I used to work for the Federal Reserve Bank, but then I got stupid & married another employee, and one of us had to give up the job. Since he was there longer than me, I was the one who quit.
1.how many different countries are there in the world ?
United Nations
There are 192 members of the United Nations. Unfortunately, the number 192 is too often used to represent the number of countries in the world. Although this number represents almost all of the countries in the world, there is still one globally recognzed independent country, the Vatican City, that is independent and has chosen not to become a member of the U.N. so 192 is not the number of countries in the world.
U.S. Department of State
The United States' State Department recognizes 193 independent countries around the world. Their list of 193 countries reflects the political agenda of the United States of America and its allies. Missing from the State Department's list is one entity that may or may not be considered a country, depending on who you talk to.
The One Outsider
Taiwan meets the requirements of independent country or state status. However, due to political reasons, it fails to be recognized by the international community as independent. Nonetheless, it should be considered as independent.
Taiwan was actually a member of the United Nations (and even the Security Council) until 1971, when mainland China replaced Taiwan in the organization. Taiwan continues to press for full recognition by other countries, to become "part of the club" and fully recognized worldwide but China claims that Taiwan is simply a province of China.
Thus...
Your Guide considers there to be 194 countries in the world, which is probably the best current answer to the question, "How many countries are in the world?"
However...
Recognize that there are dozens of territories and colonies that are sometimes erroneously called "countries" but don't count at all - they're governed by other countries. Places commonly confused as being countries include Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Greenland, Palestine, Western Sahara, and even the components of the United Kingdom (such as Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England - they're not fully independent countries, states, or nation-states).
I do, however, take a tiny bit of pleasure when someone who dishes out "slapdowns" gets a few in return. Is that wrong?? Does that make me a bad person?
How about you? How do you feel when a nasty/mean person gets "put in his place"??
Scottishlass Forum Posts (3,324)
RE: Letter from Granny