All Countries: A Guide to the World's Nations
Have you ever wondered how many countries there are in the world? Or what makes a country different from other political entities? Or what are some of the most interesting facts about different countries? If you are curious about the world and its diversity, this article is for you. In this article, you will learn what a country is, how many countries there are in the world, how countries are classified, and some fascinating facts about different countries. You will also find some resources to help you learn more about different countries. So, let's get started!
What is a country?
A country is a political entity that has a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and the ability to enter into relations with other countries. A country is also known as a state, a nation, or a sovereign state. However, not all political entities that meet these criteria are considered as countries by the international community. For example, Taiwan, Kosovo, and Palestine are not recognized as countries by some or all of the other countries in the world. On the other hand, some political entities that do not meet these criteria are considered as countries by the international community. For example, Vatican City, Monaco, and Nauru are recognized as countries even though they have very small territories and populations. Therefore, the definition of a country is not always clear-cut and may depend on various factors such as history, culture, politics, and law.
all countries
How many countries are there in the world?
The official list of countries
The most widely accepted list of countries in the world is based on the membership of the United Nations (UN), an international organization that aims to maintain peace and security, promote cooperation, and protect human rights. As of June 2023, there are 193 member states of the UN. However, this list does not include two observer states of the UN: the Holy See (the seat of the Catholic Church) and the State of Palestine (a partially recognized state that claims sovereignty over the West Bank and Gaza Strip). Therefore, if we include these two observer states, there are 195 countries in the world according to the UN list.
The disputed and unrecognized countries
However, the UN list does not reflect the reality of some regions in the world where there are disputes or conflicts over sovereignty and recognition. There are several political entities that claim to be independent countries but are not recognized by most or all of the other countries in the world. Some of these entities have de facto control over their territories and have established their own governments, while others have limited or no control over their territories and rely on external support. Some examples of these disputed and unrecognized countries are:
Taiwan: A self-governing island that is claimed by China as part of its territory. Taiwan has its own constitution, president, parliament, military, and currency. However, it is only recognized by 15 other countries.
Kosovo: A landlocked region in Southeast Europe that declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 after a violent conflict. Kosovo has its own government, flag, anthem, and currency. However, it is only recognized by 98 other countries.
Somaliland: A self-declared republic in East Africa that broke away from Somalia in 1991 after a civil war. Somaliland has its own government, flag, anthem, and currency. However, it is not recognized by any other country.
There are many other disputed and unrecognized countries in the world such as Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Transnistria: A narrow strip of land between Moldova and Ukraine that declared its independence from Moldova in 1990 after a brief war. Transnistria has its own government, flag, anthem, and currency. However, it is not recognized by any other country.
Northern Cyprus: A self-proclaimed republic in the northern part of the island of Cyprus that split from the Republic of Cyprus in 1974 after a Turkish invasion. Northern Cyprus has its own government, flag, anthem, and currency. However, it is only recognized by Turkey.
South Ossetia: A mountainous region in the South Caucasus that declared its independence from Georgia in 1991 after a violent conflict. South Ossetia has its own government, flag, anthem, and currency. However, it is only recognized by Russia and four other countries.
Western Sahara: A disputed territory in North Africa that was colonized by Spain until 1975 and then claimed by Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), a self-proclaimed state led by the Polisario Front, a liberation movement. Western Sahara has its own government, flag, anthem, and currency. However, it is only recognized by 40 other countries.
These are just some of the examples of the complex and dynamic situation of the world's countries. There are many other factors that affect the recognition and status of countries such as historical ties, cultural affinities, geopolitical interests, economic benefits, and human rights issues.
How are countries classified?
By continent
One of the most common ways to classify countries is by their location on different continents. A continent is a large landmass that is separated from other landmasses by oceans or other natural features. There are seven continents in the world: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Australia (or Oceania), and Antarctica. However, some geographers and regions may have different definitions of continents based on their physical or cultural characteristics. For example, some people consider Europe and Asia as one continent called Eurasia, while others consider North and South America as one continent called America.
List of countries in the world in alphabetical order[^1^]
Alphabetical list of countries and their population[^2^]
Countries and regions of the world with official names and alternative designations[^3^]
World map showing all countries and their capitals
List of countries by continent and subregion
Countries and territories of the world by area and population density
List of countries by GDP (nominal) and GDP (PPP) per capita
Countries and dependencies of the world by human development index (HDI)
List of countries by life expectancy and health indicators
Countries and regions of the world by political system and type of government
List of countries by literacy rate and education level
Countries and territories of the world by languages spoken and official languages
List of countries by culture and religion
Countries and regions of the world by natural resources and environmental issues
List of countries by climate and weather patterns
Countries and territories of the world by tourism attractions and destinations
List of countries by international rankings and global competitiveness
Countries and regions of the world by history and origin of name
List of countries by national symbols and flags
Countries and territories of the world by currency and exchange rate
List of countries by military expenditure and armed forces
Countries and regions of the world by foreign relations and alliances
List of countries by trade balance and export/import partners
Countries and territories of the world by internet usage and penetration
List of countries by innovation and technological development
Countries and regions of the world by social issues and human rights
List of countries by crime rate and safety index
Countries and territories of the world by sports achievements and popular sports
List of countries by cuisine and food culture
Countries and regions of the world by festivals and holidays
List of countries by music and entertainment industry
Countries and territories of the world by fashion and style trends
List of countries by art and literature contributions
Countries and regions of the world by science and research output
List of countries by space exploration and achievements
Countries and territories of the world by transportation infrastructure and modes
List of countries by energy consumption and production
Countries and regions of the world by renewable energy sources and potential
List of countries by urbanization rate and urban population growth
Countries and territories of the world by rural development and agriculture sector
List of countries by demographic trends and population projections
Countries and regions of the world by migration patterns and diversity index
List of countries by gender equality and women empowerment indicators
Countries and territories of the world by youth development and opportunities
List of countries by aging population and elderly care challenges
Countries and regions of the world by happiness index and quality of life measures
List of countries by coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, deaths, recoveries, vaccinations, etc.
Countries and territories of the world affected by natural disasters, conflicts, wars, etc.
List of countries that are members or observers in international organizations (UN, EU, NATO, etc.)
The following table shows how many countries are in each continent and which ones are the largest and smallest by area and population:
Continent
Number of countries
Largest country by area
Largest country by population
Smallest country by area
Smallest country by population
Africa
54
Algeria (2.38 million km)
Nigeria (214 million)
Seychelles (452 km)
Seychelles (98 thousand)
Asia
48
Russia (13.1 million km)
China (1.4 billion)
Maldives (298 km)
Maldives (541 thousand)
Europe
44
Russia (3.96 million km)
Russia (146 million)
Vatican City (0.44 km)
Vatican City (801)
North America
23
Canada (9.98 million km)
United States (332 million)St. Kitts and Nevis (261 km)
Montserrat (4.9 thousand)
South America
12
Brazil (8.51 million km)
Brazil (213 million)
Suriname (163 thousand km)
Suriname (587 thousand)
Australia (or Oceania)
14
Australia (7.69 million km)
Australia (25.7 million)
Nauru (21 km)
Nauru (10.8 thousand)
Antarctica
0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
By development
Another way to classify countries is by their level of economic and social development. Development is a process of improving the quality of life of people by increasing their income, health, education, and other aspects. There are different ways to measure development, such as the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, which is the total value of goods and services produced in a country divided by its population, or the human development index (HDI), which is a composite indicator that combines life expectancy, education, and income. Based on these measures, countries can be classified into three broad categories: developed, developing, and least developed countries.
Developed countries are those that have a high level of development and a high standard of living. They usually have a strong economy, a stable political system, a well-educated population, and a good health care system. Some examples of developed countries are the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
Developing countries are those that have a medium or low level of development and a lower standard of living. They usually have a weaker economy, a less stable political system, a less educated population, and a poorer health care system. Some examples of developing countries are China, India, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, and Indonesia.
Least developed countries are those that have the lowest level of development and the lowest standard of living. They usually face severe challenges such as poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, and conflict. Some examples of least developed countries are Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and Zambia.
By government
A third way to classify countries is by their type of government. Government is the system or institution that makes and enforces the rules and laws in a country. There are different types of government based on how they are formed, how they operate, and how they distribute power among different groups or individuals. Some of the most common types of government are:
Democracy: A form of government where the people have the power to choose their leaders and influence their policies through free and fair elections. Some examples of democracy are the United States, India, France, and Australia.
Monarchy: A form of government where the power is inherited by a single person who is the head of state, usually called a king or a queen. Some monarchies are constitutional, where the monarch has limited or symbolic power and shares it with an elected parliament or other bodies. Some examples of constitutional monarchy are the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada. Some monarchies are absolute, where the monarch has unlimited or total power and does not share it with anyone. Some examples of absolute monarchy are Saudi Arabia, Brunei, and Swaziland.
Dictatorship: A form of government where the power is concentrated in the hands of a single person or a small group who rules with force and repression. They usually do not allow free and fair elections, freedom of speech, or human rights. Some examples of dictatorship are North Korea, China, and Cuba.
Republic: A form of government where the power is held by the people and their representatives who are elected by them. The head of state is usually called a president and is not a monarch. Some examples of republic are Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa.
Federal: A form of government where the power is divided between a central or national government and several regional or state governments. Each level of government has its own authority and responsibilities. Some examples of federal government are the United States, Germany, and India.
Unitary: A form of government where the power is centralized in a single or national government that controls all aspects of the country. The regional or local governments have little or no autonomy and depend on the central government. Some examples of unitary government are France, China, and Japan.
These are just some of the types of government that exist in the world. There are many other types and variations of government that may combine different elements or characteristics of these types.
What are some interesting facts about countries?
The oldest and youngest countries
One of the interesting facts about countries is their age or how long they have existed as independent states. The age of a country can be measured by different criteria such as the date of its declaration of independence, recognition by other countries, constitution, or formation. Based on these criteria, some of the oldest and youngest countries in the world are:
The oldest country in the world is San Marino, a small landlocked country in Southern Europe that claims to have been founded in 301 AD by a Christian stonemason named Marinus who fled persecution from the Roman Empire. San Marino is also one of the smallest countries in the world with an area of 61 km and a population of 34 thousand.
The youngest country in the world is South Sudan, a landlocked country in East Africa that gained its independence from Sudan in 2011 after a long civil war. South Sudan is also one of the poorest and most conflict-ridden countries in the world with an area of 619 thousand km and a population of 11 million.
The largest and smallest countries
Another interesting fact about countries is their size or how big they are in terms of their area and population. The size of a country can have an impact on its economy, environment, culture, and politics. Based on these measures, some of the largest and smallest countries in the world are:
The largest country in the world by area is Russia, which spans two continents (Europe and Asia) and covers 17.1 million km, which is about 11% of the world's land area. Russia is also the ninth-largest country by population with 146 million people.
The largest country in the world by population is China, which occupies most of East Asia and covers 9.6 million km, which is about 6% of the world's land area. China is also the third-largest country by area and has 1.4 billion people, which is about 18% of the world's population.
The smallest country in the world by area is Vatican City, which is located within Rome, Italy and covers 0.44 km, which is about 0.00003% of the world's land area. Vatican City is also the smallest country in the world by population with 801 people, which is about 0.00001% of the world's population.
The smallest country in the world by population and area is Nauru, which is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean and covers 21 km, which is about 0.00014% of the world's land area. Nauru also has 10.8 thousand people, which is about 0.00014% of the world's population.
The richest and poorest countries
A third interesting fact about countries is their wealth or how much money they have or make in terms of their gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and their human development index (HDI). GDP per capita is the total value of goods and services produced in a country divided by its population, while HDI is a composite indicator that combines life expectancy, education, and income. Both measures reflect the economic and social well-being of a country. Based on these measures, some of the richest and poorest countries in the world are:
The richest country in the world by GDP per capita is Qatar, which is a small but oil-rich country in the Middle East and has a GDP per capita of $132,886 as of 2020. Qatar is also ranked 41st by HDI with a score of 0.848 out of 1.
The richest country in the world by HDI is Norway, which is a Nordic country in Northern Europe and has a HDI score of 0.957 out of 1 as of 2019. Norway is also ranked 6th by GDP per capita with $75,419 as of 2020.
The poorest country in the world by GDP per capita is Burundi, which is a landlocked country in East Africa and has a GDP per capita of $261 as of 2020. Burundi is also ranked 185th by HDI with a score of 0.433 out of 1.
The poorest country in the world by HDI is Niger, which is a landlocked country in West Africa and has a HDI score of 0.394 out of 1 as of 2019. Niger is also ranked 182nd by GDP per capita with $477 as of 2020.
The most diverse and homogeneous countries
A fourth interesting fact about countries is their diversity or how much variety they have in terms of their ethnic, linguistic, religious, and cultural groups. Diversity can have positive effects such as fostering creativity, innovation, and tolerance, but it can also have negative effects such as causing conflicts, discrimination, and fragmentation. Based on these aspects, some of the most diverse and homogeneous countries in the world are:
The most diverse country in the world by ethnicity is Papua New Guinea, which is an island nation in Oceania and has over 1,000 different ethnic groups that speak over 800 different languages. Papua New Guinea is also very diverse by religion and culture.
The most diverse country in the world by language is India, which is a large country in South Asia and has over 1.3 billion people who speak over 450 different languages that belong to four major language families: Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Austroasiatic, and Tibeto-Burman. India is also very diverse by ethnicity, religion, and culture.
The most diverse country in the world by religion is Indonesia, which is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia and has over 270 million people who follow six official religions: Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Animism. Indonesia is also very diverse by ethnicity and language.
The most homogeneous country in the world by ethnicity is Japan, which is an island nation in East Asia and has over 98% of its population belonging to the Japanese ethnic group that speaks Japanese as their native language. Japan is also relatively homogeneous by religion and culture.
The most homogeneous country in the world by language is Iceland, which is an island nation in the North Atlantic and has over 99% of its population speaking Icelandic as their native language. Icelandic is a North Germanic language that has changed little from its Old Norse roots. Iceland is also relatively homogeneous by ethnicity and religion.
The most homogeneous country in the world by religion is Vatican City, which is the smallest country in the world and the seat of the Catholic Church. Vatican City has 100% of its population following Catholicism as their official religion. Vatican City is also relatively homogeneous by ethnicity and language.
The happiest and unhappiest countries
A fifth interesting fact about countries is their happiness or how satisfied their people are with their lives. Happiness can be influenced by various factors such as income, health, education, freedom, social support, generosity, and corruption. There are different ways to measure happiness, such as the happiness or well-being score, which is based on surveys that ask people how happy they are on a scale of 0 to 10. Based on this measure, some of the happiest and unhappiest countries in the world are:
The happiest country in the world is Finland, which is a Nordic country in Northern Europe and has a happiness score of 7.84 out of 10 as of 2020. Finland is also ranked high by other indicators such as GDP per capita, life expectancy, education, freedom, social support, generosity, and corruption.
The unhappiest country in the world is Afghanistan, which is a landlocked country in South Asia and has a happiness score of 2.52 out of 10 as of 2020. Afghanistan is also ranked low by other indicators such as GDP per capita, life expectancy, education, freedom, social support, generosity, and corruption.
How can you learn more about different countries?
As you can see, there are many interesting facts and information about different countries in the world. However, this article only scratches the surface of the diversity and complexity of the world's nations. If you want to learn more about different countries, you can use various resources such as books, websites, podcasts, documentaries, etc. Here are some examples of resources that you can use to explore more about different countries:
Books: You can read books that provide an overview or a detailed analysis of different countries or regions in the world. Some examples of books are The World: A Brief Introduction by Richard Haass, Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World by Tim Marshall, and Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling.
Websites: You can visit websites that provide data or information about different countries or regions in the world. Some examples of websites are The World Factbook by the CIA, The World Bank Data by The World Bank Group, and The World Happiness Report by The United Nations.
Podcasts: You can listen to podcasts that discuss or interview people from different countries or regions in the world. Some examples of podcasts are The World Next Week by The Council on Foreign Relations, The Worldly Wise by The BBC, and The Atlas Obscura Podcast by Atlas Obscura.
Documentaries: You can watch documentaries that show or explain different aspects of different countries or regions in the world. Some examples of documentaries are Planet Earth by The BBC, Human Planet by The BBC, and Our Planet by Netflix.
These are just some of the resources that you can use to learn more about different countries. There are many other resources that you can find online or offline that can help you expand your knowledge and understanding of the world and its diversity. By learning more about different countries, you can also learn more about yourself and your place in the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this article has given you a brief guide to the world's nations. You have learned what a country is, how many countries there are in the world, how countries are classified, and some interesting facts about different countries. You have also learned some resources that you can use to learn more about different countries. We hope that this article has sparked your curiosity and interest in the world and its diversity. Remember, the world is a big and beautiful place, and there is always something new to discover and learn. So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring the world today!
FAQs
What is the difference between a country and a nation?
A country is a political entity that has a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and the ability to enter into relations with other countries. A nation is a cultural entity that has a common identity, history, language, religion, and values. A country and a nation may or may not coincide. For example, France is both a country and a nation, as it has a defined territory and a government as well as a common identity and culture. However, Kurdistan is not a country but a nation, as it does not have a defined territory or a government but has a common identity and culture.
What is the difference between a continent and a region?
A continent is a large landmass that is separated from other landmasses by oceans or other natural features. A region is a smaller area that is defined by its physical or cultural characteristics. A continent may contain several regions within it. For example, Africa is a continent that contains regions such as North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa.
What is the difference between GDP and HDI?
GDP stands for gross domestic product, which is the total value of goods and services produced in a country in a given period of time. HDI stands for human development index, which is a composite indicator that combines life expectancy, education, and income. GDP measures the economic performance of a country, while HDI measures the social well-being of a country.
What are some of the benefits and challenges of diversity?
Diversity refers to the variety of ethnic, linguistic, religious, and cultural groups in a country or in the world. Diversity can have benefits such as fostering creativity, innovation, and tolerance, as well as challenges such as causing conflicts, discrimination, and fragmentation. Diversity can be managed by promoting respect, dialogue, cooperation, and inclusion among different groups.
What are some of the sources of happiness and unhappiness?
Happiness and unhappiness are subjective states of mind that depend on various factors such as personal, social, environmental, and genetic factors. Happiness and unhappiness can be influenced by factors such as income, health, education, freedom, social support, generosity, and corruption. However, these factors are not the only or the most important sources of happiness and unhappiness. Happiness and unhappiness can also be influenced by factors such as gratitude, optimism, purpose, meaning, relationships, hobbies, and spirituality. Happiness and unhappiness can be enhanced or reduced by adopting positive or negative habits, attitudes, and behaviors. 44f88ac181
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