Ice Age [168]

Island Nations [167]

G8 vs. G20

The G8 states derive their global claim to leadership from their by now shrinking portion of the global economy (approx. 45% in 2009; 65% in 2002) which is represented here as the light part of the northern hemisphere. the G20 countries, which incorporate all G8 members, represent 85% of the world economy (southern hemisphere).. the portion of the world economy each member country controls is shown in a box surrounding each country; black outlines are G8 countries, red outlines are G20 members. red dots indicate membership in either G8 or G20; countries not represented are joined by dotted lines.

Historical Diasporas [165]

Moody's Sovereign Ratings [163-3]

Moody's Investor Service as well as Standard and Poor rate not only corporations but sovereigns, i.e. countries, as well. Most institutional investment firms have rules prohibiting them from buying government bonds issued by countries with a low, speculation-grade rating. Only blue-chip (Aaa=light color) and high to medium grade countries (Aa-Baa3=dark) are considered investment grades, all other countries (Ba1 to C) therefore did not even show up on these investors' radar screens in 2005.

Forest Fires [159]

In spring 1998 uncontrolled forest fires raged in the equatorial regions. Airplanes crashed in Indonesia, Smoke plumes reached across national borders into other countries and even continents. One day the loss of forest the size of Belgium in Brazil was reported. El Nino was generally blamed for the lack of rain.

AIDS Impact on Regions 1997 [152]

UNAIDS/WHO estimated a 7% decrease in North American cases and an estimated 18% increase in Sub-Saharan Africa in comparison with figures recorded in 1996. Africa already suffers by far the greatest impact of AIDS with 25 - 28 million affected.

Earthquakes and Tectonic Plates [121]

There are eight major and many minor tectonic plates. These plates move in relation to one another at one of three types of plate boundaries: convergent, or collisional boundaries; divergent boundaries, also called spreading centers; and transform boundaries. Earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain-building, and oceanic trench formation occur along plate boundaries. The lateral movement of the plates is typically at speeds of 50–100 mm annually.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation [178]

Checkmarks indicate signatories to the treaty. India, Pakistan and Israel did not sign the treaty. North Korea withdrew.

Mobile Teledensity [327 - 4]

Density of black lines indicate the penetration of mobile phones where more than 10% of the  population own one. Sparse lines represent less than 50% ownership, semi-concentrated  50% to 100%, and most dense indicate more phones than inhabitants. Countries with more than double the world's average growth rate (CAGR) of 23% from 2002 - 2007 are encircled with bright dots. There are 4 billion mobile phones, 3 times the number of landlines.

Independence in the 20th Century [122]

Major Rivers [111]