List of All 197 Countries of the World

Why the number of countries changes

Different sources give a different total. The difference is not an error. Each source uses a different rule.

The United Nations has 193 member states. It also recognises 2 observer states: the Holy See and Palestine. This gives the common total of 195.

Some lists add Taiwan, which governs itself but is not a UN member. That gives 196. Some lists also add Kosovo, which more than 100 states recognise. That gives 197.

TRIVI.GG uses a total of 197. The table below shows exactly which territories that total includes.

What counts as a country here

A place is on this list when it governs itself and most other states treat it as a state.

Constituent countries are not on the list. England, Scotland and Wales are parts of the United Kingdom, so the list holds the United Kingdom only.

Dependent territories are not on the list. Greenland belongs to Denmark. Puerto Rico belongs to the United States. Curaçao belongs to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Antarctica is not a country. No state governs it, so the list leaves it out.

How to learn the list

Learn the countries one continent at a time. The table below shows the continent of each country, and the world map quiz lets you play a single continent.

Start with Europe or South America. Both have few countries and clear borders.

Leave the Pacific islands and West Africa until last. These two groups hold many small countries with similar names.

All 197 countries, capitals and continents

Play a quiz on this