It may seem like a simple question, “How many countries are there in the world?” There are no easy or definitive answers.
The total number of countries in the world varies depending on the source. number of continents. Many point to the UN's list of officially recognized countries as the definitive answer to this question, but this is not without controversy.
For example, the United Nations is located in Vatican City ( the smallest country in the world) or treat Palestine as a full-fledged state and instead list it as an observer state (a state that can speak at the UN General Assembly but cannot vote on resolutions).
The UN list also includes more controversial omissions. Taiwan is not recognized by the organization, nor are Kosovo and Hong Kong. Outside the United Nations, such territory is recognized by some countries but not by others. It's complex and highly political.
Depending on who you ask, the total number of countries on Earth ranges from 193 to 237. This is because, after all, there are many disputed regions and states around the world that retain full or partial sovereignty.
How many countries are there in the world?
According to the United Nations, there are 195 recognized countries in the world. Of these, 193 countries are members of the United Nations, but two of her countries, Vatican City and Palestine, are non-member observer states.
Other organizations list different numbers of countries around the globe, and the US intelligence agency is the CIA. A total of 237 countries are listed.
Below is a complete list of fully sovereign and independent countries recognized by the United Nations, but it is worth reiterating that there are many other countries that consider themselves to be full states.
Complete list of countries of the world
The 193 countries of the world are: Full membership of the United Nations.
| Country | capital | population | Size (square kilometers) (K=1000, M=1 million) |
| Afghanistan | Kabul | 42,239,854 | 652.2K |
| Albania | tirana | 2,832,439 | |
| Zambia | Lusaka | 20,569,737 | 752.6K |
| Zimbabwe | Harare | 16,665,409 | 390.8K |
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
