3 Photos That Help Explain the Frenzy Over Alibaba's IPO

Alibaba.com's China head office in Hangzhou. Source: Alibaba Group
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If you live in China, or perhaps Russia, or are part of the Chinese diaspora, you already know how big a deal Alibaba Group is. And if you're one of the investors clamoring for a piece — any piece — of the giant e-commerce company, there's no doubt you're sold on its prospects.

For others, though, who are still trying to wrap their brains around how a Chinese company founded in an apartment — not a Silicon Valley garage — could pull off the world's largest initial public offering, here's some visual help.