Determining the "oldest country" depends on the definition used: is it based on continuous civilization, the establishment of a distinct state, or the current political entity? Using the criterion of continuous civilization, here's a list of ten of the oldest, based on the references provided and other widely accepted historical timelines (noting that precise dating can be debated among historians):
Important Note: This list focuses on the continuous civilization aspect, which differs from the establishment of the modern nation-state with current borders.
Here is a list of the top 7 oldest countries in the world:
- Iran (Persia): ~3200 BCE. Iran boasts one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations.
- Egypt: ~3100 BCE. Ancient Egypt's civilization coalesced around this time.
- Vietnam: ~2879 BCE. Vietnamese civilization dates back to this time.
- Armenia: ~2492 BCE. A nation with a long and influential history in the Caucasus region.
- North Korea: ~2333 BCE. Originates back to the Gojoseon Kingdom.
- China: ~2070 BCE. The start of the Xia Dynasty marks an early point in Chinese civilization.
- India: ~2000 BCE. The Indus Valley Civilization flourished around this time.
It's crucial to remember that defining the "oldest country" is subjective and depends on the chosen criteria. The concept of a country has evolved significantly over time.
