Have you ever wondered: "How many countries are there in the world today?". A seemingly simple but controversial question. Let's find out how many countries there are in the world today.
1. How many countries in the world?
According to the 1993 Montervideo Convention, to be recognized as an independent country, all criteria must be met: permanent residents, defined territory, government and ability to enter into relations with other countries. In the world today, there are some countries that claim to be independent but one is recognized but the government does not have enough powers or is not internationally recognized as a political entity.
As of 2019, there are 195 countries in the world, including:
193 countries are members of the United Nations
The two countries that are UN observers are Vatice Castle and Palestine. Palenstine State is not recognized by many countries in the world.
2 countries are recognized by many countries in the world and are independent in fact.
- Taiwan (Taiwan) - declared by China as part of the territory, has 19 member states of the United Nations and the Vatice Castle still maintains official relations.
- Kosovo - declared as a territory by Serbia but is still 111/193 UN members, 23/28 European Union members, 24/28 NATO members, 35/61 members Islamic Cooperation Catholic recognition.
A country that is recognized by many countries but is not independent is in fact the Western Sahara. This is a country that is considered by the African Union and 41 countries to be sovereign but occupied territories.
6 countries declared independence but not recognized:
- Abkhazia - Only Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Vanuatu, Venezuela recognize.
- Northern Cyprus - Only Turkey recognized.
- South Ossetia - Has Russia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Venezuela recognized.
- Somaliland, Transnistria and Nagorno - Karabakh: all three countries have not been recognized by any country or world organization.
2. Division of countries by continent
Asia region
Asia consists of 50 countries, divided into 5 regions: East Asia (6 countries), Southeast Asia (11 countries), South Asia (9 countries), Central Asia (5 countries) and West Asia (18 countries). nation).
Autonomous regions, special zones, non-autonomous territories, disputes: Hong Kong (China), Macao (China), Taiwan (China).
Europe area
Europe includes 44 countries. Is divided into 4 regions: Northern Europe (10 countries), Eastern Europe (10 countries), Southern Europe (15 countries) and Western Europe (9 countries).
Autonomous regions, non-autonomous territories, disputes: Channel Islands (UK), Isle of Man (UK), Faeroe Islands (Denmark), Gibraltar (UK)
Americas region
The Americas include 35 countries. Including 4 regions: North America (2 countries), Caribbean (13 countries), South America (12 countries) and Central America (8 countries).
Autonomous regions, non-autonomous territories, disputes: Anguilla (UK), Aruba (Netherlands), Bermuda (UK), British Virgin Islands (UK), Caribbean Netherlands (Netherlands), Cayman Islands (UK), Curacao (Netherlands), Falkland Islands (UK), French Guiana (France), Greenland (Denmark), Guadeloupe (France), Martinique (France), Montserrat (UK), Puerto Rico (USA), Saint Pierre & Miquelon (France), Sint Maarten (Netherlands), Turks and Caicos (UK), US Virgin Islands (USA).
Africa region
Africa includes 54 countries. Divided into 5 regions: North Africa (6 countries), East Africa (18 countries), South Africa (5 countries), Central Africa (9 countries) and West Africa (16 countries).
Autonomous regions, non-autonomous territories, disputes: Réunion (France), Western Sahara (disputed), Mayotte (France), Saint Helenna (UK).
Australia region
Australia consists of 14 countries. Divided into 4 regions: Australia and New Zealand (2 countries), Melanesia (4 countries), Micronesia (5 countries) and Polynesia (3 countries).
Autonomous regions, non-autonomous territories, disputes: American Samoa (USA), Cook Island (partly New Zealand), French Polynesia (France), Guam (USA), New Caledonia (France), Niue (Partly New Zealand), Northern Mariana Islands (USA), Tokelau (New Zealand), Wallis & Futuna (France).
Above is the whole article to answer the question "How many countries in the world?". Hopefully, through this article, it will be helpful for you, providing more knowledge about the country in the world.