here is the New List 2011
1. United States of America
Whether you like or not United States is the most powerful country in the world. With the lagest economy of $14 trillion, which by the way is a quater of world total GDP. The strongest army the world has ever seen. For all those that didnt know US spend over $700 billion on their military in 2009, thats more then the whole world combined. Accounting for almost a half of worlds nuclear weapons having army bases and military presense in Asia,Europe Middle east and South America truly shows that United States is the Worlds Only Remaining Super Power.
Ill just mention couple of more facts about U.S.
(1) U.S. has many powerful allies who they really control, for example: UK, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Colombia and many more.
(2) U.S. holds one of the 5 UN Security Council Seats.
(3) U.S. is home to worlds leading companies like Microsoft, Google, Apple and many more.
(4) U.S. is home to Hollywood and basicly to all the influential Film Studios (And Movies are watched by millions if not billions and definitely influences the way people think)
(5) U.S. Has Worlds 3rd biggest population of 308 million people and is the 3rd largest country in the world with many natural resources.
(6) U.S. has the worlds most influential culture.
(7) U.S. is a nuclear power with 2,468/9,600 nuclear weapons.
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2. Peoples Republic of China
Its not a question of If? but When? will China become worlds second superpower. The biggest nation in the world with 1.3 billion people (every 6th person in the world is a citizen of China). China has the second biggest economy in the world $5.7 trillion and is the fourth largest country in the world with many natural resources. China is the the second largest resource consumer which gives a great political power. China is the second biggest military spender with a military budget ($80 billion). In 2009 China committed to modernizing their giant army, plus china is building up their navy and will soon have the biggest navy in the world. Obviously their army is not of the best quality but whatever the lack in quality they can make up in numbers.
Ill just mention couple of more facts about China.
(1) China has many allies who they really control, for example: North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Burma and many more.
(2) China holds one of the 5 UN Security Council Seats.
(3) Chinas economy will become worlds biggest by 2050 with an estimated $38 trillion
(4) China is a nuclear power with 180/240 nuclear weapons.
(5) China has the worlds largest military force, with approximately 3 million members.
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3. Russian Federation
Russian Federation is the direct inheritor of Soviet Union. No dought the greatest dream of any russian president and citizen is to attain the old glory of being a super power again. Russia is the largest country in the world, covering more than a ninth of the Earths land area. Russia is also the ninth most populous nation with 142 million people. It extends across the whole of northern Asia and 40% of Europe, spanning 9 time zones and incorporating a wide range of environments and landforms. Russia has the worlds largest reserves of mineral and energy resources. It has the worlds largest forest reserves and its lakes contain approximately one-quarter of the worlds freshwater. Though Russia has a very poor economy and doesnt use their resources properly, they are making an economic recovery. Russia like the USA account for almost a half of worlds Nuclear Weapons and has enough of them to essentially destroy the Earth. With a very outdated but giant army which showed its inability in the 2 Chechen Wars, Russia pledged to modernize their army.
Ill just mention couple of more facts about Russia.
(1) Russia has many allies who they really control, for example: Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbajan, Uzbekistan and more
(2) Russia holds one of the 5 UN Security Council Seats.
(3) Russia is a nuclear power with 4,650/12,000 nuclear weapons.
(4) Russia has worlds 5th biggest military budget ($61 billion).
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4. French Republic
French Republic has UN security council membership, is a nuclear power and has alot of influence over Africa. It is also a G7 / G8 / G20 economy, is a leading democracy, and has a quite large army, one of worlds most powerful infact. France is worlds 5th biggest economy with a GDP ($2.6 trillion). Added to this EU membership gives it extra power, and helps make its borders, and region peaceful and stable. France together with Germany have a big say in the EU economically and politically. France also seems more able to act on its own accord than Britain. France is the largest west-European country and possesses second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world, covering 11,035,000 km2 (4,260,000 mi2). France has the 3rd biggest nuclear arsenal consisting of 300 Nuclear Weapons and a very well equipped and trained modern army. French Armed Forces constitutes the largest military in the European Union in terms of man-power and the third largest in NATO. France has worlds 4th biggest military budget of $67 billion.
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5. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
British influence can still be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former colonies. Though not a world super power anymore UK is still very powerful. UK is worlds 6th biggest economy with a $2.1 trillion GDP. The UK is one of the worlds most globalised countries. London is the worlds largest financial centre alongside New York, has the largest city GDP in Europe and is home to the headquarters of more than 100 of Europes 500 largest companies. The aerospace industry of the UK is the second- or third-largest aerospace industry in the world, depending upon the method of measurement. UK has the 4th biggest nuclear arsenal consisting of 160/225 Nuclear Weapons. UK has the worlds 3rd biggest military budget of $69 billion. The British armed forces are the second largest military in the EU in terms of professional personnel and reserves. Also the UK has the largest air force and navy in the European Union and the second largest in NATO. UK has the second highest power projection capability in the world, behind the United States.
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6. Republic of India
India is a sleeping giant that is just starting to wake up. As in the case of China it is not a question of If? but When? will India become worlds third superpower. It is estimated that by 2050 India will be worlds 3rd biggest economy with a GDP ($37 trillion). Also India will become the most populous country in the world by 2025 taking that title away from China. But the reality is that for now India is a very poor country that can not provide the basic needs for its citizens nevertheless it is still a military power (China & Russia also cant provide basic needs for their citizens). With a population of 1.2 billion India is the second most populous country in the world (every 6th person in the world is a citizen of India). With a GDP of $1.2 trillion India has worlds 10th biggest military budget ($36 billion) but the actual spending on the armed forces is estimated to be much higher than that. The Indian military currently employs some 1,325,000 Regular troops, 1,155,000 Reserve troops and 1,293,300 Paramilitary troops (total of 3,773,300 troops),thus giving India the second-largest standing military in the world as of 2010 after the China.
Undergoing rapid expansion and modernization, the Indian Armed Forces plans to have an active military space program and is currently developing a missile defense shield and nuclear triad capability. The Armed Forces of India possess nuclear weapons and operate short and intermediate-range ballistic missiles as well as nuclear-capable aircraft, and naval vessels. India is the worlds largest arms importer and ranks among the top thirty in arms export. Currently, India imports close to 70% of its weapons requirements largely from Russia, Israel, and more recently, the United States. The countrys defence expenditure will be around $112 billion by 2016. Also India has the 6th biggest nuclear arsenal consisting of 80 Nuclear Weapons.
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7. State of Japan
Compared to others Japan is a very small country with no natural resources, yet its the third richest country in the world with a GDP of $5.2 trillion dollars(thats 4 times more than Russia which is Worlds biggest country & richest in natural resources). Japan was able to establish and maintain itself as the worlds second largest economy since 1968, until supplanted by the Peoples Republic of China in 2010. Japan is also the worlds fourth largest exporter and fifth largest importer. It is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Japan has the worlds 7th biggest military budget ($46 billion).
Japans Navy has an official strength of 46,000 personnel (currently around 45,800 personnel), operating some 110 major warships, including 2 helicopter carriers, 18 submarines, 47 destroyers and frigates, 29 mine warfare ships, 9 patrol craft and 9 amphibious ships (total displacement of approx. 432,000 tons). It also has 179 fixed-wing aircraft and 135 helicopters.
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8. Federal Republic of Germany
With 81.8 million inhabitants, Germany is the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is a member of the United Nations, NATO, the G8, the G20, and the OECD. It is a major power with the worlds fourth largest economy with a $3.3 trillion GDP. It is the second largest exporter with $1.120 trillion exported in 2009 and third largest importer of goods. In absolute terms, Germany allocates the third biggest annual development aid budget in the world, all this gives it a big political power. Germany together with France have a big say in the EU economically and politically. Germany has the worlds 6th biggest military budget ($48 billion).
The Bundeswehr(German Armed Forces) employs 200,500 professional soldiers, 55,000 1825 year-old conscripts who serve for at least six months under current rules, and 2,500 active reservists at any given time. Roughly 300,000 reservists are available to the Armed Forces and participate in defense exercises as well as deployments abroad. As of November 2009, the German military had about 8,300 troops stationed in foreign countries as part of various international peacekeeping forces, including 2,470 Bundeswehr soldiers in Kosovo, 4,520 German troops in the NATO-led ISAF force in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, and 450 troops with UNIFIL in Lebanon.
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9. Federative Republic of Brazil
With a popultion of over 190 million Brazil is 5th most populous country as well as 5th biggest country in the world. With a GDP of $1.5 trillion Brazil is the 8th richest country. Its predicted that Brazil will be the 4th richest country by 2050 with a $11.3 trillion GDP . Brazil is a founding member of the United Nations, the G20, CPLP, Latin Union, the Organization of Ibero-American States, Mercosul and the Union of South American Nations, and is one of the BRIC Countries. Brazil is very rich in natural resources.
Brazils armed forces are the largest in Latin America, with 371,199 active-duty troops and officers. With no serious external or internal threats, the armed forces are searching for a new role. They are expanding their presence in the Amazon under the Northern Corridor (Calha Norte) program. In 1994 Brazilian troops joined United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces in five countries. Brazil has the worlds 12th biggest military budget ($27 billion).
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10. Italy
With 60.4 million inhabitants, Italy is the fifth most populous country in Europe, and the twenty-third most populous in the world. Italy is a founding member of what is now the European Union and part of the Eurozone. Italy is also a member of the G8, G20 and NATO. It has the worlds seventh-largest economy witha $2.1 trillion GDP. Italy plays a prominent role in European and global military, cultural and diplomatic affairs. The countrys European political, social and economic influence make it a major regional power, alongside the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Russia.
Italy has the worlds 9th largest defence budget ($37 billion) and shares NATOs nuclear weapons. The total number of active military personnel is 308,000.