On January of 2011, Missosology.Org conceptualized the Big 4 Ranking as a system of recognizing the strength of all countries (existing and non-existing) who has/had been participating since the beginning of the four major international pageants.  Under this system, all the Big 4 Pageants - Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss Earth and Miss International - were agreed to be treated on equal level. Each victory, runner-up finish, semifinal placement, special awards and participation are credited with corresponding points.

MISS INTERNATIONAL POINTS SYSTEM:

Winner - 200 points; 1st Runner-up - 180 points; 2nd Runner-up 160 points; 3rd Runner-up 140 points; 4th Runner-up 120 points; Semifinalist - 100 points; Special Awards - 10 points; Participation - 10 points. 

As of 2011, here are the Top 15 Miss International Powerhouse Countries presented in reverse order, together with the pictures of the 2012 delegates, courtesy of Miss International Organization.

Who do you think will shine from among them?

# 15 SWEDEN 1790 points

# 15 MEXICO 1790 points

#14 ISRAEL 2100 points 

#13 FRANCE 2370 points

#12 INDIA 2400 points

#11 GERMANY 2490 points

#10 AUSTRALIA 2800 points

#9 BRAZIL 3170 points

#8 KOREA 3230 points

#7 PHILIPPINES 3430 points

#6 FINLAND 3460 points

#5 COLOMBIA 3820 points

#4 SPAIN 3980 points

#3 U.S.A. 4250 points

#2 JAPAN 4400 points

#1 VENEZUELA 4510 points

Interestingly, Japan which is ranked #2, has not captured a single Miss International crown... yet!  Although relatively consistent in their semifinals placement, their best placement was in 2002, courtesy of Hana Urushima.  Will it be Japan's year this time?  Or, are we going to witness a victory from a non-powerhouse nation, such as what happened last year?

(For more details of the complete Big 4 Ranking, please visit http://www.missosology.org/big4/ )