What nation in the world has never been colonized, conquered, occupied, or governed by an external power -- at least not within the period of its known history? In other words, what nation has an uninterrupted history of autonomy? By "nation" I mean a people or a territory.

star_gazer

It is true that Thailand was not colonized by any European power but 1000 years ago varying powers (mostly India and China) had controll in its territory. By the use of the words "never" or "uninterrupted" the site would be hard pressed to answer this question. Apr 23 07, 3:57 AM

marfa96

Thailand had not been colonized by any Europeans. Well in approximately 1500 years ago the Khmer empire controlled its land. Apr 23 07, 4:11 AM

geomancer

OK, let's make it easier. Following are the best candidates that have been suggested to me. Which one(s) have always been independent, never subject to another nation? Arabia (now Saudi Arabia) Bhutan Ethiopia Liberia Nepal Russia Sweden Turkey Can anyone provide more information to support or disqualify these suggestions? May 10 07, 3:32 PM

Baloo55th

Ethiopia is out. Occupied by italy in the 1930s and incorporated into Italian East Africa with Eritrea and Somalia. Saudi Arabia as such hasn't been occupied by anyone, but it only bacame a nation as such in the mid 1920s when Ibn Saud of the Nejd conquered the Hejaz, which had formerly been part of the Ottoman Empire. Technically, the Nejd was too, I think. Sweden has been part of joint monarchies with (variously) Denmark, Finland, and Norway, but hasn't been occupied by anyone much, except for perhaps Denmark - who used to possess the Scania district of Sweden. Liberia has been independent since its creation unless you count the West African Expeditionary Force restoring order during the civil war. Russia has been occupied to a large extent by Germany and France, and in its earlier incarnation as the Principality of Kiev was subject to the Tatar Horde - can't remember which one. Probably more than one over a period of time. Turkey in its modern form hasn't been occupied by anyone, but has been invaded (unsuccessfully) by Greece. Bhutan has only existed as a state in its current form since the early 1900s, when the Wangchuck dynasty was created. It hasn't been occupied by anyone in modern times, but has an exceedingly vague and complicated earlier history. Nepal was unified in the 1700s and has been independent since then. Nepal, Turkey and Bhutan are certainly qualifiers. Sweden probably, and also Liberia. Saudi Arabia as a unified state is in too. Russia - probably not. And Ethiopia definitely not. (Source - prior knowledge but you can check it up in various places) May 10 07, 4:17 PM

pboygerman

Thailand technically never been colonized because Khemr did not occupid all of Thailand so Thais hold against Khemer resistand in the deep south of Thailand manage to get further up. Finally join manage to join the fort town of Ayuthhaya and then a pushover attack in to Khmer to the fall of Angkhor Wat City. Gradually complete control over Khmer. Thai Empire was very big at one stage an empire which extend over to China even today some of the Southern Chinese provinces you can still hear what is known as the Tai Language spoken. Dec 31 07, 11:21 PM

freetothink

To Geomancer: Russia was colonized by the Mongols for more than 200 years! Turkey invaded and colonized Asia Minor...finally established itself a parastate in the 20th century. Jul 12 08, 12:01 PM

KHson

Hi pboygerman, there is no such thing is Thai Empire. Or maybe it exist only in Thailand. The world doesn't recognize a faked history. Thailand stole such a big land from its neighboring countries. Malaysia is an example: Today, Thailand controls some of Malay provinces(Thai guy told me that). Anyway, Thailand has never been colonized, but it used to invaded by Burma, and Japan(during WWII). Thailand also used to control by Khmer Empire when it wasn't an official country yet. Thai people was originated from Tibet, they traveled down south and asked Khmer King to allow them to live on Khmer soil(Present day Thailand). Then they started to want their own lands, so they went to war with Malaysia, Burma, and Cambodia. In Thailand, they teach that their lands had lost to China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, and Malaysia. They said that they lands bigger than today. But, if someone would go to all countries that listed above and learn each nation history, all of them would prove that they never took over or control the Thai land. because Thai history is faked. May 19 10, 1:52 PM

bpradeep3

NEPAL is the right answer , As a person from the neighbor country India i came to about this by interacting with Nepalese students in india. They feel very proud about this... Jan 20 12, 1:17 PM

Nukhing

KHson: It is unfair to say that Thai history is faked. What about the other countries that you mentioned? How are you so sure that their history are true? Please provide the evidence. To answer the post, "What nation in the world has never been colonized, conquered, occupied, or governed by an external power?" According to many fact that you can search from reliable book, Thailand is one of many countries that has never been colonized or ruled by other countries. It is true that Japan went to the country in WW II, but the Thai Government still ruled the country, and it is the same as Myanmar. Thailand or Siam at that time lost the war, but Thai King still govern the whole country. So, to put it simply, NO country in this world rules Thailand as Thai still has its own government. Mar 26 12, 10:44 PM

hele2000

Ethiopia has never been colonized. there were fighting with Italians 2 times. the first one was the Battle of Adwa which was ended by Ethiopian victory over italian for reference refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Adwa The battle of Adwa (also known as Adowa, or sometimes by the Italian name Adua) was fought on 1 March 1896 between the Ethiopian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy near the town of Adwa, Ethiopia, in Tigray. It was the climactic battle of the First Italo-Ethiopian War, securing Ethiopian sovereignty. the ethiopian victory over Itallian is already true history which is recorded and we can't remove it from the history. and for those of you who wants to over pass it, i think it is just ignorance and you may need to refer more history about Ethiopia and Ethiopian culture . If we dig out and and find out Ethiopia has an enormous history since before christ period with a lot of museum that kept its old history until now. Ethiopia uses its own language as an official language and Ethiopia not only language but also has its own unique alphabet. No one has never colonized Ethiopia and change its langue or its own unique alphabet, its own culture, its own unique food and many many unique things of the country. I think I better leave this scene to you inviting you to use google to know more about Ethiopia. Just unique country. all countries might have their own unique things and I really appreciate that. But I want to leave a Note hear that ''find out more about Ethiopia and confirm that it is a country that has never never never been colonized''. History declares that. thanks May 05 13, 7:23 AM

Baloo55th

Yes, but the question says 'occupied', and Ethiopia certainly was, by Italy. Maybe not colonised, but definitely occupied. May 05 13, 8:10 AM