8/14 - Two Billion Eyes on One Crown!

* Miss World is not only the oldest major international beauty pageant around (the first Miss World was crowned in London, back in 1951), but also the most watched worldwide: it is estimated that over 2 billion people in approximately 140 countries watch the annual event.

* Venezuela and India are the countries with most winners: 5 each. They are followed by the United Kingdom, with 4 winners (originally 5, but one was dethroned a few days after winning the title). Iceland, Jamaica and Sweden come next, with 3 winners each.

* The Miss World pageant is famous for discovering some great talents, like India's Aishwarya Rai (Miss World 1994), the Bollywood and Hollywood superstar, French actress Claudine Auger (Miss France and Miss World's 1st runner-up in 1958), America's Lynda Carter (Miss World USA 1972), the eternal Wonder Woman, and Halle Berry (Miss World USA 1986 and Miss World finalist), the only international beauty contestant to have won an Academy Award (Best Actress in 2001 for her performance in 'Monster's Ball'). The Miss World pageant has also produced innumerous 'Bond Girls'.

* Although this number hasn't yet been confirmed, 114 countries are expected to compete in Miss World 2008. In order to break its own record of participant countries, more than 107 candidates (number of participants in 2004) must compete in this year's pageant.

* Two newcomers must yet be confirmed: Kosovo and Liechtenstein.

* For the first time since Global Beauties started covering the Miss World pageant in 1999, the website has decided not to publish its own lists of favorites. However, bookmakers predictions and contestants' odds, will be frequently updated as the 1-month-long pageant progresses.

* Ever since the world learned that the 2008 contest had been postponed and its original venue (Ukraine) cancelled, there's been large speculation on where the pageant will be held. London (UK), Sanya (China), Edinburgh (Scotland), Nha Trang (Vietnam), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and Sun City (South Africa), are some of the options. The new venue and pageant final's date shall be announced in the next few days.