Oldest Countries in the World: Italy's Rank and the Top Three

Italy is not the third oldest country. The concept of "oldest country" depends on definition (continuous sovereignty, statehood, civilization). Common rankings for oldest continuously sovereign states:

1. San Marino – Founded 301 AD (traditional); constitution 1600. Oldest extant republic.
2. Iceland – Althing established 930 AD; continuous self-governance (under Norway/Denmark 1262–1944, but internal autonomy).
3. Japan – Traditional founding 660 BCE (Emperor Jimmu); continuous imperial line; recognized sovereignty since antiquity.

Other contenders: Denmark (unified 10th c.), Portugal (1143), France (843/987), UK (1707/1801), China (dynastic continuity but regime changes).

Italy unified as a nation-state only in 1861 (Kingdom of Italy); Republic since 1946. Its civilization (Etruscan, Roman) is ancient, but the state is relatively young.