List of world map changes facts for kids

The world map has changed a lot throughout history. This page lists some of the changes.

21st Century

2010s

• July 9, 2011-The Republic of South Sudan becomes its own country

2000s

• February 17, 2008 - The Republic of Kosovo declares independence from Serbia. Its independence is only partly recognized.
• June 8, 2006-Serbia and Montenegro splits into the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro
• May 20, 2002-East Timor becomes independent from Indonesia

20th Century

1990s

• December 31, 1999-The United States gives the Panama Canal Zone to Panama
• December 20, 1999-Macau is given from Portugal to the People's Republic of China
• July 1, 1997-Hong Kong is given from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China
• May 24, 1993-Eritrea becomes independent
• January 1, 1993-Czechoslovakia breaks up into The Czech Republic and Slovakia.
• 1991-The Soviet Union breaks up. The countries of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan are formed.
• October 3, 1990-The Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic merge. They take the name the Federal Republic of Germany.

1980s

• September 21, 1981-Belize becomes independent from the United Kingdom

1970s

• December 1971-The United Arab Emirates forms

1960s

• July 5, 1962-The Algerian State becomes independent of France
• October 1, 1960-The Federation of Nigeria becomes its own country
• August 15, 1960-The Republic of the Congo becomes its own country
• August 3, 1960-The Republic of Niger becomes its own country

1950s

• The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan becomes the Republic of the Sudan

1940s

• December 27, 1949-The Republic of Indonesia becomes independent from the Netherlands
• September 9, 1948-The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is formed in northern Korea
• August 15, 1948-The Republic of Korea is formed in southern Korea
• May 14, 1948-Israel becomes independent
• August 15, 1947-The Union of India becomes independent from the United Kingdom
• August 14, 1947-The Dominion of Pakistan becomes independent from the United Kingdom

1930s

• February 16, 1934-The Dominion of Newfoundland joins Canada

1920s

• The end of the Ottoman Empire:
  • Occupation of Constantinople after WWI (13 November 1918 – 23 September 1923)
  • Sultanate abolished (ended) on 1 November 1922, and the last Sultan, Mehmed VI (reigned 1918–22), left the country on 17 November 1922.
  • Republic of Turkey founded on 29 October 1923. The Caliphate was abolished on 3 March 1924.
• December 6, 1922-The Irish Free State becomes independent from the United Kingdom

1910s

• January 2, 1918-Finland becomes independent from the Soviet Union
• August 22, 1910-Japan takes over Korea

1900s

• August 5, 1908-Bulgaria splits off from the Ottoman Empire

19th Century

1870s

• January 18, 1871-Germany is formed as one country from a lot of smaller countries

1860s

• October 18, 1867-The United States of America buys Alaska from Russia
• March 17, 1861-The Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont becomes the Kingdom of Italy

1840s

• February 2, 1848- After the Second Mexican–American War (April 25, 1846 – February 2, 1848) much of northwestern Mexico becomes part of the United States

1830s

• March 2, 1836-The Republic of Texas declares independence from Mexico

1820s

• September 7, 1822-The Empire of Brazil declares independence from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves
• September 7, 1821-The First Mexican Empire is formed

1810s

• July 9, 1810-France annexes (adds to its territory) Holland

1800s

• August 6, 1806-The Holy Roman Empire is dissolved
• January 1, 1804-Haiti becomes independent from France
• 1803-The United States buys the Louisiana Territory from France