What is the Internet?

The Internet is the world’s largest computer network. It links computer terminals together via wires or telephone lines in a web of networks and shared software. With the proper equipment, an individual can access vast amounts of information and search databases on various computers connected to the Internet, or communicate with someone located anywhere in the world as long as he or she has the proper equipment. According to various sources, including the International Telecommunications Union, in 2008 approximately 1.4 billion people around the world were in some way using the Internet. About 578 million are in Asia, 384 million are in Europe, and 248 million are in North America.