It would seem that the question is what is the total number of countries in the world, but it often confuses geographers because different methods of calculation give different results.
First you need to distinguish between the concepts of "country" and "state", because they are not identical. A state has independence recognized by other states, official state borders, and other attributes when, as a country, it is not always. In addition, the concept of “country” often includes colonies and disputed dependent and semi-dependent territories.
For example, the number of countries in the world according to the number of UN members is 192 states, however, there are at least 2 states that are not members of the UN - Kosovo and the Vatican. In addition, there is still Taiwan, which has long had a separate status from China in statistical handbooks and encyclopedias, but China does not recognize Taiwan as a separate state, considering it to be its special territory, therefore, for political reasons, the UN does not include it as a separate participant. But this debate about how many countries in the world does not end there.
In addition to countries with a clear status, there are also states with an undefined status. The number of countries in the world with this status is now 12: of which 8 are recognized by one or more UN member states, 2 states recognized by one or partially recognized by several states, and 2 countries officially unrecognized by anyone. These 8 countries, recognized by at least one UN member, are also not members of this organization, however, according to international law, they must be recognized by independent states, but for one reason or another their political status remains unclear. The list of these countries includes the already mentioned Republic of Kosovo and Taiwan (Republic of China), as well as the Republic of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Palestine, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (Cyprus considers it occupied territory), the Sahara Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (separated from Pakistan and recognized by him).
Among other things, answering the question, what is the number of countries in the world, one cannot but mention the phenomenon of virtual states. According to the theory of statehood, each state should have a territory, but the Internet makes it possible to neglect such a need. On the other hand, a virtual state can possess a flag, a coat of arms, and even issue banknotes and stamps.
In addition, such states may claim in Antarctica,
to match all the attributes of the state. These territories include the Westarctic, founded in 2001, as well as the famous unrecognized state of Sealand, located in the territorial waters of Great Britain. But on its territory, consisting of a platform built during the Second World War, Britain does not claim. There are also Wirtlandia and Wimperium, which are fully based on the Internet. Also, the state in the generally accepted sense cannot be called the Order of Malta, which nevertheless has observer status with the UN.
Thus, it is not possible to say unequivocally what is the number of countries in the world. According to the generally accepted calculation methodology, there are 195 states, but if we talk about countries and include unrecognized and disputed territories in this concept, then the answer can be 262.
