That is a pretty nice and interesting question. But there is not one right answer to it. Different sources offer different answers: 189, 191, 192, 193 or 194.

“…there may be anywhere between 168 and 254 nations, depending on who is doing the counting. There are approximately 170 separate currencies, 239 two-letter country codes recognized by the ISO (International Standards Org.), and the Universal Postal Union has listings for 500,000 localities in 189 Countries. By a recent count, France and the US officially recognize 192 states, (though unofficially acknowledging the existence of several others!), Switzerland recognizes 194, Russia 172, The UK has over 200 diplomatic posts, and Germany also recognizes well over 200.” announces “World Facts” the subdivision of http://www.mapping.com/

As you could already guess the problem is not in difficulties of counting countries physically but the question is in the political status of different ones.

The United Nations counts 192 members, including Montenegro and Serbia. But Vatican is not included separately as an independent nation in this list.

England, Scotland and Wales (though they are independent countries) are identified in the boarders of UK.

The question of Taiwan is very interesting, too. Taiwan is considered as the province of China, although it operates as an independent country. Then the number of the countries is bringing the count down to 193 in the world.

The facts provided in the given news, states that there is not an absolute objective truth and that everything is comparative.

Anyway, there are 189, 191, 192, 193 or 194. They are too individual to be discussed only in the focus of number of countries?

And if you want to know more about your own country’s or neighbouring one’s individuality, and check your knowledge of the world? You should only visit http://www.infoplease.com/. I discovered too many things for one ordinary day.