How many countries are there in the world?
In today's world of globalization, knowing how many countries there are in the world is a common but controversial question. Different countries and organizations have different definitions and recognition standards for countries, so the answer is not unique. The following is a collection of popular discussions and structured data on this topic in the past 10 days.
1. Number of countries recognized by the United Nations
The United Nations is one of the most authoritative organizations in the international community, and its number of member states is often regarded as the standard answer to "the number of countries." As of 2024, the United Nations has 193 member states and 2 observer states (Vatican and Palestine). The following is the specific data:
| category | quantity | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| United Nations member states | 193 | Includes all widely recognized sovereign states |
| United Nations observer state | 2 | Vatican and Palestine |
2. Countries that are not widely recognized
There are still some regions around the world that have declared independence but have not received universal international recognition, such as Kosovo, Taiwan (a province of China), and Western Sahara. The following is data on some disputed areas:
| area name | Number of countries recognized | main controversy |
|---|---|---|
| Kosovo | about 100 | Serbia opposes its independence |
| Taiwan (province of China) | 13 | China adheres to the one-China principle |
| Western Sahara | about 40 | Morocco claims sovereignty |
3. Standards of other international organizations
Different international organizations have different definitions of “state”. For example:
| Organization name | Number of countries recognized | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| International Olympic Committee | 206 | Includes regional teams |
| FIFA | 211 | including non-sovereign areas |
4. Popular topics in the past 10 days
1.Taiwan issue once again becomes the focus: Mainland China reiterated the one-China principle and emphasized that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, triggering widespread discussion in the international community.
2.Kosovo applies to join EU: Kosovo recently submitted an application, but its sovereignty dispute remains an obstacle.
3.Conflict in Western Sahara escalates: Tensions between Morocco and Western Sahara independence groups rise, with the United Nations calling for a peaceful resolution.
5. Summary
"How many countries are there" in the world depends on which criterion is used. If based on United Nations member states, the answer is 193; if including partially recognized disputed areas, the number may exceed 200. Recent international hot spots have further highlighted the complexity of issues of national sovereignty and recognition.
Regardless of which standard is adopted, understanding these controversies and differences can help us understand the world political landscape more comprehensively.
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