Top Countries for Billionaires

United States

• No. of billionaires: 515
• Total net worth (2013): $2,064 billion

Land of the free, home of the billionaires? Nearly a quarter of the world's wealthiest -- those with more than $1 billion in assets -- are based in the U.S., according to 2013 data from Wealth-X and UBS Billionaire Census 2013.

And if you look a little lower on the wealth ladder, at folks worth $30 million or more, Americans account for a whopping 32% of the world's super rich.

American women hold a lot of that wealth: $1.2 trillion worth of assets, more than ultra-wealthy women in any other country.

So where in the states are the richest Americans? California's golden shores account for 20% of the country's super rich, and their numbers are growing. New York and Texas also rank high.

China

• No. of billionaires: 157
• Total net worth (2013): $384 billion

China's growth has slowed recently, but it remains a hotspot for billionaires. The country added 10 new billionaires over the last year.

That number might have been even higher, but some wealthy residents decided to take their money beyond the mainland recently -- giving Hong Kong and other Asian cities a boost. The moves were apparently sparked by concerns about China's ongoing credit crunch and a recent anti-corruption campaign that targeted luxury spending, according to Wealth-X.

To be ultra rich in China, think manufacturing. A full 17% of the country's wealthiest, those with $30 million or more in assets, derived their wealth from that sector.

Germany

• No. of billionaires: 148
• Total net worth (2013): $432 billion

It's no secret that Germany's robust economy helped bolster the eurozone and drag it out of the financial crisis. That strength also helped it to keep producing ultra-rich Germans.

Indeed, Germany has nearly as many billionaires as China, despite its much smaller population.

German billionaires saw their assets grow slightly in the past year, but wealth creation was even stronger for rich folks in a lower tier -- those with $30 million to $199 million in assets. That group saw their overall net worth increase more than 25% last year.

United Kingdom

• No. of billionaires: 135
• Total net worth (2013): $420 billion

With London as one of the top financial capitals of the world, the city boasts a growing number of the ultra wealthy. There are now nearly 6,400 Londoners worth more than $30 million -- that's 5.7% more than the year before.

In the U.K. overall, the ranks of the richest -- billionaires -- actually dropped slightly. Their net worth declined as well. But those a rung below them on the wealth scale are enjoying solid financial growth, so it's likely more Brits will reach the billionaire mark soon.

Russia

• No. of billionaires: 108
• Total net worth (2013): $342 billion

The Russian economy has been thrust into question due to the annexation of Crimea and the crisis in Ukraine. The International Monetary Fund recently lowered its projections for Russia's growth from 2% to 1.3%.

Still, there are plenty of ultra-rich Russians. In fact, their numbers rose by 35 last year. How much the political unrest will affect the country's wealthiest citizens in the future, though, remains to be seen, especially since the U.S. and E.U. have imposed sanctions against some Russian individuals and businesses.

India

• No. of billionaires: 103
• Total net worth (2013): $180 billion

2013 wasn't a great year for Indian billionaires. Their ranks and overall wealth declined more than 5%. Meanwhile, the country has struggled with economic issues including a weak rupee, slowing growth and high public debt.

But with a sweeping victory for the country's pro-business party last month, and the inauguration of a new prime minister, Narendra Modi, investors hope a turnaround is near. Modi is focused on growth, and seeks to attract foreign investment by minimizing bureaucratic challenges businesses face there. That means more billionaires could be on the way.

Hong Kong

• No. of billionaires: 75
• Total net worth (2013): $224 billion

Hong Kong is attracting more of Asia's wealth as investors in mainland China seek to diversify their assets in a place known for low taxes and light regulation.

Hong Kong's super rich are worth a combined $530 billion -- and their wealth is growing at healthy double-digit rates.

Saudi Arabia

• No. of billionaires: 64
• Total net worth (2013): $204 billion

The oil-rich Middle East has long been a home for billionaires, and Saudi Arabia leads the pack.

It also boasts a growing population of ultra-wealthy people who have $30 million or more in assets. Saudi Arabia gained 200 of these super-rich folks last year, and their total wealth grew 27%, according to Wealth-X.

Almost the entire Middle East saw double-digit growth, except for Syria, where the ongoing civil war has taken a toll.

Women still struggle to gain a foothold among Saudi Arabia's wealth elite: They account for just 5% of the country's super rich.

France

• No. of billionaires: 64
• Total net worth (2013): $202 billion

French President Francois Hollande garnered international attention for his so-called "millionaire tax," which was approved by France's highest court last year. Under it, companies that pay high annual salaries could face a 75% tax rate.

While critics fear the tax will push some wealthy residents to leave the country, the impact is yet to be seen.

Most French billionaires and multimillionaires are based in Paris. The City of Light accounts for nearly three-quarters of the country's wealthiest.

Switzerland

• No. of billionaires: 61
• Total net worth (2013): $128 billion

As Europe continues to recover from the debt crisis, its high earners have seen big gains. Switzerland has proved to be especially resilient, as the super rich added almost $100 billion to their coffers last year.

And while the country has recently been cracking down on tax evasion and chipping away at banking secrecy laws, the country still managed to mint four new billionaires last year.

Brazil

• No. of billionaires: 50
• Total net worth (2013): $259 billion

The host country for this year's World Cup is hoping to get a $70 billion boost from the influx of spectators for the games, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Sports.

That could be a helpful shot in the arm for the economy, since Brazil's growth has slowed recently. Even the country's super-rich are feeling poorer -- their combined wealth dropped $95 billion from 2012 to 2013. However, a large portion of that loss can be attributed to Eike Batista, a rich Brazilian businessman who lost billions of dollars in the last couple years.

Turkey

• No. of billionaires: 38
• Total net worth (2013): $56 billion

Turkey has been in the news recently for anti-government protests and a mining disaster that claimed the lives of more than 300 people.

Its economy, though, has been getting stronger since the global financial crisis -- it experienced 4% growth last year.

And though the International Monetary Fund slightly downgraded Turkey's growth for this year, its economy is still predicted to expand by 2.3%.

Turkey's wealthiest are reaping the benefits -- the country added 70 people to the ranks of its super rich last year. How apropos then that Turkey is ranked 3rd worldwide in production of yachts, a favorite toy of the wealthy. Only Italy and the Netherlands rank higher.

Canada

• No. of billionaires: 37
• Total net worth (2013): $94 billion

The world's second-biggest country is spread over six time zones and enjoys a wealth of natural resources. It doesn't lack for super-rich residents either: Nearly 5,000 Canadians are worth over $30 million.

Compared to other countries in the top 15, Canada's ultra wealthy tend to skew older (average age: 63) and male (men make up 87% of the ultra wealthy).

United Arab Emirates

• No. of billionaires: 37
• Total net worth (2013): $45 billion

Dubai is known as a playground for the wealthy.

Oil and gas pump up the UAE's economy and businesses don't have to pay a federal income tax. 59% of the super rich in the UAE are self-made, and the outlook for the country is projected to be positive, with a prospering tourism sector and recovering real estate market.

While the UAE doesn't break the top 10 of this list, it could rise in the rankings next year if current trends hold: The number of super rich in the country grew by 20.7% last year.

Japan

• No. of billionaires: 33
• Total net worth (2013): $77 billion

With an economy that's been struggling since the '90s, Japan has turned to "Abenomics" -- policies by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government that includes measures like a stimulus program and higher national sales tax.

Even with its challenges, Japan saw its population of super rich grow by double digits last year.

Self-driving semi hits the road

Daimer'ls Freightliner truck division has licensed two autonomously driving trucks for use on public roads in Nevada. The trucks can only drive on their own in highway situations. A driver will take control in suburban and city driving situations.

Look closely. That truck driver has both hands on his iPad.

Freightliner has been given a license to test out its autonomously driving tractor-trailer truck in the state of Nevada. The big-rig manufacturer already has such a truck in operation and will now begin test driving it on public highways there.

There will always be a licensed truck driver in the driver's seat but the Frieightliner Inspiration is designed and equipped to drive itself on limited access interstates. There are currently two of the trucks. A human driver will take full control when the truck is in city and suburban driving situations. Nevada is one of a few states that has legislation specifically allowing for the licensing of self-driving vehicles.

The Freightliner truck will stay in its lane and avoid hitting cars ahead with no driver input. Radar sensors and cameras will watch lane lines and surrounding traffic. Freightliner is owned by Daimler AG (DDAIY), which also makes Mercedes-Benz luxury cars. Mercedes has also been testing self-driving cars.

Trucks like this could reduce driver fatigue, according to Freightliner executives, and allow drivers to be more productive. While the truck is going down the highway, the driver could safely attend to paperwork or plan the next trip, for instance.

Since the truck can drive itself on highways, Freightliners says, the driver can occuppy himself with other pressing business.

Automated trucks could also save fuel by driving in "platoons." In this scenario, automated trucks, communicating with one another electronically, could drive in a tightly packed line behind a lead truck. This would have huge aerodynamic benefits because only the truck in front would have to push through a lot of air. Each following truck would ride in a sort of bubble created by the truck in front of it.

Autonomous driving technology will, at some point, find its place in the in the trucking industry, said Wolfgang Bernhard, who heads Daimler's commercial truck operations.

"We don't believe that everyone is going to jump on immediately," he said. "It's a process."

Getting experimental trucks out on real roads is a step in that process.

"From an industry standpoint, it's going to be a question of cost versus benefit," said Ted Scott, director of engineering for the American Trucking Association, a group that represents the trucking industry. This technology is going to add to the cost of the rig which will still need a paid professional driver at the wheel.

California: The nation's most unequal state

Only some California residents are finding it to be the Golden State.

Those who live in the tech Mecca of Silicon Valley enjoy the highest level of well-being in the nation. Residents live more than four years longer than the average American, earn nearly double the income and have nearly triple the number of graduate degrees, according to a recent reportmeasuring opportunity in the nation's 435 congressional districts and Washington D.C.

Less than 100 miles away in the state's Central Valley, however, residents have the lowest level of well-being. In this agricultural hub, people live nearly a year less than the national average and an individual's earnings are roughly equal to the poverty line for a single parent with two children. Nearly four in ten fail to graduate from high school, far below the nation's norm.

As a result, California is the most unequal state in the nation when it comes to well-being, according to the report by Measure of America, which is a project of the Social Science Research Council.

Related: The American Dream is a myth, Nobel Prize winner says

The report provides a wider lens into inequality in America, said Kristen Lewis, co-director of Measure of America. Researchers examined life expectancy and median personal earnings to gauge health and standard of living, respectively. For access to education, they looked at school enrollment for those age 3 to 24 and at degree attainment for those 25 and up.

The three metrics indicate the chances Americans will be able to fulfill their potential and achieve whatever they define as happiness.

"It measures people's access to choices and opportunity," Lewis said.

What researchers found is that it really matters where you live. In Silicon Valley, life expectancy is 83.7 years and a typical resident earns $55,215 a year. Some 85.6% of younger residents are enrolled in school and 60% of those age 25 and older have at least a bachelor's degree. The area is also home to Stanford University and tech giants such as Google (GOOG), Netflix (NFLX, Tech30)and Hewlett-Packard (HPQ, Tech30), which offer lots of high paying jobs.

Related: It's expensive to be poor

Drive southeast and you hit the southern half of California's Central Valley, which has a large dairy industry and produces many types of crops, including oranges, raisins, almonds and cotton. Life expectancy is only 78.4 in this region and median income stands at just over $20,100. Only 73.5% of younger residents are in school and a scant 8.3% of older ones have at least a bachelor's degree.

Here are some of the other extremes found in California and around the U.S.:

Life Expectancy: San Jose, California, residents enjoy the longest lives, on average, at just under 84 years. That's longer than the average life span in Japan, the country with the oldest average life expectancy.

Those living in rural southeastern Kentucky, on the other hand, have a life expectancy similar to residents of Gaza and the West Bank, at 73 years.

Education: Residents of Los Angeles' beach communities, which include Santa Monica and Malibu, boast the highest high school graduation rate of 95.5%. Nationally, only 86.6% of folks have a high school diploma.

But in a nearby district that includes the largely Hispanic areas of East Los Angeles and some suburbs, nearly half of residents didn't finish high school. That's similar to what the nation's graduation rate was in the late 1960s.

Income: The tony Upper East Side of Manhattan claims the top spot for median personal earnings at nearly $61,000 a year, or twice what the typical American brings home.

At the other end of the spectrum is a multicultural district in and around downtown Los Angeles, where residents take home just $20,000 annually. That's comparable to the nation's typical personal income nearly 50 years ago.

Share your story. Are you living the American Dream?

Maps: America's Great Opportunity Divide 

How does where you live stack up in terms of life expectancy, median income and education? Check out these interactive maps to find out.

Official Daily Rancho Cucamonga Property Update 5/5/15

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Official Daily Rancho Cucamonga Property Update 5/4/15

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How to Get That Cheap Flight

 How to Get That Cheaper Ticket

No one knows why they pay what they do for airline tickets. We all try to find the best deal, but it's never really explained to us why the ticket prices are as they are, and why does it seem that every person on the plane got a different deal. This handy guide will shed some light on the murky world of airline ticket prices, and help you find your way to the cheapest one.

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Source: Cynthia K.