It would seem which question - what is the total number of countries in the world, but it often puts geographers at a deadlock, because different methods of counting give different results.
First, we need to distinguish between the concepts of "country" and "state", since they are not identical. The state has independence recognized by other states, official state borders and other attributes, when as a country - not always. In addition, the term "country" often includes colonies and disputed dependent and semi-dependent territories.
For example, the number of countries in the world in accordance with the number of members of the UN is 192 states, but there are at least 2 states that are not members of the UN - Kosovo and the Vatican. In addition, there is still Taiwan, which in its statistical reference books and encyclopedias has long ago had a separate status from China, but China does not recognize Taiwan as a separate state, considering it to be its own territory; therefore, for political reasons, the UN does not include it in its composition as a separate participant. But also on this dispute about how many countries in the world do not end.
In addition to countries with unequivocal status, there are still states with an indefinite status. The number of countries in the world with this status is now 12: 8 of them are recognized by one or several UN member states, 2 states recognized as one or partially recognized by several states, as well as 2 officially unrecognized by any country. These 8 countries, recognized by at least one member of the UN, are also not part of this organization, but according to international law, they should be recognized by independent states, but for one reason or another their political status remains unclear. The list of these countries includes the aforementioned Republics of Kosovo and Taiwan (the Republic of China), as well as the Republic of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Palestine, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (Cyprus considers it an occupied territory), the Sahrawi 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, it is impossible not to mention the phenomenon of virtual states. According to the theory of statehood, each state must have a territory, but the Internet makes it possible to neglect such a need. On the other hand, a virtual state can have a flag, a coat of arms, even issue banknotes and stamps.
In addition, such states can claim to the territory of Antarctica,
To meet all the characteristics of the state. These territories include Westarctic, founded in 2001, as well as the famous unrecognized state of Sealand, located in the territorial waters of Great Britain. But Britain does not pretend to its territory, consisting of a platform built during the Second World War. Still there are Wirtland and Wimperium, which are completely based on the Internet network. Also the state in the generally accepted sense can not be called the Order of Malta, which nevertheless has observer status with the United Nations.
Thus, it is not possible to say unambiguously how many countries are in the world. According to the generally accepted method of counting, there are 195 states, but if we talk specifically about countries and include unrecognized and controversial territories in this concept, then we can answer by number 262.