America as 100 people: 'Village' concept used to teach - USATODAY.com: Now he has written a follow-up: If America Were a Village ($18.95, Kids Can Press), which reduces the USA to the same-size 100-person village.
In it we learn that 50 of 100 live in just nine states (12 of them in California). The combined populations of five rural states — Alaska, Vermont, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota — amount to just one person. (Each 'person' equals more than 3 million people.)
It also tackles economic inequality, noting that:
•Five people share more than half the USA's wealth;
•One person controls more than 30%;
•The 60 poorest share about 4%.
The poverty figures, Smith notes, are actually rising, and like other stats will likely be updated in the next edition. 'A lot of people are really shocked by the fact that 'people living in poverty in the U.S.' is increasing.'"
