England map

The continent of Europe is the smallest after Australia, and it is divided into roughly 50 independent sovereign states. Being rich in history, it’s no surprise that some of its countries were formed centuries upon centuries ago!

Here are 10 of the oldest countries in Europe.

Note: It’s important to note that we’re not referring to empires or city-states, like those that existed in Greece, Rome, and others, but specifically to places that are roughly equivalent to what we now know as a country or nation-state.

As such, we’re listing dates of establishment as dates where the countries in question achieved a modern nation-state format, and founders as the rulers in power when the countries achieved that status.