What nation (people or land) has never been colonized, conquered, occupied, or governed by an external power?

Question

In other words, what nation has an uninterrupted history of autonomy? By "nation" I mean a people or a territory.

Note that Switzerland used to be part of the Holy Roman Empire, and even after it gained independence, it was conquered in 1798 by the French revolutionary armies, who set up the Helvetic Republic as a puppet state.

Sweden comes close, but from 1397-1523 it was part of the Kalmar Union controlled by Denmark. Sweden's National Day, June 6, commemorates the restoration of sovereignty in 1523.

Any other candidates?

Answer 1

central Turkey,never been invaded since 1299

Answer 2

If not a trick question several seem feasible

"never been colonized" is the issue: but

1. Israel Founded 1948 as a State, nation: meets the criteria
for all its history as its history started in 1948, it is not Judea
or ancient Israel but this is not what you seek?
2. America could be it that as well


The negatives are:

1. all of South America
2. all of North America
3. all of Europe
5. Asia? Thailand? no..was briefly occupied by the Japanese in WWII..
6. Europe? No Caesar had it first...

Several Pacific Islands could be options? But?

Your criteria seems to rule every option given as incorrect, so far:

uninterrupted history of autonomy and a nation?

we will await this trivia answer

Answer 3

Egypt-Conquered and occupied by m,any from the Roman Empire to Great Britain.
Switzerland was never "conquered" just forced to renounce sending mercenary armies out for hire to participate in Europe's wars. Except for the Papal Guard at the Vatican of course.
Ethiopia was conquered and occupied by the Italians pre-WW II.
The only country I can come up with is Sweden. Fought Russia to draws many times but was never really conquered or occupied by any European power that I can think of.

Answer 4

The United States has not since it was established. The land mass was colonized and the Indians conquered, but the NATION was not. Switzerland would probably qualify also.


Egypt was conquered by the Romans, Arabs and Turks.
Ethiopia was occupied and ruled by the Italians.
Thailand was never colonized by any western power, but they were under the Khymer Empire for a while.

Answer 5

Switzerland

Answer 6

Switzerland.

Answer 7

Some parts of the united states is diserted and in the berrmuted it was first used to mine guano.

Answer 8

I don't think that would ever be possible because at one time England owned just about the whole world. No nation is %100 percent

Answer 9

I can't think of a time the U.S was any of those, cause we started this nation right after the revolutionary war.

And I have no clue, but from general history study req. by school i've never read about Britain or Germany being occupied. Or Russia. They all just get attacked. And the Vatican?

If i'm wrong, somoene please e-mail me cause i'm curious =) thanks

Answer 10

Spain, England and Portugal