As of 2007, how many countries in the world are governed by monarchies?

Sofie

45 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy#Current_monarchies_of_the_world Feb 10 07, 8:42 AM

skysmom65

Currently 45 nations in the world have Monarchs as Heads of state, 16 of which are dominions and other Commonwealth Realms that formally recognize the British Sovereign as Head of state, legally in chief of each nation as a monarchy in its own right. http://www.answers.com/topic/monarchy Feb 10 07, 8:48 AM

neon000

Wow. Okay, thanks very much, Sofie and skysmom65. :) Feb 10 07, 8:52 AM

star_gazer

Are any of them absolute monarchs? Feb 10 07, 2:15 PM

Baloo55th

Saudi, Bhutan and Brunei are the most likely, plus the Vatican which appears in the list. I would dispute the presence of the United Arab Emirates in the list, as it's headed by a President. Admittedly the President happens to be a Sheikh, but he's called President in his role as Head of State for the UAE, and Sheikh in his role as ruler of, I think, Dubai. Feb 10 07, 2:43 PM

star_gazer

Although the Pope is elected. Feb 10 07, 5:02 PM

Baloo55th

He's still an absolute ruler, isn't he? I don't really know how much power resided in the Pope and how much with the cardinals. He's not elected by the population of the Vatican City, anyway, except for the few cardinals or whatever that actually reside there. I can mention North Korea now that gtho4's answered that question. That almost counts as a monarchy in that the power has descended from father to son, and it's pretty much an absolute monarchy too. And Samoa is headed by a 'monarch', but I believe he's to be replaced by a president when he dies or steps down. Feb 10 07, 5:27 PM