Countries of the World Overview

Study Notes

Developed countries: high-income economies with high Human Development Index (HDI) ratings, e.g. USA, Canada, Germany
Developing countries: low-income economies with low HDI ratings, e.g. India, Brazil, South Africa
Least Developed Countries (LDCs): poorest countries with lowest HDI ratings, e.g. Afghanistan, Nepal, Somalia

Asia: largest and most populous region, e.g. China, Japan, India
Africa: second-largest and second-most populous region, e.g. Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa
Europe: culturally and economically diverse region, e.g. Germany, UK, France
North America: economically developed region, e.g. USA, Canada, Mexico
South America: culturally and economically diverse region, e.g. Brazil, Argentina, Chile
Oceania: smallest region, e.g. Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea
Antarctica: no permanent residents, only research stations

Monarchies: kingdoms with a monarch as head of state, e.g. UK, Saudi Arabia, Thailand
Presidential systems: president serves as head of state and government, e.g. USA, France, Russia
Parliamentary systems: prime minister serves as head of government, e.g. UK, Germany, Australia
Authoritarian systems: government has complete control, e.g. China, North Korea, Cuba

Landlocked countries: countries without direct access to the ocean, e.g. Switzerland, Bolivia, Mongolia
Island nations: countries consisting of one or more islands, e.g. Japan, UK, Indonesia
Border disputes: countries with ongoing border conflicts, e.g. India-Pakistan, Israel-Palestine, North-South Korea

There are 196 countries recognized by the United Nations (UN), each with its own government, economy, and culture.

Developed countries have high-income economies and high Human Development Index (HDI) ratings, such as the USA, Canada, and Germany.
Developing countries have low-income economies and low HDI ratings, such as India, Brazil, and South Africa.
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are the poorest countries with the lowest HDI ratings, such as Afghanistan, Nepal, and Somalia.

Asia is the largest and most populous region, with countries like China, Japan, and India.
Africa is the second-largest and second-most populous region, with countries like Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Europe is a culturally and economically diverse region, with countries like Germany, the UK, and France.
North America is an economically developed region, with countries like the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
South America is a culturally and economically diverse region, with countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Oceania is the smallest region, with countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
Antarctica has no permanent residents, only research stations.

Monarchies are kingdoms with a monarch as head of state, such as the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.
Presidential systems have a president serving as head of state and government, such as the USA, France, and Russia.
Parliamentary systems have a prime minister serving as head of government, such as the UK, Germany, and Australia.
Authoritarian systems have a government with complete control, such as China, North Korea, and Cuba.

Landlocked countries have no direct access to the ocean, such as Switzerland, Bolivia, and Mongolia.
Island nations consist of one or more islands, such as Japan, the UK, and Indonesia.
Border disputes occur between countries with ongoing border conflicts, such as India-Pakistan, Israel-Palestine, and North-South Korea.