The WikiProject Former countries' article structure guide is intended to be advisory only, and should not be enforced against the wishes of those actually working on the article in question. Not all states were the same, and the same template might not be appropriate for different states. However, having the same "look & feel" for these articles is desirable. This guide will outline the usage of the WPFC banner, the {{Infobox former country}} template and the {{Infobox former subdivision}} template.
The article should start with a good introduction, giving name of the country, location in the world, bordering countries, seas and the
like. Also give other names by which the country may still be known (for example Holland, Persia). Also, add a few facts about the country, the things that it is known for (for example the mentioning of windmills in the Netherlands article).
Geography - Quick description of the country's main features, climate, . Include link to "Geography of X".
History - A brief outline of the major events in the country's history (about 4 to 6 paragraphs should do).
(Subdivisions) - Quick overview of the administrative subdivisions of the country (e.g. provinces, states, departments, etc.) Provide a table of the uppermost divisions. If the uppermost level consists of just a few groupings of the next level, include both levels. The table should contain about one to three dozen entries. Include a map graphic that shows these subdivisions. Link to articles about each subdivision.
Miscellaneous topics - a list of links to all the other topics closely related to the country.
External links - Links to websites about the country.
...and make sure that the {{WPFC}} banner is on the talk page
WikiProject Former countries
