The iPad app is simply called "7 Billion," which is a number big enough to get anyone's attention. According to the free app, which is downloadable right now from Apple's App Store, it would take you 200 years to count to 7 billion out loud. In other words, you'll never finish. Still, these are the kinds of tantalizing tidbits you'll find throughout this information rich app. It's part of National Geographic's year-long series on the world's new population number. National Geographic will deliver new features to the app throughout the year (Cities are the Solution is coming in December).
Inside the app, which ran fairly smoothly on my iPad 1 (but could use clearer navigation -- I had a bit of trouble getting out of the opening video), you'll find more than a dozen features and numerous charts, infographics and photos and videos on everything from how income and the average number of children impacts per-country population growth, to what the 7 billion people means for our food and resource supplies. Here's just some of what I learned from the app:
In 2045, there will be 9 billion people
Every second, 5 people are born
Every second, 2 people die (you can see the problem)
We're all living longer: The average Life span is now 69 years old
By 2050, 70% of us will be living in urban areas
We have enough space for all these people: 7 billion people could fit shoulder-to-shoulder in Los Angeles
In 1975, there were three mega-cities (cities with 10 million or more people)
Today, there are 21 mega-cities