Why are northern/far southern (non-tropical) countries more economically successful?
Countries further from the equator, and countries that are less tropical, generally tend to have stronger economies. The U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Australian, New Zealand, etc. are not tropical countries but have stronger countries than those near the equator.

In addition, even within countries and continents this phenomenon is sometimes seen: “PIGS” (Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain) have some of the worst economies in Europe, and the Southern states like Alabama and Mississippi have worse economies than in New England, for example.

Does hot weather make people lazy? Does cold weather instill certain qualities in people living in cooler climates like Europe, North America, parts of Asia, over warmer climates, such as Africa? Or is this all just a coincidence?

Discuss.

Originally posted by Rihhyonce Because countries in warmer, tropical places are usually rich in natural resources and get exploited and pillaged by outside forces.

Originally posted by Thirty All What type of outside forces? Please elaborate, I want to have a good discussion

Originally posted by Thirty All What type of outside forces? Please elaborate, I want to have a good discussion

First world countries that take advantage of third world countries.

Originally posted by Badger Easier living conditions in the north allowed people to advance more quickly. They could focus on developing themselves as people rather than simply needing to retain food&water.

Originally posted by Thirty All But aren't living conditions easier in tropical places with lots of food and animals. They wouldn't need to worry about winter

It's all about colonization, explotation and slavery.
While Europe was evolving, we were working for them and staying way behind their technology.

Originally posted by Su-Barbie-A It's all about colonization, explotation and slavery. While Europe was evolving, we were working for them and staying way behind their technology.

Aaaaand answered in the first reply.

Originally posted by Thirty All What type of outside forces? Please elaborate, I want to have a good discussion

Mess at the potential for any real discussion being quashed by a single sentence in the very first reply.

Originally posted by Pandora30012 To get the answer on your question you have to go back in history. Most countries are succesful because of slavery.

Originally posted by Cain Aaaaand answered in the first reply.

Originally posted by Pandora30012 To get the answer on your question you have to go back in history. Most countries are succesful because of slavery.

Originally posted by Su-Barbie-A It's all about colonization, explotation and slavery. While Europe was evolving, we were working for them and staying way behind their technology.

Originally posted by Rihhyonce Just look at Africa for example. Gold, diamonds, oil, spices, knowledge, medicine....Africa was a continent rich with resources but was ravaged by European invaders, enslaved under foreign rule for many years, and still suffering from the repercussions today.

Originally posted by Rihhyonce Because countries in warmer, tropical places are usually rich in natural resources and get exploited and pillaged by outside forces.

Originally posted by Wafflinson All these responses ignore the premise of the question and just skip to buzz words tbh. No one is denying that Europe pillaged many tropical areas, but WHY were they is a position to do so? Why couldn't the reverse have happened? Why couldn't Africa have enslaves Europeans instead? Maybe it was just luck, but this thread actually brings up some interesting ideas.