how many country in the world
Have you ever wondered how many countries there are in the world? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think. The number of countries in the world has been a subject of debate for many years, with various organizations and experts presenting different numbers. In this blog post, we will explore the different ways of defining a country and the various estimates of the number of countries in the world.
Defining a Country
Before we delve into the number of countries in the world, it is essential to define what we mean by a country. There are different ways of defining a country, and different organizations have their criteria. Here are some of the commonly used definitions:
- Political definition: A country is a sovereign state with a defined territory, government, and population. This is the most commonly used definition and is used by organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.
- Geographic definition: A country is a geographic region with defined borders, natural boundaries, and a distinct culture. This definition is more subjective and is often used in a cultural or historical context.
- Cultural definition: A country is a group of people with a shared language, history, and culture. This definition is often used in an anthropological or sociological context.
The Number of Countries in the World
Now that we have defined what we mean by a country let's explore the different estimates of the number of countries in the world.
United Nations
The United Nations is the most prominent organization that defines and recognizes countries. According to the UN, there are 193 member states, which are countries that have been recognized by the international community and are members of the UN. The UN also recognizes two observer states, the Holy See (Vatican City) and Palestine, bringing the total number to 195.
Other Organizations
Other organizations have different criteria for recognizing countries, which can result in different estimates of the number of countries in the world. Here are some examples:
- The International Olympic Committee recognizes 206 countries and territories.
- The International Organization for Standardization recognizes 249 countries and territories.
- The Traveler's Century Club recognizes 327 countries and territories.
It is worth noting that some of these organizations recognize territories and dependencies that are not recognized as sovereign states by the international community.
Disputed Territories
There are several disputed territories that are not recognized as independent countries by the international community, but have declared independence and operate as de facto independent states. These territories include:
- Abkhazia
- Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
- Northern Cyprus
- Somaliland
- South Ossetia
- Transnistria
The status of these territories is a subject of international debate, and their inclusion in the list of countries varies depending on the organization.
Micronations
Micronations are self-proclaimed entities that claim to be independent states but are not recognized by the international community. There are hundreds of micronations around the world, ranging from small islands to properties owned by individuals. While they are not recognized as countries, they are often seen as a novelty and attract tourists and enthusiasts.
Name of the countries that are recognized
There are currently 195 recognized sovereign states in the world, as well as two observer states (the Holy See and Palestine). Here is a list of all the recognized sovereign states, sorted alphabetically:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Central African Republic (CAR)
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Republic of the Congo
- Costa Rica
- Cote d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar (formerly Burma)
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- North Macedonia (formerly Macedonia)
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor)
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- United Kingdom (UK)
- United States of America (USA)
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City (Holy See)
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
It's important to note that the list of recognized sovereign states can be a bit controversial and there are some countries that are not universally recognized as independent nations. Additionally, there are several territories and dependencies that are not considered fully independent sovereign states, but are still considered separate political entities. Overall, the political landscape of the world is complex and constantly evolving, but as of now there are 195 recognized sovereign states.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the number of countries in the world is a complex and multifaceted issue. The different definitions and criteria for recognizing a country, along with historical and political factors, have contributed to varying estimates of the number of countries. While the exact number of countries may be up for debate, what is undeniable is the diversity and richness of cultures, languages, and histories around the world. Understanding and appreciating this diversity is crucial in promoting peace and harmony in our interconnected world.
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