Regions of the world

North america 3 Nations: USA, Mexico, Canada Some countries: Population: Main Languages: English, Spanish, French Religion: Mostly Christian, but many other groups Number of people: ~500 million Power: 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: ~15 Nations including: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea (smallest continent) Population: Main Languages: English, Polynesian languages Religion: Mostly Christian, but many other groups Number of people: ~37 million Power: AUSTRALIA → Strongest military, most wealth, most people, largest territory Wealth: 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: Main Languages: Spanish Religion: Christianity Number of people: ~40 million Power: No country really stands out as the “power”. Region is heavily influenced by regions to the North and South Wealth: Developing region, many in poverty Tensions & Conflicts: Internal conflicts, people seeking a better life have migrated to other countries. Environment: Deforestation - Earthquakes/Hurricanes Forest Fires

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

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

Sub-saharan africa Some countries: ~50 Nations including: Kenya, Sudan, South Africa, Nigeria Population: 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) Power: 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: ~50 Nations including: Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy Population: Main Languages: Many including: Spanish, German, French, English Religion: Mostly Christian but also other groups (Muslims, Jews, Buddhist, etc.) Number of people: ~750 million Power: Germany and the UK stand out → they have the strongest economies, large influence in region and internationally. Wealth: 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 Separation movements → Groups in UK, Spain, France “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: Main Languages: Russian and other local languages Religion: Mostly Christian (Russian Orthodox) but many Muslims Number of people: ~250 million Power: 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) 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: Main Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean Religion: Taoism, Shintoism, Confucianism, Buddhism Number of people: ~1.6 Billion Power: 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, missine testing in North 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: Main Languages: Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali Religion: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, many other groups. Number of people: ~1.8 Billion Power: India → Largest territory, most people, strongest military and economy. Pakistan → Military Wealth: 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: ~12 Nations including: Syria, Turkey, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Saudi Arabia Population: Main Languages: Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew Religion: Mostly Islam, Judaism (Israel), Christian minorities. Number of people: ~400 Million Power: Israel/Turkey → Military Saudi Arabia → Most oil in region can influence overall price Wealth: 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