independence - World Visualized

independence

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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.

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World / 2 weeks ago

80 years of the United Nations: From 51 to 193 member states

On October 24, 1945, the world witnessed the birth of the United Nations, an institution established in the aftermath of World War II to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. Eighty years later, the UN remains one of the most significant symbols of global unity, with 193 member states spanning every corner of the globe. What began with 51 founding members has grown into a truly universal body, reflecting decades of decolonisation, independence movements, and shifting political landscapes.

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Culture / 4 weeks ago

What countries celebrate on their National Days

National days are more than holidays as they reflect how nations define their own identity. A new world map breaks down the reasons countries celebrate their national days, whether it’s independence, revolution, unification, the founding of government, or even a saint’s feast. Red marks countries that commemorate independence (the largest category). Orange shows nations that mark the formation of government. Yellow indicates unification moments, green reflects revolution, blue for saint days, purple for discovery, and pink for other reasons or when the reasoning doesn’t fit neatly into those categories. The striped pattern indicates where no data is available.

This map offers a visual reflection on how Africa has changed—territorially and politically—across 200 years. Over the past two centuries, Africa’s map has undergone one of the most dramatic transformations in modern history. From col

Maps / 25 weeks ago

200 years of African transformation: From colonial carve-up to continental rebirth

Spanning from the early 1800s to the present day, Africa has travelled the tumultuous journey from colonisation to independence, and now, to continental integration. This transformation is more than cartographic—it’s a deep story of resilience, resistance, and resurgence.

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Maps / 31 weeks ago

Ethiopia and Liberia: Africa’s uncolonised nations and their modern-day legacy

While most of Africa succumbed to European colonial domination during the "Scramble for Africa" in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, two nations—Ethiopia and Liberia—stand out as enduring symbols of sovereignty and resilience. Ethiopia, located in the Horn of Africa, fiercely maintained its independence through military resistance, most famously by defeating the Italian army at the Battle of Adwa in 1896.

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Politics / 34 weeks ago

Somaliland open to hosting Gaza residents only after global recognition

Somaliland’s government has expressed conditional openness to hosting residents from Gaza but firmly maintains that any such discussions must be preceded by formal international recognition of its sovereignty. Speaking to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN, Somaliland’s Foreign Minister, Abdirahman Dahir Aden, underscored that the self-declared republic will not entertain negotiations on humanitarian resettlement or other bilateral matters unless the world first acknowledges its status as an independent nation.

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Maps / 35 weeks ago

The history behind countries with 'Guinea' in their official names

The presence of "Guinea" in the names of several countries can be traced back to colonial history, European exploration, and the geographical labeling used during those times. The term "Guinea" likely originates from a Berber or West African word such as "Ghiné" or "Akal n-Iguinawen" (meaning "land of the black people"). European traders and explorers in the 15th century used the term "Guinea" to describe a broad coastal region in West Africa known for its trade in gold, ivory, and enslaved people.

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Culture / 1 year ago

Northern Europe leads in solo living as singlehood gains popularity

Northern European countries are seeing an unprecedented embrace of single lifestyles, with Sweden (51%), Denmark (50%), and Finland (49%) leading the way in solo living among adults. Across these countries, singlehood is increasingly viewed not as a societal gap to be filled but as a legitimate path toward self-discovery and personal growth.

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Politics / 1 year ago

A look at former French colonies on the African continent

France, like its other European counterparts, was a major explorer of the African continent. France's former African colonies, including Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Algeria, primarily gained independence in the 1960s. Despite achieving independence, these nations continue to maintain strong economic, cultural, and political ties with France, a relationship often referred to as "Franç Afrique."

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