"In China, when you are one in a million, there are 1,300 other people who are just like you."

Bill Gates, the person responsible for contributing, through his foundation, more dollars than any other individual to world health and betterment, said that. Makes you stop and think. So I did. Pay attention because there will be a one-question quiz at the end.

Today, there are about 7 billion people on earth, give or take a few. This is about 2 1/2 times more people than were on earth just 60 years ago! By 2050, it is projected that there will be 9.5 billion people... and India will have surpassed China as the world's most populous country. Here's a projected 2050 rundown of the top 20 of 227 countries... with a few surprises thrown in:

1. India --          1.57    billion people
2. China --         1.46         
3. U.S.A --            397  million people
4. Pakistan --        344
5. Indonesia --      311
6. Nigeria --          278
7. Bangladesh --   265
8. Brazil --            247
9. D.R. Congo --  203
10. Ethiopia --        186
11. Mexico --         146
12. Philippines --   128
13. Vietnam --        123
14. Iran --               121
15. Egypt --            113
16. Japan --            113
17. Russia --           104
18. Yemen --          102
19. Uganda --         101
20. Turkey --            99   

Notice how many are in the western hemisphere... how many are in Africa... Asia... the Middle East? Reflect on how many are larger than you would have guessed... and which countries surprise you by their absence in the top 20? Hmmm.

OK. Now the one-question quiz: How many could you find on an unmarked globe? (Don't look at me. I flunked.)

That's today's history lesson kiddies.