Economic Country Classification

Study Notes

Developed countries: high income, high standard of living, and advanced economy (e.g. USA, Canada, Japan)
Developing countries: low income, low standard of living, and growing economy (e.g. China, India, Brazil)
Least developed countries: very low income, low standard of living, and struggling economy (e.g. Afghanistan, Nepal, Somalia)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders
GDP per capita: average income per person in a country
Human Development Index (HDI): measures life expectancy, education, and income

Federal system: power divided between central government and regional governments (e.g. USA, Germany)
Unitary system: power held by central government (e.g. UK, France)
Confederation: alliance of states with limited central authority (e.g. EU, Switzerland)

Land borders: shared boundaries with neighboring countries
Maritime borders: boundaries at sea, often defined by international law
Border disputes: conflicts over border boundaries (e.g. Israel-Palestine, India-Pakistan)

Presidential system: president serves as head of state and government (e.g. USA, France)
Parliamentary system: prime minister serves as head of government, with a separate head of state (e.g. UK, Germany)
Authoritarian system: government has complete control, with limited individual rights (e.g. North Korea, China)

Countries are classified into three main categories: developed, developing, and least developed, based on their income, standard of living, and economy.
Developed countries have a high income, high standard of living, and an advanced economy, e.g. USA, Canada, and Japan.
Developing countries have a low income, low standard of living, and a growing economy, e.g. China, India, and Brazil.
Least developed countries have a very low income, low standard of living, and a struggling economy, e.g. Afghanistan, Nepal, and Somalia.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders.
GDP per capita is the average income per person in a country, providing a better understanding of the standard of living.
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a comprehensive measure of a country's development, considering life expectancy, education, and income.

A federal system divides power between the central government and regional governments, promoting regional autonomy, e.g. USA and Germany.
A unitary system concentrates power in the central government, with limited regional authority, e.g. UK and France.
A confederation is an alliance of states with limited central authority, often for specific purposes, e.g. EU and Switzerland.

Land borders are shared boundaries with neighboring countries, often with a clear demarcation.
Maritime borders are boundaries at sea, often defined by international law and treaties.
Border disputes arise from conflicts over border boundaries, e.g. Israel-Palestine and India-Pakistan disputes.

A presidential system features a president who serves as both head of state and government, e.g. USA and France.
A parliamentary system has a prime minister as head of government, with a separate head of state, often a ceremonial figure, e.g. UK and Germany.
An authoritarian system is characterized by a government with complete control, often limiting individual rights and freedoms, e.g. North Korea and China.