Contemporary Era
The world in 2015 AD
7 powers on the map · historical borders (CShapes 2.0)
Two world wars (1914-18, 1939-45) with 100 million deaths. Decolonization (1945-1975): 100+ new nations are born. Cold War (1947-1991): bipolar USA-USSR world. Globalization, Internet (1990s), Chinese ascent. International order based on the UN and regional blocs.
Empires and states
Active trade routes
- Suez Route — Europe–Asia shortcut after 1869
- Trans-Siberian Railway — Rail corridor from Moscow to the Pacific
- Panama Route — Atlantic–Pacific after 1914
- Belt & Road Rail Corridor — China–Europe freight trains via Kazakhstan and Russia