For centuries Zaragoza turned its back on the Ebro, Spain’s longest river, which traverses the city on the way from its source in Cantabria in the north to its delta on the Mediterranean.

However, as host city of Expo 2008, the historic capital of Aragón intends to make water an issue, and in the process turn itself into one of Spain’s premier cities. The theme of Expo 2008, a world fair, is Water and Sustainability, a choice inspired by the arid climate of the region.