The process of state formation is complex and lengthy, and the first state formations appeared on the planet many thousands of years BC. The political map of the world is constantly changing. Entire empires appeared and disappeared from the face of the earth, as a result of the collapse of the colonial system, new independent countries appeared in Asia and Africa. But in our short review we will tell you about the oldest countries whose history began in the distant past and they continue to exist today.
15 oldest countries in the world:
1
Egypt
The oldest state on earth was formed around 3,000 BC, when the pharaoh Narmer united the Upper and Lower Egyptian kingdom under his authority.
In ancient times, many types of art originated in Egypt, which later spread throughout the world, and became the basis of ancient aesthetics. Some scientific knowledge also arose here.
The ancient country today holds many secrets that have yet to be solved by archaeologists, historians and ethnographers. Over time, Egypt has become a real Mecca for tourists, hasting ships to touch the ancient history of mankind.
Egypt is one of the transcontinental states, located on two continents: most of it is in Africa, and the Sinai Peninsula in Asia.
2
Vietnam
Archeology data indicate that in the north of modern Vietnam, in the lower reaches of the Hong River in 2 897 BC the kingdom of Wanglang formed. Vieta are the direct ancestors of modern Vietnamese, and one of the legends tells that the people came from the marriage of a dragon and a fairy in the form of a beautiful bird. They were engaged in watering rice cultivation, and were able to create a highly developed culture.
Vietnam has gone through a difficult history in its development. It was part of China, then a French colony, and achieved independence only in 1954. But historians clearly trace the connection of the ancient population of Indochina with modern residents of the Southeast country.
3
China
Chinese civilization is one of the oldest in the history of mankind. Some scientists determine its age at 5,000 years, but ancient sources cover a period of no more than 3,500 years.
As far back as the 17th century BC, during the era of state formation of Shang-Yin on the territory of China, a system of administrative-state administration was formed. The ancient Chinese gave the world many inventions, including gunpowder and paper. Agriculture was developed in the country, which became the basis of the economy.
In 221, Emperor Qin Shi Huang managed to unite all Chinese lands under his authority. The glorified Qin Empire created by him roughly coincided with the modern borders of the country. Today, China is the largest state in terms of population, and one of the most economically developed countries in the world.
Thebiggest.ru has a very interesting article about the most visited countries in the world, which, of course, includes China.
4
Greece
The beginnings of statehood originated on the island of Crete 5 thousand years ago, during the existence of the Minoan civilization. Actually, Aegean civilization, already in mainland Europe, originated about 3 thousand years ago.
Greece, thanks to the brave sailors, established its colonies on the territory of Asia Minor and, in the then occupied by the Scythians, Northern Black Sea coast. In Crimea, archaeologists continue to explore the Greek polis that appeared on the peninsula in the 7th – 6th centuries BC.
Many European powers, formed after the decline of Antiquity, adopted from the Greeks the forms and principles of state building. Therefore, Greece, where high culture and democracy was born, is rightly affectionately called the cradle of European civilization.
5
Korea
After the separation of 1948, two Koreas exist on the world map, and the first state on the territory of the divided countries was created back in 2,333 BC. e.
According to legend, it was formed when the son of a celestial deity and the Tangun bear, turned into a woman and created the first Korean state. Thus, Korean history and political-state life began in the era of the Joseon Kingdom.
The two Koreas took different paths of political and state development. Recent years have seen a warming of relations between North and South Korea, and perhaps a renewed united Korea will soon appear.
6
Iran
The modern Iranian Islamic state was formed in 1979, but the sprouts of the system of administrative-state structure sprouted on the territory of Iran in ancient times.
The first state formation in these territories was the kingdom of Media, which formed at the turn of the 8th – 7th centuries BC. e. The Medes rulers created a strong system of government and a strong army that managed to defeat Assyria.
The traditions of government established by the Medes continued in the powerful medieval Persian state. Iranian territories survived many conquests, but the Iranians managed to maintain their original traditions and amazing national culture.
7
Armenia
The Great Kingdom of Arme-Shubria, formed in the 12th century BC, is considered to be the first state in the territory of renewed Armenia. But, in fact, Armenian statehood began about 2.5 thousand years ago.
Ancient Armenia, mentioned in the writings of Arab historians, was a kind of union of kingdoms and powers that coexisted in the community or succeeded each other. For the first time “Armenia” appears in a historical document in 521. It was the Behistun inscription of Tsar Darius I.
After the fall of the first state formations in the beautiful valley of the Ararat River, three equal states were formed - Great Armenia, Sofen and Little Armenia.
To the piggy bank: Armenia is one of the landlocked Asian countries.
8
Japan
The first state associations in the Japanese islands are reported in Chinese historical sources, which date back to the 1st millennium BC. But the beginning of the reign of the first Japanese emperor dates back to 660 BC.
During this time, there were no cardinal changes in the borders of the Land of the Rising Sun, dynastic succession is observed, so Japan can rightfully be considered one of the oldest states on the planet.
The emperor became a symbol of the state and unity of the Japanese, which is recorded in the 1947 Constitution. Throughout their history, the Japanese were able to create a unique culture and preserve ancient traditions, being considered one of the most conservative nations in the world.
9
San marino
The list of the old states that were formed already in our era is opened by a small country in southern Europe. One of the smallest countries in the world is formally independent since September 3, 301.
According to legend, the history of the European enclave began with a small cell built in the Apennines by the mason Marin and his closest associates. The country is surrounded on all sides by Italy. When Italy in the VI century broke up into small feudal states, San Marino fell under the rule of Urbino, and in 855 it finally gained independence.
San Marino still has the provisions of one of the oldest constitutions in the world, which was adopted in 1600.
10
France
The history of France began with the creation by the Clovis of the Frankish state in 486. It reached its peak under Charles the Great, and in 843, according to the Verdun Treaty, the power of Clovis split into several states.
Thus the West Frankish kingdom was formed, which, since the 10th century, began to be called France. Its first rulers were representatives of the Carolingian dynasty, and the medieval inhabitants of the country were direct ancestors of modern French. The territory of the ancient power roughly coincided with the territories of the modern French Republic.
The country experienced several revolutions, and in 1958 a new Constitution was adopted, proclaiming France as the Fifth Republic.
11
Bulgaria
Present-day Bulgaria is the direct successor of Bulgarian state entities, and the country's history began far from the borders of Eastern Europe. In 632 Khan Kurbat united disparate tribes, creating Great Bulgaria in the Volga region.
After the collapse of the power of Khan Kurbat, part of the Bulgarians became part of the Khazar Kaganate, and part took Khan Asparuh with him along the Danube. Here, on the great European river, the Turkic-speaking Bulgarians in 681 created their first state. The capital of the new formation was the city of Pliska.
Throughout history, there have been several Bulgaria, including the unusual name Ottoman Bulgaria. The capital was transferred several times, until in 1878 it was moved to Sofia.
12
Denmark
The European state began as a military base of the Vikings, who, with their raids, terrified all the peoples of medieval Europe. At 950
the year Harald I Sinezuby becomes king, who managed to unite disparate lands into a single powerful state.
Over time, Christianity began to penetrate the territory of the Jutland peninsula and the nearest islands, which greatly strengthened the royal power. During the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark was an active participant in international events.
Denmark was among the founders of the NATO military bloc, and since 1973 it has been a member of the European Union. According to the form of government, this is a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch exercises power together with a unicameral parliament.
13
Portugal
Before Roman rule, the territory of the Iberian Peninsula was occupied by the captivity of Lusitans. Then there was a short-lived Arab conquest, and in 1143 the Kingdom of Portugal formed in the southwestern part of the peninsula.
In the Middle Ages, it was a powerful country with a strong military and merchant fleet. Thanks to access to the sea, Portugal became the largest colonial power, whose colonies extended from South America to the islands of Oceania.
In 1910, as a result of the revolution, Portugal was proclaimed a Republic. Strong parliamentary traditions have been preserved in the country, because the first parliament began its work at the beginning of the 13th century under the rule of King Afonso II.
14
Andorra
The name Andorra was first mentioned in a historical source in 778, and officially the state was formed in 1278. It was during this year that Count de Foix agreed with the Spanish bishop to establish double sovereignty in Andorra.
Almost 600 years after this event, the provisions of the Constitution were developed, and the modern basic law of a small country was adopted in 1993. It is difficult to find this state on the map of Europe, because its area does not exceed 467.6 km², and the country itself is squeezed on the border of Spain and France.
The Principality of Andorra has only recently become an active participant in international life, and diplomatic relations with Russia were established only in 1995. At TheBiggest.ru, a visit to Andorra is on one of the lines on the wish list.
15
Switzerland
One of the most democratic states in the world, after all, nationwide referendums are held on almost every important issue of state reconstruction in the country.
According to legend, on the remote green meadow of Rutli, representatives of the three communes took the oath of mutual assistance and cooperation on August 1, 1291. This date is considered the foundation of Switzerland, and legally the oath was secured by the signing of the Union letter.
After the Vienna Congress of 1815, the country proclaimed Eternal Neutrality and does not participate in any military-political bloc. Thanks to this, the country avoided participating in the bloody World Wars of the twentieth century, and its financial and banking systems are considered the most reliable in the world.
16
Palestine
In the 4th millennium BC in place of modern Israel and Palestine, Canaan is formed, which means "country of purple." In historical literature it is also found under the name "Promised Land."
Throughout history, the Palestinian lands were captured by the Romans, European crusaders, and from 1516 to 1917 were under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
After World War I, Palestine was given a mandate for sovereign rule, but in 1948, Israel captured the country. Since then, the people of Palestine have been fighting to create their own state. Now it is recognized as a state by 137 countries, but it cannot be a member of the UN, as it is not recognized by the United States, Britain and France.
17
India
The most ancient civilization of the planet originated in the valleys of the Indus and Ganges in the middle of the II millennium BC. It was then that the principles of Indian culture, religious beliefs and traditions, which still exist today, were laid down.
In the following years, many states existed on the territory of modern India, it survived the Persian and Greek invasions, fell under the influence of Islamists and Mughals. In the 17th century, India became an English colony.
In 1947, after many years of struggle for liberation from colonial oppression, India declared independence. Today, India is a dynamically developing country where poverty contrasts sharply with luxury.
18
Iraq
Officially, Iraq gained independence from Great Britain in 1932, but its history is rooted in antiquity. The Tigris and Euphrates Valley, where Iraq is now located, has become the birthplace of the first civilizations on planet Earth.
Here appeared the first large cities of the Sumerian civilization, later destroyed by the conquerors. In the period of Antiquity, Arabs began to penetrate into Iraq, and these lands became part of the Arab Caliphate. Later the Turks owned the territories.
In 1921, the creation of the Kingdom of Iraq was proclaimed, and 11 years later, Britain was forced to recognize the country's independence. The war of the Western coalition virtually destroyed the country, and the Iraqis are forced to rebuild the state again.
19
Pakistan
In the III millennium, the lands of modern Pakistan became the site of the development of a highly cultured Harappan civilization. Then came the Arians, who brought with them the beginnings of statehood.
In the Middle Ages, Pakistan fell under the power of the Mongol Empire, and after its collapse it became part of the great Mughal state. In the XIX century, the colonial power of Great Britain extended to the lands of Pakistan. In 1947, India became independent, and the Muslim League sought the creation of an independent state of Pakistan.
The new state formation included the lands of Hindustan, mostly populated by the Muslim population. The hot spot in this part of the planet remains the state of Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan.
Finally
Our story about the oldest countries on the political map has come to an end. The world is developing dynamically, and perhaps in the near future all state borders will disappear, and people will receive the status of "Citizen of the Earth." Utopia? But quite real and feasible ...
TheBiggest is waiting for you to comment and add on the theme of ancient states that are present on modern maps of the world. maybe we missed someone?
Article author: Valery Skiba