The Internet Factsheet

Define
A computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP
network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

World Stats
Global Internet Usage Statistics
The following list shows which regions have the most Internet users in 2008.
1. Asia … 529.7 million Internet users (14% of total population in the region)
2. Europe … 382 million (47.7%)
3. North America … 246.4 million (73.1%)
4. Latin America/Caribbean … 137.3 million (23.8%)
5. Africa … 51 million (5.3%)
6. Middle East … 41.9 million (21.3%)
7. Oceania/Australia … 19.4 million (57%).

Asian Countries Web Statistics

In terms of Internet users, the fastest-growing Asian countries in 2007 were

 Afghanistan (up 53,400% to 535,000 users)

 Myanmar (up 29,900% to 300,000)

 Uzbekistan (up 23,167% to 1.7 million)

 Vietnam (up 9013% to 18.2 million)

 Pakistan (up 8,862% to 12 million).

Below is a list of the five Asian countries with the most Internet users.
8. China ... 210 million Internet users (15.9% of total population excluding Hong Kong & Macau)
9. Japan ... 87.5 million (68.7% of total population)
10. India ... 60 million (5.3%)
11. South Korea ... 34.9 million (71.2%)
12. Indonesia ... 20 million (8.5%).
European Countries Web Statistics
European nations with the fastest increases in number of Internet users in 2007 were

 Albania (up 18,738% to 266,000)

 Bosnia-Herzegovina (up 13,471% to 950,000)

 Belarus (up 2,943% to 5.5 million)

 Moldova (up 2,811% to 727,700)

 Ukraine (up 2,673% to 5.5 million)

Below is a list of the five European countries with the most Internet users.
13. Germany ... 53.2 million Internet users (64.6% of total population)
14. United Kingdom ... 40.4 million (66.4%)
15. France ... 34.9 million (54.7%)
16. Italy ... 33.1 million (57%)
17. Russia ... 29.4 million (20.8%).

North American Countries Web Statistics

United States increased its number of Internet users by 125.6% in 2007 to 215.1 million
(71.4% of total population). The number of Canadian Internet users rose by 73.2% to 22
million (65.9%).
Latin American/Caribbean Countries Web Statistics
Latin American countries with the fastest increases in number of Internet users in 2007 were

 Dominican Republic (up 3,718% to 2.1 million)

 Guatemala (up 1,931% to 1.3 million)

 El Salvador (up 1,650% to 700,000)

 Paraguay (up 1,200% to 260,000)

 Colombia (up 1,050% to 10.1 million).

Below is a list of the five Latin American/Caribbean countries with the most Internet users.
18. Brazil ... 42.6 million Internet users (22.4% of total population)
19. Mexico ... 23.7 million (21.8%)
20. Argentina ... 16 million (39.7%)
21. Colombia ... 10.1 million (22.8%)
22. Peru ... 7.3 million (25.5%).
African Countries Web Statistics
African countries with the fastest increases in number of Internet users in 2007 were

 Somalia (up 48,900% to 98,000)

 Democratic Republic of Congo (up 45,980% to 230,400)

 Congo (up 13,900% to 70,000)

 Morocco (up 7,200% to 7.3 million)

 Algeria (up 6,900% to 3.5 million)

Below is a list of the five African countries with the most Internet users.
23. Nigeria ... 10 million Internet users (7.2% of total population)
24. Egypt ... 8.6 million (10.5%)
25. Morocco ... 7.3 million (21.3%)
26. South Africa ... 5.1 million (11.6%)
27. Algeria ... 3.5 million (10.4%).

Middle Eastern Countries Web Statistics

Middle Eastern countries with the fastest increases in number of Internet users in 2007 were

 Iran (up 7,100% to 18 million)

 Syria (up 4,900% to 1.5 million)

 Saudi Arabia (up 2,250% to 4.7 million)

 Yemen (up 1,700% to 270,000)

 Qatar (up 8,666% to 289,900).

Below is a list of the five Middle Eastern countries with the most Internet users.
28. Iran ... 18 million Internet users (27.5% of total population)
29. Saudi Arabia ... 4.7 million (17%)
30. Israel ... 3.7 million (57.6%)
31. United Arab Emirates ... 1.7 million (38.4%)
32. Syria ... 1.5 million (7.8%).

Benefits
 Cultural exchange
  Freedom of speech and expression
 Economic boost
o Efficiency savings
o More attractive to TNC’s
o Locals can set up international business
 Open up new markets

Drawbacks
 Culture clash/dilution
 Crime
 Jobs lost in stores as services move online
 Money goes abroad (TNC)
The Network