From Croatia to Slovakia, exploring world’s 8 youngest nations

From time immemorial, the global map has undergone numerous changes, and has continued to evolve. This evolution is primarily because many new nations have been formed due to historic events, political movements, or the reorganisation of territories, whereas many have also disappeared from the map for other reasons. Here, we take a look at some of the youngest nations in the world and the circumstances that led to their formation.

South Sudan is the world’s youngest country, gaining independence on July 9, 2011, following decades of civil war. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in 2005, paved the way for a referendum in which 98.83% of voters chose secession from Sudan. While South Sudan achieved sovereignty, the country faces challenges, including internal conflicts and economic instability.

On February 17, 2008, following years of contention and the Kosovo War (1998–1999), Kosovo proclaimed its independence from Serbia. Following Yugoslavia's dissolution, attempts to create autonomy culminated in the declaration. Kosovo is a topic of international discussion because, although more than 100 countries acknowledge its independence, Serbia and a few other countries do not.

The reconstitution of the Federal of Yugoslavia led to the formation of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in 2003. Montenegro held a referendum on independence in 2006, with 55.5% voting in favor, surpassing the threshold for separation. And on June 3, Montenegro declared independence, followed by Serbia two days later. This peaceful split brought an end to the last remnants of Yugoslavia.

After 24 years of Indonesian rule and centuries of Portuguese colonization, East Timor, now known as Timor-Leste, gained its independence on May 20, 2002. Following a UN-supervised referendum in which a vast majority of voters endorsed independence, the country began its journey as a sovereign state in 1999. Despite its recent independence, East Timor continues to experience poverty and economic hardship.

After being a member of the Pacific Islands Trust Territory for decades, Palau, which is located in the Pacific Ocean, became an independent nation on October 1, 1994. In order to retain close military and economic links with the US, Palau chose to enter into a Compact of Free Association with the US, which granted it sovereignty.

In the early 1990s, Slovakia and Croatia both broke away from bigger federations. The Croatian War of Independence began in 1991 when Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia. In what is known as the Velvet Divorce, Slovakia peacefully broke away from the Czech Republic to become a separate country on January 1, 1993.