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Countries of the World in 1900

With the help of a map, can you name the countries that were independent as of December, 1900?
Main sources: YouTube and Wikipedia. For detailed sources, please see comments.
Generally, dominions and protected states are considered independent, but colonies and protectorates aren't
Smaller Yemeni and Nigerian states were omitted, as they were under a protectorate as well
use the show-missing-countries tool!
Quiz by Gassu
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Last updated: February 27, 2021
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First submittedSeptember 3, 2018
Times taken51,070
Average score65.0%
Rating4.86
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Country
Aceh
Acre
Afghanistan
Andorra
Ankole
Argentina
Aro
Ashanti
Aussa
Austria-Hungary
Bali
Belgium
Bhutan
Bolivia
Brazil
Bulgaria
Country
Canada
Champasak
Chile
China
Colombia
Congo Free State
Costa Rica
Cretan State
Dendi
Denmark
Dervish State
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Ethiopia
France
Country
Geledi
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Ha'il
Haiti
Honduras
Italy
Jambi
Japan
Johor
Korea
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Mexico
Country
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
Muscat and Oman
Nepal
Netherlands
New Hebrides
(neutral territory)
Nicaragua
Orange Free State
Ottoman Empire
Ouaddai
Paraguay
Persia
Peru
Portugal
Romania
Country
Russia
San Marino
Serbia
Siam
Sokoto
South African Republic
Spain
Sulu
Swaziland
Sweden-Norway
Switzerland
Tonga
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Venezuela
+19
Level 70
Feb 27, 2021
A few notes:

Firstly, due to a lack of data, smaller tribal kingdoms in Africa or Asia may not be found in this quiz. There is no possibility to make such a quiz 100% accurate.

Secondly, there were multiple forms of government and sovereignty back then. In addition to the aforementioned colonies, protected states, protectorates and dominions, there were many more forms. The New Hebrides were a neutral territory, Bulgaria a de-facto independent vassal, Crete an autonomous state and the Philippines an unrecognized state to name a few. It's up to definition whether these countries can be considered sovereign or not.

+6
Level 70
Feb 27, 2021
Sources:

Wikipedia has been used to determine answers. Both modern-day sovereign nations and formerly sovereign countries have been considered.

YouTube has mainly been used to determine shapes and borders. Especially EmperorTigerstar and OllieBye have been used as an inspiration.

Full list:

History of

- North America

- South America

- Oceania

- Southeast Asia

- the Middle East

- Russia

- Europe Every Year, all by EmperorTigerstar

History of

- the World

- Africa

- South Asia Every Year, all by OllieBye

History of China Every Year by Khey Pard

+10
Level 85
Sep 3, 2018
Canada was independent in 1867, Australia on January 1, 1901
+9
Level 70
Sep 4, 2018
Great, let‘s start the discussion! I had absolutely no idea about Canada, Australia and New Zealand, but I forgot to ask the community. So what do you think, dear Canadians, Australians and Kiwis?
+4
Level 23
Aug 13, 2020
You might not get this since I'm so late, but wasn't Manchuria part of the Qing Dynasty until Japan invaded?
+3
Level 60
Nov 4, 2020
I believe there was something about the Russians wanting a railroad down to the yellow sea, and basically forced the Qing to agree to it. European powers messing with China was part of why they changed their government to a republic, which ended up being weaker than they intended, and it collapsed.
+1
Level 56
May 4, 2021
I thought it was in 1982.
+1
Level 56
Sep 12, 2021
Why is Acre and Crete a country
+2
Level 60
Nov 13, 2022
They were countries for the same reason France is a country, I suppose.
+1
Level 35
Jun 10, 2020
Same here
+6
Level 93
Mar 30, 2021
While Canada was formed in 1867, it didn't become independent until 1931 December 11 with the passage of the Statute of Westminster. The same statute also immediately applied independence to Ireland and South Africa as well. The act also provided for independence for Australia, Newfoundland, New Zealand, but their respective parliaments had to adopt the act before they could achieve independence. Australia adopted it in 1942 October 9 but “backdated” it to 1939, and New Zealand adopted it in 1947. Newfoundland never adopted it and, instead, became part of Canada in 1949.

Canada *never* declared war on any of the Central Powers during World War I, yet hundreds of thousands of Canadians took part in the conflict. Canada didn't declare war because it couldn't—its parliament had not the power to do so. However, by the time World War II started in 1939, Canada did declare war on Germany because, by then, it was an independent country.

TL;DR — Canadian independence day = 1931 December 11

+5
Level 70
Apr 27, 2021
Really depends how you define independence. You can definitely make an argument for both. But 1867 is the generally accepted date.
+9
Level 74
Jan 24, 2019
Canada became independent in 1867, though it shared the head of the state with the UK, it should be considered a country, since the same happens today with Canada, Australia, New Zealand.....
+2
Level 31
Feb 5, 2019
tibet was a country until 1960
+20
Level 70
Feb 5, 2019
Tibet was a country from 1912 to 1951
+2
Level 33
Feb 18, 2019
Can you make the map look different, when I first looked at it it hurt my eyes a bit...
+7
Level 58
Aug 30, 2022
Did you just ask this man to change history
+3
Level 24
May 21, 2019
Bosnia was annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908, not before 1900. But still, I love this quiz.
+3
Level 45
May 14, 2020
I agree, it was only after 1900 this happened, in turn starting WWI over the Archduke's assassination.
+1
Level 82
Mar 29, 2021
It was occupied since 1878. As this quiz goes more for de facto situation, as appropriate at the time, it's fair to show it as part of AH.
+11
Level 66
Jun 19, 2019
I tried Norway, I tried Sweden, I even tried Finland, but I did not try Sweden-Norway. Sigh
+5
Level 46
Jan 17, 2020
I think they should accept Sweden as an answer (not norway cuz i think they were invaded by sweden. dont know correct me if im wrong)
+6
Level 71
Aug 12, 2020
No, in fact it was a personal union between Sweden and Norway. It was officially known as the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway. Therefore, the King of Sweden was also the King of Norway
+7
Level 79
Aug 30, 2020
I tried "Norway and Sweden" and "Kalmar Union" but they weren't accepted, think you need to allow more type ins for this one.
+2
Level 79
Feb 4, 2021
"Sweden and Norway" doesn't work, only with a hyphen. Seriously, needs to be changed.
+2
Level 78
Apr 27, 2021
Kalmar Union shouldn't work since Sweden rebelled and became independent in 1523.
+2
Level 61
Sep 8, 2019
Wasn't Ha'il a part of the Ottoman Empire in the 1900s?
+6
Level 44
Oct 26, 2019
Can u make Luxembourg have a dot because i did not know that i didnt get cuz i couldnt even see it
+3
Level 61
Jan 24, 2020
can you accept holland for netherlands?
+9
Level 62
Mar 4, 2021
No, Holland is not a country, it is the name for two provinces.
+2
Level 61
Mar 30, 2022
I know, but its quicker than typing the Netherlands and it is usually accepted. I know Holland is a province
+1
Level 63
Apr 25, 2023
Just type faster.
+2
Level 57
Jun 9, 2020
Swaziland??!?!?!?!?!?!?
+6
Level 59
Dec 19, 2020
It wasn't Eswatini at that point.
+2
Level 66
Dec 28, 2020
I think they're trying to say that Swaziland wasn't independent in 1900, still under British control.
+2
Level 51
Jun 20, 2020
Is it just me, or does the map look a little weird?
+1
Level 23
Jan 1, 2024
it looks different because it is different. they took borders out that we have now and put the map as it was in the 1900s.
+3
Level 53
Jul 14, 2020
You should make your circles part of the zoomable-circle class.
+1
Level 61
Nov 6, 2020
Where did you get the map from???

Please reply with the link if you can.

+5
Level 55
Mar 3, 2021
he made it himself (i assume)
+1
Level 60
Nov 13, 2022
You can copy the quiz for the map
+2
Level 43
Jan 14, 2021
Bulgaria should be here. It declare independence in 1878
+1
Level 64
Aug 22, 2021
And this is the world in 1900 so it should be here.
+2
Level 68
Jan 20, 2021
Amazing quiz! It deserves to be featured. All I missed was Ha'il.
+3
Level 65
Feb 4, 2021
I enjoyed taking this quiz! Nice SVG! Another reminder of how distorted South America used to look :&).
+3
Level 22
Feb 9, 2021
It is hard to really say when Canada, Australia, or New Zealand(along with other commonwealth nations) became independant seen as it was a very gradual process and technically they're not even fully independant today. Like is Greenland indepenent today? They are self-governing but the vast majority of people would say no. That is what is hard with talking about countries before 1945, as they weren't very well defined.
+1
Level 76
Mar 29, 2021
I agree. NZ was the "Colony of New Zealand" from the 1840's until 1907 when it became the "Dominion of New Zealand", but it didn't accept the full external autonomy "offered" by the UK until 1947, although the UK was actually able to make laws for NZ until 1986! Through all of those periods, NZ history just treats NZ as a country for the whole time. For example, NZ is often described as the "first country in the world" to give the vote to women in 1893.
+3
Level 93
Mar 30, 2021
Canada, Ireland and South Africa became independent on 1931 December 11.

New Zealand became independent on 1947 November 25.

Australia… well… they enacted the act that made them independent on 1942 October 9 but they made their independence retroactive (whatever that even means) to 1939 October 3.

+1
Level 64
Apr 27, 2021
Not accurate. I mean Ireland was independent by 1921. Australia in 1901. New Zealand in 1907. Canada is confusing but I'd say 1867.
+4
Level 84
Feb 12, 2021
You need a circle on Luxembourg. I couldn't see that it was missing. Unzoomed, it's about 1 pixel.
+1
Level 71
Mar 9, 2021
I agree, only got it by guessing, couldn't see
+1
Level 65
Mar 16, 2021
Can you accept DRC, or at least Zaire for Congo Free State. It was formally known as Zaire, so most would guess it after DRC.
+2
Level 63
Apr 25, 2023
It was not Zaire until 1971.
+1
Level 60
Mar 23, 2021
Nice quiz but I really want to see any quiz recognizing the existence of the Kingdom of Tripura, Hyderabad and Junagadh
+2
Level 64
Mar 23, 2021
Got Sokoto but missed South Africa
+1
Level 77
Mar 29, 2021
Nice quiz Gassu, great job on the feature!
+1
Level 87
Mar 29, 2021
And I thought I lived in a Cretan state.
+1
Level 49
Mar 29, 2021
can Oranje Vrij Staat count for Orange Free State?
+1
Level 79
Mar 29, 2021
Tonga became a British protectorate in May 1900, if you wanted to add it to the quiz just move the date stamp back to Jan 1900.
+1
Level 72
Apr 1, 2021
The time is quite tight. I was typing solidly and still trying to name countries when I ran out of time. As there are few obscure ones on the list you could easily add a minute or even two, to allow people a bit more thinking time.

Also, as a few others have said a few of the smaller countries can be quite hard to spot, even with the colour change. But, I guess if you circle them it may be a complete give away.

+2
Level 70
Apr 1, 2021
use the show-missing-dots tool
+1
Level 62
Apr 2, 2021
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Afghanistan a British Protectorate until the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919?
+1
Level 81
Apr 5, 2021
Crete was never an independent country, it was an autonomous state at that time.
+1
Level 70
Apr 27, 2021
Could you accept "Champa" for Champassak?
+1
Level 55
Apr 27, 2021
The entire time I was just trying to spell Morocco, like I thought it was Marocco and was confused why I didn't get it
+1
Level 71
Apr 27, 2021
Nice quiz! I never realized how many small African states retained some semblance of autonomy, even by 1900.

Relating to the caveat though, can you explain the difference between "protected states" and "protectorates" though? I looked up Tonga and it says it was a protected state of the UK but NOT a protectorate, and I'm kinda confused on why those aren't the same.

+2
Level 57
Apr 27, 2021
The republic of Acre didn't exist in December of 1900. The first republic ended in March, and the second only existed in November.

Also, why isn't Shammar/Jabal Shammar accepted for Ha'il?

+3
Level 63
Apr 27, 2021
I was about to get ready to kick myself when I stalled out, but after seeing the missing answers I don't feel so bad anymore
+1
Level 38
Apr 27, 2021
Lucky me, I typed in the Vatican and then thought there weren't any microstates so I missed all the European ones.
+2
Level 58
Jul 4, 2022
There was no papal state between 1870 and 1929
+1
Level 82
Apr 27, 2021
Acre and the "Dervish State?" Gonna have to look those up...
+1
Level 62
May 5, 2021
I got Acre but I've ever heard of the Dervish State
+1
Level 60
May 14, 2021
It was a Somali anti-colonial movement which existed from the late 1890's all the way until 1920 i believe.
+1
Level 57
Jun 11, 2021
Could you accept Champassak for Champasak? Otherwise, great quiz!
+2
Level 56
Jul 30, 2021
Should I know what Siam is?
+2
Level 58
Aug 30, 2022
old name for thailand
+5
Level 64
Sep 5, 2021
Accept Abyssinia for Ethiopia?
+1
Level 58
Aug 30, 2022
agreed
+1
Level 63
Nov 10, 2022
Ethiopia is faster to type-
+1
Level 25
Nov 26, 2021
it definitely didn't feel right seeing half the map turn green after typing two letters UK
+1
Level 60
May 8, 2022
Accept 'United Kingdoms' for Sweden-Norway please.
+1
Level 58
Aug 30, 2022
Somehow got Wadai
+1
Level 60
Nov 13, 2022
I got Transvaal and Orange Free State, but Swaziland slipped my mind!
+1
Level 90
Aug 15, 2023
Got 64/80 and was sure that when I saw the sixteen I missed I'd give myself maybe ten headsmacks. Nope. Only two I should have gotten. One-and-a-half. (Great quiz, by the bye.)
+1
Level 58
Sep 9, 2023
Could you add the Kingdom of Sarawak? It was an independent state, and was recognised as such by the major powers. It wasn't controlled by the UK until 1946.

Great quiz by the way!

+1
Level 43
Sep 24, 2023
Could you add Kalmar Union instead of Sweden? The Union disbanded in 1905 but still was around
+1
Level 60
Nov 13, 2023
Could you add Raj of Rarawak as an answer (as Auksie said) and United Kingdoms as a type-in for Sweden-Norway?
+1
Level 19
Jan 16, 2024
love your work keep it up