Miss World 2006, the 56th edition of the Miss World pageant, was held on 30 September 2006 at the Sala Kongresowa, the main 2,897-seat auditorium of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Poland. It was the first time ever that the pageant was held in a European city other than London, United Kingdom, having previously been held there in 2002 after the Nigeria Controversy. The pageant officially concluded after Taťána Kuchařová from the Czech Republic was crowned Miss World 2006 by outgoing titleholder Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir of Iceland.
A total of 104 countries competed in the pageant, the 12th largest number behind 2013 (127) 2014 (121), 2012 (116), 2010 (115), 2015 (114), 2011 (113), 2009 (112), 2008 (109), 2004 (107), and 2007 and 2003 (both 106). All contestants were divided in six regional groups: Africa, Americas, Asia Pacific, Caribbean, Northern Europe, and Southern Europe.
Gdynia was the host of the Beach Beauty contest, Giżycko hosted the Miss Sports contest and Wrocław hosted the Miss Talent competition. The fourth event was Beauty with a Purpose. This is the first time the Czech Republic won the title of Miss World.
Out of the 17 semi-finalists a group of judges selected the winner of each regional group and received the respective Miss World Regional Title. All of them made the Top 6 finalists.
Best World Dress DesignerDuring the month of September four competitions were held from which the winner of each was fast tracked into the semi-finals. Beach Beauty was selected on 7 September in the city of Gdynia. Miss Sports was held on 12 September in the city of Gizycko and the Miss Talent contest was celebrated on 20 September at Wrocław. The Beauty with a Purpose winner was announced on 30 September during the final telecast.
Julia Morley – Chairwoman of the Miss World OrganizationAneta Kreglicka – Miss World 1989 from PolandDenise van Outen – Actress and TV presenterKaran Johar – Leading Indian director known worldwide for his award winning moviesKelly Holmes – British multiple Olympic gold medalistKrish Naidoo – Miss World International AmbassadorLouis Walsh – Irish entertainment manager behind some of the world's leading pop actsMike Dixon – West End and Broadway award-winner musical directorWilnelia Merced – Miss World 1975 from Puerto Rico104 contestants participated in Miss World 2006.
Egypt – Miss Egypt 2006, Fawzia Mohamed had visa problems. Belize - Miss World Belize 2006, Felicita (Leesha) Arzu was crowned on July 29, but the organizers decided that she take part at Miss World 2007.No Shows:
Albania – No contest American Virgin Islands - No contest Antigua and Barbuda – Due financial problems. British Virgin Islands – Martha Ramirez Burkina Faso - Ramata Barry Chad Congo Republic – Eboundt Fatouma Blanda Ivory Coast - Alima Diomandé Malawi - Peth Msiska Nepal – No contest due the Nepalese Civil War. It was proposed for 2007. New Zealand - No contest Nicaragua - Due Financial problems. Paraguay – Due Financial problems. Swaziland – No contest Switzerland - Due scheduling conflicts, the national pageant was held on September 9 making made the 2006 winner ineligible to compete, plus no finalists of Miss Switzerland 2005 pageant were available to compete. After that Switzerland didn't send a contestant to Miss World contest until 2013. Uganda – No contest France – Miss France 2004, Laetitia Bleger was appointed to representing France at Miss World 2006, but however her Playboy topples pictures of May 2005 prevent her to take part and she got suspended 6 months by Miss France Organization. Then Miss France comitee named the new Miss France 2006, Alexandra Rosenfeld as the french representative in Miss World 2006, but due the fact that she had to go first to Miss Universe 2006 and later to Miss Europe 2006 contest, was finally replaced by Miss France 2006, 2º Runner up - Laura Fasquel. Latvia – Miss Latvia 2005, Kristīne Djadenko was supossed to participate in Miss World 2006. However a month before the start of the competition was remplacd by Līga Meinarte. Nevertheless Djadenko participated next year at Miss World 2007. Spain – Miss España 2006, Elizabeth Reyes was supposed to participated in Miss World 2006 after Miss Universe 2006 contest. However she was replaced by her Miss España 2006, 1º Runner up - Inmaculada Torres. Uruguay – Miss Uruguay Mundo 2006, Soledad Gagliardo was replaced by her first runner up, Marlene Politi due unknown reasons.Israel and Lebanon, countries located in Asia, compete in the Southern Europe group.Russia and Kazakhstan, Eurasian countries, compete in the Northern Europe group.Turkey, another Eurasian country, competes in the Southern Europe group.Since 2000, the United Kingdom's home nations compete separately.Two billion people in 200 countries across the globe tuned-in Sunday for the 56th Miss World beauty pageant grand finale in Warsaw, Poland. Viewers were also able to help select Miss World 2006 using a special short message service (SMS) system.
