Comment on "What is the oldest country in the world that still exists?" is a Ship of Theseus problem.
Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de 1 day ago
Really relies on what you define as a “country”, and how those definitions might even have changed across time.
The US is probably one of the easiest ones.
Enter Europe:
Has the German Reich with its king been a country?
Then what about the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which today is undoubtetly a country but has also been a part of the German Reich, following its king?
Similar goes for other claims of age.
We have e.g. 3 “oldest” cities in my country, each relying on a slightly different definition of “city”.
Even more far fetched: Italian fascism considered itself the continuation of the Roman Empire (the middle ages did not count, somehow). Does it mean that they were 2000 years old for a bit? But then, nowadays Italy consider itself the descendant of fascism (with a tinge of shame) but not of the Roman Empire. Can we pick and choose our lineage?
China consider itself ti have been a consistent country since (handwave) basically forever. Is that enough?
bobo1900@startrek.website 1 day ago
The Reepublic of San Marino has been independent for a very long time, possibly since 301 ce, that would make it a 1700 years old country that never changed its form of government.