Geographic Luck By Jared Diamond

Geographic Luck Why are some countries so wealthy and modern, while others are left in misfortune and poverty? This is a question Jared Diamond and many others ask themselves almost everyday. After a visit to New Guinea, and many years of research Diamond formed the theory of “Geographic Luck.” His theory divulges on how it doesn’t matter the brilliance or dexterity of the native people, but the raw materials they are given. According to Jared Diamond the modern world is so unequal because of location, diseases, and farming. Location plays a big role in figuring out why we are all so different. “Continents that spread out in a east-west direction, such as Eurasia had a developmental advantage because of the similar latitude.” (“The story of… The shapes of the continents”) Some of Eurasia’s advantages included the ability to transport goods, the capability of growing food almost anywhere, and being …show more content…
“Over time, the population of Europe gained increasing immunity, and the devastating impact of traditional infections decreased.” (“The Story of… Smallpox”) Europeans lived in close proximity to their livestock and the animals transmitted their diseases to them, but overtime the Europeans started to build immunity to the diseases. When the europeans arrived in Central America, they carried their infectious diseases with them, but the natives had no immunity built up to withstand their diseases and their civilization ended in tragedy. “Today, malaria is holding back progress on the continent of Africa. Besides killing millions of children under five, higher rates of transmission mean that adults now become sick and suffer debilitation.” (“The Story of… Malaria”) This is just one of many examples of how diseases like Malaria are still effect today. The effects of Malaria all started when the native Africans were forced to leave their mosquito free homes to work for the Europeans in the malaria infested