REGIONAL AND GLOBAL FEATURES OF CHANGES IN THE MODERN POLITICAL MAP OF THE WORLD
Authors:   Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine, Mamchur Olha , Vanda Iryna ,   Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine
Published: November 2023

The purpose of the article is to identify and analyze the geospatial features of changes in the political map of the world since the beginning of the twenty-first century (2000 to the present) in regional and global contexts, highlighting qualitative and quantitative changes, as well as other types of changes. Methodology. The peculiarities were identified through the applied literary method and the analysis of reliable electronic resources, online reference publications, as well as reports of international organizations on changes in the political map of the world. The analysis of descriptive data on the acquisition or loss of territories, voluntary cessions of territories, renaming of states, capitals, etc. made it possible to identify regional and global trends in changes on the political map of the world. The method of comparative analysis of individual regions and approaches to grouping states helped to form conclusions about the main trends in the political map of the world. Scientific novelty. The article comprehensively analyses the main regional and global features of changes in the political map of the world: acquisition or loss of territories, voluntary cessions of territories; acquisition of sovereignty, changes in the names of states, changes in the state system, renaming and transfer of capitals, conflict dynamics (changes in the scale of conflict, etc.), changes in dependent territories. Regional factors of change since the beginning of the twenty-first century, including the full-scale war against Ukraine, are highlighted. Results of the study. Globally, quantitative changes on the political map have fewer events than qualitative ones. Grouping by type of change (acquisition or loss of territories, voluntary cessions of territories, gaining sovereignty, changes in the name of the state, changes in the state system, renaming and relocation of capitals, conflict dynamics, changes in dependent territories) showed the most intense changes among the regions in Asia and Africa. Conflicts (differing in scale, participants, intensity, etc.) have an important impact on changes in the political map. The most relevant examples of changes in the names of states, the transfer and renaming of capitals that most clearly reflect the trends of political and geographical processes are revealed. Practical significance. The results of the study can be used to summarise political and geographical processes in the regions of the world that affect economic, social, and cultural development, political stability, and security in the countries of the region. They are also factors of socio-geographical development in general. And as a result of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the aggressor country, russia is likely to accelerate changes in the political map of the world. The results of the study will also be useful for educational needs in the study of geography in secondary and higher education.