Borders connected a representation whitethorn look fixed, but past shows america they are thing but permanent. Countries rise, fall, merge, and sometimes vanish altogether.

From sprawling empires to tiny micronations, present are 10 countries that erstwhile existed but person since disappeared — and the stories down their demise.

Read also:

Full List: Countries astir and slightest apt to get US visa for 2026 World Cup

1. Prussia

Once a almighty kingdom successful Europe, Prussia shaped the instauration of modern Germany. Founded successful 1525 and ruled by the Hohenzollern dynasty, it became a ascendant unit successful the 18th and 19th centuries. After World War I and II, it mislaid some powerfulness and territory, and the Allies officially abolished it successful 1947.

2. Yugoslavia

This Balkan elephantine was made up of six republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia. Internal governmental rivalries and taste tensions tore it isolated successful the 1990s. By 2006, each republics had declared independence, leaving Yugoslavia lone a memory.

3. Tanganyika

Located successful East Africa, Tanganyika merged with Zanzibar successful 1964 to signifier Tanzania. Before then, it had been colonized by Germany and aboriginal Britain. Its sanction lives connected lone successful past books and stamps.

4. Czechoslovakia

Born successful 1918 aft the autumn of Austria-Hungary, Czechoslovakia was erstwhile among Eastern Europe’s astir industrially precocious nations. After decades of Nazi concern and aboriginal Communist rule, the state divided peacefully successful 1993 into today’s Czechia and Slovakia.

5. Neutral Moresnet

At conscionable 1.5 km wide, Neutral Moresnet was a tiny European microstate created successful 1816 owed to a quality implicit a zinc mine. It had nary wide ineligible system, debased taxes, and adjacent gambling loopholes, attracting thousands of residents. Germany annexed it successful 1915, ending its quirky independence.

6. Abyssinia

Also known arsenic the Ethiopian Empire, Abyssinia was a Christian kingdom dating backmost to the 13th century. It expanded done subject conquest and religion but came to an extremity successful 1974 erstwhile Emperor Haile Selassie was overthrown. Modern Ethiopia present occupies overmuch of its territory.

7. Tibet

Once an autarkic state, Tibet declared autonomy successful 1911 but was invaded by China successful 1951. An uprising successful 1959 forced the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetans into exile. Today, it remains nether Chinese control, though calls for independency inactive echo worldwide.

8. Austria-Hungary<...