Oldest Countries

Last updated May 24, 2025

Date Sovereignty Was Acquired
Top
Last
Date Sovereignty Was Acquired 2019Question Mark
1JapanJapan400
2San MarinoSan Marino301
3SomaliaSomalia200 BC
3EthiopiaEthiopia200 BC
5MongoliaMongolia209 BC
6AfghanistanAfghanistan678 BC
7SudanSudan1070 BC
8IsraelIsrael1300 BC
8GeorgiaGeorgia1300 BC
10IndiaIndia2000 BC
11North KoreaNorth Korea2333 BC
12ArmeniaArmenia2492 BC
13VietnamVietnam2879 BC
14EgyptEgypt3100 BC
15IranIran3200 BC

The World's Oldest Countries

One of the most captivating aspects of our world's history is the origin and evolution of nations. The etchings of human civilization date back millennia, and the deep historical roots of the world's oldest countries serve as a telling reminder of our collective past. History intertwines with culture, tradition, conflict, triumph, and knowledge passed down through generations to form the story of a country. As such, these ancient nations and their stories offer valuable insights into human civilization's progression and development. Using historical data, we can discern some key findings regarding the world's oldest nations:

  • Iran is the oldest country in the world, dating back to 3200 BC, followed closely by Egypt, established in 3100 BC.
  • Vietnam, founded in 2879 BC, Armenia in 2492 BC, and North Korea in 2333 BC, complete the list of the five oldest countries worldwide.
  • San Marino, established in 301 BC, is Europe's oldest country, while Japan, dating back to 400 AD, is acknowledged as the oldest country in East Asia.
  • Interestingly, over half of the top ten oldest countries, including Iran, Egypt, India, and Israel, are nestled in Asia - illustrating the continent's significant role in early human civilization.
  • The United States, by comparison, is a relatively young country, with its independence declared in 1776 AD. Understanding our global history and the origin of nations allows us to appreciate the diverse and complex tapestry of human civilization. As we turn the pages of history, we are privy to the rich, nuanced narratives of these ancient nations that continue to influence our world today.

10 Oldest Countries

Leading the list is Iran, its inception dating back to an incredible 3200 BC, making it the oldest known country in the world. It is followed closely by Egypt, which established its sovereignty in 3100 BC. Hieroglyphs, pyramids, and ancient artefacts bear witness to the rich history of these countries, which are the cradles of early human civilization. Claiming the third spot is Vietnam, tracing its origins back to 2879 BC. Armenia is the fourth oldest country, established in 2492 BC, and North Korea ranks fifth, having been founded in 2333 BC. India, another ancient civilization known for its contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and art, stands at sixth place, with its establishment traced back to 2000 BC. Georgia and Israel share the seventh spot, both having been founded in 1300 BC. Finally, Sudan, known for the ancient Nubian civilization, and Afghanistan, home to the Indus Valley Civilization, complete the list with their sovereignty established in 1070 BC and 678 BC, respectively.

10 Oldest Countries:

  1. Iran - 3200 BC
  2. Egypt - 3100 BC
  3. Vietnam - 2879 BC
  4. Armenia - 2492 BC
  5. North Korea - 2333 BC
  6. India - 2000 BC
  7. Georgia - 1300 BC
  8. Israel - 1300 BC
  9. Sudan - 1070 BC
  10. Afghanistan - 678 BC
The Oldest Countries in the World'
Last updated
May 23, 2019
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