The question of which country was "first discovered" is complex and depends on the definition of "discovery" and "country." There's no single, universally accepted answer. The concept of "discovery" itself is problematic, as it often implies a prior state of non-existence or unimportance, ignoring the presence and history of Indigenous populations.
Defining "Discovery" and "Country"
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Discovery: Does "discovery" refer to the first time a geographic area was encountered by people from another region? Or does it mean the first formal claim or recognition of a territory by a specific nation-state? Different interpretations lead to drastically different answers.
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Country: The term "country" can refer to a nation-state (a political entity with defined borders and governance) or a region inhabited by a particular group of people. If we use the nation-state definition, we encounter the problem that many modern countries evolved over centuries, with their borders shifting and political structures changing.
Interpretations and Answers
Considering the varied definitions, here are some possible interpretations and answers based on the provided references:
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First Inhabited Land: Based on anthropological evidence (as alluded to in the UCL Culture Online article), humans evolved in Northeast Africa. This would suggest that the region encompassing modern-day Egypt is the earliest continuously inhabited area. The reference mentions Egypt's estimated founding around 3150 BCE, making it a strong candidate for the oldest continuously inhabited area which developed into a civilization.
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First Recognized Civilization: The reference regarding the oldest countries in the world states that Egypt is the oldest if we accept its founding around 3150 BCE, based on the estimated beginning of Narmer’s reign, the first pharaoh. This is a different measure of "first", based on the emergence of a recognized civilization.
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First "Discovered" by Europeans: The notion of "discovery" is highly Eurocentric. European explorers' accounts often ignored the presence of Indigenous populations already inhabiting the lands they "discovered." Thus, using this interpretation requires picking a specific European expedition. There is no single definitively accepted answer to this. The references make no such claim to establish a particular earliest European "discovery".
It's crucial to remember that the concept of "discovery" is inherently biased and often overlooks the long histories and complex societal developments of Indigenous peoples who were already living in these areas long before the arrival of European explorers.
