Websites

CIA World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

This site has statistical information about all the countries of the world collected by the CIA. In addition the factbook consist of reference maps and appendices of abbreviations. While available to the general public, the factbook is designed as resource for use by the government.

City Population http://www.citypopulation.de/

This site provides population statistical figures for the world. They are search about by either country or agglomeration. Interactive maps and diagrams are available in addition to a list of abbreviations and a mini glossary. References are listed for all information on this site.

Evaluation: Although this is a hobbyist’s site it is obvious that great care has been taken in its construction. All data is supported by given sources. The site is current, does not look to swing opinions, and is non-profit. City population strength is the attention paid to major world agglomerations.

GeoHive http://www.xist.org/

GeoHive offers a multitude of global demographics statistics. Statistics are searchable by country to global region. Top 25 agglomerations, largest seaports, oil production, internet users, and bodies of waters are a few of the many charts viewable at this site. There is a page listing the links to statistical organizations around the world.

GeoHive is the hobby site of Johan van der Heyden. While his credentials if any are not listed, linked resources are cited for all statistics. The site is non-profit and not designed to sway opinion. GeoHive is current and offers a unique collection of statistical data.

Population Reference Bureau http://www.prb.org

PRB is a comprehensive site offering an abundance of information. There are resources for educators, journalists, and the general public. World data is available in a variety of areas to include education, employment, environment, and economic security. Furthermore PRB has an on-line bookstore where they sell their publications.

Evaluation: This site is unique because the PRB organization was created to inform peoples “around the world about population” issues, and empower “them to use that information” for world-wide advancement. An array of fascinating statistics are presented such as the percentage of women who have completed fifth grade in the poorest fifth percentage of nations, CO2 emissions per Capita (metric tons) in 2002, and the mean earnings for scientists and engineers in information technology for 2005. PRB’s site is updated regularly with all sources listed.

United Nations Population Information Network http://www.un.org/popin

The network was created to make statistics easily obtainable by the international community. There is an online database and plenty of charts and population literature. Some publications are available in other languages. A wide variety of web resources are linked to the page.

Evaluation: This site offers widespread selections of data and resources and in complied the by United Nations an organization seeking to establish world-wide peace and stability. The main drawback is that the latest updates appear to be from 2004 compromising the site’s accuracy and currency. There are also a few broken links on the page.

6 Billion Human Beings http://www.ined.fr/en/everything-about-population

This site is an all-inclusive site with an assortment of materials. There is information on current research, resources and documents, and statistics. The All about Population section hosts animations explaining issues in population, an atlas, scientific fact sheet, games, and teaching kits.

Evaluation: The institute conducts its own original research but also incorporates data from both Eurostat and the United Nations. The website is current. It does not seek to sway views. One drawback is that the English version of the site contains a few pages in French.