Perhaps this could give material for some discussion - perhaps someone know about relevant books, articles or other material on topic: The division between "developed" part of the world and the "underdeveloped" one are sometimes called division between "North" and "South" (especially UN-related conferences). Of course some may see this as insignificant, but it may be interesting to look at world map and modern world history. Perhaps areas closer to north and south poles have participated more on average in "modern" developments? Is the environment (temperatures, seasons etcetera)in some respects more favorable to some aspects of recent lifestyles? Western Europe, which we may call "craddle" of modern world could ass well as "the west" be labelled "North", since it is located far closer to the pole than any other area exept extremely low populated parts (Siberia, Northern parts of North America. They were even much less densily populated before colonised by (initially euro) "Americans" and russians). Inside Europe the most influential , mighty and "modern" elements have moved north, more so trhe closer to present day, industrial and postindustrial society. later, the same was the case in the americas (though in Europe a mild climate can be found much closer to the pole than almost anywhere else).In eastern Asia relatively "northern" areas - Japan, Korea, has been industrial before the rest - China to some degree too perhaps (?)
hmm... what about South Africa? one of the richest countries on the continent. And Taiwan and Singapore are both farther south than Japan and Korea, but are not any less modernized. Australia is a fine country too, and very far south. So there are certainly plenty of exceptions. But it is often true that farther north means more modern or industrialized or just better... I dont know why
Distance from equator/poles. I think it is more about being close to one of the poles, and which one may be of less importance (of course if it matters at all). The Southern and Northern hemispheres could perhaps be seen as a bit similar. South Africa, Australia, New Zealand is some of the countries closest to the colder parts of the world on the southern hemisfere (the others being Argentina, Chile in south America). If there is any "trend" at all it should be found at north and south hemisferes, but it is so that the southern countries are mostly either close to the equator or to the south pole (Antarctica). Perhaps only substantial warming can make the later inhabitable, if it will ever be. About Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, and even others: "North/South" dimension is of course only one factor among other if the whole thing is more than purely accidental (what I doubt).
