The World Cup: Around the world in IT

Argentina

Population: 36.2 million

Climate: Sub-arctic in the south and subtropical climate in the north

Economy: GDP is $584.4 billion and its major trading partners are the US, UK, Uruguay and Venezuela

Government: Federal Presidential Republic

Famous for: The Inca Empire, Tango dancing

Star Player: Hipertextual

Top IT industry: Science/Medicine

Major IT contributions: Modern fingerprinting was invented here by Juan Vucetich and Ral Pateras Pescara showed the first helicopter flight.

Greece

Population: 10.94 million

Climate: Mediterranean

Economy: GDP is 245 billion and its major trading partners are Germany, Italy, France, the UK and the US.

Government: Parliamentary Republic led by President Karolos Papoulias

Famous for: Olympics, Humus, Ancient Gods

Star Player: Wdesign

Top IT industry: Electric machinery

Major IT contributions: Ancient Greece was famed for its mathematical prowess which led to many of the scientific and technological discoveries of the day, from calculators to microprocessors.

Nigeria

Population: 144.7 million

Climate: Tropical

Economy: GDP is $147 billion and its major trading partners are the US, China, Brazil, the EU and the UK.

Government: Presidential Federal Republic

Famous for: Niger River, hosted first African MTV awards, Nollywood films

Star Player: Plat Technologies

Top IT industry: Telecoms

Major IT contributions: The country is widely thought to have the fastest growing telecoms sector in the world and has recently delved into space based communications with its own satellite.

South Korea

Population: 48.7 million

Climate: Continental

Economy: GDP is $929.1 billion and its major trading partners are China, the US, the EU and Japan.

Government: Presidential Republic

Famous for: Electronics, cars, Taekwondo

Star Player: Samsung

Top IT industry: Mobile

Major IT contributions: There is a huge list to choose from in South Korea but we have to say mobile design and manufacturing as they changed the market forever.