A great fireworks display is the hallmark of the world's best cities - London, Sydney and Hong Kong, amongst others. But what are fireworks and where are the best fireworks shows? From celebration fireworks to firecrackers, Mr D reveals all about fireworks and pyrotechnics.

Fireworks - I just love them. The noise, the whoosh, the colours splashing across the night sky and that thud felt in your chest every time one launches. Amazing. What's better? Being there with friends and family of course. Plus, if there are fireworks, there's usually a party going down nearby - no-one celebrates a funeral with fireworks, right?!

What are fireworks?

At their most basic, fireworks are a form of explosive which originated way back when (around the 7th century in China) and were essentially the first form of gunpowder. The original fireworks were simple firecrackers, similar to those still in use today. Chinese custom believes that the great noise produced by fireworks can ward off negative spirits. Today, China still produces the vast majority of the world's fireworks (the vast majority of these in Liuyang city, in the country's north-east). Each firework is designed to do some or all of the following:

• Make noise - whether a bang, a whistle, a hum or a crackle;
• Light up the sky - in a variety of colours - almost all are possible these days;
• Produce shapes - whether a star, a bombette (star with a small explosion), comets (like stars, but which splinter); and trails (which leave all sorts of trails behind);
• Spread confetti - most commonly at sports events; and
• Avoid producing smoke - since smoke obscures the display.

What are the components of a great fireworks display?

It doesn't take a whole heap of skill to set light to a single firework, provided you can do so legally, but professional fireworks displays are a whole different kettle of fish. They take a huge amount of time and effort to set up (not to mention the vast expense!), are sometimes set to music and are choreographed to build to a crescendo, upping and dropping the ante as they build towards the big finale when the bigger, the noisier and the more colourful, the better.

Where are the best fireworks displays?

Almost all of the world's great occasions are marked by a huge fireworks display - traditionally national days and New Year's eve (whether in the Chinese calendar or the Gregorian, i.e. Western calendar). They're one way of spending a great new's year eve. While it's great to have family round to host a display in your backyard, sometimes bigger really is just better. These are four of the biggest and best.

1. Celebration of Light, Vancouver - formerly known as the Symphony of Fire, this display takes place in late July / early August as part of a worldwide celebration of fireworks, a competition, with displays in China, Spain and South Africa. These are set to music and take place above English Bay in Vancouver, Canada.
2. New Year's Eve, Sydney - traditionally the first major fireworks televised around the world on New Year's Eve, Sydney harbour throngs with yachts and boats while revellers line the harbour side to mark midnight on New Year's Eve. Fireworks are launched from the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and each year are themed. A soundtrack is broadcast on radio and TV stations.
3. Guy Fawkes Night, United Kingdom - 5th November marks the date of the infamous 'gunpowder plot' in the UK when Guy Fawkes plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. This date is now, oddly, celebrated in the UK with a wide range of public and private fireworks displays, the pick of which take place in the capital, London, at Battersea Park, Alexandra Palace and Crystal Palace.
4. Chinese New Year, Hong Kong - one of two huge annual displays which take place above the famous 'fragrant harbour' after which Hong Kong is named, the other being the Mid-Autumn Festival in September. Chinese New Year, usually the third week of January, is marked with a massive fireworks display visible from much of Hong Kong, provided skyscrapers aren't in your way, of course.

So there you have it - all you need to know about fireworks. Probably the best thing to note is that there's always a festival of fireworks happening somewhere in the world - it's just a case of finding them and getting on the next plane there!