Countries That No Longer Exist

Political maps change constantly. Countries split, merge, collapse, or are absorbed by neighbors. Here are some of the most significant countries that once existed but are now gone.

The Soviet Union (1922 to 1991)

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was the largest country in history by land area, covering about 22.4 million km² across 11 time zones. At its peak it had 15 constituent republics and was the world's dominant military power alongside the United States.

When the USSR dissolved in December 1991, it became 15 independent countries: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Yugoslavia (1918 to 1992)

Yugoslavia (meaning "Land of the South Slavs") was a federation of six republics on the Balkan peninsula. After the death of its long-ruling leader Josip Broz Tito in 1980, ethnic tensions resurfaced. Between 1991 and 2008, Yugoslavia broke into seven countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo.

The break-up was accompanied by some of the worst violence in Europe since World War II, including the Siege of Sarajevo and the Srebrenica massacre.

Czechoslovakia (1918 to 1993)

Unlike the USSR and Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia split peacefully in what became known as the "Velvet Divorce." On January 1, 1993, the country divided into two: the Czech Republic (now officially Czechia) and Slovakia. The split was agreed upon by both governments without a public referendum.

The Ottoman Empire (1299 to 1922)

At its height in the 17th century, the Ottoman Empire controlled territory across three continents: southeastern Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. It was one of the most powerful states in the world for over 600 years.

After defeat in World War I and a Turkish war of independence, the empire was replaced by the Republic of Turkey in 1923. The territories it controlled became modern-day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and parts of North Africa.

East Germany (1949 to 1990)

The German Democratic Republic (GDR) was established in 1949 in the Soviet occupation zone after World War II. For 41 years it was a separate communist state from West Germany. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, East and West Germany reunified on October 3, 1990.

South Vietnam (1955 to 1975)

After the First Indochina War, Vietnam was temporarily divided at the 17th parallel into North Vietnam (communist) and South Vietnam (US-backed). Following the fall of Saigon in April 1975, the two were united as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976.

Why Do Countries Disappear?

Countries end for a range of reasons: military conquest, internal collapse, negotiated partition, voluntary unification, or the end of empire. The 20th century was the most dramatic period of redrawing in modern history, with dozens of new countries emerging from the ruins of empires and the Cold War.

The Globe app covers the history of every current country. Download it to understand how today's map came to look the way it does.