When you see those maps and globe with beautiful lines in them, which seems so perfect. Well they are not actually, the everyday borders shift, old countries are dissolved, and new countries are formed. Many parts of our world are claimed by numerous countries and a lot of those borders are just rough approximations.
1. Israel
In what has possibly been the most fought over, contended for, and volatile region of the world for thousands of years, this land has gone back and forth between various powers over the centuries.
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2. Kashmir
The Kashmir region between India and Pakistan is technically divided between three global powers – India in the south, Pakistan in the northwest and China in the northeast (acquired from Pakistan).
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3. Abkhazia and South Ossetia
These two breakaway republics have been battling Georgia over their independence for nearly a century.
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4. South China Sea Islands
Several nations have staked claims including both Chinas and Vietnam. The main reason for this conflict is that the islands have numerous oil and natural gas reserves as well as excellent commercial fishing.
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5. Taiwan
For those of you who don’t know, there are actually two countries claiming to be China in the world. There’s the People’s Republic of China (the Communist) and then there’s the Republic of China (Taiwan).
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6. Korea
After World War II the Korean peninsula was partitioned along the 38th parallel with the north becoming a socialist style regime while the south became a more western style republic.
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7. Transnistria
Located on a narrow strip of land between the Dniester River and Ukraine, the only two Nations to recognize Transnistria as a sovereign entity are South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
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8. Kuril
Although the Kuril Islands were formally acquired by the Soviet Union following World War II, Japan has laid claim to them as well referring to them as the Northern Territories.
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9. Kosovo
Ever since the end of World War II Kosovo had been a part of Serbia. After decades of violent conflict, Kosovo finally declared independence in 2008.
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10. Tibet
Although most of the world accepts Tibet as an autonomous region of China, Tibet’s “government”, the Central Tibetan Administration, remains exiled in India.
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