geopolitics - World Visualized

geopolitics

Culture / 1 week ago

The long road to independence: How Balkan states carved out their futures

From the crumbling of empires to modern-day politics, the countries of the Balkan Peninsula each followed distinct paths to statehood, and the map above captures a slice of that story, showing when these nations formally gained independence. Some declared sovereignty in the late 19th century, others only just broke away in the 2000s.

Politics / 2 weeks ago

UN votes to end U.S. embargo on Cuba

In the latest United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) vote on October 29, 2025, 165 countries supported a resolution calling for an end to the decades-long U.S. embargo on Cuba. In contrast, only seven voted against and twelve abstained. It’s the 33rd time the UN has called for the embargo to be lifted, yet the United States remains firm in its position. According to Reuters, the countries opposing the motion were the United States, Israel, Ukraine, Hungary, Paraguay, Argentina, and North Macedonia, a small group standing against near-universal consensus.

World / 2 weeks ago

The world’s oil reserves in 2024: Power, politics, and a shifting energy landscape

A look at the map of global oil reserves for 2024, and all you will see is a handful of countries dominating the scene. According to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), world proven crude oil reserves stood at 1,567 billion barrels at the end of 2024, up around 2 billion barrels (or 0.1 %) from 2023. In practical terms, global reserves are barely moving up, even though crude remains in demand.

Business / 3 weeks ago

Gold reaches new highs as investors seek safety

Gold has taken centre stage in 2025, with prices climbing by nearly 60 % so far this year to trade around US $4,250 per ounce, according to Trading Economics data. The rally reflects a growing appetite among investors for safety amid global economic uncertainty and geopolitical pressure.

Politics / 5 weeks ago

Inside America's largest network of military bases around the world

The U.S. operates roughly 750 overseas military sites across 80 countries and territories in 2025, making it the most geographically dispersed military presence in the world. Within that total, there are some 128 confirmed “bases” in around 49 foreign countries, meaning many sites are smaller “forward operating locations,” cooperative security sites, or rotational deployments rather than full-scale bases.

Culture / 6 weeks ago

The countries that look, feel, and act most like the United States

When people talk about America’s closest allies, they often focus on politics, trade, or military partnerships. But what about cultural DNA, the deep similarities in demographics, politics, infrastructure, and everyday life? According to the Country Similarity Index, a data-driven ranking that compares nations across five major dimensions, the United States’ closest cultural cousin is its neighbour to the north, Canada, with a striking similarity score of 79.2.

World / 7 weeks ago

Why nearly 9 in 10 people live in the northern hemisphere

Look at any global map of population distribution and one striking fact becomes immediately clear: nearly 87% of the world’s people live north of the Equator, while only about 13% live in the Southern Hemisphere. This lopsided distribution arises largely because the Northern Hemisphere contains more landmass, including Asia, Europe, most of North America, and a large portion of Africa, which in turn supports dense urbanisation, infrastructure, and economic activity.

Maps / 7 weeks ago

Why none of the countries that bordered Poland in 1989 don't exist anymore

In 1989, Poland was surrounded by three countries that no longer exist today: East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union. Within just a few short years, all three vanished from the map, reshaping the heart of Europe and leaving Poland with an entirely new set of neighbours.

World / 9 weeks ago

A look into 9/11’s global impact after 24 years

Twenty-four years later, the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks remain etched deeply in collective memory around the world. While the destruction of the World Trade Centre, the hit on the Pentagon, and the crash in Pennsylvania are often viewed primarily through an American lens, the global casualty pattern reminds us that people from over 60 countries died that day.

World / 10 weeks ago

Venezuela tops the 2025 oil reserves ranking

Venezuela leads the world in proven oil reserves in 2025 with an astonishing 303 billion barrels, followed closely by Saudi Arabia at 267 billion barrels, with Iran securing third place at 209 billion barrels. A visual breakdown charts the top ten nations: Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Canada (163 bn), Iraq (145 bn), UAE (113 bn), Kuwait (102 bn), Russia (80 bn), the United States (74 bn), and Libya (48 bn).

Environment / 11 weeks ago

Here are the world’s biggest oil consumers

Oil remains the world’s most strategic commodity, and demand is heavily skewed toward a handful of nations. In 2025, the United States still tops the league, burning roughly 7.30 billion barrels of oil a year, while China comes in second at 5.53 billion barrels. Together, the next eight nations, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Canada and Germany, trail far behind but still collectively account for a massive share of global demand.

Culture / 13 weeks ago

The European football fixtures FIFA and UEFA won’t allow

Football may be a global language, but the sport cannot escape geopolitics. A map created by The World in Maps shows four sets of European fixtures that UEFA and FIFA refuse to stage because longstanding territorial disputes or active wars would make those games flashpoints for unrest. They include matches between Ukraine and Russia, Spain and Gibraltar, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Kosovo against Serbia, Bosnia‑Herzegovina or Russia.

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