New Olympic Nation: South Sudan (Map)

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Map of all nations in the Olympics, and their regional associations. Two newest Olympic nations labeled.
Map by Evan Centanni, starting from this blank map and modeled after this map.

Map of Rebel Control in Mali: June 2015

(To see other maps in this series, view all Mali articles.)

Map by Evan Centanni, modified from this map by Orionist, Carport, and NordNordWest. License: CC BY-SA.

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Article by Evan Centanni

Separatist Return to Power
At the time of our last Mali rebel control map report, separatist rebels had just allowed the Malian government to resume control of the north as part of a ceasefire agreement ahead of elections. The rebels had for a time resumed control of the region after a French-led military intervention pushed out the religiously-oriented rebel groups who had usurped the initial separatist rebellion. In July 2013, Mali's territory was again united for the first time in over a year.

Map of Boko Haram Control in Nigeria: May 2015 (Subscription)

The best online map of Boko Haram's territorial control - guaranteed! 

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Timeline by T.H., with additional reporting by Evan Centanni

Even as evidence mounts of Boko Haram's ties to the Islamic State, the Nigerian rebel group has been driven from most of its recently-held territory. Yet as Nigeria's new president prepares to take office, Boko Haram may already be making a comeback.

This map report illustrates areas of known and possible Boko Haram control in Nigeria, and for the first time shows the full area of the Sambisa Forest, the rebels' last-resort hideout. The report includes a summary and timeline of events since our previous Boko Haram control map in March.

This map report is exclusive premium content, available to paid subscribers or for separate purchase. Buy now (US$14.99)

Exclusive map report includes:

• Map of Boko Haram's overall area of control in Nigeria, updated to May 28, 2015.
• Detailed mapping of each town under Boko Haram's influence, as well as most locations of recent attacks.
• New: Full outline of the Sambisa Forest, Boko Haram's vast safe haven.
• Summary and detailed timeline of territorial changes and major events since late March, with links to sources.

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Map: Seychelles Join WTO

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Member and observer states of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Map by Evan Centanni, starting from public domain blank map (license: CC BY-NC-SA).

Map of Boko Haram Control in Nigeria: March 2015 (Subscription)

The best online map of Boko Haram's territorial control - guaranteed!

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Research by T.H., with additional reporting by Evan Centanni

Boko Haram has now allegedly teamed up with the Islamic State, but the Nigerian rebel group has recently lost most of its territory to a multi-pronged military campaign involving Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.

This map report illustrates the offensive against Boko Haram and the rebel group's remaining territorial holdings, and includes a summary and timeline of events since our previous Boko Haram map report in January.

This map report is exclusive premium content, available to paid subscribers or for separate purchase. Buy now (US$14.99)

Exclusive map report includes:

• Map of Boko Haram's overall area of control in Nigeria, updated to March 22, 2015.
• Detailed map showing almost every individual town currently or previously held by Boko Haram, as well as the overall extent of rebel territorial control.
• Illustrations of the five major military campaigns that have driven Boko Haram back over the past two months, as well as key locations in neighboring countries.
• Summary and detailed timeline of territorial changes and major events since late January, with links to sources.

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Nigeria War Update: Map of Boko Haram Control (January 2015) (Premium)

The best online map of Boko Haram's territorial control - guaranteed!

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Research by T.H., with additional reporting by Evan Centanni

Since our last Boko Haram control map update in November, the rebel group has expanded its territorial control in Nigeria, connecting two of its territorial enclaves and occupying a long stretch of the country's international border with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

This premium report and map detail the various changes of the past two months, including new Boko Haram conquests as well as key attacks that didn't result in territorial gains. The map also, of course, provides an updated illustration of the full extent of Boko Haram's territorial control.

This map and article are exclusive premium content, available only to paid members or for individual purchase. Buy now (US$9.99)

Premium report includes:

• Map of Boko Haram's overall area of control in Nigeria, updated to Jan. 28, 2015.
• Detailed map showing almost every individual town or village known to be held by the group, as well as recent locations of major attacks, such as Baga, Monguno, Maiduguri, and Damataru. 
• Also shows attacks across the border in Cameroon.
• Summary and detailed timeline of territorial changes and major events since late November, with sources cited.

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Nigeria War Update: Map of Boko Haram Control (November 2014) (Premium)

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Reporting by T.H. and Evan Centanni

Despite short-lived claims of a ceasefire, Nigeria's northern insurgency has continued unabated since late September, when we published our free map of Boko Haram control in Nigeria.

This premium report and map update detail the many changes since then, which have seen Boko Haram's "Islamic Caliphate" grow to control an area the size of Belgium.

This map and article are exclusive premium content, available only to paid members or for individual purchase. Buy now (US$9.99)

Premium report includes:

• Map of Boko Haram's overall area of control in Nigeria, updated to Nov. 25, 2014.
• Detailed map shows almost every individual town or village known to have been captured by the group, including recent flashpoints like Chibok, Mubi, and Abadam.
• Summary and detailed timeline of territorial changes and major events since late September.

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Portuguese Community Admits New Member & Observer Countries (Map)

Map by Evan Centanni, starting from public domain blank map (license: CC BY-NC-SA).

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War in Nigeria: Map of Boko Haram Control (September 2014)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Nigeria updates.

Map by Evan Centanni. All rights reserved.

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Conflict tracking by T.H., with additional reporting by Evan Centanni

Boko Haram vs. Nigeria
Though it's waged a bloody war against the Nigerian government for many years, rebel group Boko Haram rarely could claim significant territorial control until recently. Though they did take over a number of remote areas in spring of last year (see our 2013 Boko Haram control map), the militants were soon driven back into hiding by the Nigerian military.

The insurgency never went away, with Boko Haram's bombings and other attacks, often on schools and other public places, increasing in number and lethality from 2013 into early 2014. (Also see our 2013 report for more background on Boko Haram).

African Union Reinstates Egypt and Guinea-Bissau (Map)

The African Union as of July 2014. Map by Evan Centanni, from this blank map by Eric Gaba.
License: CC BY-SA

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Mayotte Enters European Union

"Outermost regions" are officially part of the European Union; "overseas countries and territories" are not part of the EU itself, but have special relations with it because of their connections to member countries. New outermost region Mayotte is located in southeastern Africa. Map from Wikimedia Commons © Alexrk2 (CC BY-SA)

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Article by Evan Centanni

EU Expands to Include Mayotte
You probably heard about Croatia joining the European Union last year, but did you know the EU expanded further this year...in Africa? The French overseas department of Mayotte, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean northwest of Madagascar, became officially part of the EU on January 1.

ICYMI: The Gambia's Withdrawal from the Commonwealth

"In case you missed it" - this is an article featuring news we couldn't cover when it first broke, but that we thought you might still want to know about. Those who read our article on the year 2013 in political geography changes already heard about the Gambia's withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Nations - now here's the full story.

The Commonwealth of Nations. Current members in dark blue, former members in lavender. Map by Evan Centanni, modified from public domain blank map.

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Madagascar Un-Suspended from African Union

The African Union as of March 2014. Map by Evan Centanni, from this blank map by Eric Gaba.
License: CC BY-SA

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South Sudan War Map: Current Rebel Control (Update #4) (Premium)

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This is Part 1 of a double map report on territorial control in South Sudan's ongoing rebellion, available exclusively to premium subscribers or for individual purchase. This map shows current territorial control for late February 2014, including several changes since the time of the ceasefire. Buy now (US$3.99).

To see the map of control at the time of the ceasefire on January 23, see Part 1.

Premium article includes:

• Exclusive map of current rebel control up to February 21, 2014
• Multiple changes to territorial control since previous update
• Several more new locations added to the map
• Report chronicling changes to territorial control since the ceasefire, including links to sources

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South Sudan War Map: Control at Time of January Ceasefire (Update #3) (Premium)

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This is Part 1 of a double map report on territorial control in South Sudan's ongoing rebellion, available exclusively to premium subscribers or for individual purchase. This map shows territorial control as of January 23, when the warring parties signed their ceasefire agreement (including major changes from previous update). Buy now (US$3.99).

To see the map of current control as of late February, go to Part 2.

Premium article includes:

• Exclusive map of rebel control at the time the ceasefire was signed on January 23, 2014
• Multiple changes to territorial control since previous update
• Several new locations added to the map
• Report chronicling changes to territorial control and describing the situation at the time of the ceasefire, including links to sources

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ICYMI: Cape Verde's Name Change

In the following weeks, PolGeoNow will be publishing several short "in case you missed it (ICYMI)" articles on events from 2013. This is news that we weren't able to cover when it first broke, but that we thought our readers might still want to know about.

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Cape Verde, now officially Cabo Verde (click to enlarge). Map by Oona Räisänen/Wikimedia (CC BY-SA) (source).

By Evan Centanni

Cape Verde Changes Official Name
If you read our article on the year 2013 in political geography changes, you've already heard about the change to Cape Verde's official English name. But since keeping track of country name changes is one of the primary missions of Political Geography Now, we are now presenting this in-depth report on the topic.

South Sudan Rebellion: Map Update 2 (Premium Content)

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Both peace talks and fighting continue nearly two weeks after our last South Sudan update. In the meantime, there have been several changes to rebel control. The newly updated premium map and report reflect those events, as well as newly available information about other localities. Buy now (US$2.99).

Premium article includes:

• Exclusive updated map of rebel control in South Sudan's ongoing uprising (current as of January 16, 2014)
• A number of new localities have been added to the map since last time
• Report chronicling changes to territorial control since the previous map, with links to sources

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South Sudan: Rebel Control Map Update (Premium Content)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see the full list of updates, view all South Sudan articles. 

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Since our first map report on rebel control in South Sudan's political crisis, the situation has continued to develop quickly, with several cities and towns changing hands. PolGeoNow now presents an updated map and report exclusively available as premium content for purchase and to our subscribers. Buy now for only US$2.99!

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• Exclusive updated map of rebel control in South Sudan's ongoing uprising 
• Report chronicling changes since the previous map, with links to sources

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South Sudan Crisis: Rebel Control Map (Premium Content)

There are newer versions of this map available. To see the full list of updates, view all South Sudan articles. 

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After a sudden outbreak of political violence last week, the military of South Sudan has fragmented into two competing factions, with rebellious defectors capturing a large swath of the world's newest country. PolGeoNow now presents the first map of rebel control in South Sudan's ongoing crisis, an exclusive for premium subscribers and purchasers.

Premium article includes:

• Exclusive, up-to-date map of rebel control by state and city in South Sudan's ongoing uprising
• Outline of the course of events so far, including the captures of three state capitals by rebel forces
• Brief description of the causes and humanitarian consequences of the current conflict

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DR Congo War: The History of M23 Control (Map)

[Editor's note: This map article was published in late 2013, and was originally intended to be the first piece in PolGeoNow's conflict map subscription service. Subscriber coverage has since refocused on other conflicts, and we're now making this piece free for all readers.]

From 2012 to 2013, the M23 rebels became the Democratic Republic of the Congo's most powerful rebel group in recent history, establishing military control over a major city in country's east. You may have heard how M23 was defeated suddenly in late 2013, but do you know what territory they controlled while they were active? Learn more with this exclusive map of M23's territorial possessions over time, as well as a primer on the group's short history and ultimate defeat.

Map by Evan Centanni (all rights reserved).

Congo's War with M23

The Democratic Republic of the Congo - formerly known as Zaire - has been at war for decades. After serving as the stage for a regional conflict partly sparked by the Rwandan Genocide in the mid-1990s, as well as a follow-up war spanning officially from 1998 to 2003, the eastern DRC has become the stomping ground of dozens of rebel groups with often-shifting allegiances.

The March 23 Movement, better known as M23, only appeared in May of 2012. However, it quickly became the most prominent of the many rebel forces operating in the region, carving out its own area of territorial control and proving a match for the Congolese army. In late 2012 it captured Goma, a city of one million and the capital of Congo's North Kivu province. It was eventually crushed in a rapid military campaign by the army and a UN peacekeeper intervention brigade in November 2013.