Over the centuries many nations and countries have come and gone. As humans have evolved over the millennia, cities have been built and destroyed and nations have risen and fallen. Only the strongest have survived and flourished as countries that still exist today. So what is the oldest country in the world?

That is a hard question to answer. It is nearly impossible to pinpoint the exact moment a country came into existence. There are many factors in play. You could judge it by the timeline of when the actual government of the country was established. Or it could be when the country is believed to have become a sovereign state. However you look at it, there are many great civilizations that have been around for hundreds of years. 

While you might think the great United States or the ruling British Empire make the list, you’ll be sadly disappointed. The history of these countries pales insignificant to the other nations on this list. So take a trip back in time and discover the 10 oldest countries in the world below.

Here Are 10 of the Oldest Countries in the World

Iran

Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Although it was founded in the 16th century, the country has been around a lot longer than that. Originally known as the Persian Empire, it is now called the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Achaemenid Empire was in power between 550-330 BCE and is regarded as the largest the world has ever seen. It is believed around 50 million people lived in Iran during the reign of the Achaemenid Empire.

Since those heady days, Iran has gone through many changes throughout its long history. Modern day Iran was only founded in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution. This led to the Iran-Iraq war that lasted eight years between 1980-1988 and resulted in mass casualties for both nations.