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How Many Countries Are There in the World?
It sounds like a simple question, but the answer depends entirely on who is counting. Here is the full breakdown.
Countries with Unique National Animals
National animals often say a lot about a country's identity and ecology. Here is a tour of some of the most distinctive…
Countries That Share a Similar Flag Design
Several countries have flags that are nearly indistinguishable from one another. Here is who shares a design, and why.
Arctic Nations: Countries Closest to the North Pole
Unlike Antarctica, the Arctic is home to real national territory and permanent residents. Here are the eight Arctic nations.
Countries Closest to Antarctica
Antarctica has no permanent population of its own. Here are the inhabited countries closest to it, and how they connect to the…
Countries with the Most National Parks
Some countries protect an enormous share of their land in national parks. Here are the nations leading the way.
Countries with the Most UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Italy and China are locked in a decades-long race for the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here is the current ranking.
Countries That Don’t Use the Metric System
Almost the entire world uses the metric system today — except for three holdout countries. Here they are.
August 14, 2026Large Countries with Only One Time Zone
Some of the largest countries on Earth deliberately use just one time zone, even where the sun tells a different story.
Countries with the Most Time Zones
One country spans 12 time zones — and it isn't Russia. Here are the countries with the most time zones in the…