Why do you think rich countries are located up north or down south of the Earth?
145957
Climate may be a factor in the success of a country.  The mid-latitudes tend to have moderate temperatures and well defined growing seasons thus allowing for good agriculture and  livestock conditions.  These provide a reliable food source which can support a larger population.\n\nNorthern and Southern latitudes have very long and cold winters which are not conducive to agriculture although there are some livestock that can handle these conditions (carribou, yaks, etc.)  Converely, the more equatorial latitudes have high temperatures.  Depending on the humidity of the region, this can lead to either desert or jungle conditions.  Deserts are very difficult to grow in due to lack of moisture whereas with jungles, controlling the natural vegetation and keeping it from invading agriculture fields is a near impossible task.  In addition, the tropics have many diseases the thrive in that environment leading to a higher mortality rate.
235188
as far as i can tell cause the people who are in charge of the nations are corrupt and never developed their countries through investment and private enterprise\n\nmy friend is reading a book about how agriculture is why europe is so well off, that there are all these immunities that europe built up because of all the farm animals, africa doesnt have a lot of farmland i dont think, not as much as europe,\nso the theory is that germs else where the last 1000 years have kept other parts of the world from developing at the pace of the europe/america\n\n\nI think the reality is in order to have a successful industrial revolution people who have capitol, ie money, have to invest it in business that are going to buy the machines, etc.\n\nin africa i dont think theyve done that, over the last 140 years, had people who bought machines for an industrial revolution,  . . . because my theory is the leaders are using all the wealth for their own purposes
267504
The more "rich" countries have used and abused the more poor countries, after sucking up all their resources they leave them high-and-dry. Its so easy to ignore the rest of the world unless they have something you want, IE: oil, coal, coco beans, rice, cattle, etc.
220331
Switzerland is essentially a country built on banking and commerce.  If you go to Zurich or Geneva, there's banks on every street corner.  Under the streets, in the bank vaults are billions in gold, diamonds and cash.  Some of it will never be reclaimed because their owners are dead (the German Jews from the 1930's & 1940's for example).  So in that respect, people look upon Switzerland as a rich country.  But I wouldn't go as far as to say they're the RICHEST.  I would say the Middle East oil countries are much much richer.
368827
north america is north of the equator and south america is outh
1042681
Nigeria is most rich in Africa. Why you said? They are well read and always wanting somethings more than the ordinary like a- state-of-the-art kind of thing. They are blessed with everything from economic capabilities, to technological improvements as well as sports to mention a few. if you have a Nigerian friend that is proud of his or her country, they'll tell you better.
467711
It is called the land down under because it is in the Southern Part of the world and it is the largest island.
20402
Typically the places which rank best for standard of living are those such as Norway, Sweden and Finland, in and around Scandinavia. However, while fine countries, they might not accord with your philosophical beliefs. To the extent that those are important to you, it is doubtful that you could ever truly be happy there if you do not all ready share the social outlooks of the aforementioned countries, et al. I suggest staying where you are if you are happy, or not committing to a new place only because of a statistic.
691079
Because of greener pastures...US is the richest and most powerful country...The other reason is open culture which accepts people from other culture to live and work here. But most importantly it's money honey....
276032
Because the gravity pulls people and all things with mass toward the center of the earth. The concept of up and down is irrelevent in space. We usually put north to top and south to bottom when we show maps or globe just out of convenience and tradition.\n\nWhen the moon is directly above us, we weigh slightly less becasue moon's mass will pull us also.
856801
Canada is not the richest country in the world!\nI wouldn't say the US is either.\nThere are many kinds of Riches to be had.\nNorway and Sweden have phenomenal health care at that is why they rank higher than us. Dubai, has more money per person than anywhere else, and it is kinda a micronation.\n\nI would say the richest country on Earth is Cameroon.\nThey have 30/30/30 Muslim/Christian/Pagan rate. They have an amazing amount of culture. And unlike ALL of their neighbors they have enjoyed peace and "relative" prosperity for over 40 years.\n\nLike Canada, Cameroon is the only country that has both (and only) English and French as it's official languages.\n\nI think they are the most wonderful people on Earth, with Canadians being a close second, followed by the nice old Minnesotans.\n\nRiches of the heart cannot be bought.
1002289
It is the 10th wealthiest country in the world, according to world bank data.  It is the wealthiest Latin country..  It is a country rich with natural resource.  However, it is run by a corrupt government that does not provide for the poor. So, the poor Mexicans are encourage to head north to the US for better live.
703665
Only Europe and North America.\n\nThe Asian mainland does not stretch down to the Equator (almost does, at the bottom of mainland Malaysia), but Indonesia crosses the Equator, so that counts Asia out.
999431
Well, it depends on how you define "wealthy"\n\nThere are several factors: Total GDP, Total GNP, GDP per capita, etc. that determine how "wealthy" a nation is...\n\nFor example, the United States of America might have the biggest GDP in the world, but a small country like Luxembourg might have the highest GDP per capita in the world.\n\nBut - recently - the United Nations ranked Norway is the world's richest nation.\n\nPersonally, taking an average of all the factors that make a country rich, I would say the USA is the richest country in the world.\n\n-Anand-
379420
Mostly because of taxation. Because they have different values and mentality in these countries but it can also be affected by availability of oil in the area.
387248
Africa is very rich in natural resources; however, european countries have claimed these areas for themselves and are mining them and selling all of the resources for their own profit. Gold,diamonds, etc. So, they are being screwed, that's why.\n\nSome of these answers are just ridiculous. They don't trade animals everywhere; Humanity did not leave Africa, that is racist and ridiculous; and they do have development in many areas. Cities in Ghana could be mistaken for NJ. They do not run around wearing animal skin togas in Africa. That's National Geographic shit.
962383
To begin with, we don't have any common wealth "states" or "countries".  That would be England.  We do however have territories.  And yes, people in those territories do vote.