Chapter 3 Geography and History The Foundation of Cultural Understanding

World Population by Major Areas and Life Expectancy World 5,901 7,286 9, More-developed regions 1,812 1,214 1, Less-developed regions 4,719 6,072 8, Least-developed regions , Africa 749 1,181 2, Asia 3,585 4,381 5, Europe Latin America Northern America Oceania Life Regions (millions) (millions) (millions) Expectancy at Birth SOURCE: World Population “United Nations Population Division. Department of Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis, Irwin/McGraw-Hill 3-9

Rural and Urban Population (Population in thousands) Urban Rural Percent Urban Regions World 2,636 5,117 3,132 3, More-developed regions 883 1, , Less-developed regions 1,753 4,102 2,840 3, Least-developed regions Africa Asia 1,229 2,736 2,259 2, Europe Latin America Northern America Oceania Irwin/McGraw-Hill SOURCE: World Population “United Nations Population Division. Department of Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis,

The Triad: Trade Between the United States and Canada, the European Community, and Japan. ($ billions) EUROPEAN COMMUNITY UNITED STATES & CANADA JAPAN For additional figures see: “Indicators of Market Size for 115 Countries I” Crossborder Monitor, August, 1997, pp Irwin/McGraw-Hill 3-11

The Latin American Debt Crisis - In the late 1980’s, Latin American debt was over $400 billion. Impacts: 1) Export earnings go to pay debt 2) Harmful to many U.S. exporters 3) Hyperinflation Cause: Largely a result of development planning policies actually characterized by nepotism and government corruption. Other Issues: World Bank and U.S. pressured to forgive debt or at least refinance. - Threats of “debt repudiation.”