That was fast. Facebook has hit 200 million active users only seven months after the social network hit 100 million users and 90 days after reaching 150 million. On average, Facebook has added 500,000 new members a day since late August, according to the blog Inside Facebook.

If it were a country, the site would be the fifth most populous, larger than Brazil and Japan. In a blog post Wednesday about the milestone, Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote: “Both U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Nicholas Sarkozy have used Facebook as (a) way to organize their supporters. From the protests against the Colombian FARC, a 40-year-old terrorist organization, to fighting oppressive, fringe groups in India, people use Facebook as a platform to build connections and organize action.”

To mark the occasion, Facebook has begun a campaign selling a collection of virtual gifts for the benefit of 16 charitable and advocacy organizations including UNICEF and the UN Refugee Agency’s “Gimme Shelter” campaign. It also set up a site for people to share stories about how Facebook helped them effect change or connect with a distant relative.

READ MORE