Not only is the study of the natural features of different regions engaged in the science of geography. A description of the country, its climate, population, economy and state structure is also among the subjects of research of this discipline. How are states studied? What does a country description plan look like? You will learn about this from our article.
How to describe the country?
Geographers describe countries in approximately the same way. It includes a characterization of nature, population, economy and government. The country’s description plan includes the following points:
- geographical location (area, length of borders, coordinates of extreme points, access to the sea, the number of neighboring countries and a general assessment of the profitability of the state’s geopolitical position);
- natural features of the territory (climate, topography, inland waters, organic world, etc.);
- the capital and administrative-territorial structure of the state;
- population of the country (total number, density, distribution, ethnic, religious and linguistic composition);
- the country's economy (main specialization, leading industries, level of agricultural development, GDP per capita and other economic indicators);
- features of the political structure (parliament, president, government).
A country’s description plan may also contain information about cultural features, tourist attractions, currency, and official symbols of the state.
The geographical position of the country
Any plan for describing a country should begin with where that country is located. That is, it is necessary to give information about in which hemisphere and on what continent the state is located, what is its area and the total length of the border. The coordinates of the countries are determined by the extreme points: northern, southern, western and eastern. Based on this information, it is possible to determine the total length of the state’s territory from west to east, or from north to south, as well as evaluate its general configuration (compact or elongated in a certain direction).
It is important not only to describe the geographical position of the country, but also to assess its economic benefits. Therefore, it is extremely important to indicate which countries the country borders with, whether it has access to the sea, large navigable rivers, whether it is at the intersection of important transport corridors. Each of these aspects greatly affects the country's economy and overall well-being.
Natural conditions and resources
The second point of the plan for describing the country is the nature of a particular territory (geomorphological, climatic, etc.).
The climate of the country is extremely important for its economic development. So, the location of the state in the temperate climate zone (between 45 and 65 degrees) is considered ideal. In this zone - the most optimal conditions for human life and farming.
The relief of the country's territory also affects its well-being. It's no secret that on flat terrain it is much easier to build cities, pave roads, create large industrial complexes. By the way, the most ancient and famous cities of the world arose precisely on the plains, off the coast of the seas or large rivers.
Population of the country
The country's population is also an important aspect for its comprehensive study. Describing it, it is necessary to indicate the total number of inhabitants, population density, characterize the demographic situation, and so on.
Important indicators are the birth rate and mortality rate, life expectancy in the country, and child mortality rate. Most economically developed countries are characterized by low fertility, low mortality and a significant life expectancy. In developing countries of Asia, Africa and America, on the contrary, there is a high birth rate, high mortality rate, and low overall life expectancy.
An important aspect in the characterization of any country is the ethnic, linguistic and religious composition of its population. All states of the world are divided into two groups: mono-ethnic (in which one nation prevails) and multiethnic (which are a kind of “mix” of ethnic groups and nationalities).
State economy
The main indicators of economic development include the following:
- GDP and GNP per capita;
- population income level;
- competitiveness of goods and services produced in the country;
- cost and quality of labor;
- level of corruption;
- level of production modernization, etc.
According to these indicators, all countries of the world are divided into several groups. There are economically developed states (Japan, USA, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Germany, France and others), developing countries (Myanmar, Chad, Bolivia, Bangladesh and others), as well as countries with economies in transition (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc.).
According to the structure of industrial production, all states are also divided into:
- industrial;
- agrarian;
- industrial and agricultural;
- post-industrial.
The political structure of the country
The state is a special organization with a complex structure, which is designed to manage society. According to the political (state) structure, all countries of the world are usually divided into three groups:
- unitary - those that are managed from one center (examples: Romania, Ukraine, France, Norway, etc.);
- federal, consisting of several separate entities - states, lands, republics (examples: Russia, USA, Germany);
- confederations - temporary alliances of two or more states.
According to the form of government, monarchy countries (in which all power belongs to one person and is inherited) and republics (in which the majority are the main source of power) are distinguished. Monarchies can also be absolute (monarch’s power is unlimited), parliamentary (monarch’s power is limited by parliament) and theocratic (supreme power belongs to the Church). The only example of a modern theocratic monarchy on the planet is the Vatican.
The country's policy is determined by the system of methods and techniques with which it exercises the fullness of its power. Based on this thesis, the political regime of a state can be legal (democratic), totalitarian or authoritarian.
Countries and their capitals
The capital is the main (not necessarily the largest) city in the country where the government and other important government bodies are located. The word itself comes from the old Russian "(pre) table", which means "throne". The etymology associated with the popular expression "capital city Kiev."
Choosing a capital is always a dilemma for the state. After all, two or more large centers can claim the role of the main city. In the Austro-Hungarian Empire, for example, they could not solve this problem. Therefore, there immediately existed two capitals - Vienna and Budapest. In some states, the capital was created and built practically from scratch (the United States of America with its capital in the city of Washington can be an example of such a state).
Countries and their capitals are often perceived as one. However, do not forget that the title of "main city" in the state may change. So, in 1997, the Kazakh authorities moved the capital from Almaty to the city of Astana.
Another interesting capital on the world map is Jerusalem. This city is a capital city simultaneously for two countries - Israel and Palestine.
Flag - as the main symbol of the state
Flags of the countries of the world differ from each other not only in color or pattern, but also in their proportions (width and length of the cloth). All flags of world states have the traditional shape of a rectangle (less often - a square), with the exception of only one - Nepalese. The banner of this country is presented in the form of two equal triangles.
The oldest flag on the planet can be considered Danish. The first written mention of it dates back to 1219. But the simplest flag is the Libyan flag - its flag is completely green.
Flags of the world are different in their color design. Moreover, each of the flowers has its own symbolic meaning for a particular state. White, as a rule, symbolizes peace and prosperity, and green - significant natural wealth.
Quite interesting in heraldry is black. It would seem that he should be mourning. However, it is not. Black color is quite often present on the panels of African states. And there, as a rule, it symbolizes the black population of a country.
Currency designation of different countries
Every modern state, of course, has its own money. How is the currency designation of different countries?
This or that state currency is designated with the help of a special sign (symbol). This can be a letter index (abbreviation), a digital code or a special grapheme. These signs are intended in abbreviated form, concisely and originally, to denote certain currencies.
Monetary units began to depict special symbols in ancient times. Below are the graphemes of the most famous world currency:
- $ - American dollar (USA);
- € - Euro (Eurozone states);
- ¥ - yen (Japan);
- ₽ - ruble (Russian Federation);
- - rupee (India);
- £ - pound sterling (Great Britain);
- ₸ - tenge (Kazakhstan);
- ₴ - hryvnia (Ukraine).
Finally...
One of the tasks of geography is an objective, comprehensive and reliable study of world states. The plan for describing the country should contain the following items: geographical location, natural conditions and resources, population, capital, administrative and political structure, economy, currency and state symbols (flag, coat of arms and anthem).