Political Geography
Political geography covers all aspects of boundaries, country, state, and nation development, international organizations, diplomacy, internal divisions, voting, and so much more. It's a fascinating topic.
Core and Periphery
The world can readily be divided into a core and periphery, with the core containing most of the wealth while the periphery contains most of the population. Read this article to learn about the core and periphery model of the world.
The world can readily be divided into a core and periphery, with the core containing most of the wealth while the periphery contains most of the population. Read this article to learn about the core and periphery model of the world.
Non-Countries Participating in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing
A listing of the non-countries with National Olympic Committees and thus participating in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
A listing of the non-countries with National Olympic Committees and thus participating in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Foreign Relations of Bhutan
An overview of the foreign relations of Bhutan, a small kingdom located in the Himalaya. Learn about Bhutan from your About.com Guide to Geography.
An overview of the foreign relations of Bhutan, a small kingdom located in the Himalaya. Learn about Bhutan from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Diplomatic and Foreign Relations of Israel
An overview of the foreign and diplomatic relations of Israel. Israel is recognized by over eighty percent of the countries on earth. Find out which countries do not recognize Israel.
An overview of the foreign and diplomatic relations of Israel. Israel is recognized by over eighty percent of the countries on earth. Find out which countries do not recognize Israel.
Embassy and Consulate - An Overview
A country's embassy or consulate is a diplomatic office in a foreign country where citizens and foreigners alike can interact with the host country on an official basis. Learn all about the function of the embassy or consulate.
A country's embassy or consulate is a diplomatic office in a foreign country where citizens and foreigners alike can interact with the host country on an official basis. Learn all about the function of the embassy or consulate.
United Nations Security Council
An overview and brief history of the United Nations Security Council, the most important body of the United Nations. Learn about the Security Council from your About.com Guide to Geography.
An overview and brief history of the United Nations Security Council, the most important body of the United Nations. Learn about the Security Council from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Territories
Your About.com Guide to Geography defines territories, colonies, and dependencies in relation to countries and political geography.
Your About.com Guide to Geography defines territories, colonies, and dependencies in relation to countries and political geography.
10 Most Unusual Borders
Your About.com expert Guide to Geography selects the ten most unusual international borders in the world and describes each border situation.
Your About.com expert Guide to Geography selects the ten most unusual international borders in the world and describes each border situation.
Compulsory Voting
For more than 80 years, Australia's compulsory voting system requires that people show up to their polling place on election day; this article explores compulsory voting from your About.com expert Guide to Geography.
For more than 80 years, Australia's compulsory voting system requires that people show up to their polling place on election day; this article explores compulsory voting from your About.com expert Guide to Geography.
Turkey in the European Union
The About.com Guide to Geography analyzes Turkey's possible membership in the European Union.
The About.com Guide to Geography analyzes Turkey's possible membership in the European Union.
Palestine is Not a Country
Discoer why Palestine nor the West Bank nor the Gaza Strip are independent countries, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Discoer why Palestine nor the West Bank nor the Gaza Strip are independent countries, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
World Cup Teams That Should Not Exist
Why England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and twenty-five other countries should not have their own football (soccer) teams, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Why England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and twenty-five other countries should not have their own football (soccer) teams, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
England is Not a Country
Your About.com Guide to Geography provides ample evidence to show that England is not a country (but the United Kingdom is).
Your About.com Guide to Geography provides ample evidence to show that England is not a country (but the United Kingdom is).
Commonwealth of Nations
A short history and the purpose of the British-led Commonwealth of Nations, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
A short history and the purpose of the British-led Commonwealth of Nations, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Sealand is Not a Country
Discover the reasons why the Principality of Sealand off the coast of England is no more independent than your own backyard.
Discover the reasons why the Principality of Sealand off the coast of England is no more independent than your own backyard.
Knights of Malta
Some claim that the Knights of Malta, also known as the Sovereign Military Order Of Malta, is the smallest country in the world but find out why it is not a country at all, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Some claim that the Knights of Malta, also known as the Sovereign Military Order Of Malta, is the smallest country in the world but find out why it is not a country at all, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
U.S. Boundary History
Track the growth of the United States across North America through the variety of treaties, purchases, wars, and Acts of Congress that made the U.S.A. what it is today.
Track the growth of the United States across North America through the variety of treaties, purchases, wars, and Acts of Congress that made the U.S.A. what it is today.
The Mason-Dixon Line
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Mason-Dixon line, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Mason-Dixon line, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Landlocked Countries
Approximately one-fifth of the world's countries are landlocked and have no access to the oceans; learn all about landlocked countries from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Approximately one-fifth of the world's countries are landlocked and have no access to the oceans; learn all about landlocked countries from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Neighboring Countries
Discover which countries have the most neighbors and which countries have the fewest neighbors, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Discover which countries have the most neighbors and which countries have the fewest neighbors, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Geopolitics
Learn about geopolitics, a dark era in geography when geography was utilized as a weapon of conquest, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Learn about geopolitics, a dark era in geography when geography was utilized as a weapon of conquest, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Former Yugoslavia
Learn about the former European country of Yugoslavia (1945-1992), now composed of Slovenia, Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Bosnia.
Learn about the former European country of Yugoslavia (1945-1992), now composed of Slovenia, Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Bosnia.
Fifty-Four Forty or Fight
The story of the boundary between the United States and Canada.
The story of the boundary between the United States and Canada.
Puerto Rico is Not a Country
Your Editor and Guide for Geography at About.com provides a plethora of reasons why the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico is not an independent country but simply a commonwealth and territory of the United States.
Your Editor and Guide for Geography at About.com provides a plethora of reasons why the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico is not an independent country but simply a commonwealth and territory of the United States.
Gerrymandering
Discover how gerrymandering makes the reapportionment and redistricting of congressional districts unfair.
Discover how gerrymandering makes the reapportionment and redistricting of congressional districts unfair.
Is Taiwan a Country?
A essay about whether Taiwan should be considered an country independent from mainland China.
A essay about whether Taiwan should be considered an country independent from mainland China.
Vatican City
A discussion of why the Vatican City (also known as the Holy See) should be considered to be an independent country.
A discussion of why the Vatican City (also known as the Holy See) should be considered to be an independent country.
Political Geography of the Oceans
The control and ownership of the oceans has long been a controversial topic. Since ancient empires began to sail and trade over the seas, command of coastal areas has been important to governments. However, it wasn't until the twentieth century that countries began to come together to discuss a standardization of maritime boundaries. Learn more about who owns the oceans.
The control and ownership of the oceans has long been a controversial topic. Since ancient empires began to sail and trade over the seas, command of coastal areas has been important to governments. However, it wasn't until the twentieth century that countries began to come together to discuss a standardization of maritime boundaries. Learn more about who owns the oceans.
Country Divisions
How different countries are divided into states, provinces, districts, regions, and territories.
How different countries are divided into states, provinces, districts, regions, and territories.
Scotland is Not a Country
Find out why Scotland does not meet the definition of a country since it fails on six of the eight criteria necessary for country or nation-state status.
Find out why Scotland does not meet the definition of a country since it fails on six of the eight criteria necessary for country or nation-state status.
Guano Island Act
Discover why the U.S.A. enacted a law called the Guano Island Act to annex islands around the world that contain bird droppings.
Discover why the U.S.A. enacted a law called the Guano Island Act to annex islands around the world that contain bird droppings.
Antarctica
Learn about the political geography of the world's coldest, windiest, driest, highest, and most remote continent.
Learn about the political geography of the world's coldest, windiest, driest, highest, and most remote continent.
The Average Country
Find out the area and population of an "average" country on the planet.
Find out the area and population of an "average" country on the planet.
Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 to Divide Africa
From November 1884 to February 1885, European countries met in Berlin to divide Africa among themselves to colonize the continent.
From November 1884 to February 1885, European countries met in Berlin to divide Africa among themselves to colonize the continent.
Chokepoints
The Strait of Hormuz, Panama Canal, and Dardanelles are some of the most important chokepoints in the world. Find out where they are and what makes a chokepoint so special.
The Strait of Hormuz, Panama Canal, and Dardanelles are some of the most important chokepoints in the world. Find out where they are and what makes a chokepoint so special.
Commonwealth of Nations
The British Commonwealth of Nations was founded in 1931 to tie together the former British Empire. Learn all about the history of this organization of former British protectorates.
The British Commonwealth of Nations was founded in 1931 to tie together the former British Empire. Learn all about the history of this organization of former British protectorates.
Compulsory Voting
Australia's 75-year-old compulsory voting system requires that people show up to their polling place on election day.
Australia's 75-year-old compulsory voting system requires that people show up to their polling place on election day.
Countries That Do Not Have Diplomatic Relations with the United States
Find out why there are eight countries that the U.S. does not have official diplomatic relatons with.
Find out why there are eight countries that the U.S. does not have official diplomatic relatons with.
Countries That No Longer Exist
Learn what happened to some of the places that were once countries, such as Tibet, Rhodesia, Siam, and others.
Learn what happened to some of the places that were once countries, such as Tibet, Rhodesia, Siam, and others.
The Fifth Ocean
The International Hydrographic Organization proposes a new fifth ocean - the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.
The International Hydrographic Organization proposes a new fifth ocean - the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.
Geopolitik
This pseudo-science gained much credibility in Nazi Germany.
This pseudo-science gained much credibility in Nazi Germany.
Gerrymandering
Find out how gerrymandering makes the reapportionment and redistricting of congressional districts unfair.
Find out how gerrymandering makes the reapportionment and redistricting of congressional districts unfair.
Guano Island Act
Discover why the United States enacted a law to annex islands around the world that contain bird droppings.
Discover why the United States enacted a law to annex islands around the world that contain bird droppings.
How Many Countries are in the World?
Find out the answer to this intriguing question.
Find out the answer to this intriguing question.
Internal Divisions of Countries
Discover how different countries are divided into states, provinces, districts, regions, and territories.
Discover how different countries are divided into states, provinces, districts, regions, and territories.
Island Boundaries and the International Date Line
Learn about one country's major modification of the International Date Line.
Learn about one country's major modification of the International Date Line.
Jerusalem: Unified City, Divided City, or International City?
What will happen to Jerusalem in the future? Will it remain unified under Israel, be split into two capitals, or become an international city governed by the United Nations?
What will happen to Jerusalem in the future? Will it remain unified under Israel, be split into two capitals, or become an international city governed by the United Nations?
The Kuril and Sakhalin Island Controversy
Find out why Russia and Japan still haven't signed a peace treaty ending World War II.
Find out why Russia and Japan still haven't signed a peace treaty ending World War II.
Largest Countries in Area
The ten largest countries in the world, in terms of area. In square miles and square kilometers.
The ten largest countries in the world, in terms of area. In square miles and square kilometers.
Law of the Sea
Discover who owns the oceans.
Discover who owns the oceans.
Membership Increase of the United Nations
A graph showing the regular increase in U.N. membership since 1945.
A graph showing the regular increase in U.N. membership since 1945.
Native and Local Country Names
Although English-speaking people call the Asian island country Japan, the Japanese call their own nation Nippon. This article provides the local names for the countries of the world.
Although English-speaking people call the Asian island country Japan, the Japanese call their own nation Nippon. This article provides the local names for the countries of the world.
Neighboring Countries
Find out which two countries border thirteen others and why two countries are called doubly-landlocked.
Find out which two countries border thirteen others and why two countries are called doubly-landlocked.
New Countries
Discover the impressive number of countries that have become independent all around the world since 1990.
Discover the impressive number of countries that have become independent all around the world since 1990.
Non-Members of the United Nations
Discover which two countries are not members of the international organization.
Discover which two countries are not members of the international organization.
The Pacific Rim and Economic Tigers
Learn about the integrated economies of countries around the Pacific Ocean and find out why they're called "economic tigers." Grrrr!
Learn about the integrated economies of countries around the Pacific Ocean and find out why they're called "economic tigers." Grrrr!
Refugees
There are 15 to 20 million people around the world who are refugees trying to escape persecution in their home countries. Learn about the geography of refugees.
There are 15 to 20 million people around the world who are refugees trying to escape persecution in their home countries. Learn about the geography of refugees.
Sea of Japan vs. East Sea
A letter writing campaign by a Korean student organization has resulted in many mapmakers naming the Sea of Japan the East Sea.
A letter writing campaign by a Korean student organization has resulted in many mapmakers naming the Sea of Japan the East Sea.
Sealand is Not a Country
Discover the reasons why the Principality of Sealand off the coast of England is no more independent than your own backyard.
Discover the reasons why the Principality of Sealand off the coast of England is no more independent than your own backyard.
The Shape of the State
The shape of a country can impact its geopolitical situation. Learn about the various categories of shapes for countries - compact, fragmented, elongated, perforated, and protruded.
The shape of a country can impact its geopolitical situation. Learn about the various categories of shapes for countries - compact, fragmented, elongated, perforated, and protruded.
The Sovereign Military Order Of Malta
Some consider the Knights of Malta to be an independent country but it is actually nothing more than an international organization. Discover its millennium-long history and why it's not really a country.
Some consider the Knights of Malta to be an independent country but it is actually nothing more than an international organization. Discover its millennium-long history and why it's not really a country.
State or Nation?
Discover what makes a place an independent country. Learn the difference between an independent State and a nation.
Discover what makes a place an independent country. Learn the difference between an independent State and a nation.
Which Congo is Zaire?
In May 1997, Zaire became the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but now there are two Congos!
In May 1997, Zaire became the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but now there are two Congos!
The World's Smallest Countries
Learn about the seventeen smallest countries in the world. These 17 countries combined are just a tad larger than the state of Rhode Island (the smallest in the U.S.A.)
Learn about the seventeen smallest countries in the world. These 17 countries combined are just a tad larger than the state of Rhode Island (the smallest in the U.S.A.)