No one knows for certain which country is the oldest in the world, as reliable records relating to this time period are scarce. While some may refer to their ancient history as a sign of their longevity, others simply date back to their establishment as an independent state or as a unified nation-state. However, whichever way you look at it, some countries stand out from the rest when it comes to age. Below is a list of the top oldest countries in the world, arranged according to the approximate year of their foundation.
- Armenia (Assyrian Empire)
Armenia is widely believed to be one of the oldest countries in the world, with the ancient kingdom having been in existence for over 3,000 years. The country was founded in the 8th century BCE, when it first became an independent kingdom of the Assyrian Empire. It is said to be the world’s first Christian nation, as it adopted Christianity as its national religion in the year 301.
- China
China has been around as a unified country since 221 BCE, though it has been inhabited and culturally influential nation since much earlier. The first unified Chinese empire dates back to the Qin Dynasty, under the rule of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who famously built the Great Wall of China. Despite frequent power shifts, China has remained one of the most continuously powerful states in the world today.
- India
India has been around for over 3,000 years, since the time of the stages of the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished from 3300 to 1300 BCE. While it was invaded and controlled by various foreign powers over the centuries, India was eventually unified into the Republic of India in 1947. Its ancient history is one of the key sources of its cultural heritage today.
- Egypt
Egypt’s history can be traced back to the 3100 BCE, when it was first unified as an empire under the rule of Pharaoh Menes. This began the period of the Ancient Egyptian civilization, which lasted until the conquest of Egypt by the Romans in 30 BCE. Over the years, Egypt has been one of the most influential ancient civilizations in the world, leaving a lasting legacy through numerous monuments, buildings and artifacts.
- Iran
The Iranian plateau, in what is now modern-day Iran, has been inhabited since around 8000 BCE. The Persian Empire emerged in 550 BCE and continued to exist until its downfall in 651 CE. From the 16th century onwards, it functioned as an independent state and has been ruled by various dynasties. Modern-day Iran was established in 1979.
- Japan
Japan is believed to have been founded in 660 BCE, ruled by an emperor who was seen as a descendant of the gods. It was in the fourth century CE that Japan adopted many aspects of Chinese culture, such as writing and architecture, leading to the formation of the Classical period of Japanese history that lasted until 1227. Japan eventually became unified as a nation-state in the 17th century, though this was largely a militaristic unification.
- Ethiopia
Ethiopia is thought to be one of the oldest countries in the world, with its civilization stretching back to at least 4000 BCE. Around the 10th century BCE, the country was unified into what is now known as the Kingdom of Aksum. It has been an independent state ever since then and has had a long and turbulent history, with the country existing through numerous civil wars and coups.
- Greece
Greece has been around since at least 2000 BCE, with evidence of Mycenaean and Minoan civilizations having existed back then. It wasn’t until the 5th century BCE that the Greek city-states unified into what is now known as Classical Greece, and this eventually developed into the Hellenistic period in which Greece became a major player in the world. It has been an independent state since 1829.
- Korea
Korea has been around since at least 2333 BCE, when a unified state known as the Gojoseon was founded. This was a prosperous kingdom, with evidence of powerful rulers, advanced writing, and arts. The Kingdom of Gaya and the Three Kingdoms period followed, before Korea was unified into the Joseon Dynasty in 1392. The country was divided into North and South Korea in 1948, with both countries claiming to be the true heir of the ancient Joseon Dynasty.
- Vietnam
Vietnam is believed to be the oldest continuous country in the world, having been around since at least the 3rd century BCE, when the country was unified by the local leader known as the Trieu Da. Vietnam has since become a major economic and political power in the South-East Asian region, and despite being colonized by the French and controlled by the Chinese, it still remains an independent state.
The oldest countries in the world are known for their rich history and culture, as well as their long-enduring legacies. Of the countries listed above, some have been able to preserve their legacy due to the stability of their governments, while others have experienced their fair share of civil wars and revolutions. Whatever the case may be, these countries offer us a glimpse into the past, and the events that have led to the modern world in which we live today.
