There Are Over 193 Countries — We’ll Be Impressed If You Can Name 40!

By: Allison Lips
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
There Are Over 193 Countries — We’ll Be Impressed If You Can Name 40!
Image: pbombaert/Moment/Getty Images

About This Quiz

There are over 7.5 billion people living in 193 countries on planet Earth. Each country has its own culture and way of life. Many countries have rich diversity within their borders, which results in a beautiful array of culture without ever leaving one country. Usually, the larger the country, the more diversity it has. 

China is home to almost 1. 5 billion people, while India is home to over 1.3 billion. On the other end of the population spectrum, the tiny Vatican City is home to just 800 permanent residents. However, both the Cocos Islands and the Pitcairn Islands have smaller populations, but they are not considered independent countries and are Australian and British territories respectively. 

When measuring countries by area, China drops to the third largest country. The top two places belong to Russia and Canada. Russia has an area of over 6.5 million square miles, while Canada's area is over 3.8 million miles. The title of smallest country belongs once again to Vatican City, which is 0.17 square miles. 

Have you explored all of Europe? Can you name every country in Africa? Do you know your way around a world map? Find out how well you know Earth and its country's with this quiz! 

Hong Kong
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In 1842, the United Kingdom gained control of which country?
Hong Kong
China
North Korea
South Korea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After its victory in the Opium Wars, the United Kingdom gained control over Hong Kong from China. Hong Kong returned to Chinese control in 1997 and became a Special Administrative Region.

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Israel
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Which country has had prime ministers name Golda Meir and Benjamin Netanyahu?
Qatar
Kuwait
Israel
United Arab Emirates
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In May 1948, DAvid Ben-Gurion became the first prime minister of Israel. He was also the country's first defense minister and oversaw the development of Israel's infrastructure and military.

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Japan
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Honshu is the largest island of which country?
Japan
Vietnam
Singapore
Taiwan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The majority of Japan's land mass is comprised of Hokkaido, Honshu, and Shikoku. The four islands make up approximately 98 percent of the country's area. The country's capital, Tokyo, is located on Honshu.

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Turkey
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Which country's capital was formerly known as Constantinople?
Qatar
Israel
Turkey
Palestine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A small portion of Turkey, approximately 5 percent of the countries land, is called East Thrace and is part of Europe. However, Thrace is not entirely within Turkey. The remainder of the area makes up part of Bulgaria and Greece.

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Indonesia
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What country counts the Javanese, Sundanese, Malay, and Madura among its main ethnic groups?
Indonesia
Canada
Malta
Mexico
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Indonesia's population is approximately 86 percent Muslim, making it the largest Muslim country. However, Indonesia is a secular state. The country's other major religions are Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

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Spain
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Which country did Francisco Franco lead?
Spain
Ireland
Holy See
Monaco
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 589, Roman Catholicism became Spain's official religion. It remained the state religion until 1936. During the Spanish Civil War, Spain had no state religion. Once in power, Francisco Franco restored the religions previous status. Since 1978, Spain has not had a state religion.

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Egypt
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What country had rulers named Cleopatra, Hatshepsut, Thutmose II, and Neferneferuaten?
Algeria
Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Libya
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Ancient Egypt, both men and women wore makeup. At the time, lead, copper, and other materials were used in cosmetics. The Ancient Egyptians also used perfumes and breath mints.

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Australia
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Which country has bubblegum pink lakes, such as Lake Hillier?
Vanuatu
Samoa
Fiji
Australia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While no one knows for sure how the Australia's pink lakes get their color, Lake Hillier is home to 10 species of bacteria that live in saline and are pink colored. These bacteria are the most probable source of the lake's color.

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North Korea
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Kim Il Sung was the founder and first leader of which Asian nation?
Vietnam
China
North Korea
Taiwan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On September 9, 1948, Kim Il Sung founded North Korea. When he died, his son Kim Jong Il took his place. Currently, Kim Jong Un, who gained power in 2011, is the North Korean leader.

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Russia
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What country's legislative body is called the Federal Assembly and is made up of the State Duma and the Federation Council?
Estonia
Russia
Azerbaijan
Estonia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1613, Mikhail Romanov becomes Tsar. The Romanov Dynasty lasted over 300 years. In 1917, the Bolshevik Revolution takes over the government and forms the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

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Canada
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Until 2007, the CN Tower was the tallest tower in the world. Where will you find it?
Finland
Ireland
United Kingdom
Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada also used to be home to the longest road in the world. However, the "Guinness Book of Records" removed the title because Yonge Street was being conflated with the rest of Highway 11.

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South Africa
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Which country has 11 official languages?
Kenya
Nigeria
Egypt
South Africa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

South Africa has 11 official languages. They are Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, Sepedi, Sesotho, Siswati, Xitsonga, Setswana, Tschivenda, isiXhosa, and isiZulu. Most South Africans are able to speak more than one language.

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Switzerland
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Which countries four official languages are French, Italian, German, and Romansh?
Finland
Norway
Sweden
Switzerland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fewer than half of one percent of Switzerland's population speaks Romansh. The language may have evolved from a language spoken by a tribe that arrived in the region around 500 B.C.

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Scotland
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Where will you find the Grampian Mountains, North West Highlands, Central Lowlands, and Southern Uplands?
France
Spain
Scotland
Greece
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1707, Scotland, England, and Wales became one state known as the United Kingdom or Great Britain. This alliance was made official through the Act of Union. The monarch at the time was Queen Anne.

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Fiji
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Which country's national drink is called kava?
Wales
Indonesia
Australia
Fiji
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kava is a bitter beverage made from the powder root of piper methysticum, which is in the pepper family. While the drink is known to make people feel more relaxed, some claim it can cause hallucinations.

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China
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Which country is about the same size as the United States, but only has one official time zone?
Yemen
China
Thailand
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Geographically, China should have five time zones, but only has one. As a result of this gap, people in Beijing may be eating breakfast at 7 am, while people on the other side of the country are in the middle of the night at 4 am.

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Mexico
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Where will you find the world's largest population of Spanish speakers?
Panama
Mexico
Guatemala
Belize
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Estados Unidos Mexicanos consists of 31 different states and the Federal District. Officially, Mexico City and the Federal District are the same. However, Mexico City's metropolitan area is larger than the district.

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New Zealand
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This country was the first to have all it's top political positions held by women. Which country is it?
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2001, New Zealand became the first country with Helen Clark was prime minister and Dame Silvia Cartwright as Governor General. At the same time Sian Elias was Chief Justice and Margaret Wilson served as Attorney General.

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Italy
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What country's had a dictator named Benito Mussolini?
Italy
Norway
France
Portugal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During World War I, Italy fought alongside the United Kingdom and the United States. After the war, Italy was left in poverty and Benito Mussolini became leader. When World War II broke, Italy took the side of Germany and Japan.

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Libya
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Which African country was under Italian control?
Cambodia
Bulgaria
Libya
Czechoslovakia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 1940 to 1943, World War II battles occurred between the Axis and Allied forces in Libya, which was under Italian control. Once Italy was defeated, France and the United Kingdom gained control of Libya.

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India
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This country is home to the second largest English speaking population. What is the country's name?
Pakistan
Indonesia
China
India
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Approximately 125 million people, which is around 10 percent of the population, in India speak English. The only country with more English speakers is the United States. Over the next decade, India's English-speaking population is expected to quadruple.

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Jordan
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King Abdullah II has been which country's monarch since 1999?
Yemen
Jordan
Iraq
Iran
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jordan's official name is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The country is an absolute monarchy. However, it has a Prime Minister, a Council of Ministers, a House of Deputies, and a House of Notables.

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Pakistan
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Of the following countries, which one gaoined its independence in 1947?
Peru
Panama
Pakistan
Portugal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When the United Kingdom gave the Indian subcontinent independence on August 16, 1947, it split the land into three countries: India, West Pakistan, and East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh.

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Germany
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Of the following, which European country has over 100 Nobel Prize winners?
Poland
Germany
Italy
Ukraine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1939, Swedish parliament member E.G.C. Brandt nominated Adolf Hitler for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Swedish politician, who was antifascist, did not expect the nomination to be taken seriously because he intended for it to be satire.

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Vietnam
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Which country used to use a writing system called Chu nom?
Japan
China
Singapore
Vietnam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Until the end of the 13th century, Vietnamese poetry was written in Chinese. The following two centuries saw the rise of Chu nom, a writing system used to write vernacular Vietnamese.

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Georgia
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The president of which country is Salome Zourabichvili?
Jordan
Georgia
Yemen
Turkey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prior to being elected president, Salome Zourabichvili was appointed foreign minister. Currently, the presidency in Georgia is mostly a ceremonial post because the country also has a prime minister.

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Kenya
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In 2010, which African country enacted a new constitution?
Nigeria
Kenya
Morocco
Ghana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The constitution provides the framework for a 68-member senate and a 350-member National Assemble. Twenty of the senate seats are not elected. Instead, they are filled with representatives from the political parties with an elected presence in the senate.

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Peru
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In 1993, the constitution of which country went into effect?
Panama
Peru
Uruaguay
Chile
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1993, the Peruvian constitution was put into effect. The constitution states that Peru is to be led by a president, who is elected every five-years, and that person appoints a Council of Ministers. Peru also has two elected vice presidents and a Congress with one chamber.

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Poland
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What country's national anthem is called "Mazurek Dąbrowskiego?"
Poland
Greece
Romania
Slovakia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In English, Poland's national anthem is often called "Poland is Not Yet Lost." Between Jul. 16 and Jul. 19 1797, Józef Wybicki wrote the lyrics and set them to a Polish folk tune.

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Haiti
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What country was ruled by over 70 different dictators from 1804 to 1915?
Cuba
Haiti
Mexico
Guyana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1915, United States President Woodrow Wilson sent his country's military to restore order to Haiti. The United States would remain in Haiti until 1934. Once the United States left, Haiti's military officers took control of its government.

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Samoa
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Where would you find the capital city Apia?
Samoa
Palau
New Caledonia
Tonga
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

New Zealand ruled Samoa from 1914 to 1962. While the country became independent of New Zealand on January 1, 1962, the country celebrates Independence Day on June 1. Even though the country is no longer under New Zealand's rule, it is still part of the British Commonwealth.

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El Salvador
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Which country became a Spanish colony in 1540 and gained its independence in 1821?
El Salvador
Uruguay
Peru
Chile
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After El Salvador became independent from Spain, it formed the United Provinces of Central American in 1923. The union of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador lasted until 1840.

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Yemen
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Which country was in civil war between May and July 1994 because supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh fought supports of Vice President Ali Salim al-Baid?
Lebanon
Yemen
Iraq
Kuwait
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On May 22, 1990, the Republic of Yemen was formed with Ali Abdullah Saleh as its president. It is the result of the unification of North Yemen, the Yemen Arab Republic, and South Yemen. The official name of South Yemen was the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.

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Greenland
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Which country is the world's largest island and has over 80 percent of its land covered by ice?
United States
Greenland
Canada
Puerto Rico
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the 10th century, Vikings landed on Greenland from Iceland. During the 18th century, the Danish colonized Greenland. The country would not get a separate government until 1979, the year its parliament was created.

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Panama
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Colombia's territory used to include which present-day country?
Honduras
Belize
El Salvador
Panama
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On November 3, 1903, Panama separated from Colombia. The United States backed the new Panamanian government, so that it could build a canal. In 1904, construction began on the canal.

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Norway
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Despite being on the opposite side of the world, which country maintains administrative authority over Bouvet Island?
Norway
Switzerland
France
Greenland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bouvet Island is 19 square miles, most of which is covered by a glacier. At one point, Norway and the United Kingdom had claims to the Island. In 1930, the island was officially declared part of Norway.

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Ukraine
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Which country is home to the Struve Goedetic Arc?
Belarus
Estonia
Latvia
Ukraine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ukraine is home to seven World Heritage Sites. They include the 11th century Saint-Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, the forests of Carpathians, the Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans and the ancient city of Chersonesus.

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Colombia
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Which South American country is known as the world's largest producer of emeralds?
Ecuador
Colombia
Argentina
Brazil
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fura is the largest emerald in the world. It is 11,000 karats and weighs almost five pounds. In 1999, the precious stone was found alongside Esmeralda Tena in Muza, Colombia, a town known for its emeralds.

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Saudi Arabia
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Which country was a founding member of thhe United Nations?
Austria
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
Germany
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1939, Saudi Arabia declared itself a neutral country in World War II. The country would remain neutral until Feb. 1945 when it declared war on Germany and Japan. Later that year, Saudi Arabia became a founding member of the United Nations.

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Iraq
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Abd al-Karim Qasim is a fromer prime minister of which nation?
Afghanistan
Jordan
Georgia
Iraq
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In October 1959, Saddam Hussein attacked the motorcade of then-prime minister of Iraq, Abd al-Karim Qasim. Hussein escaped to Syria and Egypt. He returned to Iraq in 1963. Sixteen years later, he became president.

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You Got:
/40
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