How this list counts
The list follows the United Nations: 193 member states plus the two non-member observer states, filed under six continents by the UN geoscheme. The explainer on how many countries there are sets out why other counts differ. Each page lists the land neighbours computed from Natural Earth's borders, so a country that touches another only through an overseas territory or an exclave is noted as such.
Common questions
How many countries are there in the world?
There are 195 countries on this list: the 193 member states of the United Nations and the two UN observer states, Vatican City and Palestine. Other counts differ because places such as Taiwan and Kosovo are recognised by some governments and not others, which the explainer on how many countries there are covers in full.
Where do the population and area figures come from?
Population and surface area come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, with the year on each page, except for the two microstates whose World Bank figures are missing or anomalous, which use their national statistics. Borders, neighbours and the maps come from Natural Earth, a public domain map dataset.
Can I print a country fact sheet?
Yes. Every country page has a Print fact sheet button that prints a one page summary with the flag, a locator map, the key figures and a short read from the Geography app, and a Print blank country report button for a student research template. Both fit US Letter and A4.