10 Countries That Don T Exist Anymore

In the 1500s, the first map to include North America became available. At that time, the addition of the New World was mind-blowing. Since then the world map has drastically changed several times over the years. While there’s no New World to discover, old worlds disappear. It’s common for countries to no longer exist, altering the world map. These countries didn’t just pick up and disappear. Once powerful countries and empires who were competing superpowers dissolved, giving independence to small nations, resulting in countries that don’t exist anymore.  While some countries left a powerful one, others joined up with a bigger government. Larger countries sometimes invaded other nations intending to annex them and take control. Some countries disappeared after being on the losing end of a war. Several powerful Empires would rule and influence the world for many years only to lose all of their power, leading to them disappearing. Over the years, the global map has changed and altered with the ever-changing world around us. Here’s a look at 10 countries that don’t exist anymore.  10 Countries That Don’t Exist Anymore

1. Soviet Union

Following the October Revolution in 1917, the Soviet Union came into power in 1922. Also known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the transcontinental country consisted of 15 small nations comprising most of Eurasia. After World War II, the Soviet Union emerged as a superpower, pitted against the United States. Both countries wanted to reign supreme during the Cold War as they competed in proxy wars, sports, and the famous space race. The Soviet Union led the way for numerous breakthroughs, including the first human spaceflight. Internally, the Soviet Union began to unravel, leading to an attempted coup. While the coup failed, it was the beginning of the end of the Soviet Union. It officially came to a close on December 26, 1991. Several countries left the union and declared their independence.  2. South Vietnam Lord Daine/YouTube The 1954 division of Vietnam created the countries of South and North Vietnam. With tensions building, the Vietnam War began in 1955. While North Vietnam had the backing of the Soviet Union and China, the United States backed the South. The fighting escalated and became a full-blown war that caused controversy around the globe. The violent war waged on for years, but both sides began discussing a cease-fire by the early 70s. The end of the Vietnam war coincided with the end of South Vietnam. In 1975, North Vietnam took control of the South creating the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam. By 1976, the two sides officially merged to create the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 3. Ottoman Empire P3pik/YouTube Throughout history, the Ottoman Empire was a powerful force that ruled most of the world at one point. It all began in 1299 as the Empire slowly built itself up to conquer the rest of the globe. The Empire consisted of a series of conquered countries. By the 1400s, they were at the height of their power and success, but like all good things that must end, their power weakened and they began losing their grip on their empire by the 19th century. They were still hanging on when World War I broke out, but when that ended and many of the nations involved were about to enter their most prosperous times, the Ottoman Empire fell apart. By 1923, the once-powerful Empire was no more. 4. North Yemen Lord Daine/YouTube In 1918, The Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen became an independent state after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. However, in 1962, revolutionaries overthrew King Muhammed al-Badr creating the Yemen Arab Republic. Also known as North Yemen, the new state continued to fight Badr’s forces in the southeast. The war continued throughout the 70s with periods of peace. Despite the conflict, the two sides were friendly. In fact, both sides discussed unifying by the late 80s. The Yemen Arab Republic and the People’s Republic of Yemen unified on May 22, 1990, to form the Republic of Yemen.  5. The British Empire

The British Empire grew to become the largest and most powerful Empire in history. They influenced the rest of the globe through music, art, literature, and language spreading across the world. It soon became the most powerful colonial force in North America. Furthermore, it controlled India through the East Indian Company and later The British Raj. After America gained its independence, the Empire lost control over parts of North America. As history shows, no empire can rule forever. World War I and World War II weakened the British Empire despite being victorious. Then, several colonies and dominions, such as India, gained independence in 1947. By the 20th century, the Soviet Union and America had surpassed the British Empire. 

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6. German Democratic Republic Norwegian Baron/YouTube During the Cold War, the Soviet Union occupied East Germany leading to the creation of the communist state in October 1949. Also known as the German Democratic Republic, the communist state became part of the Eastern Bloc. In the early 1960s, they built a wall to prevent young and educated people from moving West. Anyone attempting to escape often died due to several traps along the border or being shot by soldiers. The well-educated students soon began turning the tide. By the late 80s, the world was rapidly changing and East Germany was at the center. The combination of well-educated people wanting to leave, fair elections, and new political forces eventually led to the Berlin Wall coming crashing down along with communism. With East and West Germany reuniting, the German Democratic Republic ceased to exist on October 3, 1990. 
7. The Korean Empire History Media-HD/YouTube Before the tense situation between North and South Korea began in the 1950s, the Korean Empire united the land. In the late 1890s, Emperor GoJong established the ruling Great Korean Empire. The Emperor and the Korean Empire prospered as they reformed the economy, education, and military. That all changed in 1910 when Japan annexed the Korean Empire and took control of the country up until 1945. After World War II, North and South Korea emerged, ending the Korean Empire for good. 
8. United Arab Republic  TheMarches09/YouTube In the late 1950s, Syria attempted to convince Egypt to form a pan-Arab state. The first step to achieving that goal was Syria and Egypt forming the United Arab Republic. The political union between the two countries in the Middle East started off well but soon began to weaken as each country wanted more power. Syria left the union in 1961, while Egypt kept the title until 1971. With Egypt leaving, the United Arab Republic came to an end. 
9. Czechoslovakia M. Laser History/YouTube World War II was only the beginning of the fighting for many countries. Once the war was over, battles continued in various parts of the world. With Western influence, the sovereign state of Czechoslovak came into existence in 1945. At the time, many viewed the new country as a victory for Western values and principles. After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell under the control of the Soviet Union. Much of the progress the country made soon fell to pieces. By late 1948, Czechoslovakia was no longer a country, and the Czech Republic emerged. 
10. Newfoundland Lord Daine/YouTube Newfoundland is one of the provinces of Canada on the east coast. Known for an abundance of fishing, Newfoundland wasn’t always part of Canada. Most sources claim John Cabot discovered Newfoundland in 1497. At one point, Newfoundland was a self-governing country with its own identity. Like many countries around the globe, Newfoundland struggled during the Great Depression. The primary source of income, fishing, suffered because of the war. As a British domino, Newfoundland officially joined Canada in the 1930s to alleviate the damage from the Great Depression. 

See more about - What Is The Smallest Island In The World?

In the 1500s, the first map to include North America became available. At that time, the addition of the New World was mind-blowing. Since then the world map has drastically changed several times over the years. While there’s no New World to discover, old worlds disappear. It’s common for countries to no longer exist, altering the world map. These countries didn’t just pick up and disappear. Once powerful countries and empires who were competing superpowers dissolved, giving independence to small nations, resulting in countries that don’t exist anymore.  While some countries left a powerful one, others joined up with a bigger government. Larger countries sometimes invaded other nations intending to annex them and take control. Some countries disappeared after being on the losing end of a war. Several powerful Empires would rule and influence the world for many years only to lose all of their power, leading to them disappearing. Over the years, the global map has changed and altered with the ever-changing world around us. Here’s a look at 10 countries that don’t exist anymore.  10 Countries That Don’t Exist Anymore

1. Soviet Union

Following the October Revolution in 1917, the Soviet Union came into power in 1922. Also known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the transcontinental country consisted of 15 small nations comprising most of Eurasia. After World War II, the Soviet Union emerged as a superpower, pitted against the United States. Both countries wanted to reign supreme during the Cold War as they competed in proxy wars, sports, and the famous space race. The Soviet Union led the way for numerous breakthroughs, including the first human spaceflight. Internally, the Soviet Union began to unravel, leading to an attempted coup. While the coup failed, it was the beginning of the end of the Soviet Union. It officially came to a close on December 26, 1991. Several countries left the union and declared their independence.  2. South Vietnam Lord Daine/YouTube The 1954 division of Vietnam created the countries of South and North Vietnam. With tensions building, the Vietnam War began in 1955. While North Vietnam had the backing of the Soviet Union and China, the United States backed the South. The fighting escalated and became a full-blown war that caused controversy around the globe. The violent war waged on for years, but both sides began discussing a cease-fire by the early 70s. The end of the Vietnam war coincided with the end of South Vietnam. In 1975, North Vietnam took control of the South creating the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam. By 1976, the two sides officially merged to create the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 3. Ottoman Empire P3pik/YouTube Throughout history, the Ottoman Empire was a powerful force that ruled most of the world at one point. It all began in 1299 as the Empire slowly built itself up to conquer the rest of the globe. The Empire consisted of a series of conquered countries. By the 1400s, they were at the height of their power and success, but like all good things that must end, their power weakened and they began losing their grip on their empire by the 19th century. They were still hanging on when World War I broke out, but when that ended and many of the nations involved were about to enter their most prosperous times, the Ottoman Empire fell apart. By 1923, the once-powerful Empire was no more. 4. North Yemen Lord Daine/YouTube In 1918, The Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen became an independent state after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. However, in 1962, revolutionaries overthrew King Muhammed al-Badr creating the Yemen Arab Republic. Also known as North Yemen, the new state continued to fight Badr’s forces in the southeast. The war continued throughout the 70s with periods of peace. Despite the conflict, the two sides were friendly. In fact, both sides discussed unifying by the late 80s. The Yemen Arab Republic and the People’s Republic of Yemen unified on May 22, 1990, to form the Republic of Yemen.  5. The British Empire

The British Empire grew to become the largest and most powerful Empire in history. They influenced the rest of the globe through music, art, literature, and language spreading across the world. It soon became the most powerful colonial force in North America. Furthermore, it controlled India through the East Indian Company and later The British Raj. After America gained its independence, the Empire lost control over parts of North America. As history shows, no empire can rule forever. World War I and World War II weakened the British Empire despite being victorious. Then, several colonies and dominions, such as India, gained independence in 1947. By the 20th century, the Soviet Union and America had surpassed the British Empire. 

See more about - 12 Most Peaceful Places On Earth

6. German Democratic Republic Norwegian Baron/YouTube During the Cold War, the Soviet Union occupied East Germany leading to the creation of the communist state in October 1949. Also known as the German Democratic Republic, the communist state became part of the Eastern Bloc. In the early 1960s, they built a wall to prevent young and educated people from moving West. Anyone attempting to escape often died due to several traps along the border or being shot by soldiers. The well-educated students soon began turning the tide. By the late 80s, the world was rapidly changing and East Germany was at the center. The combination of well-educated people wanting to leave, fair elections, and new political forces eventually led to the Berlin Wall coming crashing down along with communism. With East and West Germany reuniting, the German Democratic Republic ceased to exist on October 3, 1990. 
7. The Korean Empire History Media-HD/YouTube Before the tense situation between North and South Korea began in the 1950s, the Korean Empire united the land. In the late 1890s, Emperor GoJong established the ruling Great Korean Empire. The Emperor and the Korean Empire prospered as they reformed the economy, education, and military. That all changed in 1910 when Japan annexed the Korean Empire and took control of the country up until 1945. After World War II, North and South Korea emerged, ending the Korean Empire for good. 
8. United Arab Republic  TheMarches09/YouTube In the late 1950s, Syria attempted to convince Egypt to form a pan-Arab state. The first step to achieving that goal was Syria and Egypt forming the United Arab Republic. The political union between the two countries in the Middle East started off well but soon began to weaken as each country wanted more power. Syria left the union in 1961, while Egypt kept the title until 1971. With Egypt leaving, the United Arab Republic came to an end. 
9. Czechoslovakia M. Laser History/YouTube World War II was only the beginning of the fighting for many countries. Once the war was over, battles continued in various parts of the world. With Western influence, the sovereign state of Czechoslovak came into existence in 1945. At the time, many viewed the new country as a victory for Western values and principles. After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell under the control of the Soviet Union. Much of the progress the country made soon fell to pieces. By late 1948, Czechoslovakia was no longer a country, and the Czech Republic emerged. 
10. Newfoundland Lord Daine/YouTube Newfoundland is one of the provinces of Canada on the east coast. Known for an abundance of fishing, Newfoundland wasn’t always part of Canada. Most sources claim John Cabot discovered Newfoundland in 1497. At one point, Newfoundland was a self-governing country with its own identity. Like many countries around the globe, Newfoundland struggled during the Great Depression. The primary source of income, fishing, suffered because of the war. As a British domino, Newfoundland officially joined Canada in the 1930s to alleviate the damage from the Great Depression. 

See more about - What Is The Smallest Island In The World?

In the 1500s, the first map to include North America became available. At that time, the addition of the New World was mind-blowing. Since then the world map has drastically changed several times over the years. While there’s no New World to discover, old worlds disappear. It’s common for countries to no longer exist, altering the world map. These countries didn’t just pick up and disappear. Once powerful countries and empires who were competing superpowers dissolved, giving independence to small nations, resulting in countries that don’t exist anymore. 

While some countries left a powerful one, others joined up with a bigger government. Larger countries sometimes invaded other nations intending to annex them and take control. Some countries disappeared after being on the losing end of a war. Several powerful Empires would rule and influence the world for many years only to lose all of their power, leading to them disappearing. Over the years, the global map has changed and altered with the ever-changing world around us. Here’s a look at 10 countries that don’t exist anymore. 

10 Countries That Don’t Exist Anymore

1. Soviet Union

Following the October Revolution in 1917, the Soviet Union came into power in 1922. Also known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the transcontinental country consisted of 15 small nations comprising most of Eurasia.

After World War II, the Soviet Union emerged as a superpower, pitted against the United States. Both countries wanted to reign supreme during the Cold War as they competed in proxy wars, sports, and the famous space race. The Soviet Union led the way for numerous breakthroughs, including the first human spaceflight.

Internally, the Soviet Union began to unravel, leading to an attempted coup. While the coup failed, it was the beginning of the end of the Soviet Union. It officially came to a close on December 26, 1991. Several countries left the union and declared their independence. 

2. South Vietnam

Lord Daine/YouTube

The 1954 division of Vietnam created the countries of South and North Vietnam. With tensions building, the Vietnam War began in 1955. While North Vietnam had the backing of the Soviet Union and China, the United States backed the South. The fighting escalated and became a full-blown war that caused controversy around the globe. The violent war waged on for years, but both sides began discussing a cease-fire by the early 70s.

The end of the Vietnam war coincided with the end of South Vietnam. In 1975, North Vietnam took control of the South creating the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam. By 1976, the two sides officially merged to create the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

3. Ottoman Empire

P3pik/YouTube

Throughout history, the Ottoman Empire was a powerful force that ruled most of the world at one point. It all began in 1299 as the Empire slowly built itself up to conquer the rest of the globe. The Empire consisted of a series of conquered countries.

By the 1400s, they were at the height of their power and success, but like all good things that must end, their power weakened and they began losing their grip on their empire by the 19th century. They were still hanging on when World War I broke out, but when that ended and many of the nations involved were about to enter their most prosperous times, the Ottoman Empire fell apart. By 1923, the once-powerful Empire was no more.

4. North Yemen

In 1918, The Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen became an independent state after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. However, in 1962, revolutionaries overthrew King Muhammed al-Badr creating the Yemen Arab Republic. Also known as North Yemen, the new state continued to fight Badr’s forces in the southeast.

The war continued throughout the 70s with periods of peace. Despite the conflict, the two sides were friendly. In fact, both sides discussed unifying by the late 80s. The Yemen Arab Republic and the People’s Republic of Yemen unified on May 22, 1990, to form the Republic of Yemen. 

5. The British Empire

The British Empire grew to become the largest and most powerful Empire in history. They influenced the rest of the globe through music, art, literature, and language spreading across the world. It soon became the most powerful colonial force in North America. Furthermore, it controlled India through the East Indian Company and later The British Raj. After America gained its independence, the Empire lost control over parts of North America. As history shows, no empire can rule forever.

World War I and World War II weakened the British Empire despite being victorious. Then, several colonies and dominions, such as India, gained independence in 1947. By the 20th century, the Soviet Union and America had surpassed the British Empire. 

See more about - 12 Most Peaceful Places On Earth

6. German Democratic Republic

Norwegian Baron/YouTube

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union occupied East Germany leading to the creation of the communist state in October 1949. Also known as the German Democratic Republic, the communist state became part of the Eastern Bloc. In the early 1960s, they built a wall to prevent young and educated people from moving West. Anyone attempting to escape often died due to several traps along the border or being shot by soldiers.

See more about - 12 Most Peaceful Places On Earth

The well-educated students soon began turning the tide. By the late 80s, the world was rapidly changing and East Germany was at the center. The combination of well-educated people wanting to leave, fair elections, and new political forces eventually led to the Berlin Wall coming crashing down along with communism. With East and West Germany reuniting, the German Democratic Republic ceased to exist on October 3, 1990. 

7. The Korean Empire

History Media-HD/YouTube

Before the tense situation between North and South Korea began in the 1950s, the Korean Empire united the land. In the late 1890s, Emperor GoJong established the ruling Great Korean Empire. The Emperor and the Korean Empire prospered as they reformed the economy, education, and military.

That all changed in 1910 when Japan annexed the Korean Empire and took control of the country up until 1945. After World War II, North and South Korea emerged, ending the Korean Empire for good. 

8. United Arab Republic 

TheMarches09/YouTube

In the late 1950s, Syria attempted to convince Egypt to form a pan-Arab state. The first step to achieving that goal was Syria and Egypt forming the United Arab Republic. The political union between the two countries in the Middle East started off well but soon began to weaken as each country wanted more power. Syria left the union in 1961, while Egypt kept the title until 1971. With Egypt leaving, the United Arab Republic came to an end. 

9. Czechoslovakia

M. Laser History/YouTube

World War II was only the beginning of the fighting for many countries. Once the war was over, battles continued in various parts of the world. With Western influence, the sovereign state of Czechoslovak came into existence in 1945. At the time, many viewed the new country as a victory for Western values and principles.

After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell under the control of the Soviet Union. Much of the progress the country made soon fell to pieces. By late 1948, Czechoslovakia was no longer a country, and the Czech Republic emerged. 

10. Newfoundland

Newfoundland is one of the provinces of Canada on the east coast. Known for an abundance of fishing, Newfoundland wasn’t always part of Canada. Most sources claim John Cabot discovered Newfoundland in 1497. At one point, Newfoundland was a self-governing country with its own identity.

Like many countries around the globe, Newfoundland struggled during the Great Depression. The primary source of income, fishing, suffered because of the war. As a British domino, Newfoundland officially joined Canada in the 1930s to alleviate the damage from the Great Depression. 

See more about - What Is The Smallest Island In The World?

See more about - What Is The Smallest Island In The World?