World Map Region Definitions

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The world map is divided into various regions, each defined by a combination of geographical, cultural, historical, and sometimes political factors.

In terms of geography, continents are often the primary divisions, with Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Asia, and Australia being the major landmasses. These continents are further broken down into subregions, such as Western Europe, Southeast Asia, or Central America.

Cultural and historical factors also play a significant role in defining world regions. Shared traditions, languages, and historical experiences contribute to the identification of regions like the Middle East, Latin America, or Sub-Saharan Africa. These cultural ties can transcend political borders and shape a region’s collective identity.

Political considerations can influence regional definitions as well. Countries or territories with similar political alliances, economic systems, or geopolitical interests may be grouped together. For example, the European Union represents a political and economic bloc that transcends traditional geographical boundaries.

Economic factors also contribute to regional classifications. Regions may be defined by their level of economic development, such as the classification of countries into “developed,” “developing,” or “underdeveloped” regions. Economic activities like trade routes, natural resource distribution, and industrial clusters can further delineate regions on the world map.

Below, you’ll find maps of the world divided into various regions according to different organizations and institutions.

World Regions According to the World Bank

The World Bank divides the world into seven regions to facilitate the organization and analysis of global economic and development data. This regional classification allows the World Bank to group countries with similar economic, social, and geographical characteristics, enabling more effective research, policy formulation, and resource allocation.

World Regions According to the World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) divides the world into regions to effectively address global health issues, respond to regional health challenges, and coordinate health initiatives. This regional classification, including Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific, recognizes that health concerns and priorities often vary across different parts of the world because of factors like geography, demographics, and epidemiological patterns.

By organizing member states into regions, the WHO can tailor its strategies and interventions to the specific health needs and circumstances of each region. This approach acknowledges the diversity in health challenges, cultural contexts, and healthcare infrastructures, allowing for more targeted and context-specific health policies, programs, and collaborations. It also facilitates regional cooperation, information sharing, and resource allocation, ultimately contributing to more effective global health governance and responses to emerging health threats.

World Regions According to the Economist Intelligence Unit

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), renowned for its calculated Democracy Index, divides the world into regions, including Asia and Australasia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, North America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Western Europe, to facilitate comprehensive analysis and reporting on various economic, political, and social indicators.

This regional division allows the EIU to closely examine and compare countries within each region based on shared economic and geopolitical characteristics.

Different regions often face unique challenges, opportunities, and trends, and grouping countries in this way enables the EIU to provide more nuanced insights for businesses, policymakers, and researchers. It also helps in making regional comparisons, tracking regional developments, and forecasting economic and political scenarios.

World Regions According to the United Nations

The United Nations (UN) divides the world into regions for practical and administrative purposes, as it allows for more effective coordination of its global initiatives, programs, and policies.

This regional division helps the UN to address diverse challenges and promote development in a more context-specific manner. By grouping countries with similar geographic, cultural, and economic characteristics, the UN can tailor its efforts to the unique needs and circumstances of each region.

Additionally, organizing member states into regions facilitates communication, collaboration, and resource allocation among nations facing common challenges. It enables the UN to better understand regional dynamics, variations in living standards, and specific issues such as conflict, poverty, or health concerns. This approach enhances the UN’s ability to implement targeted strategies and partnerships to advance its overarching goals of peace, security, development, and human rights on a global scale.

World Regions in the SDG Framework of the United Nations

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) framework of the United Nations outlines a set of 17 global goals aimed at addressing various social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030. While the United Nations typically divides the world into regions for administrative purposes, the SDG framework emphasizes a global perspective.

The specific division of the world into regions for the SDGs recognizes that certain issues, such as poverty, climate change, and inequality, require collaborative and context-specific efforts that transcend traditional geopolitical boundaries.

This approach allows for targeted interventions and tailored strategies to address the unique challenges faced by different regions in achieving sustainable development.