Of the 191 countries that are Member States of the United Nations, "nearly 100 have
professional or amateur astronomical organizations. Only about 60 of these countries,
however, are sufficiently involved in astronomy to belong to the International Astronomical
Union. Only about 20 countries, representing 15% of the world's population, have access to
the full range of astronomical facilities and information. This does not include most of the
Eastern European, Baltic, and former countries of the Soviet Union, whose fragile economies
keep them from achieving their full potential, despite the excellence of their astronomical
heritage and education."
(John R. Percy, IAU, Mercury, Vol. 24, 1995, No. 2, p.15)
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