Learn about the history of 10 countries around the world that no longer exist and why they disappeared from the map.

By Victoria Heath

While borders may appear clearly defined on a map, the reality is much more dynamic and complex. Throughout history, countries have moved their borders, merged with other nations, or, in some cases, disappeared altogether.

From the most influential empires to micro-nations just a few kilometers long, read on to explore a dozen territories that no longer exist and why exactly their existence ended:

1) Prussia

Historical region and future kingdom of Europe, Prussia was located in present-day Germany and Poland. It began as a German state in 1525 and was a major player in European affairs until Germany united under its leadership in the 19th century.

The early Prussians were closely related to the Latvians and Lithuanians and were conquered and brought to adopt the Christian religion in the 13th century. Finally, in 1701, the region was officially named the Kingdom of Prussia under the German Hohenzollern family.

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In 1934, Germany stopped using the name Prussia to describe the region, and after losing territory and power during World Wars I and II, Prussia was officially abolished in 1947 by the Allies .

2) Yugoslavia

Located in the west-central part of the Balkan Peninsula, Yugoslavia was a former country that existed from 1929 to 2003 and was one of the largest in the Balkans. Six republics The country included Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.

The country faced intense political and economic crises in the 1980s and 1990s, alongside the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. As some political parties advocated independence for all republics, while others pushed for power only for some of them, tensions increased.

In 1991, Slovenia and Croatia accused Serbia of dominating Yugoslavia’s government, finances, and army, and Serbia accused the other two of dominating Yugoslavia’s government, finances, and army. separatism.

Eventually, Slovenia became the first country to leave in 1991, followed by Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992. In 2003 – with only Serbia and Montenegro – the country was renamed the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, but in 2006 both countries were finally renamed. declared their independence.

3) Tanganyika

Tanganyika was an East African state established as early as the 10th century and existed until 1964, when it merged with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Eventually, the two countries separated to form Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Tanganyika was first inhabited by Asian and Arab traders, as well as Bantu-speaking peoples. Throughout its history, Germany and Britain colonized the region: first Germany, claiming Tanganyika to be part of German East Africa, then Britain after taking control of East Africa. German assets during the First World War.

4) Czechoslovakia

When the Austro-Hungarian Empire nearly collapsed in 1918, several provinces joined together – the historic areas of Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia – to form what was known as Czechoslovakia. Before World War II, the country was among the most industrially advanced in Eastern Europe.

Czechoslovakia fell under Nazi rule during World War II and, after being liberated, found itself under communist rule until the late 1980s, when the country first elected a non-communist president in 2007. 40 yearsVaclav Havel.

Such a transition has fueled disagreements in the country, as well as opposing views on whether to privatize state-owned industries. As a result, Czechoslovakia dissolved peacefully in 1993 to form what is now Czechia and Slovakia.

5) Neutral Moresnet

Considered a “micro-nation” – measuring just 1.5 kilometers wide and five kilometers (3 miles) long – neutral Moresnet was established in 1816 and existed in what is now the present-day municipality of Kelmis in Belgium.

The land on which Neutral Moresnet was located was prized for its very cost effective and large zinc quarry – used for the production of brass – and was contested by the Kingdom of the Netherlands (now Belgium) and the Kingdom of Prussia. To reach an agreement, the Congress of Vienna decided to make Morsenet neutral.

Throughout its existence, the territory’s main employer, the mining company Vieille Montagne, provided employment, housing and health care for residents. Many people came to live in neutral Moresnet due to low taxes and no import tariffs, as well as to avoid military conscription – although all of the territory’s 3,500 residents were effectively considered as stateless persons.

Gaps, due to the country’s lack of a formal legal code, meant that gambling could take place, as well as no compulsory formal education for children (who often worked in the mining quarry).

In 1915, neutral Moresnet was finally appended by Germany.

6) Abyssinia

Founded in the 13th century, the Kingdom of Abyssinia – also known as the Ethiopian Empire – existed until the 20th century. Led by Emperor Tewodros II, the Christian kingdom spread its faith through military conquest as well as the construction of churches and monasteries.

The region was located in the northern highlands of where Ethiopia and Eritrea exist today until 1974when the last emperor, Haile Selassie, was overthrown.

7) Tibet

Now an autonomous region of China, Tibet’s status has fluctuated throughout history since its days as an autonomous region of China. independent entity being ruled by Chinese and Mongolian dynasties. It was initially made up of three provinces: U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo.

From 1911 to 1951, Tibet existed as an independent state. However, due to the Chinese Communist Revolution, Tibet was invaded and consequently forced to give up its independence. In 1959, an attempted uprising against this phenomenon led the country’s political and spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, to go into exile in India with thousands of other Tibetans.

Today, Tibet is still governed by Chinese domination.

8) Austria-Hungary

Spanning more than 600,000 square miles in central Europe, Austria-Hungary – also known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire – existed from 1867 to 1918 and was a major power before World War I. Its economy was so crucial at the time that it was the third-largest1st global manufacturer of electrical products.

The empire dual monarchy system meant that each half had its own government, parliament and laws, but was ruled by Emperor Franz Joseph.

A wide range of eleven crops formed the empire – from the Serbs to the Czechs and Slovaks – but balancing all the different political and social demands of each group was a difficult task, leading to long-standing tensions and political instability. This weakening of the cohesion of the empire was one of the reasons attributed to its fall.

Additionally, food shortages, economic difficulties, and unsuccessful battles also contributed to the eventual dissolution of Austria-Hungary.

9) Southern Rhodesia

Rhodesia is an ancient region located in south-central Africa and was heavily exploited for its natural resources, including coal and copper. For much of the 20th century, the country was called Southern Rhodesia, and was eventually officially named in honor of the imperialist and British administrator Cecil Rhodes.

Much controversy surrounded the settler of Southern Rhodesia and a government led by descendants of settlers and a white minority regime, which led to the diminishing rights of black citizens. For example, black Africans in the country were not allowed to own land outside of restricted areas.

After a long period of inequality and colonial rule, Rhodesia gained internationally recognized independence from Britain in 1965 and became Zimbabwe to the south and Zambia to the north.

10) Sikkim

An ancient kingdom and sovereign political entity in the eastern Himalayas, Sikkim was the first appointed a king – Phuntsog Namgyal – in 1642, and was ruled under the rule of the Namgyal dynasty for almost 340 years. Turf wars began with Bhutan and Nepal in the 18th century and parts of Sikkim were occupied by Nepal. In the 19th century, the British obtained the town of Darjiling from the territory.

Sikkim was governed under Indian rule in 1950 and finally absorbed into India as the 22nd state in 1975.