Many countries have centuries of history and have existed for hundreds of years, but the borders on the world map never stay in the same place for long. Over the years, borders are constantly shifting and new countries are also being founded. Do you want to know which countries have the shortest history? Then read these top 10 youngest countries in the world.
10. Croatia – June 25, 1991
Croatia was part of Yugoslavia until it declared independence in June 1991. This was done after a referendum was held in May on the country’s independence. In October, the government decided to cut all ties with Yugoslavia, which led to a war of independence until 1995. It has been an independent country for some time now and is now also a member of NATO and the European Union.
9. Slovakia – January 1, 1993
For a long time, Czechoslovakia was the norm in Europe, but in 1993 a peaceful separation came between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This separation arose because there were increasing tensions between the two countries. In 2004, Slovakia became a member of NATO and the European Union.
8. Czech Republic – January 1, 1993
If Slovakia becomes an independent country in 1993, it is logical that the same should apply to the Czech Republic. This country, too, has only existed since the early 1990s, when it peacefully parted ways with Slovakia. The country became a member of NATO in 1999 and joined the European Union in 2004. Czech citizens elected writer Václav Havel as their first president.
7. Eritrea – April 27, 1993
Eritrea also became an independent country in 1993. It has been an independent region within the Ethiopian federation since 1952. This changed in 1962 when the Emperor of Ethiopia reclaimed the independent region as Ethiopia’s fourteenth province. This caused a civil war that would last for 30 years. Eritrea won its independence in 1993, but the war with neighbors continued until 2018.
6. Palau – October 1, 1994
The next country on this list is Palau, a country in Oceania . Over the years, the land has been owned by several other countries, with the United States as the last controller. In 1994 it was decided to make the country independent. The United States still provides financial support and has a number of military bases in the country.
5. East Timor – May 20, 2002
This country in Southeast Asia was originally part of Indonesia. In a referendum in 1999 it was decided that the country would become independent, but this result was not well received by everyone. Pro-Indonesian groups caused a lot of unrest in the country, but that changed when the United Nations intervened. This allowed East Timor to become officially independent in 2002 and to get its own place in the United Nations.
4. Montenegro – June 3, 2006
Serbia and Montenegro formed one country for many years after Yugoslavia broke up in 1991. In 2003 it became the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, after which the countries became completely independent in 2006. This was decided after a referendum, with 55.5% of the inhabitants preferred full independence. Due to this, Montenegro left the State Union and was recognized as an independent country by Serbia.
3. Serbia – June 5, 2006
When one country splits into two countries, you would expect it to happen on the same day. Nothing could be further from the truth, because the independence of Serbia was declared only two days later. Serbia sees itself as the official successor to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.
2. Kosovo – February 17, 2008
After years of war, Kosovo came under United Nations administration in 1999. In 2005, a process was started to see what the official status of the country should be. Kosovo finally decided to declare its independence from Serbia in 2008. Many members of the United Nations recognize this independence, but some countries do not. Today, Kosovo is not part of the United Nations because not every country recognizes it as an independent country.
1. South Sudan – July 9, 2011
The youngest country in the world is South Sudan. This African country was created by a civil war that lasted for decades, which finally came to an end in 2005. The agreement reached then paved the way for a referendum for the people of South Sudan. They chose en masse to become an independent country, with the city of Juba as its capital. Five days later, the country officially became a member of the United Nations. Salva Kiir Mayardit became the country’s first president and remains so today.