How Many Countries Are There in Asia? Check Here

Have you ever wondered how many countries make up our world? Or perhaps, how many nations call Asia home? According to Worldometer, there are a total of 195 countries in the world. 

This includes 193 United Nations member states and 2 non-member observer states (Vatican City and the State of Palestine).

However, have you ever wondered how many countries Asia is home to? This largest continent in the world is comprised of a total of 48 countries, according to the United Nations. 

Some sources list 50 countries, including transcontinental nations such as Turkey and Russia. However, the United Nations considers these to be transcontinental, not limited to Asia.

How Many Countries Are There in Asia?

According to Worldometer, here is the complete list of the countries that are in Asia:

Dependencies or other territories

10 Amazing Facts About Asia

• Largest Continent: Asia is the largest continent in the world, covering about 30% of Earth's land area.
• Most Populous: It is also the most populous continent, home to over 4.7 billion people, which is more than half of the world's population.
• Highest Point: Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is located in the Himalayas, a mountain range that spans several Asian countries, including Nepal and China.
• Cultural Diversity: Asia boasts an incredible array of cultures, languages, religions, and traditions, with thousands of ethnic groups.
• Home to Ancient Civilisations: Many of the world's oldest and most influential civilisations originated in Asia, such as those in Mesopotamia, India, and China.
• Economic Powerhouse: Asia is a major global economic force, with some of the largest and fastest-growing economies like China, India, and Japan.
• Diverse Climates: Due to its massive size, Asia experiences almost every type of climate, from the Arctic tundra in Siberia to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia.
• Birthplace of Major Religions: Many of the world's major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, originated in Asia.
• Vast Deserts: Asia is home to some of the world's largest deserts, including the Gobi Desert and the Arabian Desert.
• Technological Hub: Several Asian countries, like Japan, South Korea, and China, are global leaders in technological innovation and development.

Are there 48 or 51 countries in Asia?

According to the United Nations, there are 48 recognised sovereign states that are geographically located within Asia. These 48 nations meet the general criteria for statehood, including defined territory, a permanent population, an effective government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

Factors Contributing to Numerical Variations:

While 48 is the frequently cited number, other sources might present a slightly higher count, often reaching around 51. The main cause of this disparity is the inclusion of particular organisations that, although important, do not always neatly fit the definition of completely autonomous, UN-recognized sovereign states:

1) Transcontinental Countries: A significant factor in the varying count involves transcontinental countries. These are nations whose territory spans across two continents, typically Asia and Europe. Prominent examples include:

• Russia: While the majority of Russia's landmass is in Asia (Siberia), its capital, Moscow, and a substantial portion of its population and historical core are in Europe.
• Turkey: Similarly, Turkey has a small but strategically important part of its territory (Thrace, including Istanbul) in Europe, with the vast majority in Asia (Anatolia).
• Kazakhstan: This Central Asian nation also has a small western portion of its territory considered geographically European.

2) Dependent Territories and Areas of Special Sovereignty: Some entities within Asia possess unique political statuses that grant them significant autonomy but not full independence as sovereign states. These are typically not included in the UN's count of independent countries:

• Hong Kong (China): A Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, Hong Kong operates with a high degree of autonomy, maintaining its own currency, customs territory, and legal system under the "one country, two systems" principle.
• Macao (China): Also an SAR of China, Macao enjoys a similar autonomous status.
• Taiwan (Republic of China): Taiwan maintains de facto independence with its own democratically elected government, but its political status is disputed by the People's Republic of China, which considers it a breakaway province. Many countries do not formally recognise Taiwan as an independent state to avoid diplomatic complications with Beijing.

The Authority of UN Recognition:

The United Nations serves as the most authoritative global body for defining and recognising sovereign states. Its membership criteria and the list of its 193 member states (plus 2 non-member observer states, Vatican City and the State of Palestine) are widely accepted in international law and diplomacy. When a count of "countries" is provided without further qualification, it typically refers to these UN-recognised sovereign entities.