Monday marks the pavilion day of the United Arab Emirates at the Shanghai World Expo.

There, the UAE is displaying its dramatic change in the few short years since the state was established, and their future plans about how to make a "Better City Better Life" possible.

Drawing inspiration from the form of a sand dune, the pavilion is a reference to this symbolic feature of the desert landscape shared by each of the seven emirates.

Unfolding the country's unique personality, visitors to the UAE pavilion are taken on an dream-like journey. Guided by a local boy and a Chinese girl on a 3D screen, viewers experience the diversity, beauty and vibrancy of contemporary UAE.

Situated at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa on the south-eastern tip of the Arabian peninsula, the territory of the UAE roughly forms a triangular landmass. It's a land of contrasts: massive sand-dunes, fertile palm-filled oases, vast stretches of mesmerizing desert, low-lying coastal plains, sandy beaches, hundreds of natural islands and rugged rocky mountains.

Established in 1971, the United Arab Emirates is a relatively young Arab country that has experienced huge surge in prosperity in recent years. Rich resources in the form of oil was first exported in the 1960s. It has enabled much of this prosperity.

Today, the UAE boasts a vibrant free economy and successful efforts have been made to diversify away from dependence on oil and gas exports.