This map shows which export makes your country the most money
The US trade deficit widened in October as exports slumped according to data published on December 11, 2012, indicating that the slowdown in global demand may impact US economic growth.
Editor's note: This story was originally published in May 2014.
Using data from the CIA World Factbook, we labeled every country in the world by its highest valued export, aka the commodity that makes the country the most money in the global market.
Unsurprisingly, much of the world runs on oil, particularly the Middle East and Central Asia. Europe is the world's workshop, where most of the machinery and motor vehicles are made, from optical instruments to BMWs. Latin America brings a blend of food products and oil to the trading table. Asia is the world's manufacturing center, where the world's clothing, wood products, and semiconductors are made. Africa is extremely rich in natural resources, particularly precious metals and oil. A substantial part of the continent makes its money on diamonds, gold or oil.
Click on any of the maps below to see an enlarged version.
Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you. We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
Make a gift today, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000!