The Newest Countries in the World

The most recent countries to emerge in the world were primarily the result of political changes, independence movements, or territorial disputes. Here are some of the newest recognized countries:

1. South Sudan (2011)

South Sudan became the world's newest country on July 9, 2011, after it gained independence from Sudan. This followed a long civil war and a referendum in which the majority of South Sudanese voted for independence. South Sudan is located in northeastern Africa.

2. Montenegro (2006)

Montenegro declared independence from the state union of Serbia and Montenegro following a referendum on May 21, 2006. It became the newest country in Europe at the time. The country is located on the Adriatic Sea.

3. Serbia (2006)

Serbia emerged as a separate country after Montenegro's independence in 2006. It had been part of the state union of Serbia and Montenegro, which dissolved in that year. Serbia retained its capital, Belgrade, and became a sovereign state again.

4. East Timor (Timor-Leste) (2002)

East Timor became independent on May 20, 2002, after centuries of colonial rule and Indonesian occupation. It is located in Southeast Asia, on the island of Timor.

5. Kosovo (2008)

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008, following years of conflict and a period of administration by the United Nations. While it is recognized by a significant number of countries, Serbia and some other nations still do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state.

Other not fully recognized states:

There are also several territories that have declared independence but are not widely recognized as sovereign nations:

• Palestine: Declared independence in 1988, and is recognized by many countries and the United Nations as a non-member observer state, but it does not have full membership in the UN.
• Western Sahara: This region has been claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. It has declared itself an independent nation but is not widely recognized.

While there have been no completely new nations since South Sudan in 2011, the geopolitical landscape remains dynamic, and other regions may continue to seek independence in the future.