The term "political map" is usually understood in two senses - in a narrow and broad sense. In a narrow sense, this is a cartographic publication that shows modern borders and their territories.

In a broad sense, the political map of the world is not only state borders countries plotted on a cartographic basis. It contains information about the history of the formation political systems and states, about the ratio of states in modern world, about the originality of regions and countries according to their political structure, about the influence of the location of countries on their political structure and economic development.

At the same time, the political map of the world is a historical category, since it reflects all changes in the political structure and borders of states that occur as a result of various historical events.

Changes on the political map can be:

• quantitative, in the case when the outlines of the country's borders change as a result of the annexation of lands, territorial losses or conquests, the cession or exchange of parts of the territory, the "recapture" of land from the sea, the unification or collapse of states;
• quality when we are talking about changes in the political structure or character international relations, for example, in the course of a change in historical formations, the acquisition of sovereignty by a country, the formation of international alliances, a change in the forms of government, the emergence or disappearance of hotbeds of international tension.

In its development, the political went through several historical periods:

• ancient period(until the 5th century AD), characterized by the development and collapse of the first states: Ancient, Carthage, Ancient, Ancient Rome.
• medieval period(V-XV centuries), characterized by overcoming the isolation of farms and regions, the desire of feudal states for territorial seizures, in connection with which large parts of the land were divided between the states of Kievan Rus, Byzantium, Muscovy, the Holy Roman Empire, England.
• new period(XV-XVI centuries), characterized by the beginning of European colonial expansion.
• Newest period(since the beginning of the 20th century), characterized by the end of the First World War and the redivision of the world, which was practically completed by the beginning of the 20th century.

The most significant historical events of the 20th century make it possible to single out the main stages in the formation of the political map of the world in the recent period.

1. The first half of the 20th century (until the end of the 40s) was marked by two major events- First World War and October Revolution in Russia. As a result of these events has changed significantly.
2. The 40-50s were marked primarily by the end of the Second World War, which, in turn, led to the formation of the world socialist system and the unification of the socialist countries in Europe and the split into the GDR,
3. The 60-80s are characterized by:

• the collapse of the world colonial system and the choice of orientation of the countries of the "third world";
• the emergence of a socialist state in the Western Hemisphere - - Caribbean crisis;
• exacerbation of the struggle of the world systems of capitalism - the intensification of the nuclear arms race and " cold war».

4. 90s - the current stage of international relations. The current stage of international relations is characterized by two main features:

1.The crisis of the world socialist system.

This crisis led to great territorial changes on the political map. First of all, this is the collapse of the USSR and the formation of 15 new independent states (Russia, Tajikistan). Most of them (except for the Baltic countries) united into the Commonwealth of Independent States ().

In addition, the federal state of Czechoslovakia disintegrated into two sovereign states: and; reunification of the two German states; decay Federal Republic Yugoslavia into independent states:, Yugoslavia (as part of and). The political situation in the territory of the former Yugoslavia remains tense, recent times aggravated by the national conflict in the province of Kosovo, populated.

The crisis of the world socialist system has led to profound socio-economic transformations that have qualitatively changed the political map of the world. Most of the countries of the so-called socialist camp are returning to a market economy. This is , . Only four states are still considered socialist -, Cuba, and. However, in these countries too, significant shifts are taking place both in the economy and in politics. The collapse of the world socialist system led to the cessation in 1991 of the activities of the Warsaw Pact Organization and the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance.

2. Transition from confrontation to mutual understanding and cooperation between countries- peculiarity modern stage international relations. This contributed to the formation of new and changing the role of existing interstate political and political-economic organizations. The role of the United Nations in defusing international tension has increased significantly (). The UN Security Council takes decisive decisions on the settlement of international conflicts, sending groups of observers and UN forces (“blue helmets”) to maintain peace in conflict areas when opposing sides not ready for their peaceful resolution. Many international conflicts can be resolved through peaceful negotiations.

However, despite the positive shifts in the easing of international tension, many regional conflicts remain. Since the Second World War, the Persian Gulf has also been a “hot spot”. Regional conflicts on (Chechnya, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh), on the border and, and many others have not been resolved.

Experts predict that in the near future the political map of the world will undergo major changes. The trend towards an increase in the number of states based on ethnic principles continues. At the same time, state borders that do not correspond to the nations living within them will lose their significance. On the other hand, even more important role international political alliances will play.

The stages of the formation of the political map of the world are a very complex and long process, divided into certain periods. It began already when the first states began to appear. The changes never stopped. They will continue as long as there is a person. In order to make it easier to navigate, scientists have divided the formation of the political map of the world into stages.

Classification of changes

Each state has certain criteria. They include political regime, economy, development history, geographical position and other. The stages of formation of the political map of the world depend on many factors. Depending on this, the changes are divided into 2 types.

quantitative. In this case, the territory of the state changes. These changes are associated with different historical events, wars, exchanges of territories, disintegrations and unifications of countries. An unusual example is the artificial islands in the United Arab Emirates.

quality. If previous changes are associated with an increase or decrease in area, then these depend more on the political situation. Qualitative changes they call cases when a country acquires or loses sovereignty, gets rid of internal conflicts ( civil war), leaves or enters any international unions, changes political system.

What is a political map

Geography, like any other science, is divided into many sections. Each of them needs their own cards. Political geography studies the borders of all countries, their political system and internal structure. Any changes are the object of her attention: formations and disintegrations, regime change and much more. All these moments are displayed on the political map.

Division into stages

From school course everyone knows that history is divided into certain periods. To date, scientists distinguish only 4 stages of the formation of the political map of the world: ancient, medieval, new and latest.

Each of them has its own characteristics. They are connected with world progress. The faster man and society developed, the shorter the time intervals between them became.

ancient period

The largest in the history of mankind. It begins from the moment when the first states in the world appeared. Its end comes in the 5th century AD. But this is true for the European world. Other cultures have their own classification. For example, the ancient stage in East Asia ends as early as the 2nd century BC. In America, it is associated with the discovery of the continent by Europeans and the beginning of its development.

The most significant event was the emergence of the first great states. They originated in the territory of the Two Rivers, ancient egypt and ancient India. Most scientists believe that they began to form at the end of the 4th millennium BC. In East Asia, the first state was Ancient China. It arose at the end of the 3rd millennium BC.

It was during this period of history that the foundations of the state were developed. In those days they relied on slavery. Also, the period is famous for its instability, as some wars were constantly fought. Large states seized smaller ones in order to turn them into their provinces.

One of the most significant in that period was the Roman Empire. This is the only state in all periods of history that owned the entire coast mediterranean sea. The boundaries of the Roman Empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Caspian Sea in the east.

Middle Ages

One of the darkest periods in human history. Constantly associated with changes on the political map of the world. The beginning of the medieval period is considered to be the era after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire (476). It lasted until the 17th century.

The basis of the medieval state is feudalism. During this era, such states as Byzantium, Kievan Rus, Golden Horde, Arab Caliphate. Almost all of modern Europe was divided among other countries.

Certain processes are characteristic of the Middle Ages. Actively developing Agriculture and crafts. The foundations of market relations are being laid. There is a strengthening of the role of the church in the life of the country.

Due to the weakening of the central government, feudal fragmentation began. The big landowners were almost autonomous life. They held all branches of government in their hands. The medieval political map consisted of separate small and large territories belonging to specific lords (feudal lords). They were passed down through generations. Traditionally, the center was a castle or estate in which the feudal lord lived.

new period

In the 17th century, humanistic ideas began to strengthen in society. A change in worldview led to the Renaissance. To show such changes, scientists decided to call this period New. The center was no longer God, but man.

One of the important factors that influenced the geography of Europe was the creation of strong centralized states. Spain can serve as an example. Holding power in the hands of a single monarch made it possible for the country to achieve considerable results.

A characteristic feature of this period are the great geographical discoveries. They helped not only the development of navigation, cartography, but also the emergence of a new system - the colonial one. The impetus for the beginning of a new era of great geographical discoveries was the capture of the Eastern Roman Empire by the Turks. After the Muslims blocked the way to India, the Europeans had to look for new ways to get to the riches of the East.

The year 1492 was very significant and led to great changes on the political map of the world. The so-called New World has been discovered. The development of America lasted several centuries - from the very discovery of the continent until the end of the 18th century. During this time, many blank spots were filled, which then flaunted on the maps.

The processes of reformation and counter-reformation were also important. Large religious masses opposed the moral decay of the church. Protestantism influenced many moments in the life of society. Thanks to him, science began to develop faster. He rendered big influence and on politics.

A significant event for England and all of Europe was the famous English Revolution of the 17th century. She changed the political system of this country. After its completion, it was installed a constitutional monarchy, which replaced the absolute. Now the rights of the king were more limited. Parliament regulated them. This event served as the basis for the start of the industrial revolution and the emergence of capitalist relations.

Newest period

One of the most interesting, since humanity still lives in it. This period began at the end of the First World War. It continues to this day. The 20th century is filled with many changes that have affected the political map of the whole world. The latest period can be divided into 3 stages.

First

A characteristic feature of it was the collapse of centuries-old empires - the Russian and Austro-Hungarian. Thanks to their disintegration, many enslaved nations up to this time got a chance to create their own state. Therefore, soon Poland, Estonia, Finland, Czechoslovakia appeared on the maps. Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan declared their independence. But it did not last long, as the communists established their power there with the help of military occupation. On the ruins of the old Russian Empire a new state was created - the USSR.

Second

This stage is associated with the Second World War. After the defeat of Germany, her colonial possessions passed to other countries. Trying to impose their vision, the US and the USSR occupied some states. The world was divided into 2 rival camps - communist and capitalist. Many colonial countries declared their independence.

The third

Associated with the destruction of the communist system. Germany was reunited, and the countries of the socialist camp disintegrated. An important step was the end of the Cold War and the transition to the commonwealth.

The era, later called the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, began at the end of the 15th century; in fact, it was a period of economic and political development of new lands by Europeans. Then the reconquista - the liberation of the Iberian Peninsula from the Arab conquest, could not stop, and grew into a conquista - the conquest of new lands.

In 1415, the Portuguese captured the first overseas territory - the city of Ceuta on the coast of modern Morocco (today - a city under the control of Spain), a rich port, the end point of the trans-Saharan trade route. Gold purchased by Arab merchants in exchange for fabrics and salt was brought to Ceuta. The riches of Ceuta stimulated the search for new treasures in West Africa.

There were two ways to get to them. The first lay across the Sahara, where heat, sands, lack of water, and warlike tribes of nomads lay in wait for the invaders. The second way - sea - was more preferable. This was facilitated by the success of the Portuguese in navigation, navigation, and shipbuilding.

By 1425, the Portuguese had reached Cape Green, the westernmost tip of Africa. In addition to purely economic goals, they were interested in searching for the proposed western tributary of the Nile, which was supposed to flow into Atlantic Ocean. Another important reason for the expeditions was the search for the Christian king-priest John, who allegedly sent a letter to the Pope asking for help from an unknown eastern country.

Actually, the economic development and political domination of Europeans in Africa was preceded by exploration of the coasts and hinterlands of the mainland. At the end of the XV century. to sail along the coast West Africa the Spaniards set in, reaching the mouth of the Congo River, and then to the mouth of the Great Fish River in southern Africa. During these expeditions, astronomical research was carried out, observations of the weather, flora and fauna were made, the coast was mapped, and the life of the tribes of the coastal strip was studied.

In 1652, 90 Dutch landed in Table Bay and began building Cape Town as a stopping point on their way to India.

To early XVII in. Africa was mostly discovered by Europeans. On the maps of that time, the outlines of the mainland already almost corresponded to modern ones, but the hinterland remained terra incognita (“unknown land”) for more than a century. The vague ideas of Europeans about Africa are evidenced by geographic Maps, in which most of the continent is occupied by scenes of battles of one-eyed cyclops with people. This, however, did not prevent the development of an intensive slave trade.

Europeans did not find centralized states in Africa, as, for example, in Latin America. Before the arrival of Europeans, separate feudal states existed in Africa: in West Africa - Kano and Katsina, Mali, Songhai; in East Africa, Aksum; in the South-Eastern - Monomotapa. Some of them were fabulously wealthy and played a significant role in the world politics and economy of the Middle Ages. However, by the time the Europeans arrived, these states were experiencing a period of feudal fragmentation and could not resist the Europeans. Many of them fell apart due to civil strife even before the arrival of the colonialists.

Stages of formation of the political map of Africa. The modern political map of Africa was formed mainly under the influence of European colonization and decolonization.

In 1885, the spheres of influence in Africa were divided according to the decisions of the Berlin Conference. By the beginning of the XX century. 90% of the territory of the continent was in the possession of European powers. French colonies located mainly in Western and Central Africa (about 38% of the continent): Algeria, coastal regions of Somalia, Comoros, Madagascar, Western Sahara, Tunisia, French West Africa, French Congo. Eastern Sahara was also a sphere of French influence.

British colonies(about 30% of the continent's area) were located mainly in East Africa, Great Britain tried to control the entire space "from Cairo to Cape Town": Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Basutoland, Bechuanaland, British East Africa, British Central Africa, Ascension Island, Gambia, Egypt, Zanzibar and Pemba, Gold Coast, Cape Colony, Libyan Desert, Mauritius, Natal, Nigeria, Rhodesia, St. Helena, Seychelles, British Somalia, Sierra Leone, Tristan da Cunha, Uganda.

Portugal, despite the fact that she was the first to start colonization, only Angola, the Azores, Portuguese Guinea, the Cape Verde Islands, Madeira, Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique belonged.

Germany(before its defeat in the First World War) belonged to the territory of the modern states of Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, Togo, Ghana and Cameroon; Belgium- Zaire. Eritrea and part of Somalia were possessions Italy. Spain belonged to Spanish Guinea (Rio Muni), the Canary Islands, Presidios, Rio de Oro with Ifini.

In 1822, freed slaves from the United States were settled on the lands purchased by the American Colonization Society from local leaders, and in 1847 the Republic of Liberia was formed on this territory.

By the beginning of the 50s. 20th century there were only four legally independent states on the continent - Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, South Africa. The collapse of the colonial system began in the north of the continent. In 1951, Libya became independent, in 1956 - Morocco, Tunisia and Sudan. In 1957-1958. Ghana and Guinea gained independence.

In 1960, which went down in history as the "Year of Africa", 17 colonies achieved independence. In the mid 70s. 20th century All Portuguese colonies gained independence.

Namibia gained independence in 1990.

In 1993, after 30 years of struggle for self-determination, a new sovereign state appeared on the map of Africa - Eritrea (formerly a province of Ethiopia).

Forms of government and government. At the beginning of the XXI century. There were about 60 states and territories in Africa. Most of them - unitary republics. Federal republics- Nigeria, South Africa, Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros, Ethiopia.

Monarchies- Lesotho, Morocco, Swaziland.

Non-Self-Governing Territories- Reunion Island (French overseas department), Mayotte Island (territorial administrative unit of France), St. Helena (UK colony), Ceuta and Melilla (Spanish possessions), Western Sahara.

Independent member states of the Commonwealth- Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe (deleted in 2002), Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique (adopted in 1995), Namibia, Nigeria, Swaziland, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, South Africa.

The main events of the XX century.

1902- As a result of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), the former Boer republics of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic of the Transvaal became the British colonies of the Orange Republic and the Transvaal.

1904- the so-called "cordial agreement" between France and Great Britain was concluded: Great Britain recognized France's rights to Morocco, ceded to France part of the territory in the Gambia River region and the border areas between the English and French colonies in Eastern Nigeria.

1906- the division of Abyssinia (modern Ethiopia) into spheres of influence: the north-western and western parts went to Great Britain; Italy - the northern part and territories west of Addis Ababa; France - areas adjacent to French Somalia.

Consolidation of the British possessions of Lagos and Southern Nigeria into the colony of Southern Nigeria.

1907- The British protectorate of Nyasaland (since 1893 it was called British Central Africa) adopted its former name.

1908- The French possession of the Comoros is included in the colony of Madagascar.

The Belgian Parliament declared the Congo Free State a colony of the Belgian Congo. In 1885-1908. Kongo was considered the personal possession of King Leopold II, who ruled it alone.

1910- the formation of the Union of South Africa (SA) as part of the British possessions: the Cape Colony, the colonies of Natal, Transvaal and the Orange Republic. South Africa received the status of a dominion of the British Empire.

French Congo renamed French Equatorial Africa.

1911- France transferred to Germany part of French Equatorial Africa (275 thousand km 2) as compensation for the establishment of a French protectorate in Morocco.

1912- Morocco declared a protectorate of France. The Spanish protectorate zone consisted of two parts in the north and south of Morocco. A “special regime” has been established in the city of Tangier and in the adjacent territories.

On the property Ottoman Empire Tripolitania and Cyrenaica formed the colony of Italian Libya.

1914- An English protectorate was established over Egypt (occupied by Great Britain in 1882, but considered a province of the Ottoman Empire). The unification of the British possessions of Northern and Southern Nigeria into a single Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.

Partition of the French Sudan colony, formation of the colony of Upper Volta as part of French West Africa.

Changes on the political map of Africa after the First World War associated with the loss of Germany's colonies and their transfer under the mandate of the League of Nations to the victorious powers. Great Britain transferred part of German East Africa - Tanganyika. Togoland and Cameroon (West Africa) were divided between France (Togo and East Cameroon) and Britain (Ghana and West Cameroon). South Africa was transferred to German South-West Africa (Namibia), Belgium - part of German East Africa (the territory of Ruanda-Urundi), Portugal - the "Kionga Triangle" (part of German East Africa in the Ruvuma River near the borders of Mozambique).

1920- part of British East Africa became known as the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya.

1921- formation of the Rif Republic (northern part of Spanish Morocco); defeated in 1926 by the combined forces of Spain and France.

1922- the abolition of the British protectorate over Egypt, the declaration of Egypt as an independent kingdom.

Formation of the Niger colony in French West Africa. The British possession of Ascension Island is included in the colony of St. Helena.

1923- The city of Tangier and its surrounding areas are declared an international zone.

1924- the transfer by Great Britain of part of Kenya (Jubaland) under the control of Italy.

The actual liquidation of the condominium (joint management) over the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, the establishment of the exclusive authority of Great Britain.

1932- Accession of the French colony of Upper Volta to the colony of the Ivory Coast.

Changes on the political map of Africa after the Second World War

1935- Italian capture of Ethiopia. The unification of Eritrea, Italian Somalia and captured Ethiopia into the colony of Italian East Africa.

1941- the liberation by the troops of the allies of Ethiopia and the return of her independence.

1945- French Sudan received the status of an overseas territory of France.

1946- The French government passed a law granting the status of overseas departments to the colonies, including Reunion, French Somalia.

The status of trust territories was given to the former mandated territories (colonies of Germany transferred after the First World War to the victorious powers).

The Comoros, previously administratively united with Madagascar, became an independent administrative unit (colony of France).

1949- South West Africa (Namibia) is included in the territory of the Union of South Africa.

1950- transfer of Somalia (formerly a UN Trust Territory) under the control of Italy for a period of 10 years.

1951- Declaration of Independence of the Kingdom of Libya.

Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe have been granted the status of overseas provinces of Portugal.

1952- the overthrow of the monarchy in Egypt (in 1953 a republic was proclaimed).

The UN decision on the accession of the former Italian colony of Eritrea to Ethiopia as an autonomous state. Establishment of the Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

1953- formation of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland from three English possessions- Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland (disbanded in 1964). The Federation became part of the Commonwealth.

1956- the independence of the Republic of Sudan (formerly an Anglo-Egyptian possession, then a colony of Great Britain) and the French zone in Morocco was proclaimed, the formation of the Kingdom of Morocco. The Spanish-Moroccan declaration was signed on the independence of Spanish Morocco and its accession to the Kingdom of Morocco.

The abolition of the French protectorate over Tunisia, the formation of the Kingdom of Tunisia (since 1957 - a republic).

Announcement of French Togo autonomous republic within the French Union.

1957- the independence of the British colony of the Gold Coast was proclaimed, the state of Ghana was formed (since 1960 - a republic).

The international zone of Tangier became part of Morocco.

1958- Ifni and Spanish Sahara (formerly part of Spanish West Africa) were given the status of Spanish provinces and declared integral part Spain (now Ifni - administrative District in Marocco).

Creation of the United Arab Republic, including Egypt and Syria (Syria withdrew from the UAR in 1961).

French Guinea granted independence, Republic of Guinea formed.

The status of the republics-members of the French Union received: Ivory Coast, Upper Volta, Dahomey, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, French Sudan (formerly - as part of the Middle Congo, Equatorial Africa), Gabon, Middle Congo, Ubangi-Shari, Chad (formerly - French Equatorial Africa), Madagascar. The middle Congo was renamed the Republic of the Congo, Ubangi-Shari - Central Africa, French Somalia received the status of an overseas territory.

1959- Equatorial Guinea became an overseas province of Spain.

1960- the former French colonies gained independence and were proclaimed republics: Togo (formerly a UN Trust Territory under France), the Federation of Mali as part of Senegal and French Sudan, the Malagasy Republic (Republic of Madagascar), Dahomey (Benin), Niger, Upper Volta (Burkina- Faso), Ivory Coast (Ivory Coast), Chad, Central Africa (CAR), Republic of the Congo, Mauritania, Gabon, Republic of Somalia (former British Protectorate of Somalia and Italian Trust Territory of Somalia reunited).

The English colonies of Nigeria and British Somalia gained independence; colony of Belgium - Congo (Zaire, since 1997 - Democratic Republic of the Congo); Cameroon (trust territory administered by France and the United Kingdom). There was a split in the Federation of Mali, the proclamation of the independence of Senegal and Mali.

1961- As a result of the referendum, the southern part of Western Cameroon joined Cameroon, and the northern part joined Nigeria.

Formation of the Federal Republic of Cameroon as part of East and West Cameroon.

The Comoros was granted the status of an overseas territory of France. Declaration of independence of Sierra Leone, Tanganyika.

1962- The independence of the Kingdom of Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Algeria was proclaimed.

1963- introduced internal self-government in the Gambia, Kenya, Nyasaland; Kenya granted independence.

Granted independence to the Sultanate of Zanzibar (formerly a colony of Great Britain).

1964- Granted the independence of Zambia (a state within the Commonwealth), Malawi (Nyasaland).

Unification of Tanganyika and Zanzibar into the United Republic of Tanzania. Introduced local self-government in Equatorial Guinea.

1965- declaration of independence of the Gambia (since 1970 - a republic). The islands of Aldabra, Farquhar and others were torn away from the Seychelles colony by Great Britain, which, together with the Chagos archipelago, became "British territory in the Indian Ocean."

1966- Granted independence to Botswana (formerly the British protectorate Bechuanaland), Lesotho (formerly the British protectorate Basutoland).

The overthrow of the monarchy in Burundi, the proclamation of the republic.

1967- The French Coast of Somalia (Overseas Territory of France) became known as the French Territory of the Afars and Issas.

1968- The Comoros received internal self-government (formerly an overseas territory of France).

Independence was granted to Mauritius (formally the head of state is the Queen of England, represented by the Governor General), Swaziland, Equatorial Guinea.

1972- The Portuguese colonies of Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe received the rights of local autonomy, Mozambique - the rights of the state. Formation of the unitary United Republic of Cameroon (since 1984 - the Republic of Cameroon).

1973 Guinea-Bissau granted independence.

1974- the fall of the monarchy in Ethiopia, the proclamation of the republic.

1975- Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe gained independence.

1976- Spain transferred Western Sahara under the control of Morocco and Mauritania, which divided it among themselves. The Polisario Front proclaimed the creation of the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara).

Independence was granted to the Seychelles, the territories seized in 1965 by Great Britain were returned.

The "independence" of the puppet nation-states - South African bantustans, not recognized by the international community, was proclaimed: Transkei (1976), Bophuthatswana (1977), Venda (1979), Ciskei (1981).

The Central African Republic is transformed into an empire (the republic was restored in 1979).

1977- Declaration of Independence of Djibouti (formerly the French Territory of the Afars and Issas).

1980- Declaration of Independence of Zimbabwe.

1981- creation of the Senegambia confederation as part of Senegal and the Gambia (disintegrated in 1989).

1990- Declaration of Independence of Namibia.

1993- the separation of Eritrea from Ethiopia as a result of a referendum and the proclamation of an independent state of Eritrea.

1997- Renaming Zaire to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 1998 - change in the form of government of Ethiopia (became a federal republic).

Territorial disputes and ethnic conflicts. Today's state borders in Africa are the result of the policy of European powers. The colonial division and borders in Africa were approved by the mother countries at the Berlin Conference of 1885.

The causes of modern border conflicts in Africa are associated with the recognition (or non-recognition) by modern states of the borders drawn during the colonial period by agreement between the mother countries. The borders were drawn without taking into account the areas of tribal settlement: 44% of state borders run along meridians and parallels, 30% - along geometric boundaries - rivers, lakes, sparsely populated areas. African borders cut through 177 cultural regions, this is especially felt where the borders impede the usual ways of migration of people to markets and agricultural land. For example, the border of Nigeria and Cameroon cuts the areas of settlement of 14 tribes, and the border of Burkina Faso - 21.

This leads to frequent border conflicts. However, the colonial borders will remain the same for a long time, since the revision of them in one place will lead to a chain of conflicts throughout the continent. In addition, the borders that pass through deserted and sparsely populated areas are not actually demarcated. With the economic development of these territories, and especially if mineral reserves are discovered there, neighboring countries will put forward claims to disputed areas (for example, the dispute between Libya and Chad over the Oazu border strip).

Border problems are also connected with the general poverty and economic backwardness of the neighboring countries. In fact, many borders are not guarded, and residents of border villages still continue to visit relatives, violating state borders. A special place in the border problems is occupied by nomadic tribes, moving after seasonal precipitation, regardless of state borders. African borders are almost unhindered by the starving, ethnic groups who are persecuted in their countries, economic and labor migrants (from poor to rich countries), partisans.

The modern political map is largely a reflection of the thousand-year history of human civilization.

In the ancient period, such countries as Egypt, Babylonia, Greece, India, China, and later the Roman Empire played a decisive role in the development of human civilization. Within the boundaries of modern Ukraine in this period was the Bosporan kingdom, the Scythian state.

The decline and collapse of the Roman and Parthian empires (V-VII centuries) begin the medieval period of the formation of the political map of the world.

The era of the great geographical discoveries, the emergence of the first democracies (XV-XVI centuries) marks the beginning of a new period in the formation of the political map.

Especially great changes took place in the XIX-beginning of the XX century. Total sovereign countries per the globe in 1900 there were 55. Completion of the full

division of the world at the beginning of the 20th century. also marked the end of a new period in the formation of the political map.

The defining events of the first stage (1914-1939) of the newest period were the emergence of a whole group of independent countries, as well as the split of the world into two systems according to an ideological principle. Thus, such states as Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Finland, Lithuania appeared on the political map of Europe, for a short time Ukrainian People's Republic etc. In total in 1939 there were 71 sovereigns per country. The split of the world consisted in the fact that after the end of the First World War, a huge state was formed with a totalitarian regime and a command-administrative type of economy - the USSR.

The end of the Second World War (1939-1945) The countdown of the second stage of a new period in the formation of the political map of the world began. As a result of the war alone, which led to significant territorial changes, in 1947 the number of states increased by 10 in comparison with the pre-war period.

A characteristic feature of the second stage was the creation of socialist countries in Europe and Asia. An economic rivalry began between the two systems, an ideological and political struggle for spheres of influence flared up, which went down in history as the Cold War.

The defining feature of the second stage of the new period of formation of the political map of the world was that dozens of countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean in the 1950s-1960s. They proclaimed independence, freeing themselves from colonial oppression. In the early 1960s The huge colonial system practically ceased to exist. In 1962 there were already 127 states in the world.

In the early 1990s the third stage of the newest period of formation of the political map of the world began. It was marked by the end of the Cold War, the unification of Germany in single state. Its most important result was the emergence of almost 20 new nation-states.

Typology of countries

If the classification of countries, like any other geographical objects, is carried out mainly according to one quantitative attribute, then the typology involves their grouping according to several stable qualitative characteristics. Such can be considered the type economic system, the level of socio-economic development, the political regime, etc.

Since the early 1990s Significant transformations have taken place in the former socialist countries, and therefore most of them (with the exception of Cuba and North Korea) could be called post-socialist. There are 33 of all sovereign post-socialist and socialist countries today. Taking into account the differences in the emergence and organization state power, they are divided into two subtypes: post-socialist and socialist (18) and post-Soviet (15).

The first group includes Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Mongolia, China, North Korea, Vietnam, Cuba.

The second subtype includes countries that emerged during the collapse of the USSR: Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan.

Modern typologies suggest dividing countries into two main types: economically developed countries and developing countries.

52 countries belong to economically developed countries. First of all, these are highly developed states with a market economy (24 in Europe - Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Ireland,

UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Monaco, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Andorra, Spain, Portugal, Italy, San Marino, Vatican City, Malta, Greece; two in Asia - Israel, Japan; two in America - USA and Canada; one in Africa - South Africa; Australia and New Zealand).

A special role among the market countries is played by the G7 countries (USA, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy and Canada), which account for the majority of world production, and political events in the world also largely depend on them.

Countries such as Israel, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand are called countries of "settlement capital".

Developing countries include 142 other states, of which three are post-socialist in Europe (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova), in Asia - 42, Africa - 52, Latin America - 33, Oceania - 12. There are also significant differences between them in socio-economic development.

Among the developing countries, the group of newly industrialized countries, the "Asian Tigers * ( South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, as well as a city with a special status in China - Hong Kong) and Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Venezuela, Uruguay). Oil-exporting countries are noted for high incomes - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, etc.

Among other typologies, the division according to the degree of development of society is interesting. Countries are divided into pre-industrial, industrial and post-industrial.

The first group consists of developing ones, but they are still dominated by pre-industrial elements of production. The second group includes countries with a well-developed heavy industry (the post-socialist countries of Europe and the newly industrialized countries). Post-industrial days are the majority of states with a developed market economy, where a significant part of the economically active population is employed in the service sector, and computerization has penetrated into all spheres of society.