GlobeBigLinks

BigLinks take you to other sites that will enlarge your perspective, inform your mind and bring peace to the world.

If it were only that easy.

The following is not an attempt to provide you with 10,000 links on every conceivable category in the known universe (this has already been "done" and I find it a stupefying overload and waste of time when I am looking for something specific). The approach here is to give you one person's opinion on what what works best for him.

If you have a need for a general reference site, see:
Refdesk

If you want to find out almost anything about a country, see:
The Economist: Country briefings
Background, fact sheets, etc. on most countries from a reliable source.
CIA: The World Factbook
Comprehensive guide to the every country in the world. Maps, background, geography, government, economics, communications, transportation, military, disputes, etc.
Library of Congress Portals to the World
Portals to the World contain selective links providing authoritative, in-depth information about nations and other areas of the world. They are arranged by country or area with the links for each sorted into a wide range of broad categories. The links were selected by area specialists and Library of Congress staff.

If you want to find statistics about economics, environment, development see:
World Resources Institute: EarthTrends
Reliable data in accessible formats, downloadable in pdf files.

If you want economics statistics, see:
World Bank: Data and Statistics
Data is not as easily accessible, but this is the source for world economic information.

If you want population statistics, see:
U.S. Census Bureau, International Database
Reliable data, downloadable in pdf or Excel files.
Population Reference Bureau: Population Data Sheet

If you want to find out about energy use, capacity, sources, statistics, etc. in the world, see:
Energy Information Agency: International Energy Annual
Comprehensive selection.

If you want statistics about food and agriculture, see:
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN: FAO Statistical Databases

If you want to find out about the state of the world food situation, see:
World Food Programme: World Food

If you want to find statistics about telephones, computers, the Internet see:
International Telecommunications Union: Free Statistics page.

If you want to find out what statistics are available on the Internet, see:
University of Michigan Documents Center: Statistical Resources on the Web
This is a listing of what will appear to be everything of a statistical nature that you can access over the web. If you are after a number and don't know where to get it, try here.

If you want different perspectives on global issues see:
Short, consistent, illustrated essays on the major problems facing the world, along with what you can do about the problem.
Anup Shah: Global Issues That Effect Everyone
Essays on geopolitics, human rights, environment and dozens of specific topics with a generally nonwestern media approach that is both well researched and often contrary to established opinions.
The Globalist
The global economy, politics and culture. Perceptive, informing, useful.

If you want to convert any number to another unit, see:
Online Conversion

If you want to see a comprehensive list of the world's problems (plus other items) see:
The Union of International Associations
Comprehensive listing of world problems, strategies, associations, meetings and links

If you want educational resources that deal with the world, see:
UN, Cyberschoolbus
Data, curriculum, games, quizzes, contests

If you want to see a BigPicture view of the universe, see:
Light From Space
Stunning images with good explanations
Powers of Ten
A good copy of the Charles and Ray Eames epic movie.