What are the G7, G8, and G20 countries, and what is the origin of these names?

The G7, G8, and G20 countries are groups of the most powerful economies in the world. G7 refers to the Group of Seven, which consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The G8 includes the G7 countries plus Russia. The G20, on the other hand, is made up of the G7/G8 countries plus additional major economies such as China, India, Brazil, South Korea, and Australia.

The G7 was founded in 1975 as the G6, with the original members being France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Canada joined the group a year later. The group was renamed the G7 after the inclusion of Canada. Russia was added to the group in 1998, becoming the G8. However, Russia's membership was suspended in 2014 following the country's annexation of Crimea.

The G20 was established in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis, in order to bring together the world's major economies to promote international financial stability. The group's membership includes 19 countries and the European Union. The G20 countries collectively represent around 80% of the world's economic output.