The world's billionaires 2011

America's wealthiest still dominate the global ranks, but more new billionaires now come from China, Russia and other developing economies – and Mexico’s Carlos Slim Helú is holding on to the title of world’s richest man.

2011: A record year in numbers, money and impact

This 25th year of tracking global wealth was one to remember. The Forbes 2011 Billionaires List breaks two records: number of billionaires (1,210) and combined wealth ($4.5 trillion).

This combined wealth surpasses the gross domestic product of Germany, one of only six nations to have fewer billionaires this year than in 2010. Brazil, Russia, India and China produced 108 of this year's 214 new names. These four nations are home to one in four members, up from one in 10 five years ago.

Before this year only the United States had produced more than 100 billionaires. China now has 115 and Russia 101.

Wealth creation is moving at an especially breakneck pace in the Asia-Pacific region, which has a record 332 billionaires, up from 234 a year ago and 130 at the depth of the financial crisis in 2009. Sizzling stock markets are behind this surge.

America's wealthiest still dominate the global ranks, but the U.S. is losing its grip. One in three billionaires is an American, down from nearly one in two a decade ago. It has 10 more than last year but 56 fewer than its 2008 peak.

Still there are inspiring newcomers. An obvious example is Facebook, which has spawned six billionaires, including chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, whose fortune this year jumped 238% to $13.5 billion.

The frenzy among investors for all things social pushed up private market values of online gaming outfit Zynga and made a billionaire of founder and chief executive Mark Pincus. Other notable American newcomers to the Forbes list include Groupon backer Eric Lefkofsky.

Why do we spend so much time tracking other people's money? It's because these moguls have the power to shape our world. Telecom billionaire turned Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati is keeping Lebanon's government together. Swiss-Italian entrepreneur Ernesto Bertarelli is focusing on saving the oceans. And Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have traveled to three continents working to raise philanthropic awareness among the ultra-rich.