During the [[Cold War]] period '''Third World''' referred to countries which didn't align themselves to either of the power blocks the [[US]] and its
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During the [[Cold War]] period '''Third World''' referred to countries which didn't align themselves to either of the power blocks the [[US]] and its allies and the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] and its allies. These nations formed the non-aligned movement. It was usually applied to the mostly developing nations of Africa, Latin America, and Asian countries.<ref>The New American Desk Encyclopedia, Penguin Group, 1989</ref>
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allies and the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] and its allies. These nations formed the non-aligned movement.
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Since that time, third world refers to developing and undeveloped countries which have large scale [[poverty]].
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Nowadays third world refers to developing and undeveloped countries which have large scale [[poverty]].