Syrian Civil War Control Map: February 2016 (Subscription)

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Research by Djordje Djukic. Map by onestopmap.com and Evan Centanni.

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New: Improved map now includes terrain and major roads!

As a UN-brokered truce approached, tables were beginning to turn in Syria, with the government's Russian-backed offensive making major breakthroughs against rebel forces in Aleppo, Latakia, and elsewhere. 

Meanwhile, the so-called "Islamic State" (ISIS) continued to hold vast tracts of the country, while Kurdish-led forces gradually expanded their control in victories against ISIS and rebel fighters alike.

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's concise, professional Syrian Civil War control map, which includes a timeline of changes since our previous Syria map report in mid-December.

This map and report are professional subscriber content, available to paid members or for separate purchase. Download PDF (US$14.99) New discounted price!

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Exclusive map report includes:

• New in this edition: Terrain shading and major highways included on map for geographic context!
• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Syria, color-coded for the Assad government, rebel groups, "Islamic State" (ISIS/ISIL) extremists, and Kurdish YPG forces. 
• Special symbols indicate towns dominated by rebels of Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra (the Nusra Front) and by multi-ethnic anti-ISIS Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
• Detailed indication of city-by-city control, highlighting key towns and other locations important to current events.
• Locations of recent fighting and military operations, including Menagh airbase, Aleppo, Salma, Rabia, Nubl, Baghaliya, Tishrin Dam, and more.
• Detailed timeline of important events and changes to territorial control since December 9, 2015, compiled by our Syria-Iraq expert, with links to sources.

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Yemen Civil War Control Map: January 2016 (Subscription)

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Timeline by Djordje Djukic, with additional reporting by Evan Centanni; map by Louis Martin-Vézian and Evan Centanni

In the two months since our previous Yemen control map update, the Saudi-led coalition supporting President Hadi has opened new fronts against both the rival Houthis and Al Qaeda, using its naval forces to capture islands and seaports along Yemen's coast while also advancing across the border from Saudi Arabia for the first time. 

Meanwhile, the so-called "Islamic State" organization (formerly ISIS/ISIL), based in Iraq and Syria, has for the first time been alleged to control territory in Yemen.

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's Yemen territorial control map, which includes a timeline of changes and important events since our previous Yemen map report in November.

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Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Yemen, color-coded for the pro-Hadi coalition, Houthi/Saleh forces, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and "Islamic State" (ISIS/ISIL).
• Color scheme newly updated for consistency with Syria, Iraq, and Libya map series
• Detailed indication of town-by-town control, including provincial boundaries, all major cities, and many smaller ones
• Markers for key areas of recent fighting such as Aden, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Dhubab, Hanish Island, Harad, Maydee, Mukallah, and more
• Timeline of changes to the situation since November 2015, with links to sources

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2015: The Year in Political Geography Changes

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Rival government and "Islamic State" (ISIS) control in Libya, August 2015 (click for free full-size map and article)

Inside this Review of 2015:

• New countries, breakaway states, and micronations
• Country name, capital, and flag changes
• Border changes and disputed territories
• Countries joining international organizations
• Recognition of disputed countries
• Rebel control in conflict zones
• Sea borders and seabed claims
• New states and provinces
• Currency changes
• World time zone changes

It's PolGeoNow's mission to track changes to the world's countries, borders, and territories, whether it's happening formally on the books or unofficially on the ground. When new countries appear, borders change, and territorial disputes arise or are settled, you'll hear about it here. With 2015 now concluded, here's our look back at the events of the year!

(For extra coverage of political geography events in 2016, follow us on Twitter!)

How Many Countries Are There in the World in January 2016?

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This article was first published in 2011, and the version below was last updated in January 2016 for South Sudan's admission as an Olympic Nation. 

A world political map published by the U.S. government (public domain)

One of the most basic questions for map-lovers is, "How many countries are there in the world?" But anyone who replies with a simple number is leaving out part of the story. The fact is, the answer depends heavily on how you define "country".

Here are six of the most common answers, each correct in its own way:

War in Iraq: Map of "Islamic State" Control in December 2015 (Subscription)

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Research and timeline by Djordje Djukic; map and additional reporting by Evan Centanni

Though Iraq's current war has been proceeding at a less-intense pace than Syria's, there have been several important changes to territorial control in the past half a year, all involving the so-called "Islamic State" (ISIS) losing ground to the Iraqi government and Kurdistan's Peshmerga force.

See all this and more on the newest update to PolGeoNow's concise, professional-quality Iraq control map, which includes a timeline of changes since our previous Iraq map report in July.

This map and report are professional subscriber content, accessible to paid members or by separate purchase. Download PDF (US$19.99)

Want to see before you buy? Check out our most recent FREE SAMPLE Iraq map report!

Exclusive map report includes:

• Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Iraq, color-coded for the Iraqi government, "Islamic State" (ISIS/ISIL) extremists, and Kurdistan's Peshmerga forces
• Detailed indication of town-by-town control, including provincial boundaries, all major cities, and many smaller ones
• Markers for key areas of recent fighting such as Ramadi, Baiji, Sinjar, and more
• Timeline of changes to the situation since July, compiled by our Iraq specialist, with links to sources 

Note: Republishing rights are not included with PDF purchases or basic subscriptions. If you need to use one of our maps in print or online, contact service@polgeonow.com.

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