10 Oldest countries in the world

The world is home to many ancient civilizations that have endured for centuries, leaving behind a rich legacy of culture and history. Some countries have a recorded history that stretches back thousands of years, making them among the oldest in the world.

In this article, we will explore the ten oldest countries by date known, including Iran, Egypt, Vietnam, Armenia, North Korea, China, India, Georgia, Israel, and Sudan. We will delve into their fascinating histories, traditions, and cultural heritage that has been preserved for generations.

The world’s oldest countries

S/N	Country	Year of establishment
1.	Iran	3200 BCE
2.	Egypt	3100 BCE
3.	Vietnam	2879 BCE
4.	Armenia	2492 BCE
5.	North Korea	2333 BCE
6.	China	2070 BCE
7.	India	2000 BCE
8.	Georgia	1300 BCE
9.	Israel	1070 BCE
10.	Sudan	678 BCE

1. Iran

Establishment: 3200 BCE

Iran, formerly known as Persia, is the oldest country in the world, with a history that dates back to  3200 BCE. The country has been ruled by a number of empires throughout its history, including the Achaemenid Empire, the Parthian Empire, the Sassanian Empire, and the Safavid Empire. Iran is also home to one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a rich cultural heritage that includes art, literature, architecture, and philosophy.

Some of Iran’s most significant historical events include the Persian Wars, which were fought against the Greeks in the 5th century BCE, and the Islamic Revolution of 1979, which overthrew the country’s monarchy and established an Islamic republic.

2. Egypt

Establishment: 3100 BCE

Egypt is another ancient country with a history that dates back to 3100 BCE. Egypt is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest civilizations, with a rich cultural heritage that includes the pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Nile River.

Egypt was ruled by a number of dynasties throughout its history, including the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom.

3. Vietnam

Establishment: 2879 BCE 

Vietnam is a country with a history that dates back to 2879 BCE. It has been ruled by a number of empires throughout its history, including the Han dynasty, the Tang dynasty, and the Khmer Empire. Vietnam is also home to one of the world’s oldest surviving cultures, with a rich cultural heritage that includes literature, music, dance, and art.

Some of her historical events include the Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955 to 1975, and the country’s reunification in 1976, which brought an end to the war and established a socialist republic.

4. Armenia

Establishment: 2492 BCE

Armenia is an ancient country with a history that dates back to 2492 BCE. It is widely regarded as one of the cradles of civilization, with a rich cultural heritage that includes the invention of the Armenian alphabet, which is still used today.

Armenia was ruled by a number of empires throughout its history, including the Urartu Empire, the Achaemenid Empire, and the Roman Empire.

5. North Korea

Establishment: 2333 BCE

North Korea is a country with a history that dates back to 2333 BCE. It has been ruled by a number of dynasties throughout its history, including the Koryo dynasty, the Joseon dynasty, and the current Kim dynasty.

North Korea is also home to one of the world’s most isolated and secretive societies, with a political system that is based on the principles of Juche, or self-reliance. 

6. China

Establishment: 2070 BCE

China is an ancient country with a history that dates back to 2070 BCE. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with a rich cultural heritage that includes the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. China was ruled by a number of dynasties throughout its history, including the Qin dynasty, the Han dynasty, and the Tang dynasty.

Some of China’s most significant historical events include the Cultural Revolution, which occurred in the 1960s and 1970s and resulted in the deaths of millions of people, and the economic reforms of the 1980s and 1990s, which led to China’s rapid economic growth and emergence as a global superpower.

7. India

Establishment: 2000 BCE

India is another ancient country with a history that dates back to 2000 BCE. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with a rich cultural heritage that includes the Taj Mahal, the ancient city of Harappa, and the Vedas, which are some of the oldest religious texts in the world.

India was ruled by a number of empires throughout its history, including the Mauryan Empire, the Gupta Empire, and the Mughal Empire. Some of India’s most significant historical events include the Indian independence movement, which led to the country’s independence from British rule in 1947, and the partition of India, which led to the creation of Pakistan and the displacement of millions of people.

8. Georgia

Establishment: 1300 BCE

Georgia is an ancient country with a history that dates back to 1300 BCE. It is widely regarded as one of the cradles of civilization, with a rich cultural heritage that includes the ancient city of Mtskheta, the Georgian Orthodox Church, and the Georgian language, which is one of the oldest surviving languages in the world.

Georgia was ruled by a number of empires throughout its history, including the Persian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Russian Empire. 

9. Israel

Establishment: 1300 BCE

Israel is an ancient country with a history that dates back to 1300 BCE. It is widely regarded as the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and is home to some of the world’s most important religious sites, including the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Israel was ruled by a number of empires throughout its history, including the Babylonian Empire, the Roman Empire, and the Ottoman Empire.

10. Sudan

Establishment: 1070 BCE

Sudan is an ancient country with a history that dates back to 1070 BCE. It is widely regarded as one of the oldest civilizations in Africa, with a rich cultural heritage that includes the ancient city of Meroe, the pyramids of Nubia, and the Nubian language, which is one of the oldest surviving languages in Africa.

Sudan was ruled by a number of empires throughout its history, including the Kingdom of Kush, the Ottoman Empire, and the British Empire.

Conclusion

The history of human civilization is an intricate tapestry of cultures and traditions that have evolved over time. The ten oldest countries in the world by date known have contributed significantly to this tapestry, shaping the world as we know it today.

These countries have endured wars, invasions, and natural disasters, and their ancient histories continue to fascinate and inspire people worldwide. By learning about the rich cultural heritage of these countries, we can gain a deeper appreciation of our collective human history and the legacies that we have inherited from those who came before us.