Pakistan South Asia Capital: Islamabad
The world's fifth most populous country and the only Muslim-majority nuclear power.
Capital Islamabad
Currency Pakistani rupee (PKR)
Language(s) Urdu (national), English (official)
Parliament Majlis-e-Shoora (National Assembly and Senate)
Afghanistan South Asia Capital: Kabul
Landlocked; shares the Durand Line border with Pakistan and the narrow Wakhan Corridor with China.
Capital Kabul
Currency Afghani (AFN)
Language(s) Pashto, Dari
Parliament None since the Taliban takeover of 2021 (the former National Assembly was dissolved)
India South Asia Capital: New Delhi
The world's most populous country since 2023.
Capital New Delhi
Currency Indian rupee (INR)
Language(s) Hindi, English
Parliament Parliament (Sansad): Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Bangladesh South Asia Capital: Dhaka
Formerly East Pakistan; became independent in 1971.
Capital Dhaka
Currency Taka (BDT)
Language(s) Bengali (Bangla)
Parliament Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament)
Sri Lanka South Asia Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (Colombo is the commercial capital)
Had the world's first woman prime minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike (1960).
Capital Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (Colombo is the commercial capital)
Currency Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
Language(s) Sinhala, Tamil
Parliament Parliament
Nepal South Asia Capital: Kathmandu
Home to Mount Everest (8,849 m) on its border with China; became a republic in 2008.
Capital Kathmandu
Currency Nepalese rupee (NPR)
Language(s) Nepali
Parliament Federal Parliament: House of Representatives and National Assembly
Bhutan South Asia Capital: Thimphu
Measures progress by 'Gross National Happiness' and is carbon negative.
Capital Thimphu
Currency Ngultrum (BTN)
Language(s) Dzongkha
Parliament Parliament: National Council and National Assembly
Maldives South Asia Capital: Malé
Asia's smallest country by area, made up of about 1,200 coral islands.
Capital Malé
Currency Rufiyaa (MVR)
Language(s) Dhivehi
Parliament People's Majlis
China East Asia Capital: Beijing
Pakistan's 'iron brother' and partner in CPEC; the world's second-largest economy.
Capital Beijing
Currency Renminbi / yuan (CNY)
Language(s) Mandarin Chinese
Parliament National People's Congress
Japan East Asia Capital: Tokyo
Called the 'Land of the Rising Sun'; the only country to have suffered atomic bombings (1945).
Capital Tokyo
Currency Yen (JPY)
Language(s) Japanese
Parliament National Diet: House of Representatives and House of Councillors
South Korea East Asia Capital: Seoul
Divided from North Korea along the 38th parallel after the Korean War (1950–53).
Capital Seoul
Currency South Korean won (KRW)
Language(s) Korean
Parliament National Assembly
North Korea East Asia Capital: Pyongyang
One of the world's most isolated states; withdrew from the NPT in 2003.
Capital Pyongyang
Currency North Korean won (KPW)
Language(s) Korean
Parliament Supreme People's Assembly
Kazakhstan Central Asia Capital: Astana
The world's largest landlocked country; home to the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Capital Astana
Currency Tenge (KZT)
Language(s) Kazakh, Russian
Parliament Parliament: Mazhilis and Senate
Uzbekistan Central Asia Capital: Tashkent
One of only two doubly landlocked countries; the Tashkent Declaration (1966) was signed here.
Capital Tashkent
Currency Som (UZS)
Language(s) Uzbek
Parliament Oliy Majlis
Tajikistan Central Asia Capital: Dushanbe
Over 90% mountainous; part of the CASA-1000 power project with Pakistan.
Capital Dushanbe
Currency Somoni (TJS)
Language(s) Tajik
Parliament Majlisi Oli
Turkmenistan Central Asia Capital: Ashgabat
Has huge gas reserves; the planned TAPI gas pipeline would run through Afghanistan and Pakistan to India.
Capital Ashgabat
Currency Manat (TMT)
Language(s) Turkmen
Parliament Mejlis
Kyrgyzstan Central Asia Capital: Bishkek
Mountainous; Lake Issyk-Kul is one of the largest mountain lakes in the world.
Capital Bishkek
Currency Som (KGS)
Language(s) Kyrgyz, Russian
Parliament Jogorku Kenesh
Iran Middle East Capital: Tehran
First country to recognize Pakistan in 1947; became an Islamic republic after the 1979 revolution.
Capital Tehran
Currency Iranian rial (IRR)
Language(s) Persian (Farsi)
Parliament Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis)
Saudi Arabia Middle East Capital: Riyadh
Home of Makkah and Madinah; the largest source of remittances to Pakistan.
Capital Riyadh
Currency Saudi riyal (SAR)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament Consultative Assembly (Majlis al-Shura), appointed by the King
United Arab Emirates Middle East Capital: Abu Dhabi
A federation of seven emirates formed in 1971; Dubai's Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building.
Capital Abu Dhabi
Currency UAE dirham (AED)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament Federal National Council
Qatar Middle East Capital: Doha
Hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first in the Arab world, and the US–Taliban Doha Agreement (2020).
Capital Doha
Currency Qatari riyal (QAR)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament Shura Council
Kuwait Middle East Capital: Kuwait City
Its dinar is the world's highest-valued currency unit. Invaded by Iraq in 1990.
Capital Kuwait City
Currency Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament National Assembly (suspended by the Emir in 2024)
Bahrain Middle East Capital: Manama
An island country linked to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway.
Capital Manama
Currency Bahraini dinar (BHD)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament National Assembly: Council of Representatives and Shura Council
Oman Middle East Capital: Muscat
Sold Gwadar to Pakistan in 1958.
Capital Muscat
Currency Omani rial (OMR)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament Council of Oman: Majlis al-Shura and Majlis al-Dawla
Iraq Middle East Capital: Baghdad
Ancient Mesopotamia, 'land between two rivers' (Tigris and Euphrates).
Capital Baghdad
Currency Iraqi dinar (IQD)
Language(s) Arabic, Kurdish
Parliament Council of Representatives
Syria Middle East Capital: Damascus
Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities. The Assad government fell in December 2024.
Capital Damascus
Currency Syrian pound (SYP)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament People's Assembly
Jordan Middle East Capital: Amman
Home of Petra; the Dead Sea on its border is the lowest point on land.
Capital Amman
Currency Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament Parliament: House of Representatives and Senate
Lebanon Middle East Capital: Beirut
Power is shared among religious communities under its National Pact.
Capital Beirut
Currency Lebanese pound (LBP)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament Parliament
Türkiye (Turkey) Middle East Capital: Ankara
Lies in both Europe and Asia; Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus.
Capital Ankara
Currency Turkish lira (TRY)
Language(s) Turkish
Parliament Grand National Assembly
Palestine Middle East Capital: East Jerusalem (claimed); Ramallah is the administrative centre
Recognized as a state by most UN members; a non-member observer state at the UN since 2012.
Capital East Jerusalem (claimed); Ramallah is the administrative centre
Currency Israeli shekel is used (no national currency)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament Palestinian Legislative Council (has not met since 2007)
Israel Middle East Capital: Jerusalem (proclaimed; not recognized by most countries, which keep embassies in Tel Aviv)
Created in 1948; Pakistan does not recognize it.
Capital Jerusalem (proclaimed; not recognized by most countries, which keep embassies in Tel Aviv)
Currency New shekel (ILS)
Language(s) Hebrew
Parliament Knesset
Yemen Middle East Capital: Sana'a (Aden is the government's temporary capital)
In civil war since 2014.
Capital Sana'a (Aden is the government's temporary capital)
Currency Yemeni rial (YER)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament House of Representatives
Egypt Africa Capital: Cairo
Home of the Pyramids of Giza and the Suez Canal (opened 1869).
Capital Cairo
Currency Egyptian pound (EGP)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament House of Representatives and Senate
Nigeria Africa Capital: Abuja
Africa's most populous country.
Capital Abuja
Currency Naira (NGN)
Language(s) English
Parliament National Assembly: Senate and House of Representatives
South Africa Africa Capital: Three capitals: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)
Ended apartheid in 1994 with Nelson Mandela as president.
Capital Three capitals: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)
Currency Rand (ZAR)
Language(s) 12 official languages, including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English and sign language
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
Kenya Africa Capital: Nairobi
Lies on the equator; home of the Maasai Mara reserve.
Capital Nairobi
Currency Kenyan shilling (KES)
Language(s) Swahili, English
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Ethiopia Africa Capital: Addis Ababa
Never colonized (apart from Italy's occupation of 1936–41); hosts the African Union headquarters.
Capital Addis Ababa
Currency Birr (ETB)
Language(s) Amharic
Parliament Federal Parliamentary Assembly
Morocco Africa Capital: Rabat
Separated from Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar; first African team in a World Cup semi-final (2022).
Capital Rabat
Currency Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Language(s) Arabic, Berber (Amazigh)
Parliament Parliament: House of Representatives and House of Councillors
Algeria Africa Capital: Algiers
Africa's largest country by area; independent from France in 1962.
Capital Algiers
Currency Algerian dinar (DZD)
Language(s) Arabic, Berber (Tamazight)
Parliament Parliament: People's National Assembly and Council of the Nation
Tanzania Africa Capital: Dodoma (Dar es Salaam is the largest city)
Home of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak (5,895 m).
Capital Dodoma (Dar es Salaam is the largest city)
Currency Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
Language(s) Swahili, English
Parliament National Assembly (Bunge)
Ghana Africa Capital: Accra
The first sub-Saharan African colony to win independence (1957).
Capital Accra
Currency Cedi (GHS)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament
United Kingdom Europe Capital: London
Its parliament is called the 'Mother of Parliaments'; it has no single written constitution.
Capital London
Currency Pound sterling (GBP)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament: House of Commons and House of Lords
France Europe Capital: Paris
Permanent member of the UN Security Council; its revolution of 1789 spread ideas of liberty and equality.
Capital Paris
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) French
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Germany Europe Capital: Berlin
Europe's largest economy; reunified in 1990.
Capital Berlin
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) German
Parliament Bundestag (with the Bundesrat representing the states)
Italy Europe Capital: Rome
Surrounds two independent states, Vatican City and San Marino.
Capital Rome
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Italian
Parliament Parliament: Chamber of Deputies and Senate
Spain Europe Capital: Madrid
Was ruled by Muslims (Al-Andalus) for about 800 years until 1492.
Capital Madrid
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament Cortes Generales: Congress of Deputies and Senate
Russia Europe Capital: Moscow
The largest country in the world by area, spanning 11 time zones.
Capital Moscow
Currency Russian ruble (RUB)
Language(s) Russian
Parliament Federal Assembly: State Duma and Federation Council
Netherlands Europe Capital: Amsterdam (the government sits in The Hague)
The Hague hosts the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
Capital Amsterdam (the government sits in The Hague)
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Dutch
Parliament States General
Switzerland Europe Capital: Bern (the 'federal city')
Famous for neutrality; Geneva hosts the UN's European office, WHO and the Red Cross.
Capital Bern (the 'federal city')
Currency Swiss franc (CHF)
Language(s) German, French, Italian, Romansh
Parliament Federal Assembly
Norway Europe Capital: Oslo
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo.
Capital Oslo
Currency Norwegian krone (NOK)
Language(s) Norwegian
Parliament Storting
Sweden Europe Capital: Stockholm
The Nobel Prizes (except Peace) are awarded in Stockholm; joined NATO in 2024.
Capital Stockholm
Currency Swedish krona (SEK)
Language(s) Swedish
Parliament Riksdag
Poland Europe Capital: Warsaw
Germany's invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 started the Second World War.
Capital Warsaw
Currency Złoty (PLN)
Language(s) Polish
Parliament Sejm and Senate
Ukraine Europe Capital: Kyiv
Europe's largest country entirely in Europe; invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Capital Kyiv
Currency Hryvnia (UAH)
Language(s) Ukrainian
Parliament Verkhovna Rada
Greece Europe Capital: Athens
The birthplace of democracy and the Olympic Games.
Capital Athens
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Greek
Parliament Hellenic Parliament
Iceland Europe Capital: Reykjavík
The Althing, founded in 930, is one of the oldest parliaments in the world.
Capital Reykjavík
Currency Icelandic króna (ISK)
Language(s) Icelandic
Parliament Althing
Vatican City Europe Capital: Vatican City
The smallest country in the world, inside Rome; headquarters of the Catholic Church.
Capital Vatican City
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Italian, Latin
Parliament None: ruled by the Pope
United States Americas Capital: Washington, D.C.
Has the world's largest economy; its constitution (1787) is the oldest written national constitution in use.
Capital Washington, D.C.
Currency US dollar (USD)
Language(s) English (de facto)
Parliament Congress: House of Representatives and Senate
Canada Americas Capital: Ottawa
The second-largest country by area, with the world's longest coastline.
Capital Ottawa
Currency Canadian dollar (CAD)
Language(s) English, French
Parliament Parliament: House of Commons and Senate
Mexico Americas Capital: Mexico City
Home of the ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza.
Capital Mexico City
Currency Mexican peso (MXN)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament Congress of the Union
Brazil Americas Capital: Brasília
The largest country in South America, containing most of the Amazon rainforest.
Capital Brasília
Currency Real (BRL)
Language(s) Portuguese
Parliament National Congress
Argentina Americas Capital: Buenos Aires
Won the FIFA World Cup in 1978, 1986 and 2022.
Capital Buenos Aires
Currency Argentine peso (ARS)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament National Congress
Cuba Americas Capital: Havana
Communist state since Fidel Castro's revolution (1959); scene of the 1962 Missile Crisis.
Capital Havana
Currency Cuban peso (CUP)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament National Assembly of People's Power
Peru Americas Capital: Lima
Home of Machu Picchu, the Inca city in the Andes.
Capital Lima
Currency Sol (PEN)
Language(s) Spanish, Quechua
Parliament Congress
Indonesia Southeast Asia Capital: Jakarta (moving to Nusantara)
The world's most populous Muslim-majority country, with over 17,000 islands.
Capital Jakarta (moving to Nusantara)
Currency Rupiah (IDR)
Language(s) Indonesian
Parliament People's Consultative Assembly
Malaysia Southeast Asia Capital: Kuala Lumpur (government in Putrajaya)
Has a rotating monarchy: the King is chosen every five years from nine state rulers.
Capital Kuala Lumpur (government in Putrajaya)
Currency Ringgit (MYR)
Language(s) Malay
Parliament Parliament: Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara
Singapore Southeast Asia Capital: Singapore (city-state)
Left Malaysia in 1965 and became one of the world's richest countries.
Capital Singapore (city-state)
Currency Singapore dollar (SGD)
Language(s) English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
Parliament Parliament
Thailand Southeast Asia Capital: Bangkok
The only Southeast Asian country never colonized by Europeans.
Capital Bangkok
Currency Baht (THB)
Language(s) Thai
Parliament National Assembly
Vietnam Southeast Asia Capital: Hanoi
Reunified under communist rule in 1975 after the Vietnam War.
Capital Hanoi
Currency Dong (VND)
Language(s) Vietnamese
Parliament National Assembly
Philippines Southeast Asia Capital: Manila
An archipelago of over 7,000 islands.
Capital Manila
Currency Philippine peso (PHP)
Language(s) Filipino, English
Parliament Congress: Senate and House of Representatives
Myanmar Southeast Asia Capital: Naypyidaw
Formerly Burma; capital moved from Yangon to Naypyidaw in 2005.
Capital Naypyidaw
Currency Kyat (MMK)
Language(s) Burmese
Parliament Assembly of the Union (suspended after the 2021 military coup)
Australia Oceania Capital: Canberra
The only country that is also a continent; Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup final at Melbourne.
Capital Canberra
Currency Australian dollar (AUD)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament: House of Representatives and Senate
New Zealand Oceania Capital: Wellington
The first country to give women the vote in national elections (1893).
Capital Wellington
Currency New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Language(s) English, Māori, NZ Sign Language
Parliament Parliament (House of Representatives)
Azerbaijan Caucasus Capital: Baku
A close ally of Pakistan and Türkiye; hosted the COP29 climate summit in 2024.
Capital Baku
Currency Azerbaijani manat (AZN)
Language(s) Azerbaijani
Parliament Milli Majlis (National Assembly)
Armenia Caucasus Capital: Yerevan
The first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion (301); Pakistan has no diplomatic relations with it.
Capital Yerevan
Currency Dram (AMD)
Language(s) Armenian
Parliament National Assembly
Georgia Caucasus Capital: Tbilisi
Lies on the Caucasus mountains between Europe and Asia; the birthplace of Joseph Stalin.
Capital Tbilisi
Currency Lari (GEL)
Language(s) Georgian
Parliament Parliament
Mongolia East Asia Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Homeland of Genghis Khan; the least densely populated sovereign country.
Capital Ulaanbaatar
Currency Tögrög (MNT)
Language(s) Mongolian
Parliament State Great Khural
Cambodia Southeast Asia Capital: Phnom Penh
Home of Angkor Wat, which appears on its flag.
Capital Phnom Penh
Currency Riel (KHR)
Language(s) Khmer
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Laos Southeast Asia Capital: Vientiane
The only landlocked country in Southeast Asia; the Mekong River runs through it.
Capital Vientiane
Currency Kip (LAK)
Language(s) Lao
Parliament National Assembly
Brunei Southeast Asia Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
A wealthy oil-rich sultanate on the island of Borneo, ruled by an absolute monarch.
Capital Bandar Seri Begawan
Currency Brunei dollar (BND)
Language(s) Malay
Parliament Legislative Council (appointed)
Timor-Leste (East Timor) Southeast Asia Capital: Dili
Became independent from Indonesia in 2002 and joined ASEAN as its 11th member in 2025.
Capital Dili
Currency US dollar (USD)
Language(s) Tetum, Portuguese
Parliament National Parliament
Albania Europe Capital: Tirana
A Muslim-majority country in Europe and a member of the OIC.
Capital Tirana
Currency Lek (ALL)
Language(s) Albanian
Parliament Parliament (Kuvendi)
Andorra Europe Capital: Andorra la Vella
A tiny Pyrenees state whose two co-princes are the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell.
Capital Andorra la Vella
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Catalan
Parliament General Council
Austria Europe Capital: Vienna
Vienna hosts the IAEA, OPEC and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
Capital Vienna
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) German
Parliament Parliament: National Council and Federal Council
Belarus Europe Capital: Minsk
A close ally of Russia, bordering Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine.
Capital Minsk
Currency Belarusian ruble (BYN)
Language(s) Belarusian, Russian
Parliament National Assembly: House of Representatives and Council of the Republic
Belgium Europe Capital: Brussels
Brussels is the headquarters of the European Union and NATO.
Capital Brussels
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Dutch, French, German
Parliament Federal Parliament: Chamber of Representatives and Senate
Bosnia and Herzegovina Europe Capital: Sarajevo
The 1914 assassination in Sarajevo triggered the First World War; the Dayton Agreement ended its 1992–95 war.
Capital Sarajevo
Currency Convertible mark (BAM)
Language(s) Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Parliament Parliamentary Assembly
Bulgaria Europe Capital: Sofia
A Balkan country on the Black Sea, known for rose oil.
Capital Sofia
Currency Euro (EUR), adopted in 2026 (formerly the lev)
Language(s) Bulgarian
Parliament National Assembly
Croatia Europe Capital: Zagreb
Its Adriatic coast has more than a thousand islands; it joined the EU in 2013.
Capital Zagreb
Currency Euro (EUR), since 2023
Language(s) Croatian
Parliament Sabor (Croatian Parliament)
Cyprus Europe Capital: Nicosia
An island divided since 1974; the north is a Turkish Cypriot state recognized only by Türkiye.
Capital Nicosia
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Greek, Turkish
Parliament House of Representatives
Czechia (Czech Republic) Europe Capital: Prague
Split peacefully from Slovakia in 1993 (the 'Velvet Divorce').
Capital Prague
Currency Czech koruna (CZK)
Language(s) Czech
Parliament Parliament: Chamber of Deputies and Senate
Denmark Europe Capital: Copenhagen
Greenland, the world's largest island, is part of the Danish kingdom.
Capital Copenhagen
Currency Danish krone (DKK)
Language(s) Danish
Parliament Folketing
Estonia Europe Capital: Tallinn
A world leader in digital government, where almost all public services are online.
Capital Tallinn
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Estonian
Parliament Riigikogu
Finland Europe Capital: Helsinki
Called the 'land of a thousand lakes'; joined NATO in 2023.
Capital Helsinki
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Finnish, Swedish
Parliament Eduskunta (Parliament)
Hungary Europe Capital: Budapest
Budapest was formed by joining the cities of Buda and Pest across the Danube in 1873.
Capital Budapest
Currency Forint (HUF)
Language(s) Hungarian
Parliament National Assembly (Országgyűlés)
Ireland Europe Capital: Dublin
Became independent from the UK in 1922; called the 'Emerald Isle'.
Capital Dublin
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Irish, English
Parliament Oireachtas: Dáil Éireann and Seanad
Latvia Europe Capital: Riga
One of the three Baltic states that regained independence from the USSR in 1991.
Capital Riga
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Latvian
Parliament Saeima
Liechtenstein Europe Capital: Vaduz
One of only two doubly landlocked countries, with Uzbekistan.
Capital Vaduz
Currency Swiss franc (CHF)
Language(s) German
Parliament Landtag
Lithuania Europe Capital: Vilnius
The first Soviet republic to declare independence, in March 1990.
Capital Vilnius
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Lithuanian
Parliament Seimas
Luxembourg Europe Capital: Luxembourg
One of the richest countries per person and a founding member of the EU.
Capital Luxembourg
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Luxembourgish, French, German
Parliament Chamber of Deputies
Malta Europe Capital: Valletta
The smallest EU country; Maltese is the only Semitic language that is official in the EU.
Capital Valletta
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Maltese, English
Parliament House of Representatives
Moldova Europe Capital: Chișinău
A landlocked country between Romania and Ukraine; Transnistria is a breakaway region.
Capital Chișinău
Currency Moldovan leu (MDL)
Language(s) Romanian
Parliament Parliament
Monaco Europe Capital: Monaco
The world's second-smallest country, famous for its Formula One Grand Prix.
Capital Monaco
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) French
Parliament National Council
Montenegro Europe Capital: Podgorica
Became independent from Serbia in 2006.
Capital Podgorica
Currency Euro (EUR), used without EU membership
Language(s) Montenegrin
Parliament Parliament (Skupština)
North Macedonia Europe Capital: Skopje
Renamed from 'Macedonia' in 2019 after an agreement with Greece; Mother Teresa was born in Skopje.
Capital Skopje
Currency Denar (MKD)
Language(s) Macedonian, Albanian
Parliament Assembly (Sobranie)
Portugal Europe Capital: Lisbon
Its explorers, such as Vasco da Gama, opened the sea route to India (1498).
Capital Lisbon
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Portuguese
Parliament Assembly of the Republic
Romania Europe Capital: Bucharest
Transylvania, linked to the Dracula legend, is in central Romania.
Capital Bucharest
Currency Romanian leu (RON)
Language(s) Romanian
Parliament Parliament: Chamber of Deputies and Senate
San Marino Europe Capital: San Marino
Surrounded by Italy; claims to be the world's oldest republic (founded 301).
Capital San Marino
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Italian
Parliament Grand and General Council
Serbia Europe Capital: Belgrade
Formerly the centre of Yugoslavia; Belgrade lies where the Sava meets the Danube.
Capital Belgrade
Currency Serbian dinar (RSD)
Language(s) Serbian
Parliament National Assembly
Slovakia Europe Capital: Bratislava
Bratislava borders both Austria and Hungary.
Capital Bratislava
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Slovak
Parliament National Council
Slovenia Europe Capital: Ljubljana
The first former Yugoslav republic to join the EU (2004).
Capital Ljubljana
Currency Euro (EUR)
Language(s) Slovene
Parliament National Assembly and National Council
Angola Africa Capital: Luanda
A major oil producer; independent from Portugal in 1975.
Capital Luanda
Currency Kwanza (AOA)
Language(s) Portuguese
Parliament National Assembly
Benin Africa Capital: Porto-Novo (Cotonou is the seat of government)
Birthplace of the Vodun religion and the former Kingdom of Dahomey.
Capital Porto-Novo (Cotonou is the seat of government)
Currency West African CFA franc (XOF)
Language(s) French
Parliament National Assembly
Botswana Africa Capital: Gaborone
One of the world's largest diamond producers and one of Africa's most stable democracies.
Capital Gaborone
Currency Pula (BWP)
Language(s) English, Setswana
Parliament National Assembly
Burkina Faso Africa Capital: Ouagadougou
Its name means 'land of honest people'.
Capital Ouagadougou
Currency West African CFA franc (XOF)
Language(s) National languages such as Mooré; French as a working language
Parliament Transitional Legislative Assembly (military government since 2022)
Burundi Africa Capital: Gitega (political capital since 2019; Bujumbura is the economic capital)
A small, densely populated country on Lake Tanganyika.
Capital Gitega (political capital since 2019; Bujumbura is the economic capital)
Currency Burundian franc (BIF)
Language(s) Kirundi, French, English
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) Africa Capital: Praia
An island nation in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal.
Capital Praia
Currency Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Language(s) Portuguese
Parliament National Assembly
Cameroon Africa Capital: Yaoundé
Called 'Africa in miniature' for its varied landscapes.
Capital Yaoundé
Currency Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Language(s) French, English
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Central African Republic Africa Capital: Bangui
A landlocked country rich in diamonds and gold but affected by long conflict.
Capital Bangui
Currency Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Language(s) French, Sango
Parliament National Assembly
Chad Africa Capital: N'Djamena
Named after Lake Chad, which has shrunk greatly since the 1960s.
Capital N'Djamena
Currency Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Language(s) French, Arabic
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Comoros Africa Capital: Moroni
An island nation in the Indian Ocean and a member of the Arab League.
Capital Moroni
Currency Comorian franc (KMF)
Language(s) Comorian, Arabic, French
Parliament Assembly of the Union
Democratic Republic of the Congo Africa Capital: Kinshasa
Africa's second-largest country by area, rich in cobalt, copper and the Congo rainforest.
Capital Kinshasa
Currency Congolese franc (CDF)
Language(s) French
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Republic of the Congo Africa Capital: Brazzaville
Its capital faces Kinshasa across the Congo River, the world's closest pair of capitals.
Capital Brazzaville
Currency Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Language(s) French
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Africa Capital: Yamoussoukro (Abidjan is the economic capital)
The world's largest producer of cocoa.
Capital Yamoussoukro (Abidjan is the economic capital)
Currency West African CFA franc (XOF)
Language(s) French
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Djibouti Africa Capital: Djibouti
Guards the Bab-el-Mandeb strait; hosts several foreign military bases, including China's first overseas base.
Capital Djibouti
Currency Djiboutian franc (DJF)
Language(s) French, Arabic
Parliament National Assembly
Equatorial Guinea Africa Capital: Malabo
The only African country with Spanish as an official language.
Capital Malabo
Currency Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Language(s) Spanish, French, Portuguese
Parliament Parliament: Chamber of Deputies and Senate
Eritrea Africa Capital: Asmara
Became independent from Ethiopia in 1993; Asmara's modernist architecture is a World Heritage Site.
Capital Asmara
Currency Nakfa (ERN)
Language(s) Tigrinya, Arabic, English (working languages)
Parliament National Assembly (has not met since 2002)
Eswatini Africa Capital: Mbabane (Lobamba is the legislative capital)
Renamed from Swaziland in 2018; one of the world's last absolute monarchies.
Capital Mbabane (Lobamba is the legislative capital)
Currency Lilangeni (SZL)
Language(s) Swati, English
Parliament Parliament: House of Assembly and Senate
Gabon Africa Capital: Libreville
Most of the country is covered by rainforest.
Capital Libreville
Currency Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Language(s) French
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
The Gambia Africa Capital: Banjul
Mainland Africa's smallest country, almost surrounded by Senegal along the Gambia River.
Capital Banjul
Currency Dalasi (GMD)
Language(s) English
Parliament National Assembly
Guinea Africa Capital: Conakry
Holds some of the world's largest bauxite (aluminium ore) reserves.
Capital Conakry
Currency Guinean franc (GNF)
Language(s) French
Parliament National Transitional Council (military government since 2021)
Guinea-Bissau Africa Capital: Bissau
A former Portuguese colony on the Atlantic coast, a major cashew producer.
Capital Bissau
Currency West African CFA franc (XOF)
Language(s) Portuguese
Parliament National People's Assembly
Lesotho Africa Capital: Maseru
Entirely surrounded by South Africa; all of its land is over 1,000 m high.
Capital Maseru
Currency Loti (LSL)
Language(s) Sesotho, English
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Liberia Africa Capital: Monrovia
Founded by freed American slaves; Africa's oldest republic (1847).
Capital Monrovia
Currency Liberian dollar (LRD)
Language(s) English
Parliament Legislature: Senate and House of Representatives
Libya Africa Capital: Tripoli
Has Africa's largest proven oil reserves; Muammar Gaddafi ruled it from 1969 to 2011.
Capital Tripoli
Currency Libyan dinar (LYD)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament House of Representatives (with rival governments in the east and west)
Madagascar Africa Capital: Antananarivo
The world's fourth-largest island, home to lemurs found nowhere else.
Capital Antananarivo
Currency Ariary (MGA)
Language(s) Malagasy, French
Parliament National Assembly and Senate
Malawi Africa Capital: Lilongwe
Called the 'Warm Heart of Africa'; Lake Malawi covers about a fifth of the country.
Capital Lilongwe
Currency Malawian kwacha (MWK)
Language(s) English, Chichewa
Parliament National Assembly
Mali Africa Capital: Bamako
Home of historic Timbuktu, a centre of Islamic learning; Mansa Musa ruled the Mali Empire.
Capital Bamako
Currency West African CFA franc (XOF)
Language(s) National languages such as Bambara
Parliament National Transitional Council (military government since 2020)
Mauritania Africa Capital: Nouakchott
An Islamic Republic, mostly covered by the Sahara Desert.
Capital Nouakchott
Currency Ouguiya (MRU)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament National Assembly
Mauritius Africa Capital: Port Louis
An Indian Ocean island nation and the only known home of the extinct dodo.
Capital Port Louis
Currency Mauritian rupee (MUR)
Language(s) English, French (Mauritian Creole is widely spoken)
Parliament National Assembly
Mozambique Africa Capital: Maputo
A member of the Commonwealth even though it was never a British colony.
Capital Maputo
Currency Metical (MZN)
Language(s) Portuguese
Parliament Assembly of the Republic
Namibia Africa Capital: Windhoek
Home of the Namib, one of the world's oldest deserts; independent from South Africa in 1990.
Capital Windhoek
Currency Namibian dollar (NAD)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and National Council
Niger Africa Capital: Niamey
Named after the Niger River; a major uranium producer.
Capital Niamey
Currency West African CFA franc (XOF)
Language(s) Hausa and other national languages
Parliament None (dissolved after the 2023 military coup)
Rwanda Africa Capital: Kigali
Has the world's highest share of women in parliament; scene of the 1994 genocide.
Capital Kigali
Currency Rwandan franc (RWF)
Language(s) Kinyarwanda, English, French, Swahili
Parliament Parliament: Chamber of Deputies and Senate
São Tomé and Príncipe Africa Capital: São Tomé
Africa's second-smallest country, two islands in the Gulf of Guinea.
Capital São Tomé
Currency Dobra (STN)
Language(s) Portuguese
Parliament National Assembly
Senegal Africa Capital: Dakar
Dakar is the westernmost city of mainland Africa.
Capital Dakar
Currency West African CFA franc (XOF)
Language(s) French (Wolof is widely spoken)
Parliament National Assembly
Seychelles Africa Capital: Victoria
Africa's least populous country, a group of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean.
Capital Victoria
Currency Seychellois rupee (SCR)
Language(s) Seychellois Creole, English, French
Parliament National Assembly
Sierra Leone Africa Capital: Freetown
Freetown was founded as a settlement for freed slaves.
Capital Freetown
Currency Leone (SLE)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament
Somalia Africa Capital: Mogadishu
Has the longest coastline on mainland Africa, on the Horn of Africa.
Capital Mogadishu
Currency Somali shilling (SOS)
Language(s) Somali, Arabic
Parliament Federal Parliament: House of the People and Upper House
South Sudan Africa Capital: Juba
The world's newest country, independent from Sudan since 2011.
Capital Juba
Currency South Sudanese pound (SSP)
Language(s) English
Parliament Transitional National Legislature
Sudan Africa Capital: Khartoum
The Blue and White Nile meet at Khartoum; it has more pyramids than Egypt.
Capital Khartoum
Currency Sudanese pound (SDG)
Language(s) Arabic, English
Parliament None functioning (in civil war since April 2023)
Togo Africa Capital: Lomé
A narrow country only about 50 km wide at the coast.
Capital Lomé
Currency West African CFA franc (XOF)
Language(s) French
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Tunisia Africa Capital: Tunis
The Arab Spring began here in December 2010; home of ancient Carthage.
Capital Tunis
Currency Tunisian dinar (TND)
Language(s) Arabic
Parliament Assembly of the Representatives of the People
Uganda Africa Capital: Kampala
Lake Victoria, the source of the White Nile, lies on its southern border.
Capital Kampala
Currency Ugandan shilling (UGX)
Language(s) English, Swahili
Parliament Parliament
Zambia Africa Capital: Lusaka
Shares Victoria Falls with Zimbabwe; a major copper producer.
Capital Lusaka
Currency Zambian kwacha (ZMW)
Language(s) English
Parliament National Assembly
Zimbabwe Africa Capital: Harare
Formerly Rhodesia; named after the ancient stone city of Great Zimbabwe.
Capital Harare
Currency Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) and US dollar
Language(s) 16 official languages, including English, Shona and Ndebele
Parliament Parliament: National Assembly and Senate
Antigua and Barbuda Americas Capital: St. John's
A Caribbean island nation said to have 365 beaches.
Capital St. John's
Currency East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament: House of Representatives and Senate
The Bahamas Americas Capital: Nassau
Columbus first landed in the Americas here in 1492.
Capital Nassau
Currency Bahamian dollar (BSD)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament: House of Assembly and Senate
Barbados Americas Capital: Bridgetown
Became a republic in 2021, replacing the British monarch as head of state.
Capital Bridgetown
Currency Barbadian dollar (BBD)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament: House of Assembly and Senate
Belize Americas Capital: Belmopan
The only Central American country with English as its official language.
Capital Belmopan
Currency Belize dollar (BZD)
Language(s) English
Parliament National Assembly: House of Representatives and Senate
Bolivia Americas Capital: Sucre (constitutional); La Paz (seat of government)
La Paz is the world's highest seat of government; Bolivia shares Lake Titicaca with Peru.
Capital Sucre (constitutional); La Paz (seat of government)
Currency Boliviano (BOB)
Language(s) Spanish and 36 indigenous languages
Parliament Plurinational Legislative Assembly
Chile Americas Capital: Santiago
A long, narrow country of about 4,300 km; the Atacama is among the driest deserts on Earth.
Capital Santiago
Currency Chilean peso (CLP)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament National Congress: Chamber of Deputies and Senate
Colombia Americas Capital: Bogotá
The only South American country with coasts on both the Pacific and the Caribbean.
Capital Bogotá
Currency Colombian peso (COP)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament Congress: Senate and House of Representatives
Costa Rica Americas Capital: San José
Abolished its army in 1948.
Capital San José
Currency Costa Rican colón (CRC)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament Legislative Assembly
Dominica Americas Capital: Roseau
Called the 'Nature Isle of the Caribbean' for its rainforests and hot springs.
Capital Roseau
Currency East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Language(s) English
Parliament House of Assembly
Dominican Republic Americas Capital: Santo Domingo
Shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
Capital Santo Domingo
Currency Dominican peso (DOP)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament National Congress: Senate and Chamber of Deputies
Ecuador Americas Capital: Quito
Named after the equator; owns the Galápagos Islands, where Darwin studied wildlife.
Capital Quito
Currency US dollar (USD)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament National Assembly
El Salvador Americas Capital: San Salvador
The smallest country in Central America; in 2021 the first to make Bitcoin legal tender.
Capital San Salvador
Currency US dollar (USD)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament Legislative Assembly
Grenada Americas Capital: St. George's
Called the 'Spice Isle' for its nutmeg.
Capital St. George's
Currency East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament: House of Representatives and Senate
Guatemala Americas Capital: Guatemala City
Heartland of the ancient Maya civilization, including Tikal.
Capital Guatemala City
Currency Quetzal (GTQ)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament Congress of the Republic
Guyana Americas Capital: Georgetown
The only English-speaking country in South America; large offshore oil finds since 2015.
Capital Georgetown
Currency Guyanese dollar (GYD)
Language(s) English
Parliament National Assembly
Haiti Americas Capital: Port-au-Prince
The first Black-led republic, after a successful slave revolt (1804).
Capital Port-au-Prince
Currency Gourde (HTG)
Language(s) Haitian Creole, French
Parliament Parliament (not functioning since 2023)
Honduras Americas Capital: Tegucigalpa
Home of the Maya ruins of Copán.
Capital Tegucigalpa
Currency Lempira (HNL)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament National Congress
Jamaica Americas Capital: Kingston
Birthplace of reggae music and the sprinter Usain Bolt.
Capital Kingston
Currency Jamaican dollar (JMD)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament: House of Representatives and Senate
Nicaragua Americas Capital: Managua
The largest country in Central America by area.
Capital Managua
Currency Córdoba (NIO)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament National Assembly
Panama Americas Capital: Panama City
The Panama Canal (opened 1914) links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Capital Panama City
Currency Balboa and US dollar
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament National Assembly
Paraguay Americas Capital: Asunción
A landlocked country; the Itaipu Dam it shares with Brazil is one of the world's largest hydropower plants.
Capital Asunción
Currency Guaraní (PYG)
Language(s) Spanish, Guarani
Parliament Congress: Senate and Chamber of Deputies
Saint Kitts and Nevis Americas Capital: Basseterre
The smallest country in the Americas by area and population.
Capital Basseterre
Currency East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Language(s) English
Parliament National Assembly
Saint Lucia Americas Capital: Castries
Has produced two Nobel laureates, Derek Walcott and Arthur Lewis.
Capital Castries
Currency East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament: House of Assembly and Senate
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Americas Capital: Kingstown
A main island and a chain of small islands in the southern Caribbean.
Capital Kingstown
Currency East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Language(s) English
Parliament House of Assembly
Suriname Americas Capital: Paramaribo
The only Dutch-speaking country in South America and the smallest; a member of the OIC.
Capital Paramaribo
Currency Surinamese dollar (SRD)
Language(s) Dutch
Parliament National Assembly
Trinidad and Tobago Americas Capital: Port of Spain
Birthplace of the steelpan; rich in oil and gas.
Capital Port of Spain
Currency Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)
Language(s) English
Parliament Parliament: House of Representatives and Senate
Uruguay Americas Capital: Montevideo
Hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930.
Capital Montevideo
Currency Uruguayan peso (UYU)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament General Assembly: Chamber of Representatives and Senate
Venezuela Americas Capital: Caracas
Has the world's largest proven oil reserves and Angel Falls, the highest waterfall.
Capital Caracas
Currency Bolívar (VES)
Language(s) Spanish
Parliament National Assembly
Fiji Oceania Capital: Suva
An archipelago of over 300 islands; a strong rugby nation.
Capital Suva
Currency Fijian dollar (FJD)
Language(s) English, Fijian, Fiji Hindi
Parliament Parliament
Kiribati Oceania Capital: South Tarawa
The only country in all four hemispheres, and among the first to see each new day.
Capital South Tarawa
Currency Australian dollar (AUD)
Language(s) English, Gilbertese
Parliament House of Assembly (Maneaba ni Maungatabu)
Marshall Islands Oceania Capital: Majuro
The USA tested nuclear weapons at Bikini and Enewetak atolls (1946–58).
Capital Majuro
Currency US dollar (USD)
Language(s) Marshallese, English
Parliament Nitijela (Parliament)
Micronesia (Federated States of) Oceania Capital: Palikir
Four island states spread across the western Pacific.
Capital Palikir
Currency US dollar (USD)
Language(s) English
Parliament Congress
Nauru Oceania Capital: Yaren (no official capital)
The world's third-smallest country and smallest republic.
Capital Yaren (no official capital)
Currency Australian dollar (AUD)
Language(s) Nauruan, English
Parliament Parliament
Palau Oceania Capital: Ngerulmud
Created one of the world's first shark sanctuaries.
Capital Ngerulmud
Currency US dollar (USD)
Language(s) Palauan, English
Parliament Olbiil Era Kelulau (National Congress)
Papua New Guinea Oceania Capital: Port Moresby
Has more than 800 languages, the most of any country.
Capital Port Moresby
Currency Kina (PGK)
Language(s) English, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu
Parliament National Parliament
Samoa Oceania Capital: Apia
Moved across the International Date Line in 2011, skipping 30 December.
Capital Apia
Currency Tālā (WST)
Language(s) Samoan, English
Parliament Legislative Assembly (Fono)
Solomon Islands Oceania Capital: Honiara
Guadalcanal was the scene of a major Second World War battle (1942–43).
Capital Honiara
Currency Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
Language(s) English
Parliament National Parliament
Tonga Oceania Capital: Nukuʻalofa
The only Pacific island kingdom never colonized.
Capital Nukuʻalofa
Currency Paʻanga (TOP)
Language(s) Tongan, English
Parliament Legislative Assembly
Tuvalu Oceania Capital: Funafuti
One of the countries most threatened by rising seas; earns income from its '.tv' web domain.
Capital Funafuti
Currency Australian dollar (AUD)
Language(s) Tuvaluan, English
Parliament Parliament (Fale i Fono)
Vanuatu Oceania Capital: Port Vila
An archipelago of about 80 islands with active volcanoes.
Capital Port Vila
Currency Vatu (VUV)
Language(s) Bislama, English, French
Parliament Parliament