Wait, They Actually Ranked The 20 Oldest Countries?!

Bulgaria steps in at number 18 on this ancient leaderboard.

Back in 681 AD, some savvy Turkic-speaking Bulgars took over the Slavs and kicked off the first Bulgarian Empire. It’s in southeastern Europe, and today, it’s pretty big on the European map.

So yeah, Bulgaria's been doing its thing for a loooong time.

Here’s the granddaddy: Iran takes first place as the oldest country alive today.

Back in 3200 BC, Iran was already bossing around with the earliest known organized government. By 2600 BC, it was rocking its own sovereignty.

The Burnt City (yeah, cool name) shows off some seriously old buildings and treasures that archaeologists still fangirl over.

Ethiopia clocks in at number 16, and it’s a total legend.

It's Africa's oldest independent country and even gave us "Lucy," an ancient skeleton that’s basically a celebrity in science circles.

Ethiopia’s been around since the first century AD, starting with the Kingdom of Aksum, which was kind of a big deal back in the day.

Greece is number 13 on this list and having a massive history.

It started as a bunch of city-states bickering with each other for a while, but by the 4th century BC, Alexander the Great showed up and said, "Let's unite!"

So, ancient Greece isn’t just about statues and togas - it’s about some serious groundwork for Western culture.

Armenia grabs number 5 and is rocking an ancient pedigree.

Some old-school historians say Armenia got going in 2492 BC, and modern science is digging up some facts that back that up.

It might be small now, but this place has been rolling for over 4,000 years. Not bad, right?

Egypt is the runner-up on our ancient countdown.

Since 3100 BC, when Pharaoh Narmer unified everything, Egypt’s been all about pyramids, pharaohs, and mysteries.

It’s one of those rare countries that kept the same name for thousands of years. Cool, right?

Morocco swings in at number 19.

Around 789 AD, Idris bin Abdallah cozied up a kingdom and built the city of Fez, which still stands strong and proud.

It’s like Morocco’s been quietly rocking the North African scene for over 1,200 years.

San Marino is the tiny titan at number 17.

It’s the world’s oldest republic, dating back over 1,700 years! Legend says it was founded by a mason escaping Roman drama.

Small but mighty, it’s still hanging tough in Europe.

Japan lands at number 15, mixing myth and history.

Legend says Emperor Jimmu founded Japan in 660 BCE, though some folks think it’s more of a cool story.

Also, Japan’s flag has been waving since 701 AD. Talk about national pride!

Sudan holds number 12 and has some seriously cool history.

It started heating up around 1070 BC with the Kingdom of Kush. These folks built pyramids and worshiped Egyptian gods.

So yeah, pyramids aren't just Egypt’s thing!

India is number 8 and a giant in history.

People have been around the area for hundreds of thousands of years, but the Indus Valley Civilization kicked off urban life around 3300 BCE.

By 2000 BC, there were some seriously smart settlements popping up in what's now India and Pakistan.

China’s at number 7, rocking a story that’s part legend, part history.

The Xia Dynasty supposedly kicked things off around 2070 BCE. Early stories were a bit mythical, but digs around the country are backing up these big claims.

Four thousand years and still going strong!

Korea scores number 6 with a super ancient start.

Legends say the kingdom of Gojoseon popped up in 2333 BCE, founded by the mysterious Dangun.

Today, South Korea still celebrates that epic birthday every year on October 3rd. Party time!

Vietnam lands at number 4, with roots that reach way back.

While the modern country was born in 1976, stories say the ancient state Van Lang was set up by Hung Vuong around 2879 BC.

Back then, it was known as the Land of the Tattooed Men. Pretty rad, right?

France comes in at number 20 with some solid medieval creds.

Before the Eiffel Tower, France was already making moves under King Clovis. The Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD set up borders that shaped the country.

Long story short: France has been around doing its thing for over a thousand years.

Mexico takes the 9th spot.

People have been there for ages, but the Olmecs kicked off the first big civilization around 1500 BC.

They left behind massive stone heads that still make historians scratch their heads today.

Iraq storms in at number 3, known as the "cradle of civilization."

The Sumerians showed up around 3000 BC and started inventing everything from laws to beer brewing.

Recently, archaeologists found a 4,500-year-old palace that’s got everyone buzzing.

Afghanistan is number 14 and a true crossroads of history.

People have been living there for at least 52,000 years. Organized government? That kicked off around 678 BC.

It’s got a history so rich it’s basically a giant cultural melting pot.

Georgia hits number 10 with a long, historical tale.

People have been settling there since about 1300 BC.

Even after Soviet times, it’s kept its independence since the early ’90s. This country’s got staying power!

Israel comes in at number 11.

Tracing back through Jewish history, it goes about 4,000 years.

Despite all the twists and turns through time, it declared itself a modern state in the 20th century and is still in the history-making game.