SANYA, China -- -- Miss Peru, Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia, an aspiring high school teacher, was crowned Miss World 2004 on Saturday night in the southern Chinese beach resort of Sanya.
Claudia Julissa Cruz Rodriguez, Miss Dominican Republic, and Nancy Randoll, Miss USA, gained the second and third places at thefinal contest
Miss Ghana, Serena Ashi-Roye, failed to make the last 16.
The winner gets 100-thousand dollars.
Singer Lionel Richie performed. Hosts included Troy McClain, a former contestant himself on the reality TV series "The Apprentice."
This year's contest, held in the Chinese resort town of Sanya in the tropical island province of Hainan, saw 107 beauty queens parade their looks and talents.
The show is expected to be watched by more than 2.3 billion television viewers in more than 100 countries.
Miss Peru takes the crown from last year's winner, Ireland's Rosanna Davison - the daughter of singer Chris de Burgh