Country

A country (or sovereign state) is a political unit into which the world is divided. Each country has defined territory, a resident population, a functioning government, and the capacity to conduct relations with other countries. The list of countries is fluid, as recognition of some states remains disputed.

The standard reference is United Nations membership. The organization has 193 member states. Two entities hold special status as 'observer states' without being members: Vatican City and Palestine. Consequently, the commonly cited figure ranges from 193 to 195 countries.

What is a country?

International law's conception of statehood rests on four well-known criteria: a permanent population, defined territory, a functioning government, and the capacity to conduct foreign relations. These were codified in the Montevideo Convention of 1933. However, in practice, recognition by other countries is essential for a state to participate fully in the international system.

Disputed cases

Some territories have functioning governments but lack universal international recognition. Common examples include Taiwan, Kosovo, and Somaliland. Each has its own history and legal status, and the degree of recognition varies from country to country. Consequently, different sources cite different totals.

There also exist dependent territories administered by other countries, such as islands under foreign control. These are generally not counted among sovereign countries, though many possess their own internal governance structures.

Geographic distribution

Countries are typically divided by continent: Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas (North and South), and Oceania. Africa contains the largest number of United Nations member states. Land area and population vary dramatically: some countries such as Russia and China are vast, while Pacific island nations have small populations.