Question

The newest country in the world is:

• A. Palau
• B. Kosovo
• C. Eritrea
• D. East Timor
• E. South Sudan

Hint:

South Sudan is the newest recognized country in the world (2011). When in doubt, remember it came after Kosovo (2008) and East Timor (2002).

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

Step 1: South Sudan’s independence.
South Sudan officially became the world’s newest recognized sovereign state on 9 July 2011, after a referendum in which an overwhelming majority voted to separate from Sudan. It was admitted as the 193rd member of the United Nations soon after.
Step 2: Eliminating other options.
- (A) Palau: Became independent in 1994, earlier than South Sudan.
- (B) Kosovo: Declared independence in 2008, but it is not universally recognized.
- (C) Eritrea: Gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993.
- (D) East Timor (Timor-Lest(E): Gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.
- (E) South Sudan: Gained independence in 2011, making it the most recent recognized nation.
\[ \boxed{\text{South Sudan (2011)}} \]