Showing posts with label breakaway states. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breakaway states. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

How Many Countries Are There in the World in 2024?

This article, originally from 2011, has been revised and updated to July 2024. You can view older versions of the article in our archives. The main update from last year is the surrender of the self-proclaimed Artsakh Republic (Nagorno-Karabakh), whose territory is now controlled by Azerbaijan.

How many countries: map of the world
A world political map published by the US government.

One of the most basic questions for map-lovers is "How many countries are there in the world?" But anyone who just gives you a simple number isn't telling the whole truth. It actually depends a lot on how you define a "country". Here are six of the most common answers, each correct in its own way:

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

How Many Countries Were There in the World in 2023?

There are newer editions of this article available. To find the most recent, view all "How Many Countries in the World" updates!  

This article, originally from 2011, has been revised and updated to March 2023. You can view older versions of the article in our archives. The main update from last year is the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics no longer claiming to be independent countries.

How many countries: map of the world
A world political map published by the US government.

One of the most basic questions for map-lovers is "How many countries are there in the world?" But anyone who just gives you a simple number isn't telling the whole truth. It actually depends a lot on how you define a "country". Here are six of the most common answers, each correct in its own way:

2022: Donetsk & Lugansk People's Republics Stop Claiming Independence

Most of our readers will already have heard of this story last year, but because PolGeoNow is committed to providing a record of all changes to the world's list of countries, and because this aspect of the story hasn't been much discussed, we're still publishing an article about it now. Parts of this article are adapted from our story on Recognition of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics from one year ago.

Map of territorial control within the claimed borders of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) as of September 26, 2022, a week before they stopped claiming independence after their claimed merger with Russia (annexation). Map shows that all of the LPR, otherwise known as Ukraine's Luhansk province, was under the control of Russian and LPR forces, while Russian and DPR forces controlled over half of the DPR, or Ukraine's Donetsk province, including the major central and southern cities of Donetsk, Horlivka, Makiyivka, and Mariupol. Colorblind accessible.
Actual military/administrative control within the DPR and LPR's claimed borders just before their governments' agreed merger into Russia. This was also roughly their greatest extent of control during the period they claimed to be independent countries, if including territory held by their close ally the Russian military. This map was originally published as part of our subscriber-exclusive September 2022 Ukraine control map report.

Partial Recognition

For eight years, from 2014 to 2022, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) said they were independent countries, despite most of the world considering them to be parts of Ukraine. Then late last year, they stopped claiming independence, instead saying they had now become part of Russia, after Russia controversially agreed to take them in. Read on for the full story, explained in plain English...

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Armenia-Azerbaijan Control Map: Nagorno-Karabakh & Border Clashes - October 2022 (Subscription)

SUBSCRIBERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL ARTICLE AND MAP:
Old Portal (members.polgeonow.com) | New Portal (controlmaps.polgeonow.com)


(To see more map reports in this series, view all Nagorno-Karabakh articles on PolGeoNow.)

Map by Evan Centanni, Djordje Djukic, Bourrichon, and Lesqual; article by Djordje Djukic and Evan Centanni

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Preview thumbnail of map of territorial control in Azerbaijan and Armenia, including the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region and the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh as well as clashes along the two countries' official border. Updated to October 2022, showing Azerbaijan's apparent territorial incursions into Armenia proper, as well as still-contested sites in Nagorno-Karabakh and the new location of the replacement for the Lachin corridor. Now includes terrain. Colorblind accessible.
Almost two years after the two countries' war ended in a ceasefire, continued clashes have seen Azerbaijan capture several areas apparently within Armenia, while the Russia-enforced corridor from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh has moved to a different location.
 
This subscriber-exclusive report goes in-depth on territorial issues and conflict-related developments since our previous Nagorno-Karabakh map report in early 2021, with increased focus on the contested border between Azerbaijan and Armenia proper.

This map and report are premium content, available to paid subscribers of the PolGeoNow Conflict Mapping Service.

Want to see before you subscribe? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Nagorno-Karabakh map!

Exclusive map report includes:

  • Up-to-date illustration of current territorial control in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, including the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh and the apparent Azerbaijani incursions into Armenia proper. Colorblind accessible. 
  • Claimed borders of the Republic of Artsakh, as well as the former extent of the Soviet-era Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO).
  • NEW: Terrain shading on map to give a better idea of the physical geography context
  • Key locations of conflict and contention, including Parukh, Lake Sev, Jermuk, Lachin, and more.
  • Detailed timeline of territorial changes and conflict events since January 28, 2021, as well as key military/political developments, with sources cited. 

SUBSCRIBERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL ARTICLE AND MAP:
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Not signed up yet? Click here to learn more about our professional subscription service!

Monday, March 28, 2022

Recognition of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics

Map of territorial control and frontlines in the Donbass region of Donetsk and Luhansk, internationally recognized as part of eastern Ukraine but partly controlled by the breakaway Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic. Updated for September 2020, with Minsk ceasefire lines shown. Colorblind accessible.
Areas controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics just before the Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. For approximate changes that have happened since, check out our Ukraine control map. (Map by Evan Centanni and Djordje Djukic. Contact us for permission to use this map.)

Donetsk and Lugansk: Unrecognized "Republics"

Though now overshadowed by the war, an important political geography event took place in the days leading up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, changing some versions of the world's list of countries.

Back in April 2014, the month after Russia-backed separatists in the peninsula of Crimea declared their independence from Ukraine, Russia-backed rebels in Ukraine's eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk also announced that they were forming independent countries: the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People's Republic (LPR). ("Luhansk" is the Ukrainian-language spelling of the place name, while "Lugansk" is the Russian-language version.)

But unlike Crimea, which had already been secured by Russia's military, and was quickly absorbed into Russia with the permission of its supposed independent government, Donetsk and Lugansk would remain unrecognized for the next eight years - not officially treated as independent countries by any other country, even Russia.*

How Many Countries Were There in the World in 2022?

There are newer editions of this article available. To find the most recent, view all "How Many Countries in the World" updates! 

This article, originally from 2011, has been revised and updated to March 2022. You can view older versions of the article in our archives. The main update from last year is the promotion of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics from unrecognized to partially-recognized "de facto states".

How many countries: map of the world
A world political map published by the US government.

One of the most basic questions for map-lovers is "How many countries are there in the world?" But anyone who just gives you a simple number isn't telling the whole truth. It actually depends a lot on how you define a "country". Here are six of the most common answers, each correct in its own way:

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

How Many Countries Were There in the World in 2021?

There are newer editions of this article available. To find the most recent, view all "How Many Countries in the World" updates!

This article, originally from 2011, has been revised and updated to February 2021. You can view some older versions of the article in our archives. Latest update: Removed the so-called "Islamic State" (ISIS/ISIL) as a "de facto state" candidate.

How many countries: map of the world
A world political map published by the US government.
One of the most basic questions for map-lovers is, "How many countries are there in the world?" But anyone who just gives you a number isn't telling the whole truth. It actually depends a lot on how you define a "country".

Here are six of the most common answers, each correct in its own way:

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Map & Report: Aftermath - January 2021 (Subscription)

SUBSCRIBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

There are newer maps of this conflict available. To see them, view all Nagorno-Karabakh articles on PolGeoNow.

Map by Evan Centanni, Djordje Djukic, Bourrichon, and Lesqual; article by Evan Centanni and Djordje Djukic.

Subscribe for full access to all conflict map reports!

Preview thumbnail of map of territorial change in Nagorno-Karabakh before and after the 2020 war between Azerbaijan and the Armenia-backed, self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. Updated to January 28, 2020, to highlight locations of important events taking place in the aftermath of the peace deal's implementation. Colorblind accessible.
Though our map has barely changed since forces of Armenia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh completed their promised handovers of land to Azerbaijan two months ago, territory remains a major issue in the region. 
 
This subscriber-exclusive report goes in-depth on territorial issues and conflict-related developments since our previous Nagorno-Karabakh map and timeline at the beginning of December, with key sites of contention newly marked on this edition of the map.

This map and report are premium content, available to paid subscribers of the PolGeoNow Conflict Mapping Service.

Want to see before you subscribe? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Nagorno-Karabakh map!

Exclusive map report includes:

  • Up-to-date illustration of current territorial control in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, including the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, showing the differences between the situation before the war versus now. Colorblind accessible. 
  • Claimed borders of the Republic of Artsakh, as well as the former extent of the Soviet-era Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO).
  • Key locations of conflict and contention since the completion of Armenian withdrawals, including Khtsaberd, Shurnukh, Kapan, the Sotk gold mine, and more.
  • Detailed timeline of territorial contention and conflict events since Dec. 1, 2020, as well as key military/political developments, with sources cited. 

SUBSCRIBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

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Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Nagorno-Karabakh Control Map & Timeline: Artsakh Withdrawals - December 1, 2020

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Nagorno-Karabakh articles on PolGeoNow.

This update on the (approximate) final results of the 2020 Azerbaijan-Armenia war is free for all readers.

Nagorno-Karabakh control map, showing territorial claims and control after the Azerbaijan-Armenia war, including the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. Updated to December 1, 2020, at the approximate time of completion of all Artsakh/Armenian withdrawals promised under the 2020 peace agreement. Colorblind accessible.
Map of current territorial control. By Evan Centanni and Djordje Djukic, starting from this map by
Bourrichon and Lesqual. License: CC BY-SA
 
 
Timeline by Djordje Djukic
 

Artsakh/Armenian Forces Make Promised Withdrawals

Map of territorial change in Nagorno-Karabakh before and after the 2020 war between Azerbaijan and the Armenia-backed, self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. Updated to December 1, 2020, the date of approximate completion of the Artsakh/Armenia withdrawals from areas outside the NKAO. Colorblind accessible.
Click to enlarge: Map of territorial changes during and after the war
(For credit and license see main map above)

Three weeks after the peace deal that brought an end to the 2020 war between Azerbaijan and the Armenia-backed, self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, the latter side has completed the additional withdrawals it promised in the deal.

Though no official map has yet been released of the new lines of control, PolGeoNow has estimated their course based on news reporting and a comparison between information reported by various other online mapping projects.

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Nagorno-Karabakh Control Map & Timeline: Peace Deal Reached - November 10, 2020 (Subscription)

SUBSCRIBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Nagorno-Karabakh articles on PolGeoNow.

Map by Evan Centanni, Djordje Djukic, Bourrichon, and Lesqual

Subscribe for full access to all conflict map reports!

Preview thumbnail of Nagorno-Karabakh control map, showing territorial claims and control in the Azerbaijan-Armenia war, including the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. Updated to November 10, 2020, the date when the Russia-brokered ceasefire went into effect. Colorblind accessible.
The six-week war between Azerbaijan and the Armenia-backed, self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh has come screeching to a halt with a new Russia-brokered peace agreement. Azerbaijan has captured ever-bigger sections of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, and will hold onto them under the terms of the new deal.

See all this and more on the latest update to PolGeoNow's concise, professional map of control in the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, which includes a timeline of territorial changes and key events since our previous Nagorno-Karabakh map report of October 25, with sources cited.

This map and report are premium content, available to paid subscribers of the PolGeoNow Conflict Mapping Service.

Want to see before you subscribe? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Nagorno-Karabakh map!

Exclusive map report includes:

  • Up-to-date illustration of current territorial control in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, including the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. Areas of mixed or unclear control indicated separately. Colorblind accessible. 
  • Claimed borders of the Republic of Artsakh, as well as the former extent of the Soviet-era Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO).
  • Indication of town-by-town control along the frontlines.
  • Locations of recent fighting and other important events, including Shusha, Qubadli, Lachin, and more.
  • Detailed timeline of territorial control changes and key military/political developments since October 25, 2020, with sources cited. 

SUBSCRIBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

Not signed up yet? Click here to learn more about our professional subscription service!

Monday, October 26, 2020

Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Control Map & Timeline - October 25, 2020 (Subscription)

SUBSCRIBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Nagorno-Karabakh articles on PolGeoNow.

Map by Evan Centanni, Djordje Djukic, Bourrichon, and Lesqual

Subscribe for full access to all conflict map reports!

Nagorno-Karabakh control map, showing territorial claims and control in the new Azerbaijan-Armenia war, including the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. Updated to October 2, 2020, showing claimed Azerbaijani advances around the edges of the disputed territory. Colorblind accessible.
In the first few weeks of the new war, Azerbaijan's forces have managed to capture significant stretches of rural territory governed by the Armenia-affiliated, self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. However, the region's core remains solidly under Artsakh/Armenian control, with towns around the periphery marking the hotly-contested frontlines.

See all this and more on the latest update to PolGeoNow's concise, professional map of control in the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, which includes a timeline of territorial changes and key events since our previous Nagorno-Karabakh map report of October 2, with sources cited.

This map and report are premium content, available to paid subscribers of the PolGeoNow Conflict Mapping Service.

Want to see before you subscribe? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Nagorno-Karabakh map!

Exclusive map report includes:

  • Up-to-date illustration of current territorial control in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, including the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. Areas of mixed or unclear control indicated separately. Colorblind accessible. 
  • Claimed borders of the Republic of Artsakh, as well as the former extent of the Soviet-era Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO).
  • Indication of town-by-town control along the frontlines.
  • Locations of recent fighting and other important events, including Hadrut, Jabrayil, Zenglan, Talish, and more.
  • Detailed timeline of territorial control changes and key military/political developments since October 2, 2020, with sources cited. 
  • Summary of the conflict situation and changes to the map over the past three weeks.

SUBSCRIBERS CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO ARTICLE AND MAP

Not signed up yet? Click here to learn more about our professional subscription service!

Friday, October 2, 2020

Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Control Map & Timeline - October 2, 2020

There are newer versions of this map available. To see them, view all Nagorno-Karabakh articles on PolGeoNow.

This is the first edition of our new Nagorno-Karabakh control map series, which we hope to further improve in the near future if the conflict continues. To guarantee your access to future updates, sign up our conflict map subscription service.

Nagorno-Karabakh control map, showing territorial claims and control in the new Azerbaijan-Armenia war, including the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. Updated to October 2, 2020, showing claimed Azerbaijani advances around the edges of the disputed territory. Colorblind accessible.
Map by Evan Centanni and Djordje Djukic, starting from this map by Bourrichon and Lesqual. License: CC BY-SA
(Subscribers click here to view this article in the member area)

Article by Djordje Djukic and Evan Centanni

Armenia and Azerbaijan Go to War

One of the former Soviet Union's "frozen conflicts" has suddenly lurched towards meltdown. The dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in the Caucasus - involving Azerbaijan and Armenia plus the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh - has been simmering for decades, with regular border clashes since a full-scale war ended in 1994. But last weekend it launched into its biggest flare-up yet.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Map & Analysis: Which Countries Recognize Kosovo in 2020?

Announcing the re-launch of our Kosovo recognition updates series! PolGeoNow will now once again be providing timely reports on when countries recognize - or un-recognize - the disputed Republic of Kosovo.

Map of Kosovo recognition, indicating which states (countries) still recognize Kosovo's independence, which have withdrawn recognition, and which claims of recognition have been denied, as of September 2020, including new addition Israel. Colorblind accessible.
Click to enlarge. By Evan Centanni, modified from public domain blank world map.
Contact us for permission to use this map.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

How Many Countries Are There in the World in 2020?

There are newer editions of this article available. To find the most recent, view all "How Many Countries in the World" updates!

This article, originally from 2011, has been revised and updated to January 2020. You can view some older versions of the article in our archives.

How many countries: map of the world
A world political map published by the US government.
One of the most basic questions for map-lovers is, "How many countries are there in the world?" But anyone who just gives you a number isn't telling the whole truth. It actually depends a lot on how you define a "country".

Here are six of the most common answers, each correct in its own way:

Monday, September 23, 2019

Taiwan Loses "Recognition" from Two Pacific Allies (Map)

You can always find the latest version of this map, and a list of all related articles, on our Which Countries "Recognize" Taiwan? page.

Map of who recognizes Taiwan (what countries recognize the Republic of China) in September 2019. Marks countries that have cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan (withdrawn recognition) in the last ten years: Kiribati, Solomon Islands, El Salvador, Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Sao Tome and Principe, and the Gambia. Also answers question: Where is Republic of China located? (Colorblind accessible)
Click to enlarge. By Evan Centanni, modified from public domain blank world map.
Contact us for permission to use this map.

Map: Which Countries "Recognize" Taiwan in 2019?

This map and explainer will be updated whenever there's a change to the list of Taiwan's "diplomatic allies". You can find articles on each change by scrolling to the bottom of this page, or by viewing all Taiwan articles on PolGeoNow.

Map of who recognizes Taiwan (what countries recognize the Republic of China) in September 2019. Marks countries that have cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan (withdrawn recognition) in the last ten years: Kiribati, Solomon Islands, El Salvador, Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Sao Tome and Principe, and the Gambia. Also answers question: Where is Republic of China located? (Colorblind accessible)
Click to enlarge. By Evan Centanni, modified from public domain blank world map.
Contact us for permission to use this map.

Is Taiwan a Country?

At PolGeoNow we frequently report on self-proclaimed, unrecognized or partially-recognized countries - but Taiwan is a special case. It operates like an independent country today, but has never formally declared independence. Instead, Taiwan and its surrounding islands govern themselves as the "Republic of China" (ROC), under a constitution brought there by a former government of the Chinese mainland.

Sunday, December 30, 2018

All About South Ossetia's 2017 Name Change

South Ossetia (purple) and Abkhazia (green) within the claimed borders of Georgia. Click to enlarge. Map by ChrisO based on UN map of Georgia (public domain; source).

Adding "State of Alania"

At PolGeoNow we promise to inform our readers any time one of the world's countries changes its name, even if it's just a modification to the country's official long name, or a switch in the name's preferred English translation.

But there was one name change we missed out on reporting last year - depending on what you consider a "country".

In April 2017, people in the disputed Republic of South Ossetia voted to change the self-declared country's full name to "The Republic of South Ossetia – the State of Alania". The name change referendum reportedly passed with about 80% of valid votes in favor, though many countries strongly condemned the whole process, seeing it as part of an ongoing Russia-led attempt to steal the region away from Georgia (the country, not the US state).

Map: Which Countries Recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2018?

This is our new, completely redesigned map of which countries consider disputed South Ossetia and Abkhazia to be independent from Georgia. From now on, PolGeoNow will report on any changes to Abkhazian or South Ossetian recognition with updates to this map.

Map of what countries recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent from Georgia in December 2018. Includes Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru, new recognizer Syria, disputed or withdrawn recognitions from Tuvalu and Vanuatu, and unrecognized countries Transistria, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), and Western Sahara whose self-proclaimed governments also recognize the so-called Georgian breakaways.(Colorblind accessible)
Click to enlarge. By Evan Centanni, modified from public domain blank world map.
Contact us for permission to use this map.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Taiwan Loses "Recognition" from El Salvador (Map)

You can always find the latest version of this map, and a list of all related articles, on our Which Countries Recognize Taiwan? page.

Map of who recognizes Taiwan (what countries recognize the Republic of China) in August 2018. Marks countries that have cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan (withdrawn recognition) in the last ten years: El Salvador, Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Sao Tome and Principe, and the Gambia. Also answers question: Where is Republic of China located? (Colorblind accessible)
Click to enlarge. By Evan Centanni, modified from public domain blank world map.
Contact us for permission to use this map.

Tuesday, July 31, 2018