Between 1900 and 2006, total world steel production increased by 1,171,274,000 metric tons. This is obtained by subtracting the world total steel production in 1900 (28,726,000 metric tons) from the world total steel production in 2006 (1,200,000,000 metric tons):
[tex]\[ 1,200,000,000 - 28,726,000 = 1,171,274,000 \][/tex]
In 2006, the United States produced more steel than it did in 1900. This can be observed by comparing the United States' steel production in 1900 (10,351,000 metric tons) with its production in 2006 (96,000,000 metric tons). The difference indicates that the production increased:
[tex]\[ 96,000,000 - 10,351,000 = 85,649,000 \][/tex]
In 1900, Europe had more steel-producing countries than other continents. This historical context is understood from the prominent steel-producing countries listed from Europe in the given data: Germany, Luxembourg, and Great Britain.
In 2006, the world's leading steel producers were located in Asia. This is evident from the leading steel producers in the given data where China (420,000,000 metric tons) and Japan (114,000,000 metric tons) were the top producers.
