I was intrigued by this map that was sent to me recently clearly showing the distribution of the worlds wealth and population.
The fact that 14% of the worlds population enjoy 73% of the wealth while the remaining 86% are left with only 27% of the goodies was no surprise. The fact that when it comes to the 50 cities in the world with the top quality of life – 49 are in the wealthy zone (Singapore being the one exception) is also predictable. But the way the wealthy zone has effectively shut out the rest of the world with heavily armed borders is striking.
The fence between the USA and Mexico is famous as is the Israeli wall around the Palestinian territories on the west bank of the Jordan – but some of the other barriers are less familiar – like the Melilla and Ceuta fences which separate Spain from Morocco or the Schengen border which surrounds the European Union countries like the walls of an exclusive gated community. It just shows that when you are a lot richer than your neighbours, locking them out and keeping them off your land becomes a high priority.
Click on the image to be taken to the original.
Related posts:
Have a look at
http://www.worldmapper.org/thumbnails/mapindex169-180.html
the maps showing wealth and poverty distribution are realy dramatic