Understanding the comprehensive list of countries in the world is fundamental for geography enthusiasts, travelers, educators, and global business professionals. But how many countries in the world are there exactly? While the United Nations currently recognizes 193 member states, different definitions and geopolitical perspectives sometimes adjust this number slightly. This article provides a clear, detailed list of all countries, segmented by continent, with notable examples, historical context, and key data such as population figures. Whether you need information about European countries, African nations, or Asian territories, this extensive guide simplifies your search.
The United Nations (UN) officially recognizes 193 countries as sovereign member states. Two observer states, the Holy See (Vatican City) and the State of Palestine, hold significant international recognition but lack full membership status.
Several territories worldwide claim independence yet lack full international recognition. Examples include Taiwan, Kosovo, and Western Sahara. Depending on the source, these disputes affect the total number of countries in the world.
Europe consists of 44 countries recognized by the UN. Europe's rich history and diverse cultures make it one of the world's most influential continents. This comprehensive European countries list includes nations such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
The population of countries list for Europe varies significantly. Germany, Europe's most populous country, boasts over 83 million residents, while tiny nations like Vatican City have fewer than 1,000 inhabitants.
Asia, the largest continent by area and population, includes 49 UN-recognized nations. The list of Asian countries includes global powers like China, India, Japan, and South Korea, alongside smaller states like Bhutan and Maldives.
India and China alone house over 35% of the global population, demonstrating the continent's vast demographic scale. India, projected to become the most populous country, currently hosts over 1.4 billion people.
Africa comprises 54 internationally recognized states. The African countries list highlights countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya, each culturally distinct and geographically diverse.
Nigeria, the most populous African nation, has a population exceeding 220 million, while countries like Seychelles São Tomé, and Príncipe have much smaller populations but significant cultural importance.
North America includes notable countries such as the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with populations ranging from over 330 million in the United States to around 38 million in Canada. South America comprises diverse nations like Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. Brazil, South America's most populous country, is home to approximately 214 million people, followed by Colombia and Argentina, each with populations exceeding 45 million.
Oceania, the smallest continent by population, comprises diverse countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and numerous island states like Fiji, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea. Australia, the largest country in Oceania, has a population of over 26 million, while New Zealand follows with approximately 5 million inhabitants. Smaller island nations such as Fiji and Samoa each have populations under 1 million but maintain rich cultural traditions and unique geographical features.
This is an alphabetically ordered list of the countries of the world and all but the smallest political dependencies and territories.
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
The Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
Costa Rica
Côte d’Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor (Timor-Leste)
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini (Swaziland)
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gabon
The Gambia
Gaza Strip
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
North Korea
South Korea,
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar (Burma)
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Réunion
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
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
South Sudan
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Virgin Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
West Bank
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Teachers and students use comprehensive lists of countries of the world to enhance geographic literacy, global awareness, and comparative studies.
Businesses and travelers utilize accurate country lists to understand market demographics, regulatory environments, and cultural contexts critical for successful international operations.
Having a clear and detailed list of countries is essential for global understanding, education, and practical application in business and travel. Although the exact count can vary due to geopolitical complexities, the generally accepted total remains around 193 countries recognized by the UN. Whether exploring European, Asian, or African countries, this guide offers a concise yet comprehensive resource for navigating the diversity and complexity of our global landscape.
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