Countries distinguish between metropolitan (homeland) and independent and semi-independent portions of sovereign states. If you want to see the dependent overseas regions broken out (like in ISO codes, see France for example), use map units instead. Each country is coded with a world region that roughly follows the United Nations setup. Countries are coded with standard ISO and FIPS codes. French INSEE codes are also included. Includes some thematic data from the United Nations (1), U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, and elsewhere.

The Global Administrative Unit Layers (GAUL) is an initiative implemented by FAO within the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) and AfricaFertilizer.org projects. The GAUL compiles and disseminates the best available information on administrative units for all the countries in the world, providing a contribution to the standardization of the spatial dataset representing administrative units. The GAUL always maintains global layers with a unified coding system at country, first (e.g. departments) and second administrative levels (e.g. districts). Where data is available, it provides layers on a country by country basis down to third, fourth and lowers levels. The overall methodology consists in a) collecting the best available data from most reliable sources, b) establishing validation periods of the geographic features (when possible), c) adding selected data to the global layer based on the last country boundaries map provided by the UN Cartographic Unit (UNCS), d) generating codes using GAUL Coding System and e) distribute data to the users (see TechnicalaspectsGAUL2015.pdf). Because GAUL works at global level, unsettled territories are reported. The approach of GAUL is to deal with these areas in such a way to preserve national integrity for all disputing countries (see TechnicalaspectsGAUL2015.pdf and G2015_DisputedAreas.dbf). GAUL is released once a year and the target beneficiary of GAUL data is the UN community and other authorized international and national partners. Data might not be officially validated by authoritative national sources and cannot be distributed to the general public. A disclaimer should always accompany any use of GAUL data. 5 territories have been updated respect to the previous release. Moreover, the coastline of American countries or other special areas have been updated using Open Street Map (see ReleaseNoteGAUL2015.pdf). GAUL keeps track of administrative units that has been changed, added or dismissed in the past for political causes. Changes implemented in different years are recorded in GAUL on different layers. For this reason the GAUL product is not a single layer but a group of layers, named "GAUL Set" (see ReleaseNoteGAUL2015.pdf). GAUL 2015 is the eighth release of the GAUL Set.

The Global Administrative Unit Layers (GAUL) is an initiative implemented by FAO within the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) and AfricaFertilizer.org projects. The GAUL compiles and disseminates the best available information on administrative units for all the countries in the world, providing a contribution to the standardization of the spatial dataset representing administrative units. The GAUL always maintains global layers with a unified coding system at country, first (e.g. departments) and second administrative levels (e.g. districts). Where data is available, it provides layers on a country by country basis down to third, fourth and lowers levels. The overall methodology consists in a) collecting the best available data from most reliable sources, b) establishing validation periods of the geographic features (when possible), c) adding selected data to the global layer based on the last country boundaries map provided by the UN Cartographic Unit (UNCS), d) generating codes using GAUL Coding System and e) distribute data to the users (see TechnicalaspectsGAUL2015.pdf). Because GAUL works at global level, unsettled territories are reported. The approach of GAUL is to deal with these areas in such a way to preserve national integrity for all disputing countries (see TechnicalaspectsGAUL2015.pdf and G2015_DisputedAreas.dbf). GAUL is released once a year and the target beneficiary of GAUL data is the UN community and other authorized international and national partners. Data might not be officially validated by authoritative national sources and cannot be distributed to the general public. A disclaimer should always accompany any use of GAUL data. 5 territories have been updated respect to the previous release. Moreover, the coastline of American countries or other special areas have been updated using Open Street Map (see ReleaseNoteGAUL2015.pdf). GAUL keeps track of administrative units that has been changed, added or dismissed in the past for political causes. Changes implemented in different years are recorded in GAUL on different layers. For this reason the GAUL product is not a single layer but a group of layers, named "GAUL Set" (see ReleaseNoteGAUL2015.pdf). GAUL 2015 is the eighth release of the GAUL Set.

The Global Administrative Unit Layers (GAUL) is an initiative implemented by FAO within the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) and AfricaFertilizer.org projects. The GAUL compiles and disseminates the best available information on administrative units for all the countries in the world, providing a contribution to the standardization of the spatial dataset representing administrative units. The GAUL always maintains global layers with a unified coding system at country, first (e.g. departments) and second administrative levels (e.g. districts). Where data is available, it provides layers on a country by country basis down to third, fourth and lowers levels. The overall methodology consists in a) collecting the best available data from most reliable sources, b) establishing validation periods of the geographic features (when possible), c) adding selected data to the global layer based on the last country boundaries map provided by the UN Cartographic Unit (UNCS), d) generating codes using GAUL Coding System and e) distribute data to the users (see TechnicalaspectsGAUL2015.pdf). Because GAUL works at global level, unsettled territories are reported. The approach of GAUL is to deal with these areas in such a way to preserve national integrity for all disputing countries (see TechnicalaspectsGAUL2015.pdf and G2015_DisputedAreas.dbf). GAUL is released once a year and the target beneficiary of GAUL data is the UN community and other authorized international and national partners. Data might not be officially validated by authoritative national sources and cannot be distributed to the general public. A disclaimer should always accompany any use of GAUL data. 5 territories have been updated respect to the previous release. Moreover, the coastline of American countries or other special areas have been updated using Open Street Map (see ReleaseNoteGAUL2015.pdf). GAUL keeps track of administrative units that has been changed, added or dismissed in the past for political causes. Changes implemented in different years are recorded in GAUL on different layers. For this reason the GAUL product is not a single layer but a group of layers, named "GAUL Set" (see ReleaseNoteGAUL2015.pdf). GAUL 2015 is the eighth release of the GAUL Set.

United Nations map (known as UNmap) is a worldwide geospatial database consisting of country and geographic name information on a global scale. The data is designed for the production of cartographic documents and maps, including their dissemination via public electronic networks, for the Secretariat of the United Nations.The United Nations maintains the Data as a courtesy to those who may choose to access the Data. The Data is provided “as is”, without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. Disclaimers: - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. - The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. - Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. - The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties. - Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined. - Final status of the Abyei area is not yet determined. - A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Generalization parametrisation for the data is developed based on the work of Douglas and Peucker (1973), Wang (1996) and the Polynomial Approximation with Exponential Kernel algorithm.The adequate generalized data should be used for the intended dissemination scale and not rely on software or platform-automated generalization as some specific geographic features are removed at scales. For instance, the region of Abyei is not included at the scale of 1:25 million but is included at lower scales. Maps produced using this layer should be featured with the appropriate disclaimer depending on the shown area. Source: United Nations International and Administrative Boundaries Resources

World Countries is a detailed dataset of country level boundaries which can be used at both large and small scales. It has been designed to be used as a basemap and includes an additional Disputed Boundaries layer that can be used to edit boundaries to fit a users needs and view of the political world. Included are attributes for local and official names and country codes, along with continent and display fields. Particularly useful are the Land_Type and Land_Rank fields which separate polygons based on their size. These attributes can be used for rendering at different scales by providing the ability to turn off small islands which may clutter small scale views.

United Nations map (known as UNmap) is a worldwide geospatial database consisting of country and geographic name information on a global scale. The data is designed for the production of cartographic documents and maps, including their dissemination via public electronic networks, for the Secretariat of the United Nations.The United Nations maintains the Data as a courtesy to those who may choose to access the Data. The Data is provided “as is”, without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. Disclaimers: - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. - The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. - Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. - The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties. - Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined. - Final status of the Abyei area is not yet determined. - A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Generalization parametrisation for the data is developed based on the work of Douglas and Peucker (1973), Wang (1996) and the Polynomial Approximation with Exponential Kernel algorithm.The adequate generalized data should be used for the intended dissemination scale and not rely on software or platform-automated generalization as some specific geographic features are removed at scales. For instance, the region of Abyei is not included at the scale of 1:25 million but is included at lower scales. Maps produced using this layer should be featured with the appropriate disclaimer depending on the shown area. Source: United Nations International and Administrative Boundaries Resources

United Nations map (known as UNmap) is a worldwide geospatial database consisting of country and geographic name information on a global scale. The data is designed for the production of cartographic documents and maps, including their dissemination via public electronic networks, for the Secretariat of the United Nations.The United Nations maintains the Data as a courtesy to those who may choose to access the Data. The Data is provided “as is”, without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. Disclaimers: - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. - The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. - Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. - The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties. - Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined. - Final status of the Abyei area is not yet determined. - A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Generalization parametrisation for the data is developed based on the work of Douglas and Peucker (1973), Wang (1996) and the Polynomial Approximation with Exponential Kernel algorithm.The adequate generalized data should be used for the intended dissemination scale and not rely on software or platform-automated generalization as some specific geographic features are removed at scales. For instance, the region of Abyei is not included at the scale of 1:25 million but is included at lower scales. Maps produced using this layer should be featured with the appropriate disclaimer depending on the shown area. Source: United Nations International and Administrative Boundaries Resources

This dataset is originally created by GADM. GADM wants to map the administrative areas of all countries, at all levels of sub-division using a high spatial resolution and a extensive set of attributes. More information can be found in the <href="https://gadm.org/metadata.html" target="_blank">GADM online metadata document</a>. The current version is 3.6 (released on 6 May 2018). It delimits 386,735 administrative areas. Original data can be downloaded by country or for the entire world from <href= "https://gadm.org/data.html" target= "_blank">GADM website</a>. UNEP/GRID-Geneva made available for display purpose the first level of subnational administrative boundaries based on GADM version 3.6 (with simplified geometries using the Douglas-Peucker simplification algorithm in QGIS with 0.001 threshold value).

International boundary resources are prepared by United Nations Cartographic Section. The 1:1million dataset derived initially from VMAP0 has been corrected to better reflect the cartographic practise of UN Cartographic Section. These datasets are intended to provide the United Nations community with worldwide coverage of international boundaries consistent with the boundary representations that are used by the U.N. Cartographic Section at scales of 1:1 million and 1:15 million. Under no circumstances should this dataset, and/or any map derived from it, be construed as an official representation or endorsement of these international boundaries by the United Nations.