World Affairs Annual 2013.

In the 26 pages that follow, you'll find news maps and the latest data on the world's 196 countries--everything from languages and literacy rates to the percentage of young people in the population. To better understand the data, read the explanations accompanying the sample entry for Brazil below. On each news map, you'll find photos and summaries of challenges the U.S. is facing around the world. And in our Snapshots section, you'll learn, among other things, which countries recycle the most waste and which have the most McDonald's. We hope you'll keep this issue for year-round reference and that it will help you make sense of what's going on in the world as we head into 2013.

WORLD AFFAIRS ANNUAL: ALMANAC

CRITICAL THINKING

The almanac pages offer the latest data on the world's 196 nations. Use the sample entry on page 13 to give students a preview.

* Why do you think the editors chose to include these particular statistics? Which of the statistical categories do you think tell us the most about a nation?

* How might these statistics be helpful to government leaders, business owners, and everyday people?

* Why are almanacs typically published annually? Which of the almanac statistics are Likely to change from year to year? Which are not? Explain.

WRITING PROMPT

Choose two nations named in "'World Leaders to Watch" on page 10. Use almanac statistics to write an essay comparing and contrasting the nations. How do the statistics help you understand each nation's current challenges?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

The Middle East is a region, not a continent. Why do you think it's allotted its own section in the almanac?

For which statistics does the almanac give separate data for men and women? Why? Which nations have the greatest disparity in data for men and data for women? Which have the Least? How might you explain this?

Do you think there are connections among some of the statistical. categories presented in the almanac? Explain.

The H.D.I., or Human Development Index, combines several pieces of data to provide an overall, measure of a nation's quality of Life. Which statistics would you use to measure quality of Life? Why?

Which continents have the world's fastest-growing populations? What future challenges might this growth present?

FAST FACT

According to the United Nations, the world population reached 7 billion in 2011 and is expected to exceed 10 billion by 2100.

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WORLD AFFAIRS ANNUAL: ALMANAC (OPEN BOOK)

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