Based on the following table answer the questions below.

World historical and predicted population (in millions)
Region/year	1500	1600	1700	1800	1900	1950	1999	2012	2050	2150
world	458	580	682	978	1,650	2,521	5,978	7,052	8,909	9,746
Africa	86	114	106	107	133	221	767	1,052	1,766	2,308
Asia	243	339	439	635	947	1,402	3,634	4,250	5,268	5,561
Europe	84	111	125	203	408	547	729	740	628	517
Latin America and the Caribbean	39	10	10	24	74	167	511	603	809	912
Northern America	3	3	2	7	82	172	307	351	392	398
Oceania	3	3	3	2	6	13	30	38	46	51

(a) Identify roughly how many centuries it took for the world population to double for the first time.

(b) In earlier classes you had studied about colonisation. Look at the table and identify in which of the continents the population decreased by 1800.

(c) Which continent has been most populous for most period of time?

(d) Is there any continent that is projected to show a significant decrease in population in future?