US in the World: Connecting People and Communities

US in the World is a project to help Americans explore how shared concern for the environment links people in the United States to people in other parts of the world. The project includes the production of a series of fact sheets which compare US and developing country trends and demonstrate how population structure, growth, and dynamics can lead to environmental degradation and threaten human well-being in both locations.

These profiles were prepared by the Population Reference Bureau in collaboration with the Population and Habitat Campaign of the National Audubon Society and the Population Coalition of local Leagues of Women Voters.

The project includes the following parts:

• A United States Population Data Sheet: This state-by-state comparison of key population and environmental variables allows you to examine the US population's impact on the environment. An accompanying map illustrates US urbanization and congestion trends.

• An Overview Fact Sheet: The unique format of this comparison of significant global demographic and environmental indicators allows you to draw parallels between developed countries and developing countries, and in particular, to examine how the United States compares to the world as a whole and especially to the developing world.

• US State-Developing Country Profiles: In each profile a state is comparatively matched with a developing country facing similar demographic, environmental, and socioeconomic challenges. Maps, graphs, and data bring home the differences and similarities and illustrate that no town, state, or country is isolated from these common problems. Descriptions of efforts in both locations show how these challenges are being met.

Underlying these profiles is a commitment to caring for Earth and its current inhabitants, as well as a responsibility to bequeath to future generations a planet capable of sustaining life. This ethic calls for choices based on knowledge about the complex interrelationships of population growth, consumption patterns, and environmental effects and about the role we in the United States play in these trends. We hope that these profiles will increase your awareness, understanding, and commitment to these issues and will help build the base of common knowledge on which consensus for action develops.

The primary funder for the project is the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the development education program. The Development Education Program administered by USAID's Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation (PVC) is a public/private initiative designed to foster interest in, and awareness of, international development among U.S. citizens. The program supports activities by private, not-for-profit organizations to educate large segments of the American public about U.S humanitarian relief and development programs overseas and to build understanding for these programs. Program audiences may not include overseas audiences. The US in the World collaborators gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, as well as the valuable contributions of many state reviewers and volunteers.

A limited number of sets of 42 (overview plus 41 state-country fact sheets) are available for $12 per set. If you are interested contact PRB's circulation department to order this publication. For more information about the project, contact:

Roger-Mark De Souza
Population and Environment Coordinator
E-mail: [email protected]

US State-Developing Country Profiles

US in the World: Overview (PDF: 311KB)
The unique format of this comparison of significant global demographic and environmental indicators allows you to draw parallels between developed countries and developing countries, and in particular, to examine how the United States compares to the world as a whole and especially to the developing world. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Arizona/Egypt (PDF: 194KB)
Residents of Arizona and Egypt face a daily challenge: living in increasing numbers and concentrations in desert ecosystems. Read about how both face surprisingly similar conflicts and issues over water, land and industry. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Arkansas/Myanmar (PDF: 502KB)
Rich in mineral deposits and fertile lowlands offer Arkansas and Myanmar the potential for substantial long-term increases in exports, income, and living standards. Read about how this opportunity is threatened by air and water pollution; wetland loss; and in the case of Myanmar, overexploitation of natural resources. Factsheet with graphs and data. (2000)

US in the World: California/South Africa (PDF: 425KB)
The most populous U.S. state, California, and Africa's fourth most populous country, South Africa, have more in common than water issues. Read about how both are geographically diverse, ethnic and racial diversity and volatile histories. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Colorado/Nepal (PDF: 178KB)
Colorado and Nepal share similar mountain terrain as well as the challenge of managing mountain ecosystems in the face of development. Read about how both places must balance the needs of expanding populations and growing economies with the need to protect the environment. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Connecticut/Jamaica (PDF: 183KB)
Images of the Jamaican culture dot Connecticut's landscape, a result of the thousands of Jamaicans who have emigrated to Connecticut. Read about how despite their equivalent populations, there are wide disparities in the prosperity of the two areas. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Washington, DC/Comoros (PDF: 305KB)
The District of Columbia and the Comoros Islands share a similar number of inhabitants and a history of external political and economic intervention. Read about how these two places with similar population sizes face political and environmental challenges. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1999)

US in the World: Delaware/Dominican Republic (PDF: 539KB)
The Dominican Republic and Delaware were among the first American territories to be explored and settled by Europeans. Read about how demographic pressure, combined with heavy industrialization in Delaware and with a high demand for agriculture in the Dominican Republic, has led to the loss of some natural habitats. Factsheet with graphs and data. (2000)

US in the World: Florida/Mexico (PDF: 381KB)
Forming opposite rims of the Gulf of Mexico, Florida and Mexico have similar climates and costal resources. These resources have helped to sustain growing populations and produced major changes in the natural environment. Read how both areas face rapid population growth that threatens two of the most fundamental needs of humans and wildlife: water and air. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Georgia/Senegal (PDF: 485KB)
The peanut industry is prominent in two regions of similar size on opposite sides of the Atlantic: Georgia and Senegal. Read how these two regions are challenged to adequately manage population growth and its effects on the environment to ensure that important economic resources are not unduly threatened. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1999)

US in the World: Hawaii/Madagascar (PDF: 354KB)
Because of centuries spent in isolation, Hawaii and Madagascar enjoy some of the richest natural biological diversity in the world. Ecosystem deterioration in both regions adversely affects the population's well-being. Read about how people in Hawaii and Madagascar are responding two these challenges as these two places differ in their current demographic and economic profiles. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1999)

US in the World: Idaho/Bolivia (PDF: 449KB)
Native Indian heritage, potato growing, gold and silver mining, and geographic similarities link Idaho and Bolivia, although Idaho's economy is booming and Bolivia remains one of the poorest and least developed countries in Latin America. Read about the demographic and health trends, as well as the natural resource issues, in these two places. Factsheet with graphs and data. (2000)

US in the World: Illinois/Zimbabwe (PDF: 232KB)
Illinois and Zimbabwe are both landlocked, and each enjoys access to several rivers and a lake. Agriculture plays a foremost role in both economies. Read about how each has about 11 million inhabitants, but their demographic profiles differ greatly. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Indiana/Azerbaijan (PDF: 347KB)
Indiana's motto, ”The Crossroads of America,” aptly describes the geographical diversity that characterizes this midwestern state as well as the country of Azerbaijan. Read how both regions, which have similar geographic and population sizes and are touched by a main body of water, can also be said to stand at the crossroads in their ecological history as they grapple with environmental challenges. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1999)

US in the World: Iowa/Côte d'Ivoire (PDF: 577KB)
The natural riches of Iowa and Côte d'Ivoire attracted French settlers eager to exploit the fertile lowlands in both places. Both places presented great challenges to development. Read how these regions now face the challenges of ensuring economic prosperity of their populations while preserving remaining natural habitats. Factsheet with graphs and data. (2000)

US in the World: Kansas/Paraguay (PDF: 215KB)
Each landlocked n the heart of an American continent, both Kansas and Paraguay have significantly altered their landscapes for agriculture. Although Paraguay's population is growing four times faster than that of Kansas, both regions' populations have caused loss of much of their natural flora and fauna. Read how both have greatly modified their natural water sources, creating significant future environmental challenges. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Kentucky/Colombia (PDF: 587KB)
The challenges faced by Kentucky and Colombia has become more economic and environmental in nature. Agriculture plays a major role in the economies of both locations and both rely heavily on mining. Read about how these two regions respond to these challenges in face of demographic differences. Factsheet with graphs and data. (2000)

US in the World: Maine/Peru (PDF: 644KB)
In Maine and Peru, natural topography has fostered the development of prosperous fishing and forest industry. Today, the natural resources these industries depend on are threatened by overharvesting, uneven population growth and distribution, and management challenges. Read about how in both places, the populations are diverse and share similar densities. Factsheet with graphs and data. (2000)

US in the World: Maryland/Malaysia (PDF: 430KB)
Worlds apart geographically and culturally, Maryland and Malaysia both struggle to balance employment and productivity with preserving forest, wetland, and marine coastal resources. Read about these similarities and the telling demographic and socioeconomic differences. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Massachusetts/Venezuela (PDF: 430KB)
As lands of discovery and independence, Venezuela and Massachusetts have played important roles in the history of the Americas. Nature has endowed both regions with geographical and wildlife diversity, abundant forest resources, lush plains, and bountiful seas. Read about how despite these similarities, development paths have differed. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Michigan/Malawi (PDF: 374KB)
The residents of Michigan and Malawi derive essential benefits from lakes and river systems. The unsustainable use and pollution of these resources, however, challenge the continued usage of these bounties. Read about how although these two places have about 10 million inhabitants, their demographic profiles differ dramatically. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1999)

US in the World: Minnesota/Philippines (PDF: 320KB)
The economies of the Philippines and Minnesota are both geographically vulnerable to ecological fluctuations that cause natural disasters such as floods, typhoons, and earthquakes. Read about the links between natural resources and population in these examples of opposite geographical relationships between land and water. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Montana/Mongolia (PDF: 256KB)
The geographical and topographical characteristics of Montana and Mongolia challenge their populations of each with harsh winters and inconsistent rainfall. Read about how two landlocked areas of the same middle latitudes face the threats of extreme weather patterns, ecological vulnerabilities, and population shifts. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Nebraska/Mali (PDF: 234KB)
Landlocked states with agricultural economies, both Nebraska and Mali rely heavily upon their largest river to provide water for agriculture. Read about the implications of human populations on the environment and habitat of endangered species. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: New Hampshire/Congo (PDF: 512KB)
With little arable land, the economies of New Hampshire and Congo rely heavily upon their natural resources. Read how the encroachment of human populations threatens the forests and wildlife of each. Factsheet with graphs and data. (2000)

US in the World: New Jersey/Indonesia (PDF: 488KB)
Although increasing population density and industrial development threaten both Indonesia and New Jersey, forest conservation is a common concern for varying reasons. Read how the forests of New Jersey and the second largest rainforest in the world in Indonesia are threatened and protected. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: New Mexico/Pakistan (PDF: 356KB)
Having both entered into existence as a result of violent struggles, New Mexico and Pakistan each have a high percentage of minorities. Read how both face land degradation, poor air and water quality, and waste management. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1999)

US in the World: New York/Brazil (PDF: 346KB)
The governments of New York and Brazil have both encouraged clear-cutting forests for short-term gain while ignoring long-term sustainability. Read how each is now trying to preserve their natural environment in the face of modern development and the challenges of maintaining some of the largest cities in the world. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: North Carolina/Tanzania (PDF: 305KB)
Both located on the southeastern flank of large continents, North Carolina and Tanzania share a common burden of environmental challenges. Read beyond the details of their similarities and find out why each is able to harness differing levels of resources to address their challenges. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: North Dakota/Morocco (PDF: 470KB)
Waterways have influenced settlement patterns in both North Dakota and Morocco by providing accessible means of transportation. Read how water issues shape the current and future lives of these populations. Factsheet with graphs and data. (2000)

US in the World: Ohio/Ecuador (PDF: 233KB)
The implications of oil spills and air pollution have threatened both Ohio and Ecuador's natural environments. Read how these similar-sized populations attempt to manage the environmental and health threats of modern industry. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Oregon/Costa Rica (PDF: 238KB)
Nearly equal in population size, Oregon and Costa Rica share many environmental achievements, including Oregon's reliance on renewable energy sources, and Costa Rica's protection of its parks and preserves. Read about how both feature a variety of ecosystems that present different challenges for the use and preservation of forested lands and rivers. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Pennsylvania/Turkey (PDF: 276KB)
With an abundance of rivers, both Pennsylvania and Turkey have relied on these natural water sources for transportation, industrial activity, agriculture, and drinking water. Read about how while culturally and historically different, both have similar environmental problems related to water and energy. (1998)

US in the World: Tennessee/Honduras (PDF: 359KB)
Location and topography in Tennessee and Honduras have given rise to a diversity of ecosystems in both places, including marine, coastal, terrestrial and riverine. Read about how the number of people living in urban areas in both places is growing fast, presenting a number of new threats. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1999)

US in the World: Texas/India (PDF: 237KB)
As the second largest country in population size, and among the largest in land area, India has much in common with Texas, second in size and population in the United States. Read about how Texas and India share the challenge of providing for their diverse and growing populations while maintaining the natural resource base that supports them. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Utah/Jordan (PDF: 195KB)
Rapidly growing populations and arid landscapes that suffer from low annual precipitation and high evaporation rates characterize both Utah and Jordan. Read about the effects that high total fertility rates, which drive an increase in water demand and energy use, are having on Utah, rich in minerals, and Jordan, with no significant energy sources of its own. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Vermont/Haiti (PDF: 234KB)
Vermont and Haiti were both born of tumultuous revolutions, as Vermont formed an independent republic in the late 1700s, and Haiti won independence from France after a 12-year revolution in 1804. Read about how although geographically the same size, Haiti's population is nearly ten times as great as Vermont's, contributing to deforestation and soil erosion, and thus creating many challenges. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Virginia/Guatemala (PDF: 615KB)
Virginia and Guatemala both contain valuable mountain and forest resources, as well as coastal areas that encounter problems created by sprawling national capitals, such as poverty, sanitation and land use. Read about how despite the similar resource base, there are vast differences in the role agriculture plays in the respective economies of the two areas. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Washington/El Salvador (PDF: 221KB)
Similar natural resource issues face both Washington and El Salvador, such as population growth that could affect the quality of life in Washington, and intensify competition for farmland or jobs in El Salvador. Read about how wealth in Washington and extreme poverty in El Salvador can put unique stresses on the environment. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: West Virginia/Guinea (PDF: 484KB)
Extensive forests and hills cover most of Virginia and Guinea, presenting both with the challenge of ensuring use of mineral and timber reserves, while preventing industrial growth from adversely affecting the environment. Read about how the industrial sector plays an important role in the development of the two economies. Factsheet with graphs and data. (2000)

US in the World: Wisconsin/Uganda (PDF: 261KB)
Wisconsin and Uganda have both been heavily dependent on the environment for subsistence, with the lead industry and gorilla tourism bringing opportunities and challenges for Wisconsin and Uganda, respectively. Read about how as landlocked areas bordered by significant bodies of water, these two places share a similar dependence on agriculture. Factsheet with graphs and data. (1998)

US in the World: Wyoming/Algeria (PDF: 463KB)
Wyoming and Algeria help power the world as major providers of energy. Although energy production forms the backbone of both regions, agricultural production—both farming and livestock—dominates the landscape. Read about how energy development and agriculture challenge both places' environmental quality. Factsheet with graphs and data. (2000)