For thousands of years the world was divided into empires and kingdoms, ruled by monarchs

or theocracies.

In fact, a vast majority of modern nation-states only became independent after the year 1800.

But there are a few that mark their independence centuries or even millenniums before then.

So what are the world’s oldest countries?

Well, one country that is considered among the oldest is San Marino, a tiny republic

in the mountains of central Italy.

According to legend, San Marino was founded in the year 301 by a stonesman who was escaping

religious persecution in a nearby city.

He hid on the top of a mountain, built a chapel and formed a community of people who shared

his Christian beliefs.

As Europe’s first city-state, San Marino hung on to its independence even as Italy

unified around it and other small republics dissolved.

In 1600, its leaders drafted what is now believed to be the world’s oldest constitution.

Even older than San Marino is China, which celebrates its founding year as 221 BC.

Civilization in China can be traced back roughly five thousand years.

The region began as a collection of tribes, which then divided into seven walled states—each

governed by a different dynasty.

After a nearly 200 year war between these states, one dynasty, led by King Qin Shi Huang,

emerged victorious.

Qin[CHIN] knocked down the dividing walls and built one Great Wall along the northern

border of his newly unified kingdom, and became China’s first emperor.

His dynasty strongly advocated for law and order, centralized wealth and collectivization,

a philosophy that paved the way for modern, communist China.

Even the name “China” is derived from the name Qin.

But China’s neighbor, Japan, might be even older.

The country marks its founding at 660 BC, when according to legend, Emperor Jimmu conquered

the region’s most powerful province and established a central government.

Jimmu is believed to be a descendent of the Sun Goddess, and the first ancestor of the

country’s royal family.

However, many historians consider Jimmu’s reign to be a myth, and instead place the

country’s origin roughly 1,200 years later.

Either way, Japan is still considered one of the oldest countries in the world.

Very few countries consider their independence to have taken place more than 500 years ago.

One exception is France, which has been a country since the year 843.

Denmark and Austria’s independence came roughly a century later.

In fact, even though Europe is not the cradle of civilization, it is home to many of the

world’s oldest countries.

This is in part because for centuries, much of the world was owned by European powers.

The British Empire alone laid claim to India, Australia, much of Africa and North America

as well as countless small islands.

Many of these nations didn’t become independent countries until decolonization after World

War Two.

Many of the countries we think of as ancient may not be as old as we think.

China, Japan and San Marino have thousands of years on most countries.

In fact, some of the youngest nations have been around for less than a decade.

So what are the newest countries?

Find out in this video.

Sudan and South Sudan had been at odds since Sudan originally formed in 1956.

The conflict was due to a largely Christian and non-Muslim south feeling unrepresented

and oppressed by the Arab and Muslim north.

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