Oldest Country in the World

There is no single answer to... Which is the oldest country in the world... rather it should be 'What are some of the oldest countries in the world?' Nation building is a long drawn out process which has evolved over thousands of years. As such it's impossible to come out with a single date of 'birth' of a nation. If we look at it from the historical point of view and history of human civilization spans over thousands of years, there are several countries like China, Egypt, Mesopotamia (present day Iraq), India, etc., which can be called oldest countries. These countries were ruled by several kings over the years and encompassed most of the present day boundaries. The names of these regions are mentioned in historical documents that date back to several thousand years. However, if we look at it from the point of view of present day form of government (i.e., the republican or democratic form of government), United Kingdom besides United States of America would rank among the top. So all in all, there is a lot of controversy as to which is the oldest country in the world. Here we give you a list of some of the oldest countries both from the civilization point of view and the formation of government point of view. You may also like to know about the geography of these nations before going on to the list of oldest countries.

What are Some of the Oldest Countries in the World

The list given below mentions the approximate date from which the country came into existence as mentioned in historical literature. You may also like to know on the oldest city in the world in addition to the oldest countries.

Date	Region/Nation	Occurrence
3200 BC	Mesopotamia (Present day Iraq)	Mesopotamia literally means 'the land that lies between rivers' i.e. the Tigris and Euphrates. The history or Mesopotemia can be traced as far back as 5300 BC when urban societies of Ubaid period prospered. This place also called cradle of civilization has seen Bronze and Iron Age. With the march of time, it has also seen the rise and all of Sumer and the Akkadian, Babylonian and Assyrian, Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian empires during the Bronze Age. Since the fall of Babylon in 539 BC to the Achaemenid Empire, it was conquered by Alexander the Great (in 332 BC), the Sassanid Persians (AD 226). It was in the 7th century that it fell to Arab Islamic conquest and came to be known as Iraq.
3100 BC	Egypt	It was Pharaoh Narmer who is credited with unification of upper and lower regions of present day Egypt in 3100 BC. There were several conquests and subsequent change of regimes in ancient Egypt, and later due to a series of events led to the British conquering large parts of the country. Over the years, the people of Egypt struggled for freedom and eventually, on February 28, 1922, the country was declared independent.
2879 BC	Vietnam	The rise of the Van Lang tribe in 2879 BC led to the formation of Vietnam as a single country. Regime change continued over the centuries and was later ruled by the Japanese rulers, who later left the country after the Second World War on September 2, 1945.
2333 BC	Korean Peninsula	Historical records say that it was in 2333 BC that Korea was founded By King Dangum. In the latter centuries the country was divided and reunified several times, besides being invaded by the Russians and Mongols. The Japanese ruled the country from 1910 till the end of the Second World War, after which Korea was divided into two different countries - North Korea and South Korea.
2070 BC	China	One of the oldest countries in the world, China was first founded by Xia Dynasty and it was in 221 BC that the Qin Dynasty unified most parts of present day China and it was only in 1949 that the Republic of China came into existence in its current form.
337 BC	Greece	The country was unified for the first time in 337 BC under King Philip II of Macedon. The modern-day republican form of government in Greece was formed in 1821.
322 BC	Indian Subcontinent	Majority of the Indian subcontinent comprising most parts of present day India, Pakistan and Bangladesh was unified by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya of the Maurya Dynasty in 322 BC. The next several centuries saw several dynasties come and go, and the last rulers of present day India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were the British, before India and Pakistan (Bangladesh was included as a part of Pakistan) gained independence and later declared republic.

The oldest countries in terms of current form of government include:

• San Mario which was established on September 3, 301 AD.
• United Kingdom wherein the representatives of the people were elected for the first time in 1688.
• The United States of America wherein after the American Revolution, the people started electing their representatives.

Some of the other countries which gained independence in the early 19th century include Columbia, Mexico, Chile, Paraguay, Venezuela, Argentina, Peru and many other South American countries. Once they achieved independence, the people started electing their representatives.

Thus, there is no definite answer to the question which is the oldest country in the world. One must also remember that there are quite a few countries which dates back to the days long before Christ was born, if we consider their present day political boundaries.