Global South World - Western Europe https://www.globalsouthworld.com/rss/tag/Western%20Europe en-US Asia dominates oil flows through Strait of Hormuz https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/asia-dominates-oil-flows-through-strait-of-hormuz https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/asia-dominates-oil-flows-through-strait-of-hormuz Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:08:30 Z The bulk of oil and gas shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, are heading overwhelmingly to Asia, underscoring the region’s dependence on Middle Eastern supplies.

China is shown as the largest single destination, taking roughly 23% of flows, followed by India at 13%, with Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia also accounting for significant shares.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration , around 84% of crude oil and condensate shipped through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024 was destined for Asian countries.

China, India, Japan and South Korea alone accounted for roughly 69% of total flows, making them the most exposed to any disruption.

The International Energy Agency estimates that nearly a third of globally traded crude oil passes through the strait, with China and India together receiving about 44% of these exports.

The Strait of Hormuz handles around 20 million barrels of oil per day, roughly a fifth of global petroleum consumption, making it the most important oil transit chokepoint in the world.

It also carries a significant share of global liquefied natural gas, particularly exports from Qatar, one of the world’s largest LNG suppliers.

Despite its importance, alternatives remain limited. Pipelines in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates can bypass part of the route, but cannot fully replace their capacity in the event of a disruption.

By contrast to Asia, Western economies account for a much smaller share of direct imports.

The United States and Europe together receive less than 10% of oil flows through the strait, reflecting increased domestic production in the U.S. and diversified supply chains in Europe.

In 2024, the U.S. imported only about 7% of its crude oil from Persian Gulf countries via the strait, highlighting its reduced dependence compared with previous decades.

The Strait’s strategic importance has made it a recurring focal point of geopolitical tension.

Recent conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the USA have once again highlighted the vulnerability of global energy supply chains, with shipping disruptions triggering price volatility and raising fears of broader economic fallout.

]]> Global South World Abigail Johnson Boakye World Visualized Strait of Hormuz Countries with the most museums revealed https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/countries-with-the-most-museums-revealed https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/countries-with-the-most-museums-revealed Tue, 22 Apr 2025 22:02:38 Z There are nearly 104,000 museums worldwide , with 61% concentrated in North America and Western Europe. Europe alone hosts between 34,000–40,000, reflecting its deep-rooted investment in arts, history, and education.

The United States tops the chart with an impressive 33,082 museums, an overwhelming lead compared to its global counterparts. Trailing behind are Germany (6,257), Japan (5,738), and Russia (5,415), with France, Brazil, Italy, and the UK also landing in the top ten.

Though smaller in size, countries like Austria (741 museums) and Hungary (810) also make the list, highlighting their dedication to cultural preservation.

While Western nations dominate the list, countries such as China (1,030 museums) and South Korea (1,102) are rapidly expanding their cultural infrastructure . This surge is part of broader national efforts to reclaim cultural artefacts, promote tourism, and shape global narratives.

What does this tell us?

]]> Global South World There are nearly 104,000 museums worldwide, with 61% located in North America and Western Europe. In Europe, there are between 34,000–40,000 museums that reflect its rich culture and significant investment in (2)