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I am 1 of 7 x 10⁹  on this planet (so are you...)

Today, 31 October 2011 the United Nations (as well as others) have determined that the Global population has reached 7 billion people.    

7 Billion People.... That's a lot.  Granted the number may be off a little:

"The U.N. recognizes that its own figures come with a 1 to 2 percent margin of error. Today's population could actually be 56 million higher or lower than 7 billion," according to U.N. population estimates expert Gerhard Heilig.

"There is a window of uncertainty of at least six months before and six months after the 31 October for the world population to reach 7 billion," he added.

Despite weather or not we actually hit the 7 billion mark today, it still is a significant point in human history.  I am not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing, but it is a fact that we as a Global Community will have to address sooner rather than later.  Advances in Medicine and agriculture have allowed for people to live longer, and at an increased density.  I suspect that the next 100-200 years will include struggles for resources including water and minerals.  Much of the growth in population has not been in North America, but rather Asia and the Middle east.  By Contrast, roughly 30 years after the Declaration of Independence the world population was estimated at 1 billion.  The video below is very interesting and well worth your time to watch.

As you can see almost all of the growth is in Asia and the Middle east / North Africa.  The trend on the graph seen in the video is crazy.  The growth seen is almost exponential!

Based on these facts, National Geographic has determined that the "Average" person on earth would look like (Keep in mind that this person is fictional and is a composite):

• Is 28 years old (the global median age)
• Right-handed
• Christian
• Speaks Mandarin
• Owns a cell phone
• Does not have a car or bank account
• Makes less than $12,000 a year

Sources:

• http://www.npr.org/2011/10/31/141816460/visualizing-how-a-population-grows-to-7-billion (Accessed 31 October 2011)
• http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/10/31/141856953/7-billion-people-yes-give-or-take-56-million?ps=rs  (Accessed 31 October 2011)

• http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40257 (Accessed 31 October 2011)
• http://www.unfpa.org/public/op/edit/home/news/pid/8691 (Accessed 31 October 2011)
• http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/10/28/141792664/find-your-spot-among-worlds-7-billion-and-meet-the-most-typical-person (Accessed 31 October 2011)