The 5 Oldest Countries In The World: The Shocking Truth Behind The Title

The question of "What is the oldest country in the world?" is far more complex than a simple Google search suggests. As of December 17, 2025, the title is fiercely contested, not by one nation, but by competing criteria: continuous political existence, ancient civilization, and cultural heritage. The answer depends entirely on your definition, pitting tiny, resilient republics against sprawling, ancient empires.

To truly understand which nation holds the ultimate claim to antiquity, one must look beyond modern borders and delve into the nuances of statehood, sovereignty, and continuous cultural identity. We break down the claims of the world’s most ancient nations, from the Bronze Age to the early Middle Ages.

The Oldest Country by Criteria: A Contested Title

The term "country" or "nation-state" is a modern political concept, making the designation of the "oldest" inherently challenging. The claims fall into three main categories: nations with the longest continuous, uninterrupted political system; nations built on the longest continuous civilization; and nations with the earliest recognized founding dates.

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1. The Oldest Continuous State: San Marino (Founded 301 CE)

If the measure of "oldest" is based on the longest continuous, uninterrupted existence as a sovereign state, the winner is the tiny Republic of San Marino.

• Founding Date: September 3, 301 CE
• Claim to Fame: The oldest extant sovereign state and the oldest constitutional republic in the world.
• Historical Context: San Marino was allegedly founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus, who was fleeing the religious persecution of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. It has managed to retain its independence throughout the centuries, largely due to its secluded, mountainous location in the Apennines and a series of diplomatic treaties.
• Key Entities: Marinus the Stonemason, Mount Titano, Roman Empire, Napoleon Bonaparte (who respected its independence), Italian Unification.

San Marino’s claim is the most concrete from a modern political science perspective because its governmental structure has remained virtually unchanged since its inception, surviving the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Renaissance, and two World Wars.

2. The Oldest by Ancient Civilization and Sovereignty: Iran (c. 3200 BC)

For those who define "oldest" by the longest history of sovereignty and continuous civilization on the same landmass, Iran (formerly Persia) presents the strongest case.

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• Claimed Sovereignty Date: c. 3200 BC
• Claim to Fame: Home to one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations, with a history of statehood stretching back over five millennia.
• Historical Context: The history of Iran begins with the Proto-Elamite period, followed by the powerful Elamite Kingdom in the fourth millennium BC. Later, the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, became one of the largest empires in ancient history, cementing a long-standing tradition of centralized Persian rule.
• Key Entities: Persia, Elamite Kingdom (3200 BC), Achaemenid Empire, Cyrus the Great, Parthian Empire, Sasanian Empire, Safavid Dynasty, Islamic Republic of Iran.

While the political system has changed dramatically over the millennia—from ancient monarchies to a modern republic—the cultural, linguistic, and territorial continuity of the Persian state is arguably the longest in the world. This focus on continuous civilization makes Iran a strong contender for the "oldest country" title.

3. The Oldest by Ancient Unification: Egypt (c. 3100 BC)

Closely following Iran is Egypt, which boasts a history of unification that dates back almost as far.

• Claimed Establishment Date: c. 3100 BC
• Claim to Fame: The first territorial state in history, unified under the first pharaoh, Menes (or Narmer).
• Historical Context: Ancient Egypt was established with the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, marking the beginning of the Early Dynastic Period. This established a political and cultural entity that persisted through nearly thirty dynasties, making it a powerful example of a long-lasting state structure.
• Key Entities: Pharaohs, Narmer/Menes, Early Dynastic Period, Old Kingdom, Ptolemaic Dynasty, Cleopatra, Arab Conquest, Modern Republic of Egypt.

Like Iran, the modern state of Egypt is a distinct political entity from its ancient counterpart. However, the continuous culture, identity, and territorial claim of the Egyptian people make its historical claim to antiquity undeniable. The continuous presence of a distinct Egyptian identity on the Nile River is a powerful factor in this debate.

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Other Contenders: Cultural and Imperial Continuity

The debate over the oldest country is further complicated by nations whose claims are rooted in an unbroken line of cultural or imperial rule, even if the specific political system has shifted over time.

4. The Oldest by Cultural Continuity: China (c. 1600 BC)

China is often cited as the world's oldest continuous civilization, with its cultural and political roots stretching back over 3,500 years.

• Claimed Root Date: c. 1600 BC
• Historical Context: The establishment of the Shang Dynasty around 1600 BC marked the beginning of recorded Chinese history and the foundation of its imperial system. The concept of a unified "Middle Kingdom" persisted through various dynasties (Zhou, Qin, Han, Ming, Qing) until the establishment of the modern republic.
• Key Entities: Shang Dynasty, Zhou Dynasty, Qin Dynasty (unification), Han Dynasty, Imperial China, Republic of China, People's Republic of China.

While China has experienced periods of division and civil war, the core cultural, linguistic, and philosophical framework—including the concept of the Emperor and the Mandate of Heaven—provided a remarkable degree of political continuity for millennia, which is the basis of its claim.

5. The Oldest by Unbroken Imperial Line: Japan (c. 660 BCE)

Japan’s claim is unique, resting on the legendary founding of its imperial line.

• Claimed Founding Date: 660 BCE
• Historical Context: Japan celebrates its founding on February 11, 660 BCE, by the mythical Emperor Jimmu. While the modern nation-state emerged much later, the Japanese Imperial House is considered the world's longest-running hereditary monarchy, providing a powerful, unbroken symbolic line of statehood.
• Key Entities: Emperor Jimmu, Imperial House of Japan, Meiji Restoration (1868), Shogunate Period, Modern Japan.

The Meiji Restoration in 1868 is generally viewed as the birth of modern Japan as a nation-state, but the continuous existence and reverence for the imperial line connect the modern state directly to its ancient, legendary origins. This cultural and imperial continuity is the foundation of Japan's claim as an ancient nation.

The Nuance of Statehood and Topical Authority

The debate is a fascinating study in political science, history, and the definition of a "country." To gain true topical authority on this subject, one must acknowledge the different metrics:

• Sovereign State: A political entity with a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. This definition favors San Marino.
• Civilization: A complex human society, often with a centralized government, large-scale infrastructure, and a shared culture. This definition favors Iran and Egypt.
• Nation-State: A sovereign state whose citizens share a common language, culture, or descent. This concept is largely a product of the 19th century, making ancient claims problematic under a strict definition.

Other ancient nations that feature prominently in this discussion include:

• Greece: The birthplace of democracy and Western civilization, with a history stretching back to the Mycenaean civilization (c. 1600 BC).
• Iraq: The land of Mesopotamia, home to the Sumerian (c. 4500 BC) and Babylonian empires, though the modern state is a 20th-century creation.
• Portugal: Often cited as the oldest nation-state in Europe with its current borders, established in 1139 and recognized in 1143.
• France: Tracing its origins to the Kingdom of the Franks (481 CE), though the modern republic is much younger.

In conclusion, while Iran and Egypt boast the most ancient roots of civilization and continuous presence on their land, the Republic of San Marino holds the indisputable title of the world's oldest continuously existing sovereign state. The "oldest country" is therefore a title shared between an ancient civilization and a remarkably resilient republic.