Young History

In the far east lies a peninsula that has recorded some of the most unique stories of all time. There are two nations on this peninsula that have developed into completely different countries. In the south is a storied democracy that has been formed through great military leadership, unique business practice and resistance at any time it was needed throughout history. This nation has become a massive global exporter of culture. From music and food to movies and cosmetics. This is South Korea. 

This is simply one of the most influential nations in history. This nation started The Reconquista, The Crusades and The Age of Discovery. This nation has felt unique influence as an Umayyad territory, and left great influence as the Kingdom of Castile. This nation has been recording history for 3 millenia and has always been very interesting. From the earliest peoples, to powerful dictators, and to modern beauty, this nation has seen it all. This is Spain. 

Our nation of today is one of the most unique in all of Latin America. The population, languages, history and culture in this southern nation heavily juxtapose the story of most other latin nations. This nation was at the forefront of the independence movement in the 1800s, and has led in many other areas since. Industrialization, cultural homogenization and other controversial steps were taken first in Argentina. There are a lot of very high claims and successes of this nation but there have also been major blights especially regarding racial mistreatment and misconduct during WW2. This is Argentina.

One of the most famous and influential east African nations is this one that borders Lake Victoria. This nation spent many periods under different powerful rulers from the influence of Ancient Egypt all the way to the British Empire. This is a hearth of African music and dance. This nation does presently face democratic corruption which has gripped the nation for a long time. This is Uganda. 

This nation is the largest country in Africa by total geographical area. This nation has housed many of history's greatest influencers such as the Roman empire, Christian missionaries, many islamic caliphates and the French Empire. This nation possesses a lot of culture from its time as a french colony, roman colony and ottoman one. Today this massive nation leads North Africa in its influence with regional affairs. This is Algeria. 

Quite literally the oldest nation in the world. This nation once housed Mesopotamia, the oldest grand civilization in the world. Since then this nation has been many things: A home for islamic knowledge, the hearth of many empires and a victim of American Politics. This nation has fallen into a place of deeply rooted issues that have been exploited or implanted by foreign powers. Nonetheless, the history and culture of this nation have continued to persevere through any great tragedy. This is Iraq. 

Formerly the largest country in Africa, this nation has had millennia of history. For centuries this land was inhabited by the Nubians, a great ancient people that worked with and rivaled the pharaohs of Egypt. Since then this nation has evolved with religions like christianity and Islam. This nation has represented a swathe of colonial influences that have happened in north central Africa for thousands of years. This is Sudan.

The Great White North is the famous (and accurate) nickname of this country. Dozens of indigenous people groups formed the backbone of the culture in this frozen heartland. Hundreds of years of cultural formation went into this country becoming the one it is today. This nation has seen both World Wars, rapid development and the creation of a unique dual identity in just one century. With tonnes of maple syrup, moose and land this nation is very unique. This is Canada. 

Lying in the slavic east of Europe is possibly the most resilient nation in history. For thousands of years this land has been inhabited by different peoples who have left their cultural influence world wide. This nation has been the home of great victories; this land once had the largest state in Europe, the strongest heavy cavalry and one of the first constitutional monarchies. This nation suffered millions more casualties than every other nation during the holocaust and WW2. Despite a history of struggle and conflict this nation is eastern Europe’s best success story. This is Poland. 

In the northwestern corner of Africa is a nation that has been a cornerstone of North African culture for millennia. Only a stone’s throw away from Spain and the Strait of Gibraltar, this nation has had a lot of European influence over the last 1000 years. Islam, France, Spain and many other great influences shaped this land and its culture. This country is truly stunning in every way and its history is just as detailed. This is Morocco. 

Two years ago I covered the entire history of this nation from its origins to the invasion from Russia in 2022. This nation has since faced off against one of the latest powers in the world in a war backed by the rest of the world. This nation is filled with strong willed citizens who have refused to back down in the face of death. Once again, this is Ukraine. 

This nation is the beating heart of Central Asia. The people who call this nation home have shaped and influenced the history of central asia for almost 3000 years. This nation has cities like Smarkand and Bukhara which marked the connecting point between the east and west on the silk road. Beyond that, this country has a unique culture that shows shades of Mongolian, nomadic, Turkic and Persian influence. This is Uzbekistan.

Bordering great powers like Pakistan and China is a nation once dubbed the graveyard of empires. This nation produced the Bactrians, Pashtuns, and many other great people groups that influenced hundreds of years of central asian history. This nation battled great empires like the Soviet Union, The British Empire and many ancient powers. This nation has persevered through many years of war in the 21st century and has held tightly onto its storied culture. This is Afghanistan. 

This nation lies across the two sides of the South China Sea. On both sides of this nation there has been thousands of years of human history that shaped the nation into what it is today. This nation was influenced by great maritime empires like the Srivijaya and global ones like the British. In the time since this country gained independence it has become one of the most well developed in the world. No matter the internal and external battles this nation has fought it has continued to grow for the last 60 years. This is Malaysia. 

Perhaps the single most unique borders belong to this nation. With over 4000 KM of in length this nation is longer than the US is wide. This is a latin nation that has felt massive influence from Spain, the US, and many of its neighbors. Despite a lot of this influence this land has had a unique culture defined by the indigenous Mapuche people and the modern residents. This nation has held a prideful warrior culture, a powerful mercantile system and a period of rapid development. This is truly one of my favorite nations in the world, this is Chile. 

On the southwestern coast of Africa is a lusophone nation with a unique history. This nation was conquered by both Portugal and the Netherlands but never lost who it truly was. This nation embodies resistance and nobody in the nation did more than Queen Nzinga. Since then this nation fought a brutal war for independence, a lengthy civil war and faced decades dominated by the same leader. Today, this nation is deeply ridden with inequality but there seems to be a brewing effort towards change. 

On the powerful coast of East Africa is a nation that has influenced the world around it for a millennia. The coast of this nation was home to generation defining trade and the development of the unique Swahili language. This is a lusophone that is defined by its deep connection to Portuguese culture. Over the last 6 decades this nation has fought in civil wars and revolutionary ones to change the trajectory of its future. This is Mozambique.

In the heart of the Middle East is a peninsula that birthed a prophet who has influenced bllions since he lived. The history of this nation dates back at least 12,000 years; in that time the greatest ancient, medieval and modern civilizations have interacted with this nation. In the modern age, a family emerged in the desert that is now the most powerful on the planet. The modern nation is influential, rich, deeply dynastic and incredibly diverse. This nation stands at the foreground of the future, for better or for worse. This is Saudi Arabia. 

In the southern point of the Arabian peninsula is a nation named for that same location. This nation has seen millennia of history that dates back to ancient times and ancient civilizations. The culture, food, coffee and nature in this country are all unique to this space alone. However, beneath this beauty is a nation of deep division, struggle and abuse. For nearly a decade this nation has been divided between civil war lines that reflect a tumultuous history of different peoples. This is Yemen. 

On the coast of West Africa is a nation that represents the very heart of the region. This area has been inhabited for millennia by hundreds of different people groups. The Fon, Fante and the mighty Asante have all made this land their home. The Asante formed the great Ashanti confederation and then made an empire that is still spoken of to this day. This nation pushed through European colonialism and emerged as the first African nation to break into independence. This nation has seen the highest parts of freedom and struggles with external abuse. This nation is strong, storied and unique. This is Ghana.