"A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon you're talking about real money". Maybe Senator Dirksen never really said that, but it is difficult to think about big numbers. This is especially true when dealing with different currency exchange rates.
This is a map that tries to make it easier to understand these numbers. It tries to clarify just how big the US economy is, compared to the rest of the world.
Updated:
Thanks, Rescue Rangers, for putting me on the list!
Yes, I can see that China, Germany, Japan, etc. are larger than ANY U.S. state.
And I do agree... what's really interesting is comparing these numbers to financial flows. The total dollars washing back and forth around the world is astounding, and dwarfs almost any economy, including the U.S. economy.
Which several folks have noted, that's mostly speculative money, chasing a return. For example, take the amount of money that went into the U.S. Housing Bubble. The money (credit) buying Mcmansions, granite countertops and expensive stucco shacks probably exceeded the annual GDP of many countries.
And as credit contracts..... "the Grand Ah-whoom"....
Another time, perhaps.
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