Holiday Ayo - Worldwide, there are approximately 195 officially recognized countries. Each country has also registered its membership in the United Nations (UN). Some countries have been established for thousands of years. However, there are also several countries that have only become sovereign in recent years.

1. South Sudan (2011)

source: Travel S Helper

South Sudan is the youngest country in the world. Officially founded on July 9 2011, this country has an area of 619,745 square kilometers with a population of around 13.7 million people (2021). This country was officially established after decades of conflict with Sudan. Even though they are considered independent, the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan is still ongoing. The civil war that has been going on since 2013 killed around 300 thousand people and displaced 3 million others.

2. Kosovo (2008)

source: Britannica

Kosovo is located on Europe's Balkan Peninsula. The country covers an area of 10,887 square kilometers with a population of more than 1.873 million people (2020). One of the youngest countries in the world, it proclaimed its independence in February 2008 from Serbia. Kosovo's independence has been disputed and is only officially recognized by 110 of the UN's 193 members.

Previously, Kosovo was considered a separate political region under the Ottoman Empire. However, when the empire fell in 1913, Kosovo was divided between Montenegro and Serbia. After World War I, all these countries became part of Yugoslavia. Under Yugoslavia, Kosovo was considered an autonomous region.

3. Montenegro (2006)

source: Thrillist

Just like Kosovo, Montenegro is located on Europe's Balkan Peninsula. Montenegro stands on an area of 13,812 square kilometers with a population of 678,931 people. After Yugoslavia was dissolved in 1992, Montenegro merged with Serbia to form the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which is not recognized by the UN. In 2003, the republic changed its name to Serbia and Montenegro.

Montenegro was separated from Serbia through a referendum on May 23, 2006. At that time, more than 55 percent of Montenegro's population voted for independence. The country officially declared its independence on June 3, 2006 and has been officially recognized by the European Union and is a permanent member of the United Nations.

4. Serbia (2006)

source: Europe in Winter

Serbia is a country on the European continent which stands on an area of 88,361 square kilometers. However, the extent of this territory is still debated because Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's independence.

5. Timor Leste (2002)

source: Helo Timor Leste

Timor Leste is the youngest country in the world which is located very close to Indonesia. This country covers an area of 15,007 square kilometers with a population of 1.318 million people (2020). This country has a long history of colonization by other nations. Between the 1500s and 1975, the country was under Portuguese rule. After being freed from Portugal, Indonesia recognized the region as its 27th province. Only on May 20 2002, Timor Leste gained its independence.

6. Palau (1994)

source: BBC

Palau is a small country located in the Pacific Ocean. This archipelagic country consists of a total of 340 islands and covers an area of 459 square kilometers with a population of around 18,092 people (2020).

In the 16th century, Palau came under Spanish control. Palau separated from Spain in 1899 when the German Empire purchased the territory and called it German New Guinea. Japan then took over the region during World War I until 1947. In 1979, several islands in the region merged to form the Federated States of Micronesia. Palau then chose to become independent in 1994.

7. Eritrea (1993)

source: iStock

Eritrea is located in northern Africa. This country covers an area of 117,600 square kilometers with a population of 4,954 million people. After being part of the Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea for more than 46 years, the country officially became independent in April 1993.

Before becoming part of the federation, Eritrea was under the control of the Kingdom of Italy and was known as Italian Eritrea. During World War II, Great Britain controlled the region until 1950. At that time, Emperor Haile Selassie convinced the United States (US) and the UN of Ethiopia's claim to the Eritrean region.