Russia is the largest country in the world by far, with a total area of just over 17 million square kilometers. After Antarctica, the next three countries are Canada, the U.S., and China; all between 9.5 and 10 million square kilometers. The figures given include internal water surface area (such as lakes or rivers) - if the figures were for land surface only then China would be the second largest country in the world, the U.S. third, and Canada (the country with more lakes than the rest of the world combined) fourth. Russia Russia has a population of around 145 million people, putting it in the top ten most populous countries in the world, and making it the most populous in Europe. However, it's vast size gives it a very low population density, ranked among the bottom 20 countries. Most of Russia's population is concentrated in the west, with around 75 percent of the population living in the European part, while around 75 percent of Russia's territory is in Asia; the Ural Mountains are considered the continental border. Elsewhere in the world Beyond Russia, the world's largest countries all have distinctive topographies and climates setting them apart. The United States, for example, has climates ranging from tundra in Alaska to tropical forests in Florida, with various mountain ranges, deserts, plains, and forests in between. Populations in these countries are often concentrated in urban areas, and are not evenly distributed across the country. For example, around 85 percent of Canada's population lives within 100 miles of the U.S. border; around 95 percent of China lives east of the Heihe–Tengchong Line that splits the country; and the majority of populations in large countries such as Australia or Brazil live near the coast.

Russia is the largest country in Europe, and also the largest in the world, its total size amounting to 17 million square kilometers (km2). It should be noted, however, that over three quarters of Russia is located in Asia, and the Ural mountains are often viewed as the meeting point of the two continents in Russia; nonetheless, European Russia is still significantly larger than any other European country. Ukraine, the second largest country on the continent, is only 603,000 km2, making it about 28 times smaller than its eastern neighbor, or seven times smaller than the European part of Russia. France is the third largest country in Europe, but the largest in the European Union. The Vatican City, often referred to as the Holy Sea, is both the smallest country in Europe and in the world, at just one km2. Population Russia is also the most populous country in Europe. It has around 144 million inhabitants across the country; in this case, around three quarters of the population live in the European part, which still gives it the largest population in Europe. Despite having the largest population, Russia is a very sparsely populated country due to its size and the harsh winters. Germany is the second most populous country in Europe, with 83 million inhabitants, while the Vatican has the smallest population. Worldwide, India and China are the most populous countries, with approximately 1.4 billion inhabitants each. Cities Moscow in Russia is ranked as the most populous city in Europe with around 13 million inhabitants, although figures vary, due to differences in the methodologies used by countries and sources. Some statistics include Istanbul in Turkey* as the largest city in Europe with its 15 million inhabitants, bit it has been excluded here as most of the country and parts of the city is located in Asia. Worldwide, Tokyo is the most populous city, with Jakarta the second largest and Delhi the third.

This graph shows the growth in the U.S. export volume of trade goods to Russia from 1992 to 2023. In 2023, U.S. exports to Russia amounted to about 600 million U.S. dollars. RussiaRussia is the largest country in the world, with a combined land and water area of about 17 million square kilometers between their borders. It covers more than one-eighth of the Earth's inhabited land area. It is larger than Antarctica (14 million square kilometers) and larger than all of Europe (10.5 million square kilometers). In comparison to the country’s huge land mass, the population of Russia is rather minute; with a population of only about 144 million, which comes down to a population density of 8.4 inhabitants per square kilometer. Population density in the United States, which is the fourth largest country in the world, has about 33 inhabitants per sqkm. The Russian population is relatively concentrated around the big metropolitan areas of the country. About 75 percent of Russians live in an urban area. Moscow, the capital of Russia, has about 12 million inhabitants. The greater Moscow metropolitan area has about 16 million inhabitants and is the fifteenth largest metro area in the world. Most of the Russian population lives in the part of the country that is part of the European continent. About 74 percent of all Russians live west of the Ural on an area that encompasses only 23 percent of Russia's total land area.

As of 2025,the combined forces of NATO had approximately 3.44 million active military personnel, compared with 1.32 million active military personnel in the Russian military. The collective military capabilities of the 32 countries that make up NATO outnumber Russia in terms of aircraft, at 22,377 to 4,957, and in naval power, with 1,143 military ships, to 419. In terms of ground combat vehicles, NATO had an estimated 11,495 main battle tanks, to Russia's 5,750. The combined nuclear arsenal of the United States, United Kingdom, and France amounted to 5,559 nuclear warheads, compared with Russia's 5,580. NATO military spending In 2024, the combined military expenditure of NATO states amounted to approximately 1.47 trillion U.S. dollars, with the United States responsible for the majority of this spending, as the U.S. military budget amounted to 967.7 billion dollars that year. The current U.S. President, Donald Trump has frequently taken aim at other NATO allies for not spending as much on defense as America. NATO member states are expected to spend at least two percent of their GDP on defense, although the U.S. has recently pushed for an even higher target. As of 2024, the U.S. spent around 3.38 percent of its GDP on defense, the third-highest in the alliance, with Estonia just ahead on 3.43 percent, and Poland spending the highest share at 4.12 percent. US aid to Ukraine The pause in aid to Ukraine from the United States at the start of March 2025 marks a significant policy change from Ukraine's most powerful ally. Throughout the War in Ukraine, military aid from America has been crucial to the Ukrainian cause. In Trump's first term in office, America sent a high number of anti-tank Javelins, with this aid scaling up to more advanced equipment after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The donation of around 40 HIMARs rocket-artillery system, for example, has proven to be one of Ukraine's most effective offensive weapons against Russia. Defensive systems such as advanced Patriot air defense units have also helped protect Ukraine from aerial assaults. Although European countries have also provided significant aid, it is unclear if they will be able to fill the hole left by America should the pause in aid goes on indefinitely.

As of May 2025, China had the largest armed forces in the world by active duty military personnel, with about *********** active soldiers. India, the United States, North Korea, and Russia rounded out the top five largest armies. Difference between active and reserve personnel Active personnel, also known as active duty in the United States and active service in the United Kingdom, are those individuals whose full-time occupation is being part of a military force. Active duty contrasts with a military’s reserve force, which are individuals who have both a military role and a civilian career. The number of active duty forces in the U.S. is much larger than its reserve membership. What is the strongest army? The strength of a country’s armed forces is not only determined by how many personnel they maintain, but also the number and quality of their military equipment. For example, looking only at personnel does not factor in the overwhelmingly higher number of nuclear warheads owned by Russia and the United States compared to other countries. One way to answer this question is to look at the total amount of money each country spends on their military, as spending includes both personnel and technology. In terms of countries with the highest military spending, the United States leads the world with an annual budget almost ***** times larger than second-placed China.

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Oil And Gas Refinery Maintenance Services Market Size 2025-2029

The oil and gas refinery maintenance services market size is forecast to increase by USD 965.4 million at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is driven by the surging demand for refined fuel, making it a significant market with immense potential. This demand is fueled by the increasing global population and urbanization, leading to a rise in transportation and industrial activities. Another key trend in the market is the adoption of modular mini refineries, which offer cost-effective and efficient solutions for refining oil and gas. However, the market also faces challenges, including the stringent presence of health, safety, and environment (HSE) regulations. Data security is a growing concern, as digitalization increases the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
Compliance with these regulations adds to the operational costs and complexity of refinery maintenance services. Companies operating in this market must navigate these challenges while also capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the growing demand for refined fuel and the adoption of modular mini refineries. Effective strategic planning and innovative solutions will be crucial for businesses seeking to thrive in this dynamic market. Technology adoption in this sector is on the rise, with digital twins and advanced safety systems, such as pressure relief valves, explosion protection, and flame arrestors, becoming increasingly common.

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The market encompasses a range of essential services to ensure the optimal performance and compliance of refineries. Key areas include inventory management and maintenance scheduling to prevent equipment downtime and reduce costs. Shutdown management, a critical aspect, requires adherence to industry standards and the integration of fluid handling, emissions control, and process equipment. Fugitive emissions and safety culture are paramount, necessitating the implementation of advanced security systems and regulatory compliance. Maintenance contracts often include field service, remote support, and electrical systems maintenance, as well as process automation and reliability engineering. Technological advancements have led to the adoption of innovation in areas like process control, catalyst regeneration, and separation technologies.

Fire protection systems and root cause analysis are crucial for minimizing risks and improving plant optimization. Spare parts management, wastewater treatment, and control panels are integral components of maintenance planning. Value engineering and best practices are essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the market. Regulatory compliance, pressure vessels, and sour water stripping are areas where technical expertise is indispensable. Power distribution and piping systems require ongoing maintenance to ensure efficient energy usage and prevent leaks. Performance-based contracting is a growing trend, as it incentivizes service providers to focus on maximizing plant uptime and minimizing costs. The integration of advanced technologies such as automation, IoT, and predictive analytics can enhance operational efficiency and improve the overall competitiveness of these companies in the market.

How is this Oil And Gas Refinery Maintenance Services Industry segmented?

The oil and gas refinery maintenance services industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

End-user

  Small scale refinery
  Medium scale refinery
  Large scale refinery


Type

  Turnaround
  Maintenance and repair


Application

  Downstream
  Midstream
  Upstream


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    Germany
    Russia
    UK


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  Rest of World (ROW)

By End-user Insights

The Small scale refinery segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. In the oil and gas industry, refinery maintenance services play a crucial role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of refineries, encompassing various activities from small-scale facilities to larger ones. These services include routine inspections, repairs, replacements, and upgrades for essential equipment and processes. Although small-scale refineries may have lower processing capacities and fewer resources than larger facilities, they share the common goal of operational excellence. Renewable energy and carbon footprint regula

Russia was the largest country in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region, with a total area of over 17 million square kilometers in 2025. Furthermore, Russia was the largest country in the world, followed by Canada, the United States, and China. Ranking second among the CIS countries was Kazakhstan, whose land area comprised about 2.7 million square kilometers.

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Bus Infotainment System Market Size 2024-2028

The bus infotainment system market size is forecast to increase by USD 155.3 million, at a CAGR of 6.76% between 2023 and 2028.

The market is witnessing significant growth as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) explore new revenue streams by integrating smartphone support features into their in-vehicle infotainment systems. This trend is driven by the increasing consumer preference for seamless connectivity and personalized entertainment experiences. However, this integration comes with challenges, as the advanced infotainment systems may lead to driver distractions, posing safety concerns. OEMs must strike a balance between offering innovative features and ensuring road safety. Moreover, the market's competitive landscape is intensifying, with players investing in research and development to differentiate their offerings and cater to evolving consumer demands. Companies seeking to capitalize on market opportunities should focus on developing user-friendly interfaces, ensuring seamless connectivity, and addressing safety concerns effectively. Navigating these challenges requires strategic planning and a deep understanding of consumer preferences and market trends.

What will be the Size of the Bus Infotainment System Market during the forecast period?

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Request Free SampleBus infotainment systems continue to evolve, integrating advanced technologies to enhance the travel experience for passengers. These systems go beyond traditional audio systems and include user interfaces (UI) with touchscreen interfaces, OLED displays, and interactive displays. Power management, remote diagnostics, and wireless charging are essential features, ensuring seamless operation. Entertainment content, passenger information systems, and maintenance services are key applications. OTA updates enable continuous improvement, while digital signage and advertising platforms offer targeted advertising opportunities. Integration of 4G LTE, cloud computing, and mobile device integration provide connectivity and access to streaming services. Passenger feedback systems and UX design prioritize user experience. Thermal management and hardware components ensure reliable performance, while network infrastructure and security systems maintain data privacy. Installation services and system integration are crucial for seamless implementation. The bus infotainment market remains dynamic, with ongoing developments in UI, support services, and network connectivity shaping its future.

How is this Bus Infotainment System Industry segmented?

The bus infotainment system industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments. ApplicationTransit busesCoachesTransfer busesGeographyEuropeRussiaAPACChinaIndiaJapanSouth AmericaBrazilRest of World (ROW)

By Application Insights

The transit buses segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.Transit buses, an essential component of short-distance public transportation in cities, come in various subsegments, including double-decker, articulated, low-floor, and mini-buses. The seating capacity for low-floor and mini-buses is approximately 50 passengers, while double-decker or articulated buses can accommodate up to 80 passengers. These buses are designed with large doors for easy boarding and exiting, no luggage space, and bench or bucket-type seats, typically without headrests. Bus interiors feature roll signs or light-emitting diode (LED) displays indicating the destination name or the next stop, bus stop request buttons, and adequate standing-passenger capacity. Modern bus infotainment systems have become increasingly sophisticated, integrating user interface (UI) designs for seamless interaction. Support services ensure efficient system functioning, while audio systems provide clear announcements for passenger information. OLED displays offer enhanced visual clarity for GPS navigation and interactive displays. Over-the-air (OTA) updates enable continuous software improvements. Digital signage and passenger information systems keep passengers informed, while remote diagnostics and power management systems optimize energy usage. Entertainment content, such as on-demand video and music, enhances the user experience (UX). Passenger feedback systems gather valuable data for continuous improvement. Wireless charging, USB charging ports, and 4G LTE connectivity keep passengers connected. Thermal management ensures optimal temperature control. System integration, cloud computing, and mobile device integration offer flexibility and convenience. Headrest monitors, overhead monitors, and

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Gaming Software Market Size 2025-2029

The gaming software market size is forecast to increase by USD 56.3 million, at a CAGR of 6.4% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by revolutionary advancements in gaming engines that support experiences in tablet games. This technological evolution is attracting a larger player base and fueling the market's expansion. Another key trend is the increasing popularity of eSports, which has transformed gaming from a pastime into a professional sport, creating new revenue streams and opportunities for market participants. However, the high capital requirement for developing advanced gaming software and the need for strong online platforms and development tools pose challenges.
Companies must invest heavily in research and development, marketing, and infrastructure to compete effectively in this dynamic and competitive landscape. To capitalize on market opportunities and navigate challenges, gaming software companies must stay abreast of emerging technologies and consumer preferences, while also maintaining a strong financial position. Augmented reality and virtual reality technologies are revolutionizing the gaming industry, providing new dimensions to gaming experiences.

What will be the Size of the Gaming Software Market during the forecast period?

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The market is witnessing significant advancements, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a pivotal role in enhancing game accessibility and player experience. The market also caters to video gamers on mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, through mobile gaming software. Cultural sensitivity is a growing concern, leading to the adoption of inclusive design and localization tools. Game preservation is another trend, with data mining and procedural generation techniques used to revive legacy games. Live operations, game events, and player behavior analysis are essential for monetization strategies, which include content updates, player support, and game balance adjustments. 
Game Engines are being optimized with AI to improve performance and enable cross-platform development. Machine learning algorithms are employed for game economy modeling and player segmentation. Cloud infrastructure, edge computing, and game physics are crucial for delivering seamless gaming experiences. Security is paramount, with game updates addressing vulnerabilities and advertising networks ensuring player privacy. Game modding and graphical fidelity continue to be key areas of focus for developers.

How is this Gaming Software Industry segmented?

The gaming software industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  Mobile games
  Console games
  PC games


Revenue Stream

  Box and CD game
  Shareware
  Freeware
  In-app purchases


Platform

  Game engine
  Gaming tools
  Audio engine
  Physics engine


End-user

  Individual
  Enterprise


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    Germany
    Russia
    UK


  APAC

    Australia
    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The mobile games segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Mobile Gaming software, a segment of the dynamic gaming industry, has witnessed significant growth due to the widespread use of mobile phones and tablets. The availability of affordable, high-resolution mobile devices and increasing access to high-speed Internet through 5G technology in major markets like China, the US, Germany, and the UK, has boosted mobile gaming as a preferred platform. In 2024, approximately 2 billion mobile gamers were active worldwide. Mobile games dominate online application stores such as Apple App Store and Google Play, accounting for 25%-30% of the applications downloaded on Android and iOS platforms in 2023.

One significant segment of this market includes games used for competitive play, such as those in the E-sports scene. These include popular titles like Dota 2 and League of Legends, which are supported by platforms like Faceit and ESL. Game analytics, an essential component of the gaming industry, is used to monitor and analyze player behavior, game performance, and user experience. AI scripting and physics engines power game mechanics, ensuring realistic gameplay user experiences. App stores serve as crucial distribution channels for game developers, enabling them to reach a global audience. Game streaming and cloud gaming have emerged as new trends, offering players the convenience of playing games on various devices without the need for high-end hardware. Game design software, including level design, level editor, user experience

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Fire and Gas Detection System Market Size 2024-2028

The fire and gas detection system market is estimated to grow by USD 2.32 billion between 2023 and 2028 at a CAGR of 3.2%. The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by several key factors. The increasing production of shale gas is one such factor, as the extraction process involves potential hazards that necessitate advanced detection systems. Another factor is the growing emphasis on worker safety across various industries, leading to a heightened focus on implementing robust safety measures. Furthermore, the number of industry safety performance standards is on the rise, making it mandatory for organizations to invest in reliable detection systems to ensure regulatory compliance.

What will be the Size of the Market During the Forecast Period?

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Technavio’s Exclusive Market Customer Landscape

Our analysis of the adoption life cycle of the market indicates its movement between the innovator’s stage and the laggard’s stage. The report illustrates the lifecycle of the market, focusing on the adoption rates of the major countries. Technavio has included key purchase criteria, adoption rates, adoption lifecycles, and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies from 2023 to 2028.

Market Customer Landscape

Market Dynamics

The Market encompasses the sales, production, and installation of fire detection systems, including fire alarms, fire detectors, smoke detectors, and heat detectors. The market caters to various industries, primarily focusing on fireprone environments such as power utilities, mining, petrochemical industry, oil and gas exploration industry, and construction-related projects. Fire safety regulations mandate the use of reliable and efficient fire detection systems to minimize damage and loss of life. The Commercial segment dominates the market due to the large-scale infrastructure and the high risk of fire incidents. Residential applications are also growing due to increasing awareness and the availability of sustainable alarm and detection solutions made from recyclable and biodegradable materials like plant-based bioplastics and biodegradable polymers. Technological developments in integrated fire safety systems are driving market growth. The future of the Market lies in the adoption of advanced technologies and the implementation of stricter fire safety regulations. Our researchers studied the data for years, with 2023 as the base year and 2024 as the estimated year, and presented the key drivers, trends, and challenges for the market.

Key Market Driver

One of the key factors driving growth in the market is the rising production of shale gas. Due to the glut of supply, it introduced into the market, which eventually resulted in price drops, shale gas has altered the global structure of oil and gas energy. Unlike conventional petroleum gas, shale gas investigation transmits bigger measures of methane and consequently, has a higher ozone-depleting substance impression. CH4 isn't simply destructive to the climate but additionally a wellspring of blast risks.

Moreover, the rise in shale gas production from countries such as the US, Russia, Iran, Qatar, Canada, China, Norway, and Saudi Arabia has raised the scope for the adoption of gas detection products and solutions. Besides, the growing urge to minimize casualties and an increasing number of government mandates have given rise to the adoption of the latest safety tools in the shale gas manufacturing processes, to their functional benefits. Hence, increasing shale gas production will drive the global market during the forecast period.

Significant Market Trends

The advent of 3D fire and gas mapping tools is the primary trend in the global market. One of the most recent technological advancements in the field of safety instrumentation systems is the appearance of the software tool for 3D fire and gas mapping. The oil and gas, chemical, and petrochemical industries, among other end-user industries, are rapidly adopting this tool. The execution of the 3D fire and gas planning device in a modern arrangement helps streamline the number and area of F&G finders. A unit of United Technologies called Detector Electronics offers a 3D fire and gas mapping tool for industries that require a higher level of protection and safety.

Moreover, some key features offered by the 3D fire and gas mapping software are they are fully 3D flame and gas detection assessments, fully configurable and compliant with every oil and gas design methodology, and coverage optimization resulting in a safe and compliant fire and gas detection design. The results can be presented in 2D or 3D formats, whichever provides the most insight. Therefore, the implementation of the 3D fire and gas mapping tool in an industry helps in the optim

The United States led the ranking of the countries with the highest military spending in 2024, with 997 billion U.S. dollars dedicated to the military. That constituted almost 40 percent of the total military spending worldwide that year, which amounted to 2.7 trillion U.S. dollars. This amounted to 3.4 percent of the U.S.'s gross domestic product (GDP), placing the country lower in the ranking of military expenditure as a percentage of GDP, compared to Ukraine, Israel, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. China was the second largest military spender, with an estimated 314 billion U.S. dollars spent, with Russia following in third. Defense budgetAccording to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, the outlays for defense will rise to 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars by 2033. The largest parts of the budget are dedicated to the Departments of the Navy and the Air Force. The budget for the U.S. Air Force for 2024 was nearly 260 billion U.S. dollars.Global military spendingThe value of military spending globally has grown steadily in the past years and reached 2.7 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024. Reasons for this are the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, the war in Gaza, as well as increasing tensions in the South China Sea. North America is by far the leading region worldwide in terms of expenditure on the military.

In 2021, the BRICS countries with the highest estimated GDP per capita were Russia and China, with between 12,000 and 13,000 U.S. dollars per person. Brazil and South Africa's GDP per capita are thought to be closer to the 7,000 mark, while India's GDP per capita is just over 2,000 U.S. dollars. This a significant contrast to figures for overall GDP, where China has the largest economy by a significant margin, while India's is the second largest. The reason for this disparity is due to population size. For example, both China's population and overall GDP are roughly 10 times larger than those of Russia, which results in them having a comparable GDP per capita. Additionally, India's population is 23 times larger than South Africa's, but it's GDP is just seven times larger; this results in South Africa having a higher GDP per capita than India, despite it being the smallest of the BRICS economies.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the BRICS countries have been considered the five foremost developing economies in the world. Originally, the term BRIC was used by economists when talking about the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, however these countries have held annual summits since 2009, and the group has expanded to include South Africa since 2010. China has the largest GDP of the BRICS country, at 16.86 trillion U.S. dollars in 2021, while the others are all below three trillion. Combined, the BRICS bloc has a GDP over 25.85 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022, which is slightly more than the United States. BRICS economic development China has consistently been the largest economy of this bloc, and its rapid growth has seen it become the second largest economy in the world, behind the U.S.. China's growth has also been much faster than the other BRICS countries; for example, when compared with the second largest BRICS economy, its GDP was less than double the size of Brazil's in 2000, but is almost six times larger than India's in 2021. Since 2000, the country with the second largest GDP has fluctuated between Brazil, Russia, and India, due to a variety of factors, although India has held this position since 2015 (when the other two experienced recession), and it's growth rate is on track to surpass China's in the coming decade. South Africa has consistently had the smallest economy of the BRICS bloc, and it has just the third largest economy in Africa; its inclusion in this group is due to the fact that it is the most advanced and stable major economy in Africa, and it holds strategic importance due to the financial potential of the continent in the coming decades. Future developments It is predicted that China's GDP will overtake that of the U.S. by the end of the 2020s, to become the largest economy in the world, while some also estimate that India will also overtake the U.S. around the middle of the century. Additionally, the BRICS group is more than just an economic or trading bloc, and its New Development Bank was established in 2014 to invest in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy across the globe. While relations between its members were often strained or of less significance in the 20th century, their current initiatives have given them a much greater international influence. The traditional great powers represented in the Group of Seven (G7) have seen their international power wane in recent decades, while BRICS countries have seen theirs grow, especially on a regional level. Today, the original BRIC countries combine with the Group of Seven (G7), to make up 11 of the world's 12 largest economies, but it is predicted that they will move further up on this list in the coming decades.

In 2024, Russia had the largest population among European countries at ***** million people. The next largest countries in terms of their population size were Turkey at **** million, Germany at **** million, the United Kingdom at **** million, and France at **** million. Europe is also home to some of the world’s smallest countries, such as the microstates of Liechtenstein and San Marino, with populations of ****** and ****** respectively. Europe’s largest economies Germany was Europe’s largest economy in 2023, with a Gross Domestic Product of around *** trillion Euros, while the UK and France are the second and third largest economies, at *** trillion and *** trillion euros respectively. Prior to the mid-2000s, Europe’s fourth-largest economy, Italy, had an economy that was of a similar sized to France and the UK, before diverging growth patterns saw the UK and France become far larger economies than Italy. Moscow and Istanbul the megacities of Europe Two cities on the eastern borders of Europe were Europe’s largest in 2023. The Turkish city of Istanbul, with a population of 15.8 million, and the Russian capital, Moscow, with a population of 12.7 million. Istanbul is arguably the world’s most famous transcontinental city with territory in both Europe and Asia and has been an important center for commerce and culture for over 2,000 years. Paris was the third largest European city with a population of ** million, with London being the fourth largest at *** million.

In 2023, Washington, D.C. had the highest population density in the United States, with 11,130.69 people per square mile. As a whole, there were about 94.83 residents per square mile in the U.S., and Alaska was the state with the lowest population density, with 1.29 residents per square mile. The problem of population density Simply put, population density is the population of a country divided by the area of the country. While this can be an interesting measure of how many people live in a country and how large the country is, it does not account for the degree of urbanization, or the share of people who live in urban centers. For example, Russia is the largest country in the world and has a comparatively low population, so its population density is very low. However, much of the country is uninhabited, so cities in Russia are much more densely populated than the rest of the country. Urbanization in the United States While the United States is not very densely populated compared to other countries, its population density has increased significantly over the past few decades. The degree of urbanization has also increased, and well over half of the population lives in urban centers.

In 2025, India overtook China as the world's most populous country and now has almost 1.46 billion people. China now has the second-largest population in the world, still with just over 1.4 billion inhabitants, however, its population went into decline in 2023. Global population As of 2025, the world's population stands at almost 8.2 billion people and is expected to reach around 10.3 billion people in the 2080s, when it will then go into decline. Due to improved healthcare, sanitation, and general living conditions, the global population continues to increase; mortality rates (particularly among infants and children) are decreasing and the median age of the world population has steadily increased for decades. As for the average life expectancy in industrial and developing countries, the gap has narrowed significantly since the mid-20th century. Asia is the most populous continent on Earth; 11 of the 20 largest countries are located there. It leads the ranking of the global population by continent by far, reporting four times as many inhabitants as Africa. The Demographic Transition The population explosion over the past two centuries is part of a phenomenon known as the demographic transition. Simply put, this transition results from a drastic reduction in mortality, which then leads to a reduction in fertility, and increase in life expectancy; this interim period where death rates are low and birth rates are high is where this population explosion occurs, and population growth can remain high as the population ages. In today's most-developed countries, the transition generally began with industrialization in the 1800s, and growth has now stabilized as birth and mortality rates have re-balanced. Across less-developed countries, the stage of this transition varies; for example, China is at a later stage than India, which accounts for the change in which country is more populous - understanding the demographic transition can help understand the reason why China's population is now going into decline. The least-developed region is Sub-Saharan Africa, where fertility rates remain close to pre-industrial levels in some countries. As these countries transition, they will undergo significant rates of population growth.

Throughout the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union had relatively similar total populations. The U.S.' population grew from around 205 million to almost 250 million people between 1970 and 1990, while the USSR's population grew from around 240 to 290 million in this time. In these years, the Soviet Union had the third largest population in the world, and the U.S. had the fourth largest (behind China and India respectively). Despite their similar sizes, these populations differed in terms of distribution as the U.S.' population was approximately three quarters urban in this period, whereas the Soviet Union's urban population was just 56 percent in 1970 and 66 percent in 1989. Additionally, the Soviet Union's population was much younger than that of the U.S. due to a higher birth rate and lower life expectancy.

As a weapon of mass destruction, nuclear warheads are part of the defense arsenal of some countries in the world. There were approximately 12,200 nuclear warheads worldwide as of January 2025, and almost 90 percent of them belong to two countries: Russia and the United States. Even though the number of nuclear weapons worldwide has been decreasing since the Cold War, still the same two countries possess the majority of them. Moreover, with more conflicts ongoing worldwide, nuclear weapons become more important to nuclear powers as a way of deterring. What are nuclear warheads? Nuclear warheads are weapons of mass destruction and are able to destroy whole cities and kill millions of people. They also have tremendous long-lasting effects on the environment and future generations due to radioactive contamination taking its toll years after the explosion. They have only been used once; by the United States in 1945 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the final stage of World War 2. Despite the devastating nature of nuclear weapons, some countries have been carrying out nuclear tests regularly. Global attitudes There have been debates about the prohibition of nuclear weapons due to the enormous destructive power that they have. In July of 2017, the United Nations General Assembly voted on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. There were 139 countries that supported the treaty and positioned themselves against the possession of nuclear weapons. However, as the forecasted budget for the nuclear weapons program of the United States from 2022 shows, the investments in this area are increasing rather than decreasing. Similar attitudes can be expected from the Russian government.

Since 1980, Europe's largest economies have consistently been France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, although the former Soviet Union's economy was the largest in the 1980s, and Russia's economy has been larger than Spain's since 2010. Since Soviet dissolution, Germany has always had the largest economy in Europe, while either France or the UK has had the second largest economy depending on the year. Italy's economy was of a relatively similar size to that of the UK and France until the mid-2000s when it started to diverge, resulting in a difference of approximately 800 billion U.S dollars by 2018. Russia's economy had overtaken both Italy and Spain's in 2012, but has fallen since 2014 due to the drop in international oil prices and the economic sanctions imposed for its annexation of Crimea - economic growth is expected to be comparatively low in Russia in the coming years due to the economic fallout of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In 2025, Germany, now the world's third-largest economy, was estimated at over *** trillion U.S. dollars.

Russia had the largest forest area in the world in 2021, amounting to around 815 million hectares, more than twice that of Canada, whose forest area amounted to 347 million hectares. The forestry industry in Canada With the third largest forest area in the world, Canada’s forestry industry is a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product. In 2021, the nominal GDP of Canada’s forest industry reached more than 34 billion Canadian dollars, with the wood product manufacturing sector alone contributing around 19.8 billion Canadian dollars in nominal GDP. A comparison of Canadian provinces shows that British Colombia has the largest forestry and logging industry in the country, followed by Quebec and Ontario. The Amazon rainforest in Brazil Brazil has the second largest forest area in the world after Russia, with total forest areas in the South American country amounting to approximately 494 million hectares in 2022. This is largely because around 62 percent of the Amazon rainforest is located in Brazil. The Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest rainforest, what some call “the lungs of the planet”. However, in recent years, deforestation has been a salient issue in the Amazon, with illegal logging and wildfires raging across the rainforest have contributed to very high deforestation rates. Indeed, around 8,000 square kilometers were destroyed in the Brazilian Amazon in 2023. Deforestation and its impact on climate change has spurred opposition to the logging industry, which was the sector responsible for the most killings of environmental activists in 2021.