# metrop.geo.database

The database of [Metrop](https://github.com/Metrop-Learning/Metrop).

## Database guideline

See the guideline at [https://metrop-learning.github.io/Tools-and-Documentation/](https://metrop-learning.github.io/Tools-and-Documentation/).

## Tag explanation
Country and territories can have complex statuses. To help understand each status, we have created tags which can be placed alongside the territory's code.

| CODE | Definition | Use case | Example |
|:--:|--|--|--|
| NWR | Not Widely Recognized | Countries or territories with recognition issues | Kosovo, Taiwan |
| DIS | Disputed / Contested / Claimed | Territories contested between multiple parties (can be a peaceful contestation) | Gibraltar, Kashmir |
| UKC | UK Crown Dependency | British Crown Dependencies — a unique status, neither a sovereign country nor a British Overseas Territory, nor part of the United Kingdom | Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man |
| ISL | Island / Landmass | A landmass shared between multiple administrative entities | Hispaniola, Borneo |
| NAB | Not an Administrative Border | A territory with a complex status that does not fit any other category — always accompanied by a specific explanation | — |
| INA | International Administration | Territories administered by the UN or a multinational force rather than a single state | Kosovo (1999–2008), East Timor (1999–2002) |
| BUF | Buffer Zone | Demilitarized or neutral zones under international supervision, separating two or more conflicting parties | Korean DMZ, UN Buffer Zone in Cyprus |
| ANX | Annexed | Territories unilaterally annexed by a state and not recognized as such by the international community — distinct from DIS which can be a peaceful diplomatic dispute | Crimea, Golan Heights |
| UNI | Uninhabited | Territories with no permanent population | Clipperton Island, Heard Island |
| ORG | Organisation | Worlds Organisations (Not territories) | UN, EU, OMS... |

Antarctica and the Arctic are considered by Metrop as uninhabited and ungoverned territories. Due to the highly contested and unsettled nature of their territorial claims, Metrop takes no position on their sovereignty and will not cover them as administrative or political entities.

# Legal warning
The official flag of Afghanistan has changed since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. The flag now displayed is that of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, established by the Taliban, an organization designated as terrorist by numerous countries and international bodies. Metrop uses this flag in a strictly educational context and does not endorse or support the Taliban's ideology or actions.

The display of this flag for non-educational purposes is restricted or prohibited in several countries. As an educational platform, Metrop falls within the legally recognized educational exemption and disclaims any association with or liability for illegal use.

# License

## Application Code
Copyright (c) 2026 Metrop. All Rights Reserved.

## Geographic Data (GeoJSON)
GeoJSON boundaries © OpenStreetMap contributors, licensed under ODbL.
Source: osm-boundaries.com
https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright

## Country Information Data

The raw data (country facts, images, geographic information) all come
from external sources and are not owned by Metrop :

- Wikipedia content and images : © Wikipedia contributors,
  licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

- GeoJSON URLs referenced in this data are not owned by Metrop,
  see "Geographic Data" section for their license.

What IS protected by Metrop copyright is exclusively :
the original structure, hierarchy, and organization of the JSON format.