The oldest countries in Europe Year of establishment + name of the founder

After Australia, Europe is the smallest continent in the world, which is divided into almost 50 independent countries. Europe has a rich history and some of its countries date back centuries; Of course, here we do not mean ancient empires like Rome or ancient Greek city-states; Rather, it means those areas that are consistent with today’s definitions of the country or nation-state. In this article, you will learn about 10 of the oldest countries in Europe, from the Netherlands with a history of about five centuries to San Marino with a history of 1,700 years.

The oldest countries in Europe:

10. The Dutch Republic

• Established: 26 July 1581
• Independent of: The Spanish Empire, especially the “Kingdom of Castile”
• Founder: Uncertain
• Known name today: Netherlands

Until the 16th century, many of the Dutch states consisted of duchies under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire. In the first half of the 16th century, these states first came under the rule of the French “Burgundy” family and then under the rule of the “Habsburg” royal family. During the Dutch revolution against Spain in the second half of the 16th century, most of the Dutch states gained independence according to the Act of Abjuration.

_{Photo source: boijmans.nl, painter: Charles Rochussen}

The decision to independence was made by the commander of the Dutch states; Because King Philip II, the ruler of Spain from the Habsburg dynasty, had not been able to fulfill his duties and suppress the rebels; That is, in practice, he lost his throne.

In the absence of a worthy ruler for the kingdom, the Dutch states moved towards the formation of a republic

After the revolution, a competent ruler who could rule the Dutch states was not found; For this reason, the newly independent states formed the Dutch Republic in order to take over the administration of the states. The Dutch Republic eventually became the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is the third country to have an elected parliament and is generally known for its progressive policies. This country is a founding member of many institutions and organizations, including the European Union and the Eurozone. The Netherlands ranks high in terms of freedom of the press, economic freedom, happiness, quality of life and human development and provides many social benefits to its citizens. The Dutch tax system is very egalitarian.

_{Photo Source: Holland.com, Photographer: Unknown}

9. Monaco

• Established: 1297 AD
• independent ofThe Republic of Genoa
• the founder: Francesco Grimaldi
• Known name today: Monaco

The name “Monaco” comes from the Greek word “Monoikos”, which means “single house”. According to an ancient legend, the house of Hercules was the only temple in that area; Hence the name Monaco. Monaco was in the hands of the Holy Roman Empire until it came to the Genoese. In 1215 AD, Monaco was revived as a colony of the Republic of Genoa. The colony was ruled by the Grimaldi family until Francesco Grimaldi separated it from Genoa in 1297.

_{Photo Source: A Photographic Trip Around the World, Photographer: Unknown}

Francesco Grimaldi’s action became the cornerstone of the creation of a country called Monaco. For a century, Grimaldi and the Republic of Genoa fought each other over Monaco. Finally, the Grimaldi family officially bought Monaco in 1419.

The Grimaldi family still manages Monaco, and France is responsible for defending Monaco; However, Monaco is independent and has two small military units. Monaco is a member of the Council of Europe and the International Organization of Francophonie.

_{Photo Source: IYC Yachts, Photographer: Unknown}

8. The Old Swiss Confederacy

• Established: August 1, 1291 AD
• Independent of: The Crown of Aragon
• Founder: Uncertain
• Known name today: Switzerland

The communities living in the valleys of the central Alps formed a union called the Swiss Confederation to establish safe and free trade and protect their common interests. Before the formation of the Union, these societies were called “Forest States”. This informal union became the country we know today as Switzerland.

_{Photo source: Nationalmuseum Blog, Painter: Unknown}

The Swiss region was originally under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire; But most of the time it was autonomous. In 1291 AD, the “Federal Charter” or the founding document of the Swiss Confederation was created and various rural communities agreed on it.

Today, Switzerland is considered one of the most advanced countries in the world. Switzerland is famous for its neutrality in international relations and ranks high in terms of wealth, quality of life, civil liberties, economy and development.

_{Photo Source: WorldFirst, Photographer: Unknown}

7. Andorra

• Established: Year 1278 AD
• Independent of: Composite Kingdom of Aragon
• Founder: Uncertain
• Known name today: Andorra

In the list of the oldest countries in Europe, “Andorra” is not a country in the usual sense; Andorra is basically a small landlocked principality between the two countries of Spain and France, which used to be a part of France. In the 13th century AD, the “Bishop of Urgell” (Bishop of Urgell) in the Catalonia region and the “Count of Foix” or the head of the French government in the south of France had a military conflict with each other over Andorra.

_{Photo Source: LE Ataire, Painter: Unknown}

Finally, with the mediation of “Peter III”, King of Aragon, in 1278 AD, the two sides reached an agreement to divide the sovereignty of Andorra equally between them, and this agreement became a factor for Andorra’s independence.

Andorra is the sixth smallest country in Europe. Life expectancy in this country is 81 years, and in this sense, it has the highest life expectancy rate among the countries of the world. Andorra is also a member of the United Nations.

_{Photo source: NUVO Magazine, photographer: Fonin}

6. The Kingdom of Sweden

• Established: 12th century
• Independent of: Uncertain
• Founder: Eric the Victorious
• Known name today: Sweden

The history of the formation of Sweden is strangely ambiguous. The land of “Svealand”, the original name of Sweden, existed even in the 8th century AD. That period is called the “Viking Age”, which lasted from the 8th to the 11th century. In the 12th century, “Eric de Victoris” was able to overcome other Swedish tribes and establish the “Bjalbo” dynasty.

_{Photo source: sweden.se, painter: Johan Gustaf Sandberg}

The United Kingdom of Sweden was officially established around the 12th century, and therefore, Sweden is considered one of the oldest countries in Europe.

The standard of living in Sweden is very high. This country ranks 8th in terms of the highest per capita income and is generally considered among the top countries in the fields of education, health, equality, economy and civil liberties. Sweden is the third largest country in the European Union.

_{Photo credit: Travel + Leisure, photographer: unknown}

5. The Kingdom of Portugal

• Established: August 5, 1143 AD
• Independent of: Kingdom of Leon
• Founder: King Afonso I
• Known name today: Portugal

Portugal was a semi-independent countship in the “Kingdom of Leon” from 1096 to 1139 AD. On July 26, 1139, Afonso Henriques was accepted as the king of the Portuguese. In the following year, King Afonso I broke the “Treaty of Tui” with the King of Leon and attacked the region of “Galicia” in the Kingdom of Leon; As a result, in the summer of 1140 or 1141 AD, the war known as “Valdevez” was fought between Portugal and the Kingdom of León.

_{Photo source: Wikimedia, photographer: Alves Gaspar}

There is no information about the details of the war; But finally, the rulers of both sides reached the “Treaty of Zamora” in 1143, after which the Kingdom of Portugal became independent.

Today, Portugal is considered one of the 15 most stable countries in the world and ranks third in terms of peacefulness. This country has a high standard of living and a good economy. Portugal is a founding member of NATO, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and also a member of other organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union.

_{Photo credit: Conde Nast Traveler, photographer: Christine Chitnis}

4. Denmark and the Danish Kingdom

• Established: Year 965 AD
• Independent of: Uncertain
• Founder: King Gorm the Old and his son Harald Bluetooth Gormsson
• Known name today: Denmark

At the end of the 8th century AD, the territory of Denmark was almost established and its rulers were called kings. According to the 10th-century Jelling Stones in Denmark, the country first achieved a nation-state-like government in 965 AD. At that time, “Harald Blotand Gormsson” introduced the Christian religion to the people of Denmark. The history of the Kingdom of Denmark goes back a little before this date. The attempt to Christianize the Danes was probably to prevent the Holy Roman Empire or other Christian powers from attacking Denmark.

_{Photo source: Wikimedia, painter: Christian Krohg}

Today, Denmark is on the list of the happiest countries in the world due to the good quality of social dynamics, standard of living, health, income equality, education, low level of corruption and protection of civil liberties. Denmark is one of the founding countries of NATO and the United Nations.

_{Photo source: The New Yorker, photographer: Fedor Selivanov}

3. The Kingdom of England

• Established: Year 927 AD
• Independent of: Uncertain
• Founder: Athelstan
• Known name today: England, United Kingdom of Great Britain

The Viking attack in the 9th century AD upset the balance of power between the English kingdoms and the native “Anglo-Saxons”; But Æthelstan, king of the Anglo-Saxons, was able to bring several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms under an independent rule. Thus, in 927 AD, the Kingdom of England was formed, and England along with Denmark and Norway became part of the North Sea Empire of “Cnut the Great”.

_{Photo Source: The Historic England Blog, Photographer: Unknown}

The northern areas of England kept changing hands between the English kings and the Norwegian invaders until finally those areas came under the control of England in 954 AD, a part of it was handed over to Scotland and the process of the integration of England was completed. The Kingdom of England went through many changes before becoming the modern country of England.

England is the first industrialized country in the world. Today, England is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This country has the fifth largest economy in the world in terms of GDP and the ninth economy in terms of purchasing power parity. Many other countries have adopted the British parliamentary system. The United Kingdom of Great Britain is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

_{Photo Source: AMA Travel, Photographer: Unknown}

2. Carolingian Empire

• Established: August 843 AD
• Independent of: Uncertain
• Founder: Charles the Bald
• Known name today: France

The “Carolingian Empire” was governed by the same kings who ruled the Franks; Therefore, this empire can be considered as the origin of France. The Carolingian Empire in the 8th century AD practically dominated all of Western Europe up to the “Pyrenees” mountain range. In 732 AD, they won the battle of “Tours” in the war with the Muslim forces of Andalusia and were able to stabilize their territory.

_{Photo Source: Britannica, Painter: Unknown}

France was united for the first time in 486 AD with the name “Francia”; But it was in 843 AD and during the “Treaty of Verdun” that France became a nation-state.

France was united for the first time in 486 AD under the name of “Frankia”.

The Treaty of Verdun divided Francia into three parts; East, West and Middle. The western part went to Charles Tasse or Charles II and eventually became the Kingdom of France. This division was actually the beginning of the formation of modern France.

Today, France is the most popular destination for foreign tourists; 83,000,000 tourists visit this country every year. In terms of GDP, France has the sixth largest economy in the world. The total wealth of households in France is such that it makes this country the fourth richest country in the world. France is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and one of the main members of the European Union and many other organizations.

_{Photo Source: Radical Storage, Photographer: Unknown}

1. San Marino

• Established: September 3, 301 AD
• Independent of: Roman Empire
• Founder: Marinus
• Known name today: San Marino

According to local legends, Saint Marinus left an island in present-day Croatia with his friend and went to the city of Rimini in northeastern Italy as a stonemason. Following the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire in the early 4th century AD, Marinus fled to “Monte Titano” and built a small church there. That church was the cause of the independent monastic community and eventually the city and government of San Marino.

_{Photo source: ALOR Italy, photographer: Paolo Ferraris}

The Republic of San Marino is a small state and one of the smallest countries in the world. This country has an area of ​​only 62 square kilometers and a population of 35,436 people (in 2024). San Marino is considered one of the oldest independent states in the world and the oldest constitutional republic. The Constitution of San Marino was written in 1600, and in this sense, it is the oldest written constitution in history. This constitution is still used today.

The country of San Marino is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of GDP and has one of the lowest unemployment rates in continental Europe. San Marino has a budget surplus and no national debt is recorded for the country.

_{Photo Source: Mappr, Photographer: Unknown}

If you have traveled to the oldest countries in Europe, share your experience with us and other Kejaro companions.

_{Cover photo: San Marino, photo source: Islands, photographer: Edgar Moskopp}