There are nine zeros in a billion. The next number after the figures 999,999,999 and before 1,000,000,001 is 1,000,000,000. It is known as a billion. Geographers like to see things, including billionaires, in terms of how they are distributed globally. This is the pattern of how they are spread out.
The billionaires of the world have become wealthy by using and developing resources, and by satisfying needs and wants of a population. Many of them have set up businesses or corporations which employ thousands of people and sell goods or services to millions of people. These often operate in more than one country – and more often globally. We call these TNCs – or Trans National Companies.
There are four different kinds of economic activity (paid work) that people can do (and that includes our TNCs and billionaires): Primary – gather resources from the earth. Mining energy or minerals, drilling oil, farming or fishing for example. Secondary –turn materials into things to sell. Making bread from wheat or ships from metal for example. Tertiary – Provide a service for people. Tesco, teachers, carers, accountants, and taxi drivers are all providing service, some we pay for directly to them and some through taxes. Quaternary – Doing hi-tech or high value services. Work on developing new medicines, new software and the latest technology - mobile phones for example.
One of the reasons for the Middle East's wealth has been its use of its natural resources - oil. One of the reasons for the rapid growth of wealth in Asia has been a plentiful supply of labour - human resources. Individuals, nations and regions can accumulate great wealth if they: Can organise a large workforce to do work of global importance, Hold control over a valuable physical resource such as oil.
Factors that affect development and wealth distribution: Environmental Social Political/Historical
Pedagogy: -Create a CV for billionaire Sir Alan Sugar. -Identify billionaires around the world on a world map, and discuss why there are more billionaires in some countries than in others. -Research into different Billionaires and assess how they became rich.