In 2000, there were almost 200 countries in the world. Most countries have one of five main types of government.
In a democracy, the people run the government. Switzerland is one example.
A republic is like a democracy where people choose leaders to speak for them. The United States is a republic with a president as the main leader.
In communist countries like China, the government owns most things, not people. The government gives services like health care and schools.
A monarchy has a king or queen. Some kings and queens, like in Britain, don’t have much power. Others, like in Saudi Arabia, have total power.
In a dictatorship, one person takes control by force. Fidel Castro was a dictator who ruled Cuba from 1959 through 2008.
