ELI5 GDP and the Equator - why are countries richer away from the equator?

Why do warmer countries/closer to the equator tend to be poorer than colder countries? Is it the temperature? Was this always the case, throughout history?  Why did the Industrial Revolution happen in Europe and England instead of somewhere else? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: oustthetortol, thaddeauz, that_other_goat, majorex64, logicaljoiurnalist517 and burgergold To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: [email protected]