How many countries are in Asia?

There are two common answers to the question of how many countries are in Asia, depending on how you define "country":

• 48 countries: This is the number according to the United Nations, which is the internationally recognized standard for countries.
• 49 countries: This number includes some transcontinental countries that have territory in both Asia and Europe. Russia is the most common example here.

Both answers are valid, depending on the context.

Categories: History