Country Classification and Systems

Country Classification

• Developed countries: high-income economies with high Human Development Index (HDI) ratings
  • Examples: USA, UK, Canada, Japan
• Developing countries: low- to middle-income economies with lower HDI ratings
  • Examples: Brazil, China, India, South Africa
• Least Developed Countries (LDCs): poor economies with low HDI ratings and limited economic resources
  • Examples: Afghanistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Mozambique

Country Systems

• Unitary systems: central government holds most power
  • Examples: France, UK, China
• Federal systems: power divided between central and regional governments
  • Examples: USA, Canada, Germany
• Confederation systems: loose alliance of states with limited central authority
  • Examples: European Union, African Union

Country Borders

• Land borders: shared borders with neighboring countries
• Maritime borders: borders with the ocean or seas
• Border disputes: conflicts over border demarcations or territories
  • Examples: Israel-Palestine, India-Pakistan, North Korea-South Korea

Country Capitals

• National capital: seat of government and administration
• De facto capital: city where government is actually located (may differ from national capital)
  • Example: Benin (national capital) vs. Porto-Novo (de facto capital)
• Administrative capital: city where government agencies are located
  • Example: South Africa (Pretoria, administrative capital, vs. Cape Town, legislative capital)

Country Membership

• United Nations (UN) member states: 193 countries
• European Union (EU) member states: 27 countries
• Commonwealth of Nations member states: 54 countries
• G20 member countries: 20 major economies

Country Classification

• Countries are classified based on their economy and Human Development Index (HDI) ratings
• Developed countries have high-income economies and high HDI ratings
  • Examples: USA, UK, Canada, Japan
• Developing countries have low- to middle-income economies and lower HDI ratings
  • Examples: Brazil, China, India, South Africa
• Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have poor economies, low HDI ratings, and limited economic resources
  • Examples: Afghanistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Mozambique

Country Systems

• Country systems can be unitary, federal, or confederation systems
• Unitary systems have a central government that holds most power
  • Examples: France, UK, China
• Federal systems have power divided between central and regional governments
  • Examples: USA, Canada, Germany
• Confederation systems have a loose alliance of states with limited central authority
  • Examples: European Union, African Union

Country Borders

• Country borders can be land borders or maritime borders
• Land borders are shared borders with neighboring countries
• Maritime borders are borders with the ocean or seas
• Border disputes are conflicts over border demarcations or territories
  • Examples: Israel-Palestine, India-Pakistan, North Korea-South Korea

Country Capitals

• A country can have a national capital, de facto capital, or administrative capital
• National capital is the seat of government and administration
• De facto capital is the city where the government is actually located (may differ from national capital)
  • Example: Benin (national capital) vs. Porto-Novo (de facto capital)
• Administrative capital is the city where government agencies are located
  • Example: South Africa (Pretoria, administrative capital, vs. Cape Town, legislative capital)

Country Membership

• Countries can be members of international organizations
• United Nations (UN) has 193 member states
• European Union (EU) has 27 member states
• Commonwealth of Nations has 54 member states
• G20 has 20 member countries, which are major economies

Test your knowledge of country classification and systems, including developed countries, developing countries, and least developed countries, as well as unitary and federal systems.