The gap between those who can access and use digital technology and those who can't
Also known as the Ethiopian Empire, Abyssinia was a powerful kingdom in northeast Africa. It became modern-day Ethiopia, with Eritrea gaining independence in 1993.
A major European power that dissolved after World War I, leading to the creation of Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and several Balkan and Eastern European states.
A historic region in South Asia, Bengal was divided during the Partition of India, forming the Indian state of West Bengal and East Bengal (now Bangladesh).
Formerly known as Burma, the country officially changed its name to Myanmar in 1989, though some nations and groups still use the old name.
A once-independent region of Spain, Catalonia lost its autonomy after the War of Spanish Succession and remains a part of Spain today, despite ongoing independence movements.
A former British colony, Ceylon became independent in 1948 and officially changed its name to Sri Lanka in 1972.
An island in the Mediterranean, Corsica was once independent before being annexed by France. It remains a French territory with a distinct culture and identity.
This Central European country peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in the "Velvet Divorce" of 1993.
The eastern region of Pakistan, East Pakistan gained independence after a violent conflict and became the modern nation of Bangladesh.
A communist state during the Cold War, East Germany reunified with West Germany in 1990 to form present-day Germany.
A short-lived republic in South America that split into modern-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama.
A once-independent kingdom and republic, Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898 and became the 50th US state in 1959.
A medieval European empire that dissolved after Napoleon's conquests, leading to the formation of modern Germany, Austria, and other Central European nations.
A unified nation for centuries, Korea was divided after World War II into North Korea and South Korea, which remain separate to this day.
A Spanish colonial territory in South America that became part of Gran Colombia before splitting into modern Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama.
A British colony and dominion that joined Canada in 1949 as the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
A tiny neutral territory between Belgium and Germany, it was absorbed into Belgium after World War I.
Two separate nations after British and Ottoman rule, North and South Yemen unified in 1990 to form the Republic of Yemen.
A vast empire that spanned Europe, Asia, and Africa, it collapsed after World War I, with Turkey emerging as its successor state.
An ancient empire, Persia officially changed its name to Iran in 1935, though the term "Persia" is still used in cultural contexts.
A powerful German kingdom that was dissolved after World War II, with its territories now part of Germany, Poland, Russia, and other nations.
An unrecognized state in southern Africa, Rhodesia became the internationally recognized Republic of Zimbabwe in 1980.
Once independent nations, Scotland and England merged in 1707 to form Great Britain, while Wales was integrated into England in 1536.
A Himalayan kingdom that was annexed by India in 1975 after a referendum.
A US-backed state during the Vietnam War, South Vietnam was absorbed into a unified Communist Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975.
A socialist superpower that dissolved in 1991, leading to the independence of 15 nations, including Russia, Ukraine, and the Baltic states.
Although Taiwan still functions as an independent entity, it is officially claimed by China as part of its territory.
An independent republic before joining the United States as the 28th state in 1845.
A Himalayan region that functioned independently before being annexed by China in 1951.
A short-lived political union between Egypt and Syria that dissolved after only three years.
A briefly independent republic before becoming the 14th state of the United States in 1791.
A region that was contested by Spain, France, and the US, eventually becoming part of modern Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida.
A Balkan federation that broke apart in the 1990s, resulting in the independent nations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia (now North Macedonia), Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.
The name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during Mobutu Sese Seko’s rule before reverting to its original name.
Sources: (Thought Co) (Una Academy) (World Population Review) (Flag Pictures)
History is marked by the rise and fall of nations, with countries vanishing from the map due to diplomacy and compromise, political shifts, or war. From once mighty empires to short-lived republics, these lost countries fell victim to ambition, conflict, and change.
Whether absorbed into larger states, divided among new nations, or simply renamed, the shadow of their presence remains, and their legacies continue to shape the world today.
In this gallery, we take a look at the (growing) list of countries that may no longer exist but left their mark on history. Click to continue.
Lost to history: Countries that no longer exist
Where did the vanished nations go?
LIFESTYLE Politics
History is marked by the rise and fall of nations, with countries vanishing from the map due to diplomacy and compromise, political shifts, or war. From once mighty empires to short-lived republics, these lost countries fell victim to ambition, conflict, and change.
Whether absorbed into larger states, divided among new nations, or simply renamed, the shadow of their presence remains, and their legacies continue to shape the world today.
In this gallery, we take a look at the (growing) list of countries that may no longer exist but left their mark on history. Click to continue.