Classification and typology of countries of the world

The modern world is very large and diverse. If you look at the political map of our planet, you can count 230 countries that are very different from each other. Some of them have a very large territory and occupy, if not the whole, then half of the continent, while others may be smaller in size than the largest cities in the world. In some countries, the population is multinational; in others, all people have local roots. Some territories are rich in fossils, others have to do without natural resources. Each of them is unique and has its own characteristics, but scientists still managed to identify common features that could unite states into groups. So the typology of the countries of the modern world was created.

The concept of types

As you know, development is a very ambiguous process that can proceed very differently, depending on the conditions that affect it. This is what determines the typology of the countries of the world. Each of them experienced certain historical events that directly influenced its evolution. But there is a group of indicators that can often be found in approximately the same set of other territorial associations. Based on such similarities, a typology of the countries of the modern world is built.

But such a classification cannot be based on only one or two criteria, therefore, scientists are doing a great job of collecting data. Based on this analysis, a group of similarities that connect similar countries is determined.

Variety of typologies

The indicators that researchers find cannot be combined into only one group, since they relate to different areas of life. Therefore, the typology of the countries of the world is based on different criteria, which led to the emergence of many classifications that depend on the selected factor. Some of them evaluate economic development, others - political and historical aspects. There are those that are built on the standard of living of citizens or on the geographical location of the territory. Time can also make adjustments, and the basic typologies of the countries of the world can change. Some of them become obsolete, others only appear.

For example, over the course of a century, the division of the economic structure of the world into capitalist (market relations) and socialist (planned economies) countries has been quite relevant. In this case, the former colonies, which gained independence and stood at the beginning of the development path, were a separate group. But over the past few decades, events have occurred that have shown that the socialist economy has outlived itself, although it still remains the main one in several countries. Therefore, this typology was pushed into the background.

Value

The value of the division of states from the point of view of science is quite understandable. Since this gives scientists the opportunity to build their research, which could indicate developmental errors and ways to avoid others. But the typology of the countries of the world has enormous practical value. For example, the UN, one of the most famous organizations in Europe and the whole world, is developing a strategy of financial support for the weakest and most vulnerable states based on the classification.

The division is also carried out in order to calculate the risks that may affect the development of the economy as a whole. This helps to more accurately determine the financial growth and interaction of all parties in the market. Therefore, this is not only theoretically important, but also an applied task, which is taken very seriously at the world level.

Typology of countries in terms of economic development. Type I

The most common and often used is the classification of states by socio-economic level of development. Based on this criterion, two types are distinguished. The first of these is developed countries. These are 60 separate territories that are distinguished by a high standard of living of citizens, great financial opportunities and considerable influence in the entire civilized world. But this type is very heterogeneous and is also divided into several subgroups:

• The so-called "Big Seven" (France, USA, Japan, Great Britain, Canada, Italy and Germany). The leadership of these countries is undeniable. They are giants in the global economy, they have the largest gross domestic product per capita (10-20 thousand dollars). The development of technology and science in these states occupies a high place. History shows that the past of the G7 countries is inextricably linked with the colonies, which brought them huge financial injections. Another common feature is the monopoly of corporations in the international market.

• Small countries that do not have the same power as the above, but their role in the international arena is undeniable and is growing every year. GDP (gross domestic product) per capita does not differ from those indicators given above. It can be attributed to almost all countries of Western Europe, which were not called before. Often they connect the “big seven” and form its relationship.

• The states of "resettlement capitalism", that is, the survivors of the British colonial occupation (Australia, South Africa, New Zealand). These dominions practically did not encounter feudalism, so their political and economic system is quite peculiar. Often, Israel is also included here. The level of development here is quite high.

• The CIS countries are a special group formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. But most other countries of Eastern Europe fall precisely here.

  

Thus, the typology of the countries of the world in terms of development has just such a first group. The rest of the world is equal to these leaders, and they determine all the processes in the international arena.

Type second

But the typology of the countries of the world in terms of economic development has a second subgroup - these are developing countries. Most of the land on our planet is occupied by just such territorial associations, and at least half of the population lives here. Such countries are also divided into several types:

• Key states (Mexico, Argentina, India, Brazil). The industry here is developed at a fairly high level, export also occupies not the last place. Market relations have a considerable degree of maturity. But GDP is relatively low, which prevents the country from switching to another type.

• New industrial states (South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and others). The history of these countries shows that until the 80s of the last century, their economy was weak, most of the population was engaged in agriculture or the mining industry. This led to an undeveloped system of market relations and problems with the currency. But recent decades have shown that these states have begun to become leaders in the international arena, the level of GDP has increased significantly, and foreign trade has switched to the marketing of manufacturing products.

• Oil exporting countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and others). Many of these states have merged into the international organization OPEC. Per capita gross domestic product is very high here, but the level of social relations has remained at a rather low level. The economy is developing due to the export of oil and products derived from it.

• States with developmental delays. These include most developing countries.

• The least developed are the countries of Asia (Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Yemen), Africa (Somalia, Niger, Mali, Chad), Latin America (Haiti). In total, this includes 42 states.

  

For the second type, poverty, a colonial past, frequent political conflicts, and poor development of science, medicine, and industry are characteristic features.

The socio-economic typology of the countries of the world shows how different living conditions are for people who live in one or another territory. One of the decisive factors in the development was historical events, as some were able to cash in on the colonies, while others at that time gave all their resources to the conquerors. The mentality of the people themselves is also important, because in some countries those who have come to power strive to improve their state, in others they care only about their well-being.

Population Classification

One of the most striking examples of separation is the typology of the countries of the world in terms of population. This criterion is very important, since it is people who are considered the most important resource that a country can possess. Indeed, if the population decreases from year to year, this can lead to the extinction of the nation. Therefore, the typology of the countries of the world in number is also very popular. The rating for this attribute is as follows:

• The first place belongs to the undisputed leader - the People’s Republic of China with 1.357 billion people. From 1960 to 2015, the number of Chinese increased by almost a billion, which led to a strict national policy on the birth of children. If in many countries large families are not only welcomed, but also supported financially, in China it is not allowed to have more than one child in a family. In 2014 alone, more than 16 million babies were born here. Therefore, in the coming decades, China will certainly not lose its primacy.

• India has the second place (1.301 billion people). From 1960 to 2015, the population of this country also increased by almost a billion. Over the past year, 26.6 million babies were born here, so everything is very good with the birth rate in this state.

• The USA holds an honorable third place, but the difference in population between the first two countries and this one is very big - today there are 325 million people living in the United States who are replenished not only due to high birth rates (4.4 million in 2014), but also with the help of migration processes (in the same year 1.4 million came here).

• Indonesia may also not have to worry about its gene pool, as 257 million people live here. The natural population growth is high - 2.9 million (2014), but many are trying to leave their homeland in search of a better life (254.7 thousand people left in 2014).

• Closes the top five Brazil. The population is 207.4 million people. Natural growth is 2.3 million.

  

In this list, Russia is in 9th place with a population of 146.3 million. The natural population growth in the Russian Federation in 2014 amounted to 25 thousand people. The smallest number of people live in the Vatican - 836, and this is easily explained by territorial conditions.

Area classification

The typology of the countries of the world by area is also quite interesting. She divides the state into 7 groups:

• Giants, whose area exceeds 3 million square kilometers. These are Canada, China, the USA, Brazil, Australia, India and Russia, which is the largest in territory with a total area of ​​17.1 million km ².

• Large - from one to three million km ². This is 21 countries, including Mexico, South Africa, Chad, Iran, Ethiopia, Argentina and others.

• Significant - from 500 thousand to 1 million km ². It is also a 21 state: Pakistan, Chile, Turkey, Yemen, Egypt, Afghanistan, Mozambique, Ukraine and others.

• Medium - from 100 to 500 thousand km ². These are 56 states: Belarus, Morocco, Japan, New Zealand, Paraguay, Cameroon, Great Britain, Spain, Uruguay and others.

• Small - from 10 to 100 thousand km ². These are 56 countries: South Korea, Czech Republic, Serbia, Georgia, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Latvia, Togo, Qatar, Azerbaijan and others.

• Small - from 1 to 10 thousand km ². These are 8 countries: Trinidad and Tobago, Western Samoa, Cyprus, Brunei, Luxembourg, Comoros, Mauritius and Cape Verde.

• Microstates - up to 1, 000 km ². These are 24 states: Singapore, Liechtenstein, Malta, Nauru, Tonga, Barbados, Andorra, Kiribati, Dominica and others. This also includes the smallest country in the world - the Vatican. It covers an area of ​​only 44 hectares, located in the capital of Italy - Rome.

  

Thus, the basis of the typology of the countries of the world in size is an area that can vary from 17 million square kilometers (Russia) to 44 hectares (Vatican). These indicators may change due to military conflicts or the voluntary desire of part of the country to disconnect and create their own state. Therefore, these ratings are constantly updated.

Classification by geographical location

Much in the development of the state is decided by its location. If it is at the crossroads of the sea, then the level of the economy rises significantly due to cash flows around water transport. If there is no access to the sea, then such a profit cannot be seen in this territory. Therefore, according to the geographical position of the country are divided into:

• Archipelagos are states that are located on a group of islands located at a short distance from each other (Bahamas, Japan, Tonga, Palau, Philippines and others).

• Island - located within the boundaries of one or more islands that are in no way connected to the mainland (Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Fiji, Great Britain and others).

• Peninsular - those located on the peninsulas (Italy, Norway, India, Laos, Turkey, UAE, Oman and others).

• Seaside - those countries that have access to the sea (Ukraine, USA, Brazil, Germany, China, Russia, Egypt and others).

• Intracontinental - landlocked (Armenia, Nepal, Zambia, Austria, Moldova, Czech Republic, Paraguay and others).

The typology of the countries of the world by geographical feature is also quite interesting and diverse. But it has an exception, which is Australia, since it is the only state in the world that covers the entire continent. Therefore, it combines several types.

GDP classification

Gross domestic product is all the benefits that one state could produce in a year on its territory. This criterion has already been used above, but it should be noted separately, as scientists say that the economic typology of the countries of the world in terms of GDP has a place to be separate. As you know, on June 1 of each year, the day the World Bank updates the lists of countries according to the estimated level of GDP. Categories of income are divided into 4 types:

• low income growth (up to 1035 US dollars per capita);

• lower than average income (up to $ 4085 per person);

• income is above average (up to 12, 615 dollars);

• high level (from 12, 616 dollars).

In 2013, the Russian Federation, together with Chile, Uruguay and Lithuania, was transferred to the group of countries that have a high level of income. But, unfortunately, there is a reverse trend for some countries, for example, Hungary. She again returned to the third stage of classification. Therefore, it should be noted that the economic typology of countries by GDP is very unstable and is updated every year.