How many countries in the world in 2022?
UPDATE MAY 2022: If you ask how many countries in the world there are in 2022. Well, the answer is that technically speaking there are 197 countries in the world. From a travel perspective, you could argue there are 215 countries. Although it’s pretty complicated, solet’s have a look.
My attempts at visiting every country in the world was a thousand times tougher than I ever expected. Before I could contemplate finishing the goal, I had to sit back and answer my own question. ‘How many countries are there in the world?“. “200 or so?’ I thought. It’s so tough to get a definitive answer. Bear with me.
Generally speaking, I was right. There are around 200 countries in the world. But ‘generally’ doesn’t cut it when you’re trying to become one of the few people to officially do it! So I had to delve a little deeper. And the answer to how many countries in the world was found somewhere from the United Nations list (193 recognised countries) and the FIFA football list (211 members). But how can you put an official number on it?
Table of contents
- How many countries in the world in 2022?
- What is a country? What makes a country a country?
- How Many Countries in the World? What Does FIFA Say?
- THE UNITED NATIONS SAY THERE ARE 193 COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
- So there are 197 countries in the world?
- So here’s the full list of EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD*
- If you want to know about how many countries in each of the 7 continents, check these out:
- And how many countries in each region?
- So 197 countries? Or 215?
- Disputed territories Around the World
- What about the UK? Is England a country? Northern Ireland? Wales? Scotland?
- Places that aren’t countries (that people often think ARE)
- So, how many countries in the world? 197 (on a technicality), 215 to be sure.
- Lastly, my journey to every country in the world, and where I am now:
- Further reading on country stuff?
What is a country? What makes a country a country?
First of all, we need to think about what makes a country a country. Does it have to have a flag, a government, its own currency, a passport? It’s so difficult to decide. So let’s say this: an independent country is not only a self-governed nation with its own authorities. Furthermore, its status needs the international diplomatic recognition of sovereignty from at least some other sovereign countries. So you need to manage all your own affairs AND have other countries understand and recognise that you are indeed a country. Which stops me from declaring my apartment ‘johnnyland’ and it being an official country. Shame.
How Many Countries in the World? What Does FIFA Say?
Initially, being a huge football fan, I wanted to ask FIFA how many countries are there in the world. And then I could work off the FIFA list But as much fun as that would have been, it was just plain wrong. Football has more national teams than any other sport so that’s a great starting point too. And the federation ‘FIFA’ is a huge global body.
But, alas, politics still plays a part. For example, the UK is 1 country but FIFA used Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales as 4 separate ‘countries’. Despite all using the same British pound, same British passport, having the same British queen and all using the same British Government (albeit slightly differently). So without getting political (and coming from Northern Ireland that’s quite tough) the FIFA list isn’t strictly correct. So, scratch that. Onto the next one. The United Nations.
THE UNITED NATIONS SAY THERE ARE 193 COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
The United Nations list is probably the best to work off. It’s pretty expansive. It’s not TOO political (more on that in a second). And if you’re recognized by the UN then realistically you’re pretty much a country. So they say they have 193 members. So that means there are 193 countries in the world, right? Not quite. The 193 United Nations list doesn’t include Kosovo, Palestine, Vatican City, or Taiwan.
Are Palestine and the Vatican City countries? Yes.
The UN also sees 2 permanent observer states in Palestine and Vatican City. Both of which I see as countries. Palestine, in particular, is one of my favorites. So that would make the count 193 + 2 = 195. So 195 countries in the world? Calm down sailor, we’re not there yet. That list still excludes Taiwan (recognized by 22 countries), and Kosovo (recognized by 109 other countries), so what to do?
Is Taiwan a country? Yes.
Taiwan is excluded because China claims ownership over Taiwan. The rest of the world doesn’t want to harm their relations with China due to all the trading opportunities and power, so they too cut ties in terms of recognising Taiwan as an independent country. Despite the fact that very much is a country. So that makes the final cut for sure. Incidentally, Taiwan is a brilliant place to visit, I’d massively recommend it.
Anyway, that brings us to 196 countries in the world. UN’s 193 countries list + Kosovo + Palestine, and now + Taiwan.
Is Kosovo a country? Yes.
Kosovo is a country. But it’s a political issue too. Since declaring itself independent from Serbia in 2008 it’s had a tough ride. Again without getting overly political, it’s recognized by countries such as the UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and a lot more As well as being a member of the IMF, The World Bank, the IOC etc. Yet the countries that don’t recognize it includes Iraq, Iran, Angola, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Mali, Nigeria, Russia, Syria and Sudan, so I have gone with including it in my list and I personally recognize Kosovo as a country, so that makes 197 countries in the world!
So there are 197 countries in the world?
Yes, kind of. There are 197 countries in the world if you are aligned with the technical aspects of things alone, rather than a practical sense. Can you say you’ve been to every country when you have that big block of Greenland on a map, staring back at you, chanting “you cheated and you know it, we’re not really Denmark“. Bearing that in mind, there are 197. But in the sense of pure travel, it’s more.
So here’s the full list of EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD*
*according to the technical 197 country list that I initially visited, in the order I visited them:
- Republic of Ireland
- UK
- France
- The Netherlands
- Belgium
- USA
- Canada
- Thailand
- Laos
- Cambodia
- China
- Bangladesh
- India
- Nepal
- South Korea
- Vietnam
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Japan
- The Philippines
- Brunei
- Indonesia
- East Timor
- Australia
- Sri Lanka
- Zimbabwe
- Zambia
- Botswana
- South Africa
- eSwatini/Swaziland
- Mozambique
- Malawi
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Djibouti
- Sudan
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Syria
- Lebanon
- Myanmar
- Taiwan
- North Korea
- Mongolia
- Russia
- Kazakhstan
- Finland
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Belarus
- Ukraine
- Moldova
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- North Macedonia (previously Macedonia)
- Kosovo
- Greece
- Albania
- Montenegro
- Croatia
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Serbia
- Hungary
- Israel
- Palestine
- Italy
- Vatican City
- San Marino
- Switzerland
- Liechtenstein
- Slovenia
- Austria
- Slovakia
- Czech Republic
- Poland
- Germany
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Luxembourg
- Qatar
- Bhutan
- UAE
- Portugal
- Spain
- Andorra
- Monaco
- Iceland
- Papua New Guinea
- New Zealand
- Solomon Islands
- Vanuatu
- Fiji
- Tonga
- Samoa
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
- Iraq
- Maldives
- Iran
- Azerbaijan
- Georgia
- Armenia
- Turkey
- Malta
- Cyprus
- Mexico
- Belize
- Guatemala
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Brazil
- Uruguay
- Paraguay
- Venezuela
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
- Bolivia
- Argentina
- Chile
*Antarctica
- Suriname
- Guyana
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Grenada
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Saint Lucia
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Antigua and Barbuda
- St Kitts and Nevis
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Cuba
- Bahamas
- Jamaica
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Algeria
- Tunisia
- South Sudan
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Burundi
- Comoros
- Madagascar
- Seychelles
- Mauritius
- Lesotho
- Namibia
- Angola
- Republic of Congo
- Gabon
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Equatorial Guinea
- Cameroon
- The Central African Republic
- Chad
- Nigeria
- Benin
- Togo
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Mali
- Burkina Faso
- Niger
- Liberia
- Sierra Leone
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Senegal
- The Gambia
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Cape Verde
- Libya
- Eritrea
- Afghanistan
- Turkmenistan
- Kiribati
- Tuvalu
- Marshall islands
- Nauru
- Palau
- Federated States f Micronesia
- Pakistan
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
- Norway (COMPLETED MARCH 2017!)
So 197/197 countries of the world, I’ve kind of finished my goal. But you’re probably wondering where Greenland is? Where the British Virgin Islands are? Where Kurdistan is? This is where it gets a little tricky. So if you’ve only visited 197 countries, then have you really visited every country in the world? Not really, and here’s why!
If you want to know about how many countries in each of the 7 continents, check these out:
- How many countries are there in Africa? 54
- How many countries are there in North America? 23
- How many countries are there in South America? 12
- How many countries are there in Europe? 49
- How many countries are there in Asia? 49
- How many countries are there in Australia? 23
- How many countries are there in Antarctica? 0
- Finally, how many continents are there?
And how many countries in each region?
- How many countries in Southeast Asia?
- And how many countries in Central America?
- How many countries in the Caribbean?
- Or how many countries in the the Pacific Islands?
- How many countries in the Middle East?
So 197 countries? Or 215?
IF YOU’RE GOING TO ARGUE THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN 197 COUNTRIES. THEN 215 IS PERHAPS MORE DEFINITIVE.
Why do some people say there are MORE than 197 countries in the world? Disputed territories! First up, 2 very dubious visits are included on my personal journey to every country in the world on my 197 list. And I feel like a bit of a fraud. Somalia and Iraq (EDIT 2022, I’ve since gone back and traveled them properly, check out the photos and blog posts below!).
I cheated Somalia in Somaliland:
Somalia has an autonomous region in the north called Somaliland. Although not recognised by many nations, it’s in every way its own country. Passport, government, currency, culture, sports teams. It’s a political reason that it’s not more recognised but it’s as near to a country as it can be. Somaliland is the cheat mode all travelers who try to visit every country in the world use. Myself included. Shame on us.
EDIT 2022: In 2018, I traveled to Mogadishu, Somalia to make sure I traveled the ‘real’ Somalia, it was a crazy trip!
I cheated Iraq in Iraqi Kurdistan:
Next up, Iraq. Similar situation, but with different politics. Kurdistan, an autonomous region in the north of Iraq isn’t really Iraq. Culturally it’s completely different. Legally it’s different in that you can fly in with no visa and get stamped in. Whereas, in Iraq proper, that’s not possible. They fly their flag proudly, drink Guinness at Irish pub quizzes at the weekend (to that, I can testify!). So I honestly don’t feel like a visit to Iraqi Kurdistan is visiting Iraq. Technically perhaps, but travel shouldn’t be about passing by on a technicality. It should be about seeing the world, experiencing everything we can. And I kind of feel I’ve let myself down a little here.
*EDIT 2020: I was so keen to travel to Iraq, that last year I brought 16 of my blog readers with me to Baghdad, a great trip!
Disputed territories Around the World
Nothing is simple when defining what makes a country. For that reason, there are a lot of disputed territories around the world. Now while Catalonia may fight regularly for independence, they are still very much part of Spain so they certainly can’t be counted. Same for Scotland within the United Kingdom. This is not a political endorsement, just a simple fact.
However, the following territories have fully declared themselves independent (although those declarations aren’t officially ratified by most nations), and therefore not yet recognized by most of the rest of the world:
Somaliland
Declared its independence from Somalia in 1991. Not recognized as a country by any other country, officially still a part of Somalia proper. I had quite a crazy experience in Somaliland complete with terrorists, tycoons and prostitutes. I personally visited 2010.
Nagorno-Karabakh
Declared its independence in 1991. It isn’t recognized by any UN member states, and by only 3 UN non-members: Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transnistria. Officially part of Azerbaijan. .I personally visited 2013.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Declared its independence in 1983. It is only recognized by 1 UN member state, Turkey. Officially still part of Cyprus proper. I personally visited 2013.
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic/Western Sahara
Declared its independence in 1976. It is recognized by 47 UN member states (plus 37 additional member states who used to recognize it) as well as South Ossetia. Officially still part of Morocco proper. I personally visited 2015.
Transnistria/Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic
Declared its independence in 1990. It isn’t recognized by any UN member states, and by only 3 UN non-members: Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Officially part of Moldova. I undertook a bit of Transnistria tourism a few years ago from Moldova. A fascinating place. I personally visited 2012
South Ossetia
Declared its independence in 1991. It is recognized by 4 UN member states (Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru) and 4 UN non-member states (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Transnistria). Officially part of Georgia proper. I personally travel to South Ossetia in 2018.
Abkhazia
Declared its independence in 1999. It is recognised by 4 UN member states (Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru) and 3 UN non-member states (South Ossetia, Transnistria, and Nagorno-Karabakh). Officially part of Georgia proper. I personally visited 2018. I travel to Abkhazia a few years ago with my mum, from Georgia.
(Iraqi) Kurdistan and beyond
They have their own Kurdistan Regional Government, 32 countries have diplomatic relations in Erbil, Kurdistan’s de facto Capital city ( in addition to the UN, EU, etc), they also have ’embassies’ in foreign nations around the world. To visit Iraqi Kurdistan, it’s visa-free for most western nations, a different situation to Iraq proper where you need an Iraqi visa. It has its own flag, its own sports teams. It’s pretty much a country, not as strong a claim as Somaliland but still, to go to Kurdistan and claim to have visited Iraq is a little weak. I’m guilty of that! (visited Iraqi Kurdistan 2015, yet to visit Iraq proper) EDIT: I’ve now been to Iraq proper, and I took 16 of you guys with me!
Cook Islands (I’m planning to go for my honeymoon!)
Cook Islanders are New Zealand passport holders, and New Zealand is officially responsible for the defense and foreign affairs of the Cook Islands (and Niue). However, these responsibilities confer New Zealand no rights of control per se. It is however recognized by 11 UN member states. As of 2016, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Kosovo are the only states that participate in UN specialized agencies, but which are not member or observer states of the UN itself.
Niue
Niueans are New Zealand passport holders, and New Zealand is officially responsible for the defense and foreign affairs of Niue (and the Cook Islands). However, these responsibilities confer New Zealand no rights of control per se. It is however recognized by 7 UN member states. As of 2016, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Kosovo are the only states that participate in UN specialized agencies, but which are not member or observer states of the UN itself.
What about the UK? Is England a country? Northern Ireland? Wales? Scotland?
And then, of course, you have the confusing, devolved situation of the UK with Northern Ireland (where I grew up), Scotland, England, and Wales. First, I must risk offending everyone by stating 4 facts:
- England is not a country.*
- Northern Ireland is not a country.*
- Wales is not a country.*
- Scotland is not a country.*
- The United Kingdom IS a country.
*This discussion can often be reduced to pedantics. What is a country vs a nation, for example? If we consider a country a sovereign state, then what I’ve said above holds true. If you consider a country to be anything that sees itself as a country, then you may consider it differently.
Here’s when we talk about technicalities. If you spend 1 day in London then technically you’ve visited all of the UK. But what about Northern Ireland for example? You’ve ‘ticked off’ Northern Ireland by visiting just the UK.
The UK is the country by definition, but the devolved situation is difficult, so from a travel standpoint, not a legal/technical one, you should really visit them all. Besides, Belfast is one of the best cities in the world, you HAVE to go there. Here’s how to spend 1 day in Belfast if you do go. It’s my home city!
Places that aren’t countries (that people often think ARE)
Furthermore, there are other places that lots of people consider countries but all belong to an actual sovereign member state.
- Hong Kong (rightly or wrongly, China – although to be honest I completely understand if people choose to include this as a separate country due to having its own passport, own currency, own political autonomy)
- Macau (China)
- Tibet (China)
- Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales (the UK)
- French Guiana (France)
- Puerto Rico (US)
- Lots of the Caribbean (BVI, Guadeloupe, Aruba, USVI, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, Anguilla, Saint Martin and more)
- Reunion Island (France)
- French Polynesia (France) – NOTE: On a personal level, Bora Bora is where I proposed to my long-suffering partner!
- American Samoa (US)
- Canary Islands (Spain)
- Madeira (Portugal)
- Faroe Islands (part of Denmark, visit the Faroe Islands if you get the chance, like Iceland without the tourists)
- Gibraltar (part of the UK)
- Greenland (part of Denmark, but please consider to Travel Greenland, a brilliant destination)
- The Arctic (belongs partly to Norway, Denmark, Canada, the US and Russia)
- The Falklands (part of the UK)
- Guam (US)
So, how many countries in the world? 197 (on a technicality), 215 to be sure.
That’s it, 197 is the technical number, (198 if you want to include Hong Kong) but if we add the 10 disputed territories, that makes 207. Then morally you’d be compelled to add Tibet, Hong Kong, Faroe Islands etc. So after far too many hours online, I’d say there is a solid argument for anyone either claiming to, or wanting to, visit every country in the world, for the 197 countries and these 19 guys:
- Somaliland
- Nagorno-Karabakh
- Northern Cyprus
- Western Sahara
- Transnistria
- South Ossetia
- Abkhazia
- Iraqi Kurdistan
- Tibet
- Hong Kong
- Macau
- Faroe Islands
- Greenland
- Northern Ireland
- Scotland
- England
- Wales
- Cook Islands
- Niue
Personally, I think Guam, Gibraltar (all places I’ve also visited for the record), French Guiana, etc are a push too far, and having a football team is about as far as the argument goes in regards to them being a country or not.
So with that in mind, that makes 197 + 19 additional nations (-1 for removing the UK and replacing with the 4 nations that make it up) = 215 countries.
My progress on the big list: 215/217
If Niue and Cook Islanders have New Zealand passports, and Faroe Islanders and Greenlanders have Danish passports then can they really be sovereign states? It’s tough, but having your own devolved Government, culture, autonomy, flag etc is certainly worthy. So now I’m looking at flights to Niue and the Cook islands like the travel freak I am. See you on the road I guess!
I live like this because I love to travel, though. Box-ticking and border-hopping for an hour, or a day, in a country isn’t for me. I mean, does that even really count? That’s transport, not travel. Sooooo, are there 215 countries in the world, and will I visit them all? I want to see the world, the WHOLE WORLD. I haven’t been to the Faroe Islands or Greenland (EDIT 2020 – I’VE NOW BEEN TO BOTH!), so can I ‘colour the map’ because I’ve been to Denmark? It doesn’t feel right.
So let’s give it a crack. 215 here I come. Of the 19 additional nations, I listed I’ve visited 17 of them on my travels already. so I need to go back to ‘correct’ my Iraq visit (EDIT 2022, DONE!), and then hit up the Cook Islands, and Niue and I’m actually finally done. No cheating involved!
Lastly, my journey to every country in the world, and where I am now:
I wrote a list of frequently asked questions about my journey to every country in the world. You can read that here. I’m now based in both Bangkok, where I bought a condo with the money I made from blogging Thailand, and Chiang Mai where I hope to start a family in the new dream house I’ve just built! My plans are to have a crazy schedule of being based in Thailand 6 months a year, then somewhere else 3 months a year, and traveling 3 months a year. Let’s see, but it’s been one hell of a ride so far!
Further reading on country stuff?
What are the least visited countries in the world?
What are the most visited countries in the world?
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As you know, blogging changed my life. I left Ireland broke, with no plan, with just a one-way ticket to Thailand and no money. Since then, I started a blog, then a digital media company, I’ve made more than $1,500,000 USD, bought 4 properties and visited (almost) every country in the world. And I did it all from my laptop as I travel the world and live my dream.
I am very excited to start my journey and get to visit many countries like you, you are an inspiration, thank you so much.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
We used to have Realms, ruled by Lords.
Then we got Kingdoms, ruled by Kings and Queens.
Now we have Countries, ruled by ……
Sorry to inform you but Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten are COUNTRIES in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. So that’s 3 more.
Greenland is sometimes referred to as a constituent COUNTRY in official documents, imo it should count.
And off course you are wrong about the UK. England, Scotland, Wales and NI are COUNTRIES within the UK.
Catalonia refers to itself as a nation (within Spain), that should not count.
Sorry bud, Aruba, Curacao and Saint Maarten are definitely not countries. If you’re born thee, you carry a DUTCH PASSPORT! That should give it away. Much like NI, Scotland, Wales and England all holding a BRITISH passport.
Ohh, very long try find this. Thanks for sharing. Amazing blog for me.
I’m glad it helped!
Hi Johnny, excited to have just discovered this & looking forward to much interesting reading. Don’t know why some commenters have to be so rude and pompous, but oh well. I am an American girl & have visited about 35 countries, many “on the cheap,” like you did. I totally get your feelings on the constrained workaday world and cheer you on your dedication to an adventurous life. The Pandemic has of course but a damper on traveling but hopes for better times ahead. – Cat
p.s. If interested I’m sure a TV show on your travels would be popular in the U.S.! We’re all about the accents here
Thanks so much Cat, I’ll work on that show!
Hi Johnny, just came across your blog after doing a search for total number of countries in the world. Great article but shouldn’t “Anyway, that brings us to 196 countries in the world. UN’s 193 list + Kosovo + Palestine, and now + Taiwan.” actually be “Anyway, that brings us to 196 countries in the world. UN’s 193 list + Vatican City + Palestine, and now + Taiwan.” because you then say “Is Kosovo a country? Yes.” Sorry, stickler for detail! 😉 Happy travels!
England is not a country. Wrong
Northern Ireland is not a country. Wrong
Wales is not a country. Wrong
Scotland is not a country. Wrong
The United Kingdom IS a country. Wrong.
Your ‘facts’ are all incorrect. Do your research properly.
should change your name to cunt: get a fuckin brain m8
Sorry mate, the facts are facts. Emotionally you’re entitled to feel differently. But facts don’t care about our feelings.
Incorrect, these are not “facts”. If you actually researched correctly, they are all defined as countries as well as the UK, just because they form a sovereign nation does not mean they are not countries. I’m better traveled than anyone I know, and I’ve been to England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland more than 4 times each, and 3 times I event went alone. Get it right.
Sorry buddy, I think perhaps the issues is pedantic, and based on the use of language as opposed to the concept of whether they are ‘countries’ or not. Either way, the passport is British, the current is British, they have one head of state, they’re bound (generally-speaking) by one overarching set of laws, created in Westminster, London. They all fly the same flag, speak the same language, and study the same subjects. The fact is that UK is the country. The rest is just opinions I’m afraid. For the record, I also wish that this wasn’t the case. But alas, it absolutely, definitely is.
Sorry mate, you are wrong, even pedantically. Nothing you said disqualifies Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland from being their own country.
“A country may be an independent sovereign state or part of a larger state,[1] as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, a physical territory with a government, or a geographic region associated with sets of previously independent or differently associated people with distinct political characteristics. It is not inherently sovereign.”
Scotland, England, and Wales are definitely Countries. I might give you Northern Ireland as it’s a colony. But the other three are bound by treaty and can be dissolved similarly.
I think you are misled – actually Wales has its own language (Welsh) and Scotland also has its own language (Gaelic).
Scotland produces its own currency notes. We do not study the same subjects (no school in England offers Welsh on the curriculum, for example) and Scottish law is *very* different to English; the advent of devolved parliaments means that Scottish and Welsh law has evolved and is now even further from English law.
I don’t think that St Georges Cross, St Andrews Cross and the Welsh dragon are the same, so we don’t fly the same flag. At international level, teams play/compete under national names – Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland, as well as joining together to form joint teams as UK or GB at times.
Each country has a unique identity – try telling someone they are from a different country & see what reaction you get! We are not British (even worse UK-ish, UK-er or whatever) we are English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish.
In every way that matters we are 3 countries & a territory.
Hey Helen, I’m not misled I’m afraid. I, too, am from one of the ‘nations’ of the country of the UK, Northern Ireland. We too have Irish as a language, but like Wales and Scotland, our mother tongue, both official and colloquially is English. Equally, although much like even towns can have flags, our flag (whether we like it or not) is the Union Jack. We also have our own nation flag too, but overarching is the Union Jack. Much like our national anthem is God Save the Queen. We all use the British pound sterling, regardless of what we print on top of it. We all pay tax and receive services from Westminster, and adhere to their laws. At the ultimate international level, the Olympics, we are the UK (actually GB and NI, but same thing). Each part does have a separate culture, but that’s doesn’t negate the reality that factually speaking it’s 1 country. The UK. Liverpool is culturally different from London, it doesn’t mean they’re different countries!
Also, you finish with countries and a territory. So NI doesn’t get to be a country in your reality? What’s that?
If the Scottish government wants to be independent then Scotland will be independent, because of Brexit with the EU and UK governmental issues.
Taiwan is not a country. It is not recognized by UN as a “country”. What makes you have the rights to say it is?
It is buddy, it really is.
Well, there are 244(246), because we have 193 UN members, 2 observers, 9 unrecognized/partially recognized and 40 inhabited dependent territories. Also some people can consider Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic as unrecognized states.
Furthermore, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Mayotte, Reunion and Martinique are integral overseas departments of France and not dependent territories. The same applies for Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, St Eustatius, Saba), that are special municipalities of The Netherlands. Last but not least, autonomous territories (e.g. Iraqi Kurdistan) and constituent countries (e.g. England,Scotland,Wales, Russian Republics) are not independent countries neither dependent territories.
246 is my understanding (although it appears they may have added a further 3). Check the ISO Country Codes 3166 listing.
What about The Hutt River Province in Western Australia, a self governing territory since the 60’s with its own passport, currency and Prince, I’ve actually been
I don’t think thats right, as on the official BBC newsfeed today it said coronavirus has infected a million people across 180 countries
BBC says coronavirus hasn’t detected in 18 countries. 180+18=196. But WHO says coronavirus has detected 207 countries and territories. Worldometers.info says 204 countries or territories. 207+18=225? Are there 225 countries?
I don’t understand these numbers.
I didn’t notice St Helena in the list of sovereign territories. As they now have an airport and a regular Saturday plane service, is that also on your list or have you already been? Would love to visit it myself.
Well, it says that the corona virus has infected 201 countries… How about that? Is there an explanation for that?
In the paragraph starts with “Furthermore, there are other places that lots of people consider countries but all belong to an actual sovereign member state.” You mentioned French Polynesia twice:
French Polynesia (France)
French Polynesia (part of France)
Perhaps that happened outsight!
Excellent information.
Helped a lot.
Thanks
You’re missing Greenland and Iceland!
Girl what are you talking about
This article has really helped a lot, Thanks to you Johnny. I wish to be part of your travelling platform i.e if you have one. I have tried to join you via the email address provided. Thanks again.
I have read somewhere (I guess Wikipedia) that Northern Cyprus (Turkish Republic Northern Cyrpus) is recognized only by Turkey. I think that doesn’t count as a country but have you been there? I am curious hehe.
I am making a board game. -with a few fake countries like Cheezistan. Mind if I use Johnnyland?- This has helped me a lot. So thank you.
-Just realized you probably didn’t send a letter of independence to your government as GMM did… Oops, my bad would’ve loved a Johnnyland in the game. Oh well, may send a copy of the finished game if I finish it-
Peace with to you mate!
Oops sorry, it’s *Cheesistan.
Do you count peurto rico as a country or not?
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is an autonomous region in Southern Philippines. This region is totally different from the rest of the country in terms of religion, language, culture etc.
What about the Maledives? They are a Republic and not part of another country, also they have their own passport
Oh nvm, just found out that it’s spelled Maldives, without the “e” in english
Searched for “Maledives” because in german it’s Malediven. That’s why I couldn’t find it in the list at first lol
I learnt enough for this month form this website .
Thanks…..
Same here
Taiwan is not a country
Great work, very thorough.
What about the Pitcairn Islands
What’s the difference between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo? Isn’t it just Congo?
2 different countries mate
I like to visit all country in the world I want to meet the people of all the country I want to know how the speek , eat , work , earning source, trade etc if anyone is interested to add me in their team then my name is Md Shafiullah I am from India and my contact number is +917070759616
I agree about including Montserrat! Sure, technically it is a part of the UK, but it’s in the Caribbean so couldn’t be more different!
Not a country though, not by any definition.
Any thoughts on where Svalbard might fall on the list? I see no mention of it in the article
I’ve been, amazing place, but I struggle to call it a country mate
Hello interesting article. Those are the same exact question I’d been asking myself having visited places like Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
You may want to add the Azores Islands which technically belong to Portugal but in reality they’re a 2 hour flight from Lisbon and away in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. They’ve been driving me mad for a while as I don’t know how to add them to my list lol
No one in Madeira or the Azores or the Canary Islands for that matter consider them independent countries.
They are autonomous regions but very much part of Portugal and Spain.
Let’s not make drama where none exists.
You’re clearly an ignorant pretending to go around the world. You must be good at photoshop. Jackass
I know this is old but… I really want to comment on this.
As portuguese, I can confirm that Azores and Madeira consider themselves 100% part of Portugal. Although they have a lot of unique cultural aspects, they still pretty much adopt all continental Portugal traditions and lifestyle. We all share the same culture, we’re all Portugal.
I have friends at University from both islands, and they told me they didn’t feel any more “cultural shock” when moving to the mainland than any other student comming to the city from a smaller town in Portugal (which is not that big of a shock tbh).
So yeah… it might be a 2 hour flight, but that’s the only thing keeping us apart. You are totally right, Simon. Madeira didn’t even need to be on that list!
Cheers from Portugal!
No one in Madeira or the Azores or the Canary Islands for that matter consider them independent countries.
They are autonomous regions but very much part of Portugal and Spain.
Let’s not make drama where none exists.
Wow I can’t believe Niue is not a country in it’s own right. I got married in Niue and my wedding certificate says ‘Government of Niue’ and the marriage licence process was different to NZ. They also have their own language and culture. I’m on 73 countries right now and that includes the Cook Islands, Niue and Taiwan. So technically they are not countries, even though you need a separate visa and a flight to get there. It’s taken me 15 years to do this. my goal is 100 countries, because that seems more possible than 197. If I live a long time I might make it to 197.
May God bless u to do this !!
What about Crown Dependencies? Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man all have their own governments, currencies, passports, legal system, residency/housing criteria, etc. They just rely on the Crown for ratification of highest level of legislation and military defence.
entertaining discussion, thanks! if you are really a travel junkie & value the distinct cultures of some of the territories, it’s probably worth visiting Puerto Rico, Guam, most of the Caribbean islands, Samoa, and Polynesia/Tahiti. each one is “part of” another country – most are citizens of those countries – but their culture is unique and independent of the “parent”. worth it!
If Kosovo is a country than you are a moron 🙂
Kosovo is a country, you moron
Kosovo is Serbia
I had the chance to visit more than 100 countries so far. I would truly count several places I have been to as separate countries and not as part of a bigger one. When you visit Aruba or Curacao you can’t really say you have been to the Netherlands, right? French Guiana, Comoros etc aren’t really France to be honest. We have thousands of miles between these places, totally different cultures, traditions, way of life, therefore to name them as their once colonizers wouldnt be fair. Just my opinion.
I truly enjoyed your website. I hope I’ll be able to say I have done them all one day.
You must’ve experienced some truly amazing things.
Wonderful and congratulations!
You’ll have to add Montserrat to your travel plans! The Irish in the Caribbean, doesn’t need to be on that list technically but I’ve always wanted to go.
I lost your count somewhere, you have 197 and then you say you add the list of 21 and take away one, resulting to 217, but your list only has got 20?
sorry, edited!
Your comments are wrong. Scotland and Wales do have separate laws. Do have different languages. Its not pedantic. Its fact. They are separate countries
Countries have passports, currencies, real borders and a federal government.
Also, to say they have different languages is pedantic. What % of Scots speak Gaelic. Let me answer that for you. “In 2011, the proportion of the population aged three and over in Scotland who could speak, read, write or understand Gaelic was 1.7%”.
1.7% can hardly be considered the official language of Scotland. To try to argue that ‘Scotland has a different (official) language’ is arguing in bad faith. That’s the definition of being pedantic.
no dear,Saudi Arabia is completly different from past.Go there and visit whole country except holy cities(Makah &Madinah)
Why excepting Macca and Madina ??
Good luck with Saudi Arabic, they don’t give visas to Christians, let alone tourists.
I recently decided that I want to visit every country as well. I had to write a list of all the countries and came up with the number 197 as well. However I would like it to be a round number like 200 so maybe I’ll add a few places.
good luck, give yourself a decade!! you can do it 🙂
You’re almost there! Haha
slowly 🙂
The Isle of Man is much more of an independent country than Scotland or Wales. Does visiting Cardiff mean you’ve been to the Isle of Man?
What’s your opinion?
Yes the is bigger than we think. Great adventures, nice pictures
U r right …..
Stangely (or not) most of the disputed and troubled states are bordering Russia.
Doesn’t it entail any thoughts? 😉
none that i’ll chat about on my travel blog buddy! haha 😛
I’m visiting Cyprus this month, and while North Cyprus feels like parts of Cyprus in a lot of ways, it has it’s own Visa system. It’s actually more separate than I thought it would be before I got to (regular) Cyrpus. I needed my passport to cross the border, my credit card stopped working, etc. Plus, if you have friends on the northern side it’s possible they can’t come visit you in the south. It’s more complicated than I think outsiders want to believe.
absolutely more complicated :S
Cool list! Never heard of Transnistria
Finally seeing some big traffic on my site! http://www.retiredofitall.com/
More than 200 countries are in all over the world, It is really interesting things. every country lifestyle culture all are different. so if we are trying to travel all over world we will see distinct flavor of life style and culture.
Wright . Apka bat to sehi hay .
Wow! That says a lot about us that more “countries” registered with FIFA than with the United Nations! I too ran into so many different numbers when searching for the exact number of countries in the world. Personally, I would consider a lot of these “territories” as countries in their own right, even if not acknowledged by the UN or other countries. For example: French Polynesia – I’ve never been but I imagine their culture to be quite different from the French culture so I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable lumping them in with the country of France. Same thing with Greenland, which has its own capital, Nuuk. Obviously this would make the list even more longer, but it’s something I personally feel is the “right” thing to do! Great research here, in any case, I learned a lot! 🙂
-Victoria
Can you tell me what your profession imean how u getting payment and what actually you does.
I like your comment .
Nice lists and justifications Johnny, I agree with you on the Western Sahara Amin others. Regards from no. 51 on your list, going home from an event hosted by the Irish embassy on 1916 all our national questions are indeed complex. Though many are satisfied with simplistic expanations
You could have planned for the 197th and final new destination to be somewhere cheaper than Norway! 😉 Interesting site though mate, really enjoying some of the articles about places next on my list… Kosovo will be my 25th country next month having recently caught the travel bug!
it beats yemen! you’re doing well, keep it up! 🙂
Very impressive and very instructive. Thanks for the geographical lesson. Keep loving your blogs, as always
thanks P!
I couldn’t see Myanmar (Burma) on the list?
Number 45!