How many countries are there?

The answer to this question is not entirely straightforward, as there is some disagreement about what constitutes a “country.” The United Nations currently recognizes 193 member states, but this number can vary depending on who is doing the counting. For example, some organizations may recognize Taiwan or Palestine as independent countries, while others may not. Additionally, some territories may be considered “dependencies” or “territories” rather than independent countries. In short, the answer to this question can depend on how you define a “country.”