Honduras, Hungary, Iceland

One of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere, Honduras suffers from widespread unemployment and limited economic development (agriculture, tourism, and money from emigrants).  Honduras has a democratic government, however the military controls most of the political power through its own autonomy and influence.  The population considers itself Christian (Catholic); however, non-religious beliefs are growing the fastest, followed by Muslim, Baha'i, and Buddhism.

Hungary's economy is based on agriculture, but has not been able to expand due to the struggles of switching from a communist to capitalist system.  As one of the few countries who rebelled against communism and the Soviet Union, it officially broke free in 1990 as its own nation.  It has grown politically in the last few decades, becoming part of both NATO and the EU.  Most consider themselves Christian (Catholic), but Christianity is on the decline.  Growing belief systems include Buddhism, Muslim, and non-religious.

Iceland has one of the highest standards of living in the world, with the average income per person being higher in Iceland than in the US.  Traditionally an agriculture and fishing-based economy, tourism, hydroelectricity, and aluminium industries now make up the bulk of the economy.  Financial and banking crises hit the nation in 2008-2009, leading to a total government collapse from which the country is still recovering.  Though there is religious freedom, the national church is Lutheran.  The population considers itself mostly Christian (Lutheran), but non-religious beliefs are growing faster in Iceland than most other countries with 18% annual growth.

All maps/photos are from worldatlas.com

Guyana, Haiti, Holy See

Guyana's economy (mainly agriculture and mining) had been on the rise after decades of Marxist economics; however, flooding in 2005 has caused a second decline.  The political parties are primarily divided by race, causing many disruptions among the people.  The leaders of Guyana have had difficulties maintaining their borders with Venezuela and Suriname, both of whom claim they own some of Guyana's land.  Most of the people claim Christianity (Protestant), but Hindu, Muslim, and non-religious beliefs are growing each year.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.  The little economic strength they had was destroyed by the 2010 earthquake; the primary income for most Haitians is money sent from family members who have emigrated.  Political instability has caused difficulty in the distribution of aid for communities.  Political turmoil has existed since Haiti became a nation in the early 1800s (when the slaves revolted against France); it is known as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.  The population is overwhelmingly Christian (Catholic); however, voodoo beliefs have been mixed with almost all religious practices.  Muslim beliefs are growing rapidly each year.

Better known as Vatican City, Holy See is considered a nation in-and-of itself.  The economy runs on the Catholic church through banking, contributions, and tourists.  There is not really any political structure; the Pope controls any necessary decisions.  As many would assume, 100% of the population considers itself Catholic with really no other belief systems.

All maps/photos are from worldatlas.com

Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau

Agriculture provides for much of the economy (coffee, sugar, and bananas); most of cocaine bound for the US comes through Guatemala.  Frequent hurricanes have caused major set-backs to further economic growth.  Controlled by a few plantation owners through dictatorships and military governments; decades of guerrilla warfare have caused hundreds of deaths.  The 2007 elected official has been focusing on national unity and opportunities for the Mayan people.  The majority are Christian (Catholic), but most of the growth is non-religious; Catholic have begun to make the Mayan gods saints within the church.

Despite mineral deposits and fertile land, the corrupt government has reduced the economy leading to poverty, riots, and demonstrations.  After separating from France, Marxism reigned and ruined the economy; leadership was replaced in a military coup in the mid-80s.  When the leader died in 2008, a power grab and assassinations followed for two years until an election in 2010.  The population is overwhelming Muslim, with growth in both non-religious and Christianity.

The economy has been devastated by a long war for independence over the last few decades; one of the world's poorest countries (with extreme national debt), relying on minimal agricultural exports.  It is a gateway for drugs to move from the Americas into Europe.  Coups and assassinations continued through the 90s until a new president took office in 2009.  The population is split between Muslim and Ethnoreligion with growth in non-religious beliefs.

All maps/photos are from worldatlas.com

Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam

Despite the tourism (from cruise ships) and agriculture growing rapidly, poverty is still rampant and the main cause of the emigration of males (to find jobs to support their families); hurricanes continue to hurt the economy, which is still rebuilding from the destruction caused in 2004-2005.  It has been an independent country since the 70s; however, radical revolutions and coups have weakened the nation (despite US intervention in the 80s).  In 1983, a constitutional monarchy was formed, bringing some stability to the natives.  Nominal Christianity (mostly Catholic) with major growth in non-religious.

Economic growth stabilized by large subsidies from Europe (in agriculture and tourism), and heavily dependant on imports.  Widespread unemployment, especially among youth.  There has been civil unrest over standard of living for the nation, despite it's high standard of living among the other islands of the Caribbean.  France continues to support the nation; many are not motivated to gain autonomy or political control over the nation, but prefer to continue having France control things.  While the large majority claim Christianity, there only seems to be growth in non-religious beliefs.

About a third of the island is used as a US military base; this should expand as the base in Okinawa, Japan is moved to Guam.  Most employment is through these military bases, and tourism continues to grow, but a quarter of the population is on welfare and unable to find work.  Self-governing US territory since 1898, but Guamanians are considered US citizens.  While predominantly Christian, there is a large influence of Chinese religions, with conversion of about 10% annually.

All maps/photos are from worldatlas.com

Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland

Happy Mothers' Day!

Gibraltar was previously heavily dependent on Britain, but the growth of tourism, offshore finance, and shipping have made the country self-sufficient; a constitution was put into place in 2007.  There is full religious freedom, but the largest growth is in non-religious beliefs; the largest growing religion is Muslim even though 80% of the population consider themselves Christian.

Though the EU's economy is failing, Greece's economy is holding strong thanks to its large fleet of merchant ships and strong export business.  Hostile relations with Turkey, a civil war, and two military dictatorships have left politics very shaky; the Orthodox Church is protected by the state, but the corruption of the church has led to an increase in Islam and non-religious beliefs.

The support of the Danish government and the growing fishing economy has helped Greenland increase in autonomy since 2009.  There is freedom of religion (for 60 years), but the Lutheran Church was the national church prior to that change.  While many consider themselves Christian, non-religious is growing rapidly.

All maps/photos are from worldatlas.com

Georgia, Germany, Ghana

The economy is growing in fruit, tea, cotton, wine, and tourism, but there is much Russian involvement in both economy and politics.  While Muslim beliefs are declining, so is Christianity.

After WWII, the economy has been able to grow (especially with recent social and economic reforms), though unemployment still remains a concern.  Despite religious freedom, both Catholic and Lutheran churches are very established over most of the population.  While evangelicals have become more prominent in the last 25 years, growth has been dwindling in favor of Buddhism, Islam, and other religions.

Ghana has a stable political standing and a good infrastructure (cocoa, timber, tourism); the population is very young (40% under 15 years old), and children begin working at an early age.  There is freedom of religion, but most of the country receives aggressive Muslim outreach.  A large percentage claim Christianity (62%), but Islam and non-religious beliefs are growing.

Allmaps/photos are from worldatlas.com

French Polynesia, Gabon, Gambia

Here are the countries we are praying for this week:

Over two-thirds of the population live on Tahiti (the largest island).  People are heavily dependent on French aid, but the economy is growing in tourism, pearls, and agriculture.  While there is freedom of religion, society is very secular and materialistic; the religion Baha'i is growing rapidly.

Gabon is one of Africa's wealthier countries, though poverty (especially among women and children) is still growing.  It has a strong economy of agriculture, oil, minerals, and timber.  Politically, it is very stable with the current president leading for over 10 years (the former for 40 years); however, these leaders have been Muslim, and the growth of Islam has hindered most evangelical outreach (despite freedom of religion).

A very weak economy and political standing due to the overwhelming Muslim community running much of the country.  Many people are choosing non-religion over a belief system, through Christianity is growing slowly.

All maps/photos are taken from worldatlas.com

Finland, France, French Guiana

Happy Easter!
Here are the countries I am praying for this week:

Finland has a large economy, but unemployment for minorities continues.  They have freedom of religion and a few national churches; over 80% are considered Christian, but 15% are non-religious.  Needy sections of society:  Immigrant minority groups, indigenous minorities, men's ministry.

It is one of the world's strongest economies, but there is sometimes violence in the underclass.  It is traditionally and predominantly Catholic, with ratings of 60% Christian, over 25% non-religious, and 10% Muslim.

It is a very young nation with 1/3 of the population being 15 and younger.  While there are many exports (gold, shrimp, forest products), it is still heavily subsidized by France; unemployment is around 20%.  There is freedom of religion, but much of the population has a secular outlook; still, 90% consider themselves Christian, with merely 3% non-religious.  However, Muslim is the fastest-growing religion, followed by non-religious views and Sikhism.

All maps/photos taken from worldatlas.com.

Faeroe Islands, Falkland Islands, Fiji

Each week, I pray for three nations from the book Operation World (2010 edition).  You can follow along with me through this blog; right now I am on the letter F.

It is made up of 18 islands between Iceland and Scotland, though only 2 islands are inhabited.  The main economy is fishing.  While they have freedom of religion, the Lutheran Church is identified as the national church and is supported by taxes; roughly 90% consider themselves as Christian.

More than 700 islands east of Argentina, but only 2 islands are inhabited year-round.  Main industry:  fishing (no unemployment).  There is freedom of religion; most consider themselves Christian, but a third are "non-religious."

Made up of two larger inhabited islands and another 100+ uninhabited islands.  Economy:  tourism and sugar.  Military coups have been a problem since 2006.  There is freedom of religion, but the political figures favor Christianity (Methodist).

All maps/photos taken from worldatlas.com