Which of these are Countries?

Question

When I was 17 I decided to set a challenge to see 30 countries before the age of 30 (I have a few months left)
Below is a list of all the places been, I know most of them are stupidly obvious but its amazing how many varied answers are received from people.
Which in the list below, are classed as a 'country' - and not ruled by another country etc.

1) Scotland
2) Wales
3) Ireland
4) Jersey
5) Iceland
6) Norway
7) Sweden
8) Denmark
9) Spain
10) France
11) Netherlands
12) Germany
13) Italy
14) Greece
15) Austria
16) Lanzarote (Canary Islands)
17) Cyprus
18) America
19) Canada
20) South Africa
21) Australia
22) New Zealand
23) Hong Kong
24) China
25) Singapore
26) Malaysia
27) Indonesia
28) Tunisia
29) Vatican City

Okay thats the list, I'm sure a few can be removed from that but need to know for certain which ones....

oh blimey, it doesn't matter where I ask I get different answers hehe. The definite 'rule outs' are Jersey, Hong Kong and Canary Islands.
Most people keep saying that America is a continent not a country, even though it is still a country; but Australia is also a continent and yet no one has picked up on this, I have spoke to friends of Scotland and Wales who insist they are countries, I guess I'll just have to decide for myself. Thanks everyone :-)

Answer 1

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are part of the United Kingdom.
NOT Ireland, also known as Eire, which is an independent country.
The United Kingdom is a country, while Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England are "nations".
So, strictly speaking, those are not "countries"...
Of course somebody may find it questionable, but the use of those words *is* ambiguous. At least in common use.

Jersey is a "British Crown Dependancy".
Very tricky, this one :) But it's not a "sovereign nation".

Lanzarote is in Spain.

Hong Kong now is in China.

America is a continent.

All other ones listed are Countries on their own, including Singapore and Vatican City (officially: State of the Vatican City).

Answer 2

Scotland and Wales are a part of United Kingdom. Jersey is not a country. Canary Islands are ruled by Spain. America is a continent, not a country. Hong Kong is ruled by China.

So the following are countries:

Ireland
Iceland
Norway
Sweden
Denmark
Spain
France
Netherlands
Germany
Italy
Greece
Austria
Cyprus
Canada
South Africa
Australia
New Zealand
China
Singapore
Malaysia
Indonesia
Tunisia
Vatican City

Answer 3

All of them apart from:

Jersey - a British Crown Dependency (or both a state and a city in the USA, if you mean 'New Jersey')

Lanzarote - an island in the Canary Islands, which are an archipelago of Spain

Hong Kong - an administrative region of China

Contrary to popular belief, Vatican City IS a country - the smallest sovereign country in the world.

Also, if by 'America' you mean the USA, then that is a country. However, both North America and South America are continents.

Additionally, 'Ireland' is two countries: The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are called "constituent countries" of the United Kingdom. As somebody else said, it may seem to be a difficult area as to whether or not to consider them as countries, but I would, and I think most people also would - especially people from those places.

Answer 4

Ireland is a country. So is Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Austria, Cyprus, America (although you'd wonder sometimes), Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Tunisia. Not sure about Singapore.

Answer 5

I would say the following are not countries: Lanzarote and Jersey.
That would mean you are on 27 countries.
Good luck in visitting the last ones to complete your target.

Answer 6

1) Scotland- its a State but is a separate country
2) Wales-- same as Scotland
3) Ireland-Same as above..they are different states of UK
4) Jersey-City
5) Iceland-country
6) Norway-country
7) Sweden-country
8) Denmark-country
9) Spain-country
10) France-city
11) Netherlands-country
12) Germany-country
13) Italy-city
14) Greece-country
15) Austria-country
16) Lanzarote (Canary Islands)
17) Cyprus-country
18) America-country
19) Canada-country
20) South Africa-country
21) Australia-country
22) New Zealand-country
23) Hong Kong-country
24) China-country
25) Singapore-country
26) Malaysia-country
27) Indonesia-country
28) Tunisia-country
29) Vatican City-country

Answer 7

France and Italy are cities?
Are you American by any chance?