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Explore the Countries of the World

Discover nations through their people, histories, landscapes, traditions, languages, and cultural heritage.

Browse Countries by Continent

Choose a continent to explore its countries, cultures, histories, languages, landscapes, and distinctive regional identities.

Africa

Explore 54 countries across five regions, each shaped by distinctive peoples, histories, languages, landscapes, and cultural traditions.

Europe

Explore 44 countries shaped by ancient civilisations, distinctive regions, influential histories, diverse languages, and rich cultural heritage.

Asia

Explore 48 countries across the world’s largest continent, home to ancient traditions, diverse peoples, languages, landscapes, and civilisations.

North America

Discover 23 countries across Northern America, Central America and the Caribbean, each with distinctive histories, landscapes and cultural identities.

South America

Explore 12 countries renowned for Indigenous heritage, vibrant traditions, diverse landscapes, historic cities, music, languages, and communities.

Australia & Oceania

Discover 14 countries across Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, shaped by island cultures, Indigenous heritage and ocean traditions.

Latest Country & Cultural Stories

Explore recent stories about countries around the world, including their peoples, histories, cultures, languages, traditions, landmarks, and everyday life.

Ful, kisra, and the slow morning ritual of Sudanese food culture

In a fast-paced world obsessed with convenience, Sudan holds fast to a powerful tradition where breakfast is not just sustenance, it is a deliberate, communal act. For the Sudanese people, the morning...

Sharba Libya and the oral tradition of Libyan cooking

In the heart of North Africa, a rich culinary landscape flourishes, built not on cookbooks or measuring cups, but on whispers, shared moments, and a profound oral tradition. In Libya, recipes are...

The chilli paste that defines Tunisian identity and health

Across North Africa, food is deeply entwined with culture, history, and community. Yet, in Tunisia, one single culinary staple stands out above all others as an irreplaceable symbol of national pride:...

Couscous culture and its healing, communal significance

Across North Africa, food is far more than mere nourishment for the body; it serves as a central pillar of cultural identity, family bonding, and spiritual life. At the heart of this rich culinary...

The sacred science and ritual behind the tagine

The tagine is perhaps Morocco’s most iconic culinary export, recognized worldwide for its distinctive conical lid and the aromatic stews it produces. It is more than just a pot; it is a...

Ful Medames — the ancient fava bean dish that has outlasted every empire

In a world defined by fast culinary trends and fleeting food fads, very few dishes can claim a history measured in millennia. Ful Medames—a warm, hearty stew of slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with...
the world's countries by continent and region

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Discover more stories about the world’s peoples, cultures, languages, traditions, histories, and remarkable places.

The World — 195 countries, countless cultures, one shared human story.

For this page, the total of 195 countries comprises 193 United Nations Member States and two UN non-member observer states: the Holy See and the State of Palestine. Country totals and regional groupings may vary between classification systems, particularly for transcontinental and partially recognised states.