: Dialogue Through Food (CPD Blog)
• Expo Milan 2015: Milan's City Diplomacy (CPD Blog)
• Expo Milan 2015: The Good, the Bad, and the Hungry (CPD Blog)
• Looking for God at the Milan Expo (Part 1) and (Part 2) (CPD Blog)