Global Population, Economy, Culture & Politics: A Continental Overview
Africa
Northern Africa
Population & Settlement
Population is young, natural increase is high. Coastal areas and the Nile are the most populated, and settlement is mostly rural.
Economy
Subsistence agriculture with low productivity. Wealth of natural resources but little industry. Tourism is important (Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt).
Culture & Society
Islamic culture predominates. Main languages are Arabic, French, and Berber. Population lives in poverty.
Political Systems
The main regime type is the Islamic Republic. Internal conflicts are present.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Population & Settlement
Around 806 million inhabitants. Rural nuclei. Continuous natural increase. Few job opportunities.
Economy
Mainly subsistence agriculture and livestock farming with low productivity. Industry is limited. Industrial production is destined for export.
Culture & Society
Many different cultures: Tribal origin, others from different continents. Languages are indigenous languages, English, and French.
Political Systems
The majority of political regimes are republics. Political instability (civil wars, government corruption).
America
North America
Population & Settlement
USA, the largest population. Many Mexican people emigrate to the USA. The rate of urbanization is very high.
Economy
The USA is the first economic power in the world. Agriculture is highly mechanized. Industry is extremely diversified. The tertiary sector is very important. Canada is an industrialized country, but its economy is less powerful. Economic development in Mexico is lower.
Culture & Society
The population of the USA and Canada is European, Latin American, African, and Asian. Inhabitants of Mexico are mostly of mixed race. Principal languages in the USA are English and Spanish. In Canada, French and English. In Mexico, Spanish.
Political Systems
Democratic Political Systems.
Central and South America
Population & Settlement
More than 468 million inhabitants. Natural increase is high. The rate of urbanization is very high.
Economy
Agriculture is an important economic activity. Industry is developed in Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. Depends on the export of natural resources.
Culture & Society
Great ethnic diversity and people of mixed race. Social and economic inequalities. The main language is Spanish.
Political Systems
Political instability affects many countries. Authoritarian regimes coexist with democratic ones.
Asia
Northern and Central Asia
Population & Settlement
Natural increase in Russia is negative, and settlement is mostly urban. In other countries, rural settlement predominates.
Economy
Russia is one of the main oil and mineral producers in the world. Its industry is not technologically developed. Other problems are the high unemployment rate and corruption.
Culture & Society
Different ethnic groups and large differences between living standards.
Political Systems
Russia is a republic with a democratic system. The rest suffer serious political instability.
Western Asia
Population & Settlement
Natural increase is high because of high birth rates. Rural settlement is important.
Economy
Natural wealth. Productivity is low. Industrial development is limited. Enormous contrasts between countries.
Culture & Society
Diversity of ethnic groups. Islamic culture predominates. Social and economic inequalities.
Political Systems
Types of government vary: Islamic republics, parliamentary republics, absolute monarchies, etc.
Southern Asia
Population & Settlement
Intensely populated region. Natural increase is very high. Settlement is mostly rural.
Economy
Mostly subsistence agriculture. Very little industry. Big contrasts between countries.
Culture & Society
Wide variety of ethnic groups. Different languages are spoken. Principal religions are Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Social inequalities.
Political Systems
Predominantly republican regimes. Political instability is an important problem.
Eastern Asia
Population & Settlement
China is the most populated country on Earth. Natural increase has been limited. In some areas of China, population density is extremely high. Life expectancy is high, but natural increase is low.
Economy
In China, agriculture plays an important part. In Japan, there is very little agriculture.
Culture & Society
The three main religions in China are Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. High level of social equality.
Political Systems
China and North Korea have communist regimes. Japan is a parliamentary monarchy.
Oceania
Australia and New Zealand
Population
Small populations. Natural increase is going down, and life expectancy is high. Their populations, mostly urban, are in the coastal areas.
Economy
Australia has a wealth of minerals. The principal economic activity in New Zealand is sheep farming. Forestry is important as well.
Culture & Society
The majority of the population is of British origin. The main language is English.
Political Systems
Parliamentary democracies.
Island States of the Pacific
Population
Melanesia is the most populated zone. The rural population is very high.
Economy
Development is low. The principal activities are in the primary sector. Industry is not very developed and mainly linked to processing agricultural products.
Culture & Society
English is spoken in many places. In many countries, ancestral traditions are preserved.
Political Systems
Democratic regimes.