The North-South Gap and The North-South Gap and Classification of CountriesClassification of Countries

The North-South GapThe North-South Gap

20% of the world’s population 20% of the world’s population controls nearly 85% of the total controls nearly 85% of the total wealth of the worldwealth of the world

The richest countries are in the The richest countries are in the industrialized nations of the Northern industrialized nations of the Northern Hemisphere (plus Australia and New Hemisphere (plus Australia and New Zealand) Zealand)

The The POORESTPOOREST 20 per cent of people in 20 per cent of people in the world are concentrated in the the world are concentrated in the southern hemisphere.southern hemisphere.

The North-South GapThe North-South Gap

North – South Gap:North – South Gap:

the the spatial patternspatial pattern of wealth of wealth among the nations of the among the nations of the worldworld

The North-South GapThe North-South Gap The Northern countries have the The Northern countries have the

majority of the wealth, the highest majority of the wealth, the highest standard of living, and the greatest standard of living, and the greatest industrial development, industrial development, BUTBUT less of less of the population.the population.

In comparison, the Southern In comparison, the Southern countries have the bulk of the countries have the bulk of the population, population, BUTBUT less wealth, less wealth, standard of living, and far less standard of living, and far less industrial development.industrial development.

Something to think about?Something to think about? Consider what your life would be Consider what your life would be

like if you were born in another like if you were born in another part of the world?part of the world?

How would your daily routine How would your daily routine compare to someone living in a compare to someone living in a “have not” country?“have not” country?

Something to think about?Something to think about? What types of things do we rely What types of things do we rely

and use on a daily basis? and use on a daily basis? Are these necessities or Are these necessities or

luxuries?luxuries?

Something to think about?Something to think about? What if your family income had What if your family income had

to support FOUR families of the to support FOUR families of the same size? same size?

How would your life be How would your life be different?different?

Classifying CountriesClassifying Countries Over the years geographers Over the years geographers

have used a number of systems have used a number of systems to classify countries in terms of to classify countries in terms of their social, economic, or political their social, economic, or political structures.structures.

One of the earlier systems used One of the earlier systems used the terms the terms first worldfirst world, , second second worldworld, and , and third worldthird world..

Classifying CountriesClassifying CountriesToday, the most common way Today, the most common way

of categorizing countries is to of categorizing countries is to refer to them as refer to them as more more developed countriesdeveloped countries (MDCs), (MDCs), less developed countriesless developed countries (LDCs) or as (LDCs) or as least developed least developed countriescountries (LLDCs). (LLDCs).

Classifying CountriesClassifying Countries MDC: (MDC: (MMore ore DDeveloped eveloped CCountry)ountry)

A country that is industrialized, A country that is industrialized, democratic, and where people democratic, and where people have a high standard of living. have a high standard of living.

Classifying CountriesClassifying Countries

LDCLDC ( (LLess ess DDeveloped eveloped CCountry) ountry) has little industrial development, has little industrial development, less wealth, and high population less wealth, and high population growth.growth.

Classifying CountriesClassifying Countries LLDCLLDC ( (LLeast east DDeveloped eveloped CCountry) ountry)

very low per capita income, low very low per capita income, low literacy rates, and most people literacy rates, and most people live traditional or agricultural live traditional or agricultural lifestyles.lifestyles.

Classifying Countries Classifying Countries

Developed Country

Rich

North

Industrial

Good roads & transportation

High Energy Consumption

Oil, coal, nuclear

Good health care

Clean Water systems

Easy access to education

Developing Country

Poor

South

Agricultural

Poor roads & transportation

Low Energy use

Wood, wind, animal, human

Disease and Famine

Polluted or little water

Unaffordable or unavailable education