Australia:
Michael Alvarez of Perth, Australia, uses his large cellular kite in workshops he presents for school children.

Brazil:
Mr. Zecca das Pipas is called the "King Of Kites" in Rio de Janeiro.

Canada:
Robert Trepanier of Montreal, Canada, is known for the haunting faces he paints on his kites.

Canada:
Erick Curtis and Ann Sloboda of Ontario screen print and hand dye all of their kites.

China:
Another traditional kite from China is the Weifang Dragon which is flown with as many as 200 cellular panes behind the ornate head.

Columbia:
Bogota hosts a popular festivals each spring that draws 100,000 spectators.

Curacao:
Many unique kites come from throughout the Caribbean.

Denmark:
The International Kite Party on the Danish Island of Fano has some of the best buggy riding in the world.

France:
Andre Cassagne designed a series of ring kites to celebrate the Olympics. He is the best known kitemaker in France and the original inventor of the Etch-a-Sketch.

France:
This large Japanese style kite was made for the international kite festival in Dieppe. The artwork copies the front page of the local newspaper.

Germany:
Rolf Sturm is the president of the Drachen Club Deutchland (German Kite Club). He is famous for his Snoopy and Red Baron inflatable kites.

Germany:
Team No Limit flies large turning "wheels" and inflated kites that look like Sesame Street Characters

Germany:
Uwe Grysback creates interesting spinning kites that maneuver on multiple lines.

Guadeloupe:
An international sport kite competition was held on the island of Guadeloupe in 1998.

Holland:
A new kite design called the "circoflex" was invented by Ton Oostveen and Helmut Schiefer in Holland during the 1990's

India:
Festivals involving millions of people and kites are held each January in Ahmenabad, India. Kites are sold on the street in simple stalls like this.

India:
Lightweight paper kites are used in India for fighting on glass coated line. The loser is cut free.

Italy:
Italian festivals feature large kites and banner shows.

Italy:
One Italian team has created a symphony of instrument kites that they fly to music.

Japan:
Launching an O-dako (a giant rectangular kite). Roughly 200 of these huge kites are destroyed each year in the kite battles of Shirone.

Japan:
This is a humming Bee Kite made by Satoshi Hashimoto. The bee is crafted from rice paper and bamboo that has been aged for more than 100 years. When flown, the "hummer" on the top makes a loud buzzing noise.

Japan:
A hand painted Edo kite ("Edo" is the former name of Tokyo) featuring the rabbit and wave theme from a traditional folk tale.

Malaysia:
The delicate Wau Kuching (cat kite) and Wau Bulan (moon kite). These examples were made for decorative contests and are too heavy to fly.

Mexico:
Jose Sainz, who now lives in San Diego, has traveled the world with his unique kites. This one combines traditional Mexican art with modern materials.

New Zealand:
Designer Peter Lynn created a series of huge inflatable kites (no sticks) in the shape of various sea creatures.

New Zealand:
Peter Lynn also designed a modern kite "buggy" made from stainless steel and powered by large maneuverable kites. George Pocock used the same idea in England in 1822.

Portugal:
An annual kite retreat is held in Lagos, Portugal. great fun on the beach!.

Singapore:
Mr. Shakib Gunn is a familiar face as festivals throughout Singapore.

Thailand:
The traditional kites of Thailand represent male and female characters. This one, called a "chula' is the male kite. The kites are flown in sophisticated "battles" designed to capture a mate.

Thailand:
Every two year, a festival is held before the royal palace in Bangkok.

United Arab Emirates:
These three giant kites were flown at the First International Kite Festival of Dubai on the Persian Gulf.

United Kingdom:
The Cody Manlifting Kite was designed for the British Army about 100 years ago. It was invented by an American named Samuel Franklin Cody, who dressed much like Buffalo Bill.

United Kingdom:
Martin Lester of Bristol is known for making flying "Body Parts".

United Kingdom:
A six member performance team from England called the Decorators

USA:
Randy Tom of San Diego won many awards with this "seven sisters" style kite with sewn copies of artwork by Patrick Nagel.

USA:
A six-sided Japanese kite is called a "rokkaku" (ro-ka-coo). Kathy Goodwind of Seattle made this model which she calls "Ro-ka-doodle-do. It now hangs in a Japanese kite museum.

USA:
Artist George Peters of Boulder, Colorado, combines interesting shapes to create whimsical kites.

USA:
Designer Scott Skinner of Monument, Colorado, combines traditional American quilting techniques with Japanese kite shapes.

USA:
Performer Dennis Kumerowski of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, flies kites which steer with four lines. He added two extra "arms" to his costume to enhance the effect.