Worldmapper: The world as you’ve never seen it before

Worldmapper is a collection of world maps, where territories are re-sized on each map according to the subject of interest [via] – Link.

Here are a couple electronics related ones and toy imports – I’m sure over time regions deflate, then inflate to their current states…

Electronics imports– Whilst many people use electronic items as part of their day to day life, others have very little contact with electronics. This is particularly the case if someone has no electricity supply, or an insecure electricity supply The United States is a major net importer of electronics, people living there spend US$47 billion per year on imported electronics.

North American territories import (US$ net) almost half of all electronics traded worldwide. North African territories, with a similar total population size to that of North America, import only around 5% of the electronics imported (net) by North American territories – Link.

Electronics exports – Asian territories are the major world-supplier of electronics. In particular Japan, China, Taiwan and Malaysia. As 85% of territories import (net) electronic items, these exporting territories are from where these demands are met. These territories, with others, are sometimes referred to as Asian Tigers, or Tiger economies. This is claimed to be due to their high growth, rapid-industrialisation and export-driven trade strategies.

Worldwide, electronics exports generate 10.2% of all money earnt from trade in goods. Electronics include television and radio receivers, photography equipment, and electro-medical equipment – Link.

Toy imports – Most imports of toys (US$ net) are to the United States, followed by the United Kingdom. Toys are fun but not necessities. Thus toy imports give an indication of disposable incomes. The lowest imports of toys (US$ net) per person are to territories in Africa and also Tajikistan (in the Middle East). Central Africa, Southeastern Africa, Southern Asia and Northern Africa contain the poorest territories in the world. The highest imports of toys (US$ net) per person are to territories in Western Europe,North America, Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe – Link.

The site includes PDF posters for printing, Excel data files and Opendoc data files.