Explore every nation with our detailed world country list, featuring a Complete list guide and interactive world map with all countries . The answer depends on how you define a country and which sources you trust. The web page lists 197 countries recognized by the US, plus three disputed ones, and explains their status and history. How many countries are there in the world ? Today, there are 197 countries in the world : 193 UN members + 2 UN observers + Taiwan + Kosovo. The United Nations, as the most influential international organization, is often considered the starting point for correctly counting the total number. In our list of countries , we have included the UN member states, the countries recognized by the United States, and the independent states of the world .
