In the US, Cuba is often derided as a communist hell-hole where nothing works and its basically a disaster.Though most Americans tend to believe this oft-repeated propaganda one needs to dig into the details to find the truth. One area where Cuba beats the US hands down by global metrics is the field of medicine – more specifically in the number of doctors available per person in the country.

There are 7 doctors per 1,000 people in Cuba taking the number one spot in the world as shown in the chart below. The US ranks at 53, below Armenia but ahead of Uzbekistan. The US has less than 3 doctors per 1,000 people. No wonder getting a medical appointment especially with a specialist is like trying to get an appointment with the God !

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Source: Call A Doctor!, RFE/RL

The following graphic shows the Countries with the Highest Suicide Rates. Sri Lanka tops the list. I thought countries like South Korea and Japan would be on this list since suicides seem to be common there.

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Source: RFE/RL

Shale oil production in the US has grown exponentially in the past few years making the country as a net exporter of oil recently. However in terms of proven reserves, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Canada have the largest proven oil reserves in the world as shown in the following chart:

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Source: RFE/RL

The World’s 20 Busiest Ports are shown in the graphic below. It is surprising that ten of the busiest ports in the world are in China. Los Angeles is the busiest port in the US but globally it is ranked at 18. Singapore’s strategic location on the trade route between the East and West makes it easily the 2nd top port in the world.

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Source: RFE/RL

The Czech Republic is the world’s largest beer drinking country. Beer is cheaper than pop and water in the country. Everyone drinks beer like its water.

The World’s Largest Beer Drinkers are shown in the chart below:

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Source: RFE/RL

Related:

• The World’s Top Five Beer Companies, TFS