REGIONS OF THE WORLD

REGIONS OF THE WORLD

NORTH AMERICA Some countries: 3 Nations: USA, Mexico, Canada Population: Power: Main Languages: English, Spanish, French Religion: Mostly Christian, but many other groups Number of people: ~500 million USA Strongest military, most wealth, most people, cultural influence Wealth: YES High average salary, many companies based there. Tensions & Conflicts: - USA involved in War on Terror around the world - Conflicts in Mexico involving drugs/gangs - Keystone Pipeline Project (oil from Canada to USA) Environment: - Some natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes) - Tar Sands Oil in Alberta causing concern for many

OCEANIA Some countries: Population: Power: Wealth: ~15 Nations including: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea (smallest continent) Main Languages: English, Polynesian languages Religion: Mostly Christian, but many other groups Number of people: ~37 million AUSTRALIA Strongest military, most wealth, most people, largest territory Australia/New Zealand Yes ; Some poorer nations as well. Tensions & Conflicts: - Australia involved in War on Terror Environment: - Dry Climate - Forest Fires

CENTRAL AMERICA Some countries: ~15 Nations including: Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Population: Power: Wealth: Main Languages: Spanish Religion: Christianity Number of people: ~40 million No country really stands out as the power. Region is heavily influenced by regions to the North and South Developing region, many in poverty Tensions & Conflicts: - Internal conflicts, people seeking a better life have migrated to other countries. Environment: - Dry Climate - Earthquakes/Hurricanes - Forest Fires

SOUTH AMERICA Some countries: Population: Power: Wealth: Tensions & Conflicts: Environment: ~15 Nations including: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela Main Languages: Spanish and Portuguese (Brazil) Religion: Christianity Number of people: ~390 million Brazil (largest in size, population, and economy). Developing region, many still in poverty but a rising middle class. Brazil internal tensions over world cup, Olympic costs. Colombia Conflicts with drug lords - Deforestation of the Amazon

NORTH AFRICA Some countries: 7 Countries including: Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco Population: Power: Wealth: Tensions & Conflicts: Environment: Main Languages: Arabic, French Religion: Islam Number of people: ~180 million Egypt Military, Population Algeria & Libya Size, Oil/Gas Reserves Developing region, not very wealthy but has some natural resources. Arab Spring some dictators have been overthrown and has led to transitions in government. Migrants poor, desperate people trying to escape to Europe - Good clean water is a challenge in some parts - Desertification

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Some countries: ~50 Nations including: Kenya, Sudan, South Africa, Nigeria Population: Power: Main Languages: Over 1000, some prominent ones: Swahili, French, English Religion: Christianity, Islam, many indigenous Number of people: ~870 million (high birth rate but many migrating out as well) South Africa and Nigeria Military, Population, Economically most dominant Wealth: Many of the poorest countries of the world are found here. Many in primary sector jobs, many natural resources. Tensions & Conflicts: - Many ethnic and governmental conflicts in the region: Central African Republic (CAR), Mali, Somalia, Nigeria. - Also, resource-based conflicts (coltan, diamonds, water) Environment: - Good clean water is a challenge in some parts - Desertification, drought, soil erosion.

EUROPE Some countries: Population: Power: Wealth: ~50 Nations including: Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy Main Languages: Many including: Spanish, German, French, English Religion: Mostly Christian but also other groups (Muslims, Jews, Buddhist, etc.) Number of people: ~750 million Germany and the UK stand out they have the strongest economies, large influence in region and internationally. One of the wealthier regions of the world, but economies of many nations (Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy) are facing major problems. Tensions & Conflicts: - Ukraine Rebels within the Crimean part are seeking to join Russia - Migrant Crisis Refugees arriving seeking help, tensions arising. - War on Terror Some nations involved in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria Environment: - Air quality, Greenhouse gas emissions, climate change.

NORTH-CENTRAL ASIA Some countries: ~10 Nations including: Russia, Kazakhistan, Uzbekhistan Population: Power: Main Languages: Russian and other local languages Religion: Mostly Christian (Russian Orthodox) but many Muslims Number of people: ~250 million Russia Largest territory, most people, strongest military and economy. Wealth: - Lots of natural resources (oil, gas). - Some very wealthy individuals but overall not very wealthy region. Tensions & Conflicts: - Ukraine Russia has given support to rebels in Crimea - Separation movements especially within Russia (Chechnya) while some in Russia question Putin s grip on power. Environment: - Lack of environmental regulations. - Chernobyl Incident (1986) at the nuclear power plant

EAST ASIA Some countries: ~8 Nations including: Japan, China, South & North Korea Population: Power: Main Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean Religion: Taoism, Shintoism, Confucianism, Buddhism Number of people: ~1.6 Billion China Largest territory, most people, strongest military and economy. Japan Strong economy Wealth: - Some nations very wealthy per person (Japan, South Korea) - China very wealthy overall and a growing middle class. Tensions & Conflicts: - North/South Korea Officially at war but no fighting for years, missile testing in North Korea with threat of assaults on neighbours - China restrictions on religious, democratic freedoms Environment: - Zone prone to earthquakes, tsunamis. - Air quality, especially in China

SOUTH ASIA Some countries: ~10 Nations including: India, Pakistan, Bangledesh Population: Power: Wealth: Main Languages: Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali Religion: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, many other groups. Number of people: ~1.8 Billion India Largest territory, most people, strongest military and economy. Pakistan Military Nations are seeing a growing middle class, but still many poor people. Tensions & Conflicts: - India/Pakistan Tensions over territory/weapons. - Afghanistan decades of conflict (Russians, Civil War, War on Terror) - Burma Religious violence Environment: - Lack of regulations have led to pollution of air and water. - Rising sea levels have led to problems for island nations in the Indian Ocean.

MIDDLE EAST Some countries: Population: Power: Wealth: ~12 Nations including: Syria, Turkey, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Saudi Arabia Main Languages: Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew Religion: Mostly Islam, Judaism (Israel), Christian minorities. Number of people: ~400 Million Israel/Turkey Military Saudi Arabia Most oil in region can influence overall price Oil rich countries have a mostly high income, some nations who have had conflict in recent years have high unemployment. Tensions & Conflicts: - Israel vs. Palestine Decades long conflict over land - Syria/Iraq Civil war, conflict with ISIS Environment: - Access to water - Desertification