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Determining the exact number of countries in the world can be challenging due to varying definitions and sources. According to BBC’s Science Focus, there are 195 recognized countries globally. However, this number is not universally agreed upon. For instance, the CIA World Factbook lists 261 entities, which includes not only sovereign states but also territories such as Gibraltar and Montserrat.
The United Nations recognizes 193 member countries, acknowledging Vatican City and the State of Palestine as observer states rather than full members. The latest addition to the list of recognized countries is South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011.
How many continents are there in the world?
The number of continents in the world is another topic with differing viewpoints, although a consensus exists within the scientific community. Science Focus notes that people generally refer to between four and seven continents.
When someone mentions four continents, they are grouping the landmasses into America, Australia, Antarctica, and Afro-Eurasia. The number increases to five by dividing Afro-Eurasia into separate continents and combining North and South America, while excluding Antarctica. Six continents are listed if North and South America are separated and Antarctica is omitted.
The most commonly accepted classification includes seven continents: Antarctica, Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, North America, and South America. This is the standard model taught in many educational systems and recognized by most geographers.