Countries without McDonald's

With another McDonald's opening in Coeur d'Alene, it seems that the Golden Arches are everywhere on this planet.

And that idea is not far off.

Recently, I found a FoxNews report on such, and it stated that Ronald McDonald can be found at 34,480 restaurants in 119 countries.

The article also mentioned what countries don't currently have an outlet where you can inhale a Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets.

That list includes some intriguing possibilities, if ever Mayor McCheese cuts a ribbon to open (or reopens) an outlet in one of the nations down the road.

So with that information in mind, here are some countries that are currently Shamrock Shake-less and sans McRib:

• North Korea: Kim Jong Il has already imported one American icon (Dennis Rodman), so I think it is safe to say that he'll want his very own Quarter Pounder kitchen very soon.

• Bolivia: Apparently politics kept McDonald's from turning a profit after a decade of operating in the country. Wasn't Bolivia where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid finally bought it? No doubt the natives are still harboring a grudge against all things American, including Filet-O-fishes and Snack Wraps.

• Ghana: With a gross domestic product slightly lower than North Dakota, it's thought the citizens of this African state would have to pool their money to buy one Happy Meal.

• Zimbabwe: All indications are that Ronald McDonald is welcome in Zimbabwe, the country trying to bounce back from those economic black eyes surrounding blood diamonds. They'd welcome such gems as a Cherry Berry Chiller and an Oreo McFlurry.

• Iceland: McDonald's closed its locations after the country's currency collapsed a few years back. I'm sure now they are missing their favorite McCafe treats. And I bet the restaurants saved a ton not having to make all that ice...

• Macedonia: This region of Greece had franchises for more than 15 years, but apparently business differences made the arches fall. Too bad, since this could have been a great movie tie-in: My Big Fat Greek Diet.

• Bermuda: A law was passed that disallows franchised restaurants in the country. I guess you could say that Bermudans were very "short" with the idea of a McDonald's ...

So the next time you sit down to a Sausage McMuffin or Southwest Chicken Salad, remember: Not everyone in the world is eating at McDonald's. It just seems like it sometimes.

Jerry Hitchcock is a copy editor for The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2017, or via email at jhitchcock@cdapress.com.