Global Population, Economy, Culture & Politics: A Continental Overview
Africa
Northern Africa
Population & Settlement
Young population with high natural increase. Coastal areas and the Nile Valley are the most populated. Settlement is mostly rural.
Economy
Subsistence agriculture with low productivity. Wealth of natural resources but little industry. Tourism is important in Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt.
Culture & Society
Mainly Islamic culture. Main languages are Arabic, French, and Berber. Population lives in poverty.
Political Systems
Main regime type is Islamic Republic. Internal conflicts are prevalent.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Population & Settlement
806 million inhabitants. Rural nuclei are common. Few job opportunities, leading to migration.
Economy
Mainly subsistence agriculture and livestock farming with low productivity. Limited industry with industrial production destined for export.
Culture & Society
Many different cultures of tribal origin and influences from other continents. Languages include indigenous languages, English, and French. Religions include Christianity, Islam, and Afro-American traditions.
Political Systems
Majority are republics with political instability and problems such as civil wars and government corruption.
America
North America
Population & Settlement
USA has the largest population. Mexican people emigrate to the USA. The rate of urbanization is very high.
Economy
USA is the first economic power in the world. Agriculture is highly mechanized, and 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
USA and Canada have small groups of indigenous people. Mexico is mostly mixed race. Main languages are English and Spanish in the USA, French and English in Canada, and Spanish in Mexico.
Political Systems
Democratic political systems.
Central and South America
Population & Settlement
More than 468 million inhabitants. Natural increase and infant mortality are high. The rate of urbanization is very high, with many people emigrating to the USA and Europe.
Economy
Agriculture is an important economic activity. Industry is developed in Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. The region depends on the export of natural resources.
Culture & Society
Great ethnic diversity and many people of mixed race. Social and economic inequalities are prevalent. 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 include high unemployment and corruption.
Culture & Society
Different ethnic groups and large differences in living standards.
Political Systems
Russia is a republic with a democratic system. The rest suffer from serious political instability.
Western Asia
Population & Settlement
Natural increase is high due to high birth rates. Rural settlement is important.
Economy
Rich in natural resources, but productivity is low. Industrial development is limited. Enormous contrasts exist between countries.
Culture & Society
Diversity of ethnic groups. Islamic culture predominates. Social and economic inequalities are present.
Political Systems
Types of government vary: Islamic republics, parliamentary republics, absolute monarchies, etc.
Southern Asia
Population & Settlement
Densely populated region with very high natural increase. Settlement is mostly rural.
Economy
Mostly subsistence agriculture with very little industry. Big contrasts between countries.
Culture & Society
Wide variety of ethnic groups and languages. Principal religions are Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Social inequalities are prevalent.
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
Agriculture plays an important role in China. 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 with declining natural increase and high life expectancy. Populations are mostly urban and concentrated in coastal areas.
Economy
Australia is rich in minerals. The principal economic activity in New Zealand is sheep farming. Forestry is also important.
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. 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. Ancestral traditions are preserved in many countries.
Political Systems
Democratic regimes.