Why are the developed countries referred to as the west?

That division line was drawn well before the Americas were discovered, when the civilizations we decended from thought the world consisted of Europe, Asia, and Africa; Europe being west of Asia.

Because most of the developed countries are geographically located west of most of the emerging developing nation unless you live in Central/ South America then its different

Have you never seen a map of the world?
The west is (drum roll) to the west.

Educated people believe developed countries are in the East and West.

It might be from a soviet-era stand point (west of the iron curtain.) And particularly the U.S. is geographically in the western hemisphere and referred to as a 'western country'.

West of Europe or West of the prime meridian which is in Europe.

It's outdated Cold War term just like 1st world and 3rd world.

Because we're better since we have McDonalds and Walmarts.

It's an accident of history which is rapidly becoming an anachronism.

Europe & North America were in the "West" in contrast to the communist countries which (with the exception of Cuba) were in the "East".

West of Europe