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Edit-copy green.svg This is a documentation subpage for Template:Infobox former country (see that page for the template itself).
It contains usage information, categories and other content that is not part of the original template page.
Ambox warning yellow.svg This template employs intricate features of template syntax.
You are encouraged to familiarise yourself with its setup and parser functions before editing the template. If your edit causes unexpected problems, please undo it quickly, as this template may appear on a large number of pages.
Remember that you can conduct experiments, and should test all improvements, in either the general Template sandbox or your user space before changing anything here.
{{{native_name}}}
{{{conventional_long_name}}}
{{{year_start}}}–{{{year_end}}}
Flag Coat of arms
Flag Coat of arms
Motto
{{{national_motto}}}
Anthem
{{{national_anthem}}}
Location of {{{common_name}}}
{{{image_map_caption}}}
Capital {{{capital}}}
Capital-in-exile {{{capital_exile}}}
Language(s) {{{common_languages}}}
Religion {{{religion}}}
Government Not specified
{{{title_leader}}}
 - {{{year_leader1}}} {{{leader1}}}
 - {{{year_leader2}}} {{{leader2}}}
 - {{{year_leader3}}} {{{leader3}}}
 - {{{year_leader4}}} {{{leader4}}}
{{{title_representative}}}
 - {{{year_representative1}}} {{{representative1}}}
 - {{{year_representative2}}} {{{representative2}}}
 - {{{year_representative3}}} {{{representative3}}}
 - {{{year_representative4}}} {{{representative4}}}
{{{title_deputy}}}
 - {{{year_deputy1}}} {{{deputy1}}}
 - {{{year_deputy2}}} {{{deputy2}}}
 - {{{year_deputy3}}} {{{deputy3}}}
 - {{{year_deputy4}}} {{{deputy4}}}
Legislature {{{legislature}}}
 - {{{type_house1}}} {{{house1}}}
 - {{{type_house2}}} {{{house2}}}
History
 - {{{event_pre}}} {{{date_pre}}}
 - {{{event_start}}} {{{date_start}}} {{{year_start}}}
 - {{{event1}}} {{{date_event1}}}
 - {{{event2}}} {{{date_event2}}}
 - {{{event3}}} {{{date_event3}}}
 - {{{event4}}} {{{date_event4}}}
 - {{{event_end}}} {{{date_end}}} {{{year_end}}}
 - {{{event_post}}} {{{date_post}}}
Currency {{{currency}}}
{{{footnotes}}}

This template provides comparative information for countries which no longer exist.

Contents

[edit] Notes

  • Many variables concern generated categories. When categories are discussed below, it is referring to this list of currently supported categories.
  • This is a rather complicated template, and should be used with care to ensure functionality. Note that most fields are optional for the infobox to function correctly. If you are unsure about anything, just skip all the optional fields and ask a developer for help.
  • Anyone is welcome to use the infobox. But since it is still under construction, developers may make changes to your work. This is nothing personal. Normally this is for functionality reasons, sometimes it is to test new features of the infobox.
  • Some variables below may be marked as test variables. Use these with caution and remember that these variables may be changed or deleted without notice.
  • Certain historical entities may inspire heated debate among some people. Neutrality and sensitivity are required when implementing this infobox.
  • If you are unsure about the usage of this template, or you have any suggestions for modifications to the infobox, or if you want to know why a certain modification was made, please contact a developer or leave a comment at the talk page. Your comments and questions assist the developers in creating, improving and documenting infobox features. Your comments and questions assist the developers in creating, improving and documenting infobox features.

This infobox is a part of WikiProject Former countries.

This infobox is under constant development. For many entries, the infobox has been implemented by one of the main developers. Other users are welcome to implement the infobox themselves, but developers might make modifications later on - largely for functionality reasons.

The main developers are:

[edit] Usage

  1. Almost all fields are optional, some fields are more optional than others. It is not expected that you fill in every single field that is shown here.
  2. Some fields are hidden but necessary for infobox functionality. Not all fields are displayed here.
  3. If a state has a high number of leaders (>5), do not modify this template to fit them all in. It is not the intention of this infobox to do them all - that makes the infobox way too big (any extra slots added here without previous discussion will be reverted). Instead, list only the first and last title holder, with (first) or (last) placed after the person's name.
  4. Some fields place the article into certain categories: see list of supported categories.
  5. Area (in km2) and population statistics must be given without spaces, commas or other code.
  6. Keep event text as short as possible - ideally only 1 line in length.
  7. For many entries, the infobox has been implemented by one of the main developers. Other users are welcome to implement the infobox themselves, but developers might make modifications later on - largely for functionality reasons.
  8. If you are unsure about the usage of this template, or if you want to know why a certain modification was made, let us know via the template talk page. Your comments and questions assist the developers in creating, improving and documenting infobox features.
 {{Infobox former country |native_name            = <!--- Name in native language(s). Leave blank if name is only in English.                                  Separate with line breaks<br> If language uses Latin characters, place name(s) in italics. ---> |conventional_long_name = <!--- Full name in English ---> |common_name            = <!--- Used to resolve location within categories and name of flags and coat of arms ---> | |continent              = <!--- Generates categories of the type "Former countries in Europe" ---> |region                 = <!--- Reserved for generating categories on subregions of continents ---> |country                = <!--- The country, to which this historic entity belongs today ---> |era                    = <!--- Use: "Napoleonic Wars", "Cold War", etc. ---> |status                 = <!--- Status: see Category list on template page ---> |status_text            = <!--- A free text to describe status the top of the infobox. Use sparingly. ---> |empire                 = <!--- The empire or country to which the entity was in a state of dependency ---> |government_type        = <!--- To generate categories: "Monarchy", "Republic", etc. to generate categories ---> | |<!--- Rise and fall, events, years and dates ---> |<!-- only fill in the start/end event entry if a specific article exists. Don't just say "abolition" or "declaration"--> | |year_start             = <!--- Year of establishment ---> |year_end               = <!--- Year of disestablishment ---> | |year_exile_start       = <!--- Year of start of exile (if dealing with exiled government - status="Exile") ---> |year_exile_end         = <!--- Year of end of exile (leave blank if still in exile) ---> | |event_start            = <!--- Default: "Established" ---> |date_start             = <!--- Optional: Date of establishment, enter dates in this format 1 January 1801---> |event_end              = <!--- Default: "Disestablished" ---> |date_end               = <!--- Optional: Date of disestablishment ---> | |event1                 = <!--- Optional: other events between "start" and "end" ---> |date_event1            =  |event2                 =  |date_event2            =  |event3                 =  |date_event3            =  |event4                 =  |date_event4            =  | |event_pre              = <!--- Optional: A crucial event that took place before before "event_start"---> |date_pre               =  |event_post             = <!--- Optional: A crucial event that took place before after "event_end"---> |date_post              =  | |<!--- Flag navigation: Preceding and succeeding entities p1 to p5 and s1 to s5 ---> |p1                     = <!--- Name of the article for preceding entity, numbered 1-5 ---> |flag_p1                = <!--- Default: "Flag of {{{p1}}}.svg" (size 30) ---> |image_p1               = <!--- Use: [[Image:Sin escudo.svg|20px|Image missing]] ---> |p2                     =  |flag_p2                =  |p3                     =  |flag_p3                =  |p4                     =  |flag_p4                =  |p5                     =  |flag_p5                =  |s1                     = <!--- Name of the article for succeeding entity, numbered 1-5 ---> |flag_s1                = <!--- Default: "Flag of {{{s1}}}.svg" (size 30) ---> |image_s1               = <!--- Use: [[Image:Sin escudo.svg|20px|Image missing]] ---> |s2                     =  |flag_s2                =  |s3                     =  |flag_s3                =  |s4                     =  |flag_s4                =  |s5                     =  |flag_s5                =  | |image_flag             = <!--- Default: Flag of {{{common_name}}}.svg ---> |flag                   = <!--- Link target under flag image. Default: Flag of {{{common_name}}} ---> |flag_type              = <!--- Displayed text for link under flag. Default "Flag" ---> | |image_coat             = <!--- Default: Coat of arms of {{{common_name}}}.svg ---> |symbol                 = <!--- Link target under symbol image. Default: Coat of arms of {{{common_name}}} ---> |symbol_type            = <!--- Displayed text for link under symbol. Default "Coat of arms" ---> | |image_map              =  |image_map_caption      =  | |image_map2             = <!-- If second map is needed - does not appear by default --> |image_map2_caption     =  | |capital                =  |capital_exile          = <!-- If status="Exile" --> |latd= |latm= |latNS= |longd= |longm= |longEW=  | |national_motto         =  |national_anthem        =  |common_languages       =  |religion               =  |currency               =  | |<!--- Titles and names of the first and last leaders and their deputies ---> |leader1                = <!--- Name of king or president ---> |leader2                =  |leader3                =  |leader4                =  |year_leader1           = <!--- Years served ---> |year_leader2           =  |year_leader3           =  |year_leader4           =  |title_leader           = <!--- Default: "King" for monarchy, otherwise "President"---> |representative1        = <!--- Name of representative of head of state (eg. colonial governor) ---> |representative2        =  |representative3        =  |representative4        =  |year_representative1   = <!--- Years served ---> |year_representative2   =  |year_representative3   =  |year_representative4   =  |title_representative   = <!--- Default: "Governor"---> |deputy1                = <!--- Name of prime minister ---> |deputy2                =  |deputy3                =  |deputy4                =  |year_deputy1           = <!--- Years served ---> |year_deputy2           =  |year_deputy3           =  |year_deputy4           =  |title_deputy           = <!--- Default: "Prime minister" ---> | |<!--- Legislature ---> |legislature            = <!--- Name of legislature ---> |house1                 = <!--- Name of first chamber ---> |type_house1            = <!--- Default: "Upper house"---> |house2                 = <!--- Name of second chamber ---> |type_house2            = <!--- Default: "Lower house"---> | |<!--- Area and population of a given year ---> |stat_year1             = <!--- year of the statistic, specify either area, population or both ---> |stat_area1             = <!--- area in square kílometres (w/o commas or spaces), area in square miles is calculated ---> |stat_pop1              = <!--- population (w/o commas or spaces), population density is calculated if area is also given ---> |stat_year2             =  |stat_area2             =  |stat_pop2              =  |stat_year3             =  |stat_area3             =  |stat_pop3              =  |stat_year4             =  |stat_area4             =  |stat_pop4              =  |stat_year5             =  |stat_area5             =  |stat_pop5              =  |footnotes              = <!--- Accepts wikilinks ---> }}

[edit] Example syntax

An example from German Empire:

 {{Infobox former country |native_name            = Deutsches Kaiserreich |conventional_long_name = German Empire |common_name            = Germany |continent              = Europe |region                 = Germany |country                = Germany |year_start             = 1871 |year_end               = 1918 |date_start             = January 18 |date_end               = November 9 |event_start            =  |event_end              = [[German Revolution|Abolition]] |p1                     = North German Confederation |flag_p1                = Flag of the German Empire.svg |s1                     = Weimar Republic |flag_s1                = Flag of Germany (2-3).svg |image_flag             = Flag of the German Empire.svg |image_coat             = Reichsadler_1888-1918.jpg |image_map              = German_Empire%2C_Wilhelminian_third_version.png.PNG |image_map_caption      = Territory of the German Empire in 1914, prior to World War I |national_motto         = ''Gott mit Uns''<br>([[German language|German]]: "God with us”) |national_anthem        = [[Heil dir im Siegerkranz]] (unofficial) |capital                = Berlin |latd=52|latm=31|latNS=N|longd=13|longm=24|longEW=E |common_languages       = [[German language|German]] |government_type        = Constitutional monarchy |title_leader           = [[List of German monarchs|Emperor]] |leader1                = [[Wilhelm I of Germany|Wilhelm I]] |year_leader1           = 1871-1888 |leader2                = [[Wilhelm II of Germany|Wilhelm II]] |year_leader2           = 1888-1918 |title_deputy           = [[Chancellor of Germany|Chancellor]] |deputy1                = Otto von Bismarck |year_deputy1           = 1871-1890 |deputy2                = [[Prince Maximilian of Baden|Max von Baden]] |year_deputy2           = 1918 |stat_year1             = 1871 |stat_pop1              = 41058792 |stat_year2             = 1890 |stat_pop2              = 49428470 |stat_year4             = 1910 |stat_pop4              = 64925993 |stat_area4             = 540766 |population_density3    = 120 |currency               = [[German gold mark|Goldmark]] }}

[edit] Detailed instructions

These are the fields of information in the Infobox former countries template with a set of instructions on how to use them. Here is a brief explanation on how to read the table:

  • Field name
    • the fields of information that carry information used by the template
  • Usage
    • required means that the template will not work properly if it is excluded
    • optional means that the template will work properly with out it, but available information should be entered to make it as complete as possible (actively excluding or deleting information is not endorsed because it is called optional in this table)
  • Type
    • variable means that the template will only take fixed values; this can be dates, years, numerical or according to a defined list
    • free means that the template will accept values given freely without having to adhere to the strict discipline required for variables
    • wikilink means that a working wikilink must be entered either to an article or to the file name of an image
  • Value
    • examples or lists of values accepted by variables
    • free text with wikilinks means that text and wikilinks can be entered freely with out the kind of restrictions that applies to variables
      • label is a short label typically fitting in a single line (no line break)
      • entry is one or a few short labels separated by commas or line breaks (no more than a few lines)
      • sentence is a short descriptive sentence (no more than a few lines)
    • free text means that text can be entered, but wikilinks must not be used
  • Description
    • an instruction or a small guide how the particular field of information is used

[edit] Name
Field Name Usage Type Values Description
native_name optional free label (free text) Name in native language(s), displayed at the top of the infobox. If there are multiple native languages, separate different names with line breaks. If the native language is English, leave this section blank and give the name in the next field.
conventional_long_name required free label (free text) Full name in English, displayed under the native name
common_name required variable "country name" This variable is a supporting variable for the infobox. The value required here is not always historically factual but this variable is very important as it has a number of important uses:
  • The value here determines how the entry is indexed within the categories that the infobox generates.
    • Example: The “Kingdom of England” should be indexed under E (England) instead of K (Kingdom). Therefore, "common_name=England"
  • Various links within the infobox are automatically generated if a certain page exists. If the article does not exist, a more generic link is produced. If the entity discussed is normally proceeded by “the” (eg. the United Kingdom), do not enter “the” in common_name: the template will also search for such links.
    • Example: The flag and heraldry information for Croatia over its history are in the two articles "Flag of Croatia" and "Coat of arms of Croatia". By saying "common_name=Croatia", the text underneath the flag and coat of arms images automatically links to these entries. For the Axis-controlled Independent State of Croatia, saying "common_name=Independent State of Croatia", while historically accurate, does not generate these links because there are no "Flag/Coat of arms of (the) Independent State of Croatia" articles.

[edit] Location
These variables are only used for generating categories for this article
Field Name Usage Type Values Description
continent required variable Europe, South America, Oceania, etc. If the discussed entity spanned more than one continent, list only one continent here and manually add the second category "Former countries of xxxx" as normal.
region required where implemented variable Balkans, Italy Give the sub-continental region that the historical entity belongs to. From here, new categories will be created if they are of a reasonable size.
country required variable "country name" A category-generating field, similar to "region", only now give the modern country that the historical entity belongs to. If there is more than one modern country, give the one that covers the majority of the historical territory (or the most relevant)

[edit] Status
The entries here again determine category placement. For some values, related text will be displayed in a bar underneath the name.
Field Name Usage Type Values Description
status optional variable
  • Empire
  • Federation
  • Confederation
  • State union
  • Client state
  • Vassal
  • Colony
  • Protectorate
  • United Nations Trust Territory
  • League of Nations Mandate
  • See also the variable government_type and the categorization scheme.
 Status describes the relationship between the political entity and other entities, whether colonies to an empire, the (colonial) empire itself, countries with special status by the League of Nations or the UN, etc.
empire optional variable "country name" Give the "common name" for the imperial country to which the entity was in a state of dependency.
  • Example: British Empire colony: "status=Colony", "empire=United Kingdom"
status_text optional free label (free text with wikilinks) If values are given for status and empire, it will be displayed by default as "status (empire)". The status_text variable allows you to display more specific or accurate text alternatives without compromising category assignment (eg. "State of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]", "Client state of [[First French Empire|France]]")

[edit] Politics
Field Name Usage Type Values Description
government_type required variable
  • Monarchy
  • Constitutional monarchy
  • Principality
  • Republic
  • Socialist republic
  • See also the variable status and the categorization scheme.
 This entry generates more categories and sets some defaults for other political titles (see below). If the value given here does not match any in the following list, the article will be placed in the maintenance category for further examination.
If a change in government takes place without the country itself changing, place the earlier government type in this field, and give the change in government as an intermediate event (eg. event1).
Head of state
title_leader optional free label (free text with wikilinks) the head of state's title. If "government_type" is "Monarchy" or "Constitutional monarchy" monarchy, the default "King" will be displayed, which will link to "King of {common_name}" if that article exists. If "Republic" of "Federal republic" is given, "President" will be used instead. If a different title is used, enter it here (but keep the length to a minimum) and wikilink it to the relevant article (if any)
  • Example: For the Kingdom of Prussia, "government_type=Monarchy" but "title_leader" has not been given. This is because the article "King of Prussia" exists, and is automatically linked to from the default word "King" in the infobox.
  • Example: For the German Empire, the Emperor was also the King of Prussia. But instead of giving a title of "Emperor of Germany, King of Prussia", [[List of German monarchs|Emperor]] is used instead, which includes a link to all German monarchs
leader1, leader2, ... optional free label (free text with wikilinks) Leader name. Wikilinks are generated automatically, but you should create wikilinked entries for people whose entry title is long (this applies to almost all royalty).
  • Example: [[George III of the United Kingdom|George III]] instead of "George III" or "George III of the United Kingdom". If it is not obvious that British monarchs are involved in this case, give the full "George III of the United Kingdom" (eg. Congo Free State).
year_leader1, year_leader2, ... optional free label (free text with wikilinks) Dates spanning rule of leader (eg. 1801-1843).
  • Note: If there was only one head of state, just fill in "leader1" but not "year_leader1". It is also not intended here to list every head of state that ever was: if there were a lot of them, just list the first and the last. To assist this, each name could be followed by (first) and (last) - but then you will need to wikilink the name.
Colonial governor, representative of head of state, etc.
title_representative optional free label (free text with wikilinks) same as for the head of state. These fields are to be used for colonial governors, representatives of the head of state, etc. For heads of government (eg. Prime Minister), use the "deputy" field below
representative1, representative2, ... optional free label (free text with wikilinks) Representative name. Wikilinks are generated automatically, but you should create wikilinked entries for people whose entry title is long
year_representative1, year_representative2, ... optional free label (free text with wikilinks) Dates spanning rule of the representative (eg. 1801-1843).
Deputy, head of government, etc.
title_deputy optional free label (free text with wikilinks) same as for the head of state. The only difference here is the default labels given: instead of "King" the default here is "Prime Minister"
deputy1, deputy2, ... optional free label (free text with wikilinks) Deputy name. Wikilinks are generated automatically, but you should create wikilinked entries for people whose entry title is long
year_deputy1, year_deputy2, ... optional free label (free text with wikilinks) Dates spanning rule of the deputy (eg. 1801-1843).
Legislatures and constitutions
legislature optional free label (free text with wikilinks) The name of the legislature (required to display upper and lower hoses)
house1, house2 optional free label (free text with wikilinks) The names of upper and lower houses of the legislature
type_house1, type_house2 optional free label (free text with wikilinks) Ability to enter different labels than upper and lower houses

[edit] General information
Field Name Usage Type Values Description
capital required free entry (free text with wikilinks) Capital city. No wikilinking necessary. If the name of the city has changed since this period, display the contemporary name, but wikilink to the modern name (eg. [[Istanbul|Constantinople]])
latd, latm, latNS, longd, longm, longEW optional variable co-ordinates Geographical co-ordinates of capital city
national_motto optional free entry (free text with wikilinks) National motto. If not in English, place the English translation last (after a line break). Add wikilinks if articles exist.
national_anthem optional free entry (free text with wikilinks) National anthem. If not in English, place the English translation last (after a line break). Add wikilinks if articles exist.
common_languages optional free entry (free text with wikilinks) Major language(s). Add wikilinks where possible. If only one language is involved, you may enter simply the name of the language if the corresponding language entry exists.
eg. If you enter only "English" for this field, the template will display [[English language|English]].
If more than one language is involved, you must enter full wikicoding.
eg. If the languages are English and Spanish, you must enter [[English language|English]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]]
religion optional free entry (free text with wikilinks) Major religion(s). Add wikilinks where possible.
currency optional free entry (free text with wikilinks) Currency used. If multiple currencies over time, give time periods and separate different currencies with line breaks. Add wikilinks if articles exist.

[edit] History
Field Name Usage Type Values Description
Start and end
year_start, year_end required variable year Years of establishment and disestablishment. These years will be placed in the date bar at the top. If the values given are the same year, only one year will be displayed, but you must still enter both. Do not wikilink these years. The years given here are automatically used to assign this entity to establishment/disestablishment categories.
date_start, date_end optional variable date Give the day and month (if known) to match year_start and year_end. Do not wikilink these dates. The year_start and year_end fields must be filled in.)
event_start, event_end optional free label (free text with wikilinks) Entering the information for the above 4 variables (or just the year variables) will create entries in the "History" section of the infobox. If nothing is given for event_start or event_end, the events will have the corresponding default text of "Established" and "Disestablished", respectively. The variables event_start and event_end allow you to give more detail. If the value you enter is the name of an article, the wikilink is automatically generated. You are encouraged to link to the article that describes the actual event which caused the formation/dissolution of the entity, if such articles exist. To keep the infobox tidy, create a wikilink to the event article if the title of the linked article is long (eg. [[Berlin conference|Established]]). You are discouraged from simply entering something like "Declaration" or "Proclamation" in these fields, because there are general articles with this title.
life_span optional free label (free text with wikilinks) Some entities temporarily ceased to exist before re-establishing. Use this variable only for these entities to replace the displayed dates in the date bar. Give unlinked dates with line breaks. (eg. 1841 — 1899<br>1910 — 1967 not [[1841]] — [[1899]]<br>[[1910]] — [[1967]]). You still need to fill in the year_start and year_end fields (in this example, "year_start=1841" and "year_end=1967") for the above-described functions to work.
Events
era optional variable
  • Napoleonic Wars
  • World War I
  • World War II
  • Cold War
 A category-assigning variable. If the value given here does not match any on the list in this table, this article will be automatically assigned to a maintenance-category. Do not panic. If a certain "era" value is used often enough, a new category will be created by the infobox developers.
event1/date_event1, event2/date_event2, ... optional free label (free text with wikilinks) Intermediate events. These will be listed in the History section between the start and end events. The event variables here function the same way as the event_start/event_end variables. Enter date as unlinked text (eg. "August 3, 1789" or "3 August 1789" not "[[August 3]], [[1789]]", "[[3 August]], [[1789]]" nor "[[1789-08-03]]").
event_pre/date_pre, event_post/date_post testing free label (free text with wikilinks) Sometimes, events that take place outside the life-span of the entity are important, these two varaibles will place an event before event_start (pre) or after event_end (post) in the History box.

[edit] Images
All of these variables are optional (but some are more optional than others). If there is no available image, place the WPFC banner on the article's talk page (if it isn't there already), with the parameters {{WPFC|class=?|flagneeded=yes|coatneeded=yes|mapneeded=yes}} (including only the relevant parameters)
Field Name Usage Type Values Description
Flag
image_flag optional wikilink file name The name of the flag image (no Image: coding needed)
flag_type optional free flag name Displayed text under flag image. Useful if more than one flag was used (eg. "3rd Flag of the Confederacy") or if the flag wasn't actually called a flag (eg. "Banner"). Default: "Flag"
flag optional wikilink link target for text under the flag image. By default, it will link to "Flag of (the) {common_name}" if such an article exists - if not, it will link to "Flag"
Heraldry
image_coat optional wikilink file name The name of the coat of arms image (no Image: coding needed)
symbol_type optional free "symbol name" Displayed text under coat of arms image. Useful if more than one coat of arms was used or if it wasn't actually called a coat of arms (eg. "Emblem"). Default: "Coat of arms"
symbol optional wikilink link target for text under the coat of arms image. By default, it will link to "Coat of arms of (the) {common_name}" if such an article exists - if not, it will link to "Coat of arms"
Map
image_map optional wikilink file name The name of the map image (no Image: coding needed)
image_map_caption optional free sentence (free text with wikilinks) Map caption

[edit] Preceding and succeeding entities
These fields are optional, but very important. Entries here affect the flag-navigation feature of the date bar at the top of the infobox.
Field Name Usage Type Values Description
p1 – p5 optional wikilink "country name" Names of preceding entities (up to 5)
s1 – s5 optional wikilink "country name" Names of succeeding entities (up to 5)
flag_p1, flag_p2, ... optional wikilink file name Name of image of flag for the state corresponding to p1, p2,... (just the name, no Image: coding). If the preceding state had multiple flags during its existence, use the last flag that it used. The template is instructed to search for possible flag images given the name of the state, so it might not be necessary to fill in this field. If a flag is not found or defined, the default "flag unknown" image will be shown.
flag_s1, flag_s2, ... optional wikilink file name Name of image of flag for the state corresponding to s1, s2,... (just the name, no Image: coding), same as the flags for previous states. If the suceeding state had multiple flags during its existence, use the first flag that it used.
image_p1,image_s1,... optional wikilink file name Going further back in history, flags were less common and coats of arms were used instead. Coat of arms images are generally narrower than flag images, so if coat of arms images are displayed at the defined image size used here for flags (i.e. width=30px), they appear too big. Therefore, if you have anything other than a flag/banner image to use for a previous/following entity, fill in this field. Here you must enter all wikilinking as normally done when entering an image, but set the image width to 20px (or higher, depending on the individual image).

[edit] Which entries should I link to?

It is not the intention here to list every single previous/following entity – that would make the infobox look very silly in many cases. Here are some guidleines for what to do (and what not to do). There are no strict rules so please exercise caution and common sense when using this feature.

  1. For most cases, the main and/or official predecessor/successor (under international law) is sufficient, since that is what most readers would expect to see. In the case of any potential confusion, list only this.
    • Example: not every single state formed after the breakup of the Ottoman Empire should be listed in the infobox for the Ottoman Empire. Such a list is better described in the article text. Instead, only the official successor state would be given (Turkey)
  2. In some cases, most readers would expect to see every state that was formed, not just the official predecessor/successor. If so, list all states. If only parts of other countries were taken to form the new entity (or if an already existing entity received some of the land from a dissolved entity), list these states only when there are not so many other states to list.
    • Example: the official successors of Austria-Hungary would be only Austria and Hungary. But from the breakup of Austria-Hungary, two other new states were completely formed (Czechoslovakia and the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs), one state was formed from part of Austria-Hungary (Poland, including territory ceded from Germany and relinquished from Russian rule), and two already-existing states gained territory from Austria-Hungary (Italy and Romania). This gives a total of 7 successor states, which is rather high. In order of priority, the states listed should be: [Austria and Hungary], [Czechoslovakia and the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs], [Poland], and finally [Italy and Romania].
  3. Do not list entities that were formed/dissolved outside the life-span of the discussed state.
    • Example: the breakup of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia does require the listing of all countries involved, since that is what people would expect. But only the states formed at the time when the SFYR broke up should be given. Therefore, "Serbia and Montenegro" is a successor entity, not "Serbia" and "Montenegro" separately since that breakup occurred later.
  4. If an entity simply became a subdivision of another country (state, province, etc.), then link to that subdivision. Only do this if it the transition is very clear.
    • Example: the Republic of Texas was annexed by the USA and reconsituted as the US state of Texas. The successor here is not the USA, but the modern state of Texas.
  5. If the entity did not exist for a period before reforming (specified when you use the life_span parameter above), do not list the intermediate states.
  6. If the predecessor and successor are the same - and this predecessor/successor continued to exist during this period - do not list either. Instead, make it clear what this state was somewhere in the events section (if necessary).
    • Example: the Confederate States of America broke away from the United States of America before becoming again part of the USA after the American Civil War. Detailing predecessor and successor states here as the USA is redundant since the USA still existed in some form during this period, so say nothing.

[edit] Area and population
Field Name Usage Type Values Description
stat_year1, stat_year2 ... optional (required if area or population is given) variable numerical It is possible to add multiple values for area and population over time.
  • Area must be given in km² without commas or any other spacing. The area in sq.mi. will be automatically calculated
  • Population must be given without commas or any other spacing. If area is also known for this time, population density will be automatically calculated.
  • Even if the area does not change over time, it should always be added along with any new population values in order to calculate density.
    • Example: You have population values for 1800 and 1900. You also have an area value and you know that it is the same for both years. You enter "stat_year1=1800" and "stat_year2=1900" and the two population values (without commas or spacing) under "stat_pop1" and "stat_pop2". You then enter your area value (in km², without commas or spacing) in both "stat_area1" and "stat_area2". The area will not be displayed twice, but the population density will be calculated for both years.
stat_area1, stat_area2 ... optional variable numerical
stat_pop1, stat_pop2 ... optional variable numerical

[edit] Footnotes
Field Name Usage Type Values Description
footnotes optional free sentence (free text with wikilinks) A standard field for footnotes. Use footnotes if there is anything in the infobox that requires further explanation. Supports wikilinks


[edit] Style parameters

The template allows some optional parameters that control the style of the infobox, for size and coloring, when displayed on a page:

  • width = 290px - sets the width of the infobox (default: 290px).
  • boxstyle = . . . - sets the style properties of the whole infobox.
  • titlestyle = . . . - sets the style properties of the top title/name area of the infobox.

Some specific styles for the whole infobox are as follows:

  • boxstyle = background:lightgray - sets the color behind all areas of the infobox.
  • boxstyle = border-color:blue; - sets the line around the infobox to the color blue.
  • boxstyle = border-width:5px; - sets line width around box to 5 pixels (default: 1px).
  • boxstyle = margin-left:1px; margin-right:7px; - resets the left/right margins of the infobox for similar alignment in both browsers Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Some specific styles for the title/name are as follows:

  • titlestyle = background:lightgray - sets the color behind the top title/name area of the infobox.
  • titlestyle = color:gold - sets the text color in top title/name area.
  • titlestyle = text-align:left - shifts title/name text to the left (default: center).

For multiple settings, combine all on one line, as follows:

  • titlestyle = background:lightgray; color:darkgreen;

The properties are separated by semicolons (";"), and beware that accidentally omitting semicolons will cause the settings to be ignored. Some style properties cannot be changed, such as setting "titlestyle=margin-left:25px" might be ignored, because "margin-left" is a property, instead, of the whole box, using boxstyle.

[edit]

To allow project members to keep track of articles, any page that uses this infobox must be labeled with the WPFC banner. To do this, go to the article's talk page and add {{WPFC}} to the top of the talk page, if the banner is not there already. See the banner page for more information about the extra parameters that the banner supports. At the absolute minimum, the talk page should contain {{WPFC}}.

[edit] See also

  • {{Infobox former subdivision}} - for subdivisions of former countries. In many ways identical to this infobox, but with a few modifications.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_former_country/doc"



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