Quiz: Can You Guess the Country From Just One Clue?

195: That’s how many countries make up this beautiful place we call Earth. Separated by borders, oceans, and landforms, these nations couldn’t be more diverse.

Each one features its own population, landscapes, or marvels that put it on the map, all the while claiming a unique identity. Locals and travelers alike are treated to one-of-a-kind traditions, cultures, festivals, and histories; stories that have stood the test of time and continue to teach us about each region, even eras later.

So, how well do you know the countries of the world? Can you name a country from just one clue? It’s time to put your geography skills to the test!

Could you guess all seven countries correctly? Some were only easy to identify if you’re familiar with world landmarks, mountain ranges, or languages. Regardless of how you scored, challenge your friends and family to see how their results stack up! 

THE COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD

Earth itself is around four and a half billion years old. While historians agree on this, what they can’t agree on is a uniform way to determine which country is the oldest.

According to HowStuffWorks, if you define a country’s “birth” by analyzing documented government or civilization size, Egypt, Iran, and India take the top three spots. If you go by the date a country became a self-sovereign state, the order shifts to Iran, India, and China. And if you measure by the oldest constitution, the United Kingdom, San Marino, and the United States rank as the oldest. 

Let’s take a closer look at the oldest country in each category to learn more about the world. 

EGYPT

Documented Government History or Large Civilization

If we’re considering documented government and civilization, Egypt existed as early as 3150 B.C.E.; the era when King Narmer, the first of the country's dynastic rulers and the first to unite Upper and Lower Egypt, took the throne.

IRAN

Date of Sovereignty

It’s said that Iran became the first self-sovereign state in 2600 B.C.E. That claim is debated, however, since ancient societies didn’t use modern concepts to define sovereignty. This assumption is derived from the early civilization of Elam. The capital city, Susa (located in modern-day Shush, Iran), remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

UNITED KINGDOM

Oldest Constitution

The United Kingdom adopted its “first constitution” in 1215: the Magna Carta. While not an official constitution by today’s standards, it was the first to “put into writing the principle that the king and his government were not above the law,” according to UK Parliament. This document limited the king’s power, giving more authority to the law.

As for the world’s newest countries, or the latest to be admitted into the United Nations, Montenegro, South Sudan, and Tajikistan top the list, all admitted after 1990.

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