MAIN Art & ... Pop Culture Miss World Pageant 2008

Although originally planned to take place on October 4 in Kiev, the Russia-Georgian conflict in August resulted in a new date and venue.

The 58th annual Miss World pageant will now take place on Friday, December 12 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa

Stay tuned!

Beamed to hundreds of countries around the world, a global television audience of millions watch as Miss World semi-finalists strut, dance and compete across the stage for the coveted title of most beautiful woman in the world.

The main event is preceded by a month-long round of galas, events & activities near and around the host city, leading up to the televised broadcast which begins with 20 top semi-finalists already chosen.

The winner of this year's pageant will spend the following year representing the Miss World organization and raising funds in the millions of dollars for charitable causes across the globe.

In 1951, the Miss World competition was begun by Eric Morley and at its peak in the 1970s and 80s drew an audience of almost 28 million in Great Britain and many more throughout the world.

Today, it continues as one of the world's top beauty pageants featuring a collection of motivated, gifted and extremely beautiful young women vying for the title.

Follow the international competition on the Web including news & updates as well as contestant photo galleries, profiles & biographies, fun facts, trivia and more on the Miss World Pageant ...

Miss World Official Site - The place to be for everything you always wanted to know, featuring the latest photos, news and announcements plus a complete list of contestants, related trivia, history, video clips, archived winners' photo gallery and media contact and registration info.

Miss World - The full overview from Wikipedia including Miss World history, controversies, fun facts & trivia, a complete list of winners from 1951-present, related links.

Miss World 2008 - Catch up on the latest news from herfactor.com.

Miss World -- A long, glittering history - Historical Miss World coverage with a look back at pageants and winners from the past.

Turn For the Judges - Miss World - Dozens of glamour contestant photos in an interactive gallery with updated coverage of the Miss World Pageant...

Also see Miss Universe | Miss Earth

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue | Victoria's Secret Models