1 Very High(4): 1-47 High(3):48-94 Medium(2): Low(1): World Statistics World Averages: HDI:.682 Literacy: 88/79% GDP: 12,000 Life: 68/72

Chad War in Sudan Janjawiid killed thousands Humanitarian crisis, with refugees fleeing into Chad

Mexico Population of over 100 million Vibrant traditional culture “Americanization,” including “big box” stores in the cities

United States Global trendsetter “Junk food” Many Americans trying to watch their diet

8 Bhutan Small, mountainous country Traditional agricultural lifestyle Social, medical, and environmental difficulties

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10 Mexico World’s largest Spanish-speaking country Rapid industrialization Emerging middle class Increasing urbanization

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Ecuador Small, mountainous country High altitude means difficult growing conditions

14 Thailand Never colonized Relatively stable government and growing economy Buddhist culture

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16 Mongolia Sparsely populated Formerly communist, now democratic One-third of people are nomadic or semi-nomadic; one- third live in the capital city

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18 Japan Major changes in the past century Most people live in urban areas on the coasts Similarities and differences between Japanese and American families

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Japan Island country Relatively homogeneous HDI:.901(12) Lit. 99% Life 83 GDP: 35,200

22 Cuba Island country in the Caribbean Major sugar producer in the 19th century; African slaves Fidel Castro

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24 Kuwait Small country along the Persian Gulf Vast petroleum resources Economy flourished in the 20th century Severely damaged by 1990 Iraq invasion

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26 South Africa Mineral wealth Apartheid Soweto

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28 Mali Vast mineral resources and cultural wealth A very poor country At one time, a very wealthy kingdom Former French colony

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30 Iceland A highly developed country Natural energy resources

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32 Samoa Formerly called Western Samoa Traditional culture with some modernization Christianity HDI:.688(99) Lit. 99% Life 73 GDP: 6,000

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Mali No fast-food chains or supermarkets Almost no modern conveniences Women and children do the housework and cooking

Kuwait High standard of living Immigrant laborers

Germany High standard of living Two separate countries until 1990 Economic disparities persist between the East and the West

Bhutan Subsistence farming New electricity

China Rapidly urbanizing, but still very agricultural Many villagers enjoy some modern conveniences

India Over one billion people Highly diverse 40% extremely poor, with a growing middle class