The Global Perspective
English is far more worldwide in its distribution than all other spoken languages. It is an official language in 52 countries as well as many small colonies and territories. In addition, 1/4 to 1/3 of the people in the world understand and speak English to some degree. It has become the most useful language to learn for international travel and is now the de facto language of diplomacy. In 2001, the 189 member countries in the United Nations were asked what language they wish to use for communication with embassies from other countries. More than 120 chose English, 40 selected French, and 20 wanted to use Spanish. Those who wanted English to be the common language included all of the former Soviet republics, Viet Nam, and most of the Arab world. English is also the dominant language in electronic communication, particularly on the Internet. However, the percentage of Internet users who are not native English speakers is increasing rapidly, especially in Asia. In fact, China estimated in 2008 that there are now more people who have online access in their country than in the U.S., which had been the global leader in Internet access.
In reality, the distribution of languages globally is very complex and difficult to easily describe. Numerous migrations of people over the last several centuries have resulted in most large nations now having many different languages. There are at least 165 languages spoken in the United States today. Consequently, it is somewhat misleading to describe the U.S. as being an English speaking country. The same caution applies to other multicultural nations as well.
There are about sixty countries in the world that legally use English as a national language, and three nations that do not have laws making English the national language but in fact most widely use it: The United States, The United Kingdom, and Australia.
The United States
Geographic Size: 9,826,675 km2
Population: 315,000,000 Americans
Currency: US dollar ($/USD)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): +$48,000
Average Household Income: +$50,000
Political System: two-party republican system with general elections
The United States of America is one of the largest countries in the world based on both population and land area. It has a relatively short history compared to other world nations, has one of the world's largest economies, and has one of the world's most diverse populations. As such, the United States is highly influential internationally.
The United Kingdom
Geographic Size: 243,610 km2
Population: 62,000,000
Currency: Pound Sterling/British pound (UK£/GBP)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): -$37,000 (in USD)
Average Household Income: +$41,000 (in USD)
Political System: constitutional monarchy within the authority of a parliament chosen by general election
England is a part of Europe's United Kingdom and it is located on the island of Great Britain. It is not considered a separate nation, but it is an independent country within the UK. It is bordered by Scotland to the north and Wales to the west - both of which are also regions within the UK. England has coastlines along Celtic, North and Irish Seas and the English Channel and its area includes over 100 small islands.
Australia
Geographic Size: 7,617,930 km2
Population: 23,000,000 Australians
Currency: Australian dollar ($/AUD)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): +$66,000 ¬(in USD)
Average Household Income: -$44,000 (in USD)
Political System: federal parliamentary system chosen by general election with a constitutional monarchy
Some call it the big island. It is, of course, Australia, the world's smallest continent with an area of less than 7.7 million square kilometres.
Australia lies between the Indian and Pacific Oceans southeast of Asia (the world's largest continent) and south of the equator. Because of its geographical location on the globe, it is commonly referred to as the land Down Under.