The British government says it will be an "international icon": the Millenium dome which is being built at Greenwich, London. However, considering the estimated cost of �758m, many critics have cast doubt on whether the project will represent value for money and if it will actually be worth visiting.

The lid had been kept firmly on what the contents of the dome will be, but a presentation by the Prime Minister Tony Blair detailing the specific nature of the exhibition has gone some way to calming the critics.

Twelve million people are expected to visit the dome and - according to the designers - will be able to "explore the possibilities of their own personal futures in the next millennium."

The year-long exhibition will be officially opened on 31 December 1999 and will be a celebration of British ideas and technology.

Displays and attractions designed by "Britain's best talents" will discuss the choices facing humankind in the 21st century; how we might work, learn, rest and play; what our bodies and minds can do and how beliefs are formed.

They will also look at the opportunities we have to improve our local, national and global environments.

The dome will be divided into 13 exhibition zones:
• The Mind: Discover man's creative power
• The Body Zone: Voyage into the human machine
• Spirit Level: Experience peace and reflection
• Licensed to Skill: Match hidden skills to the world of work
• The Learning Curve: Opening minds to life-long learning
• TransAction: How money and finance is changing our life
• Dreamscape: Dream, imagine and return refreshed
• Serious Play: How leisure can reactivate life
• Shared Ground: Travel Britain and learn about different communities
• Living Island: Protecting the environment
• Atmosphere: Experience the planet
• Time to Talk!: Learning better ways to communicate
• uk@now: Decide what being British means

The dome will also have an arena where live performances will take place.