Countries That Start With K

Sovereign countries (8)

Eight sovereign states have English names beginning with K, counting the two Koreas separately. The list spans Central Asia (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan; the other -stans are filed under T and U), the Middle East (Kuwait), East Africa (Kenya), the Korean Peninsula (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea), the Balkans (Kosovo, recognized by a majority of UN members but not all), and a single Pacific atoll nation (Kiribati).

Kosovo is included here because it functions as an independent state with its own government, currency, and international relations, even though its UN membership has been blocked. Approximately 110 of 193 UN member states recognize Kosovo as sovereign.

Kazakhstan

Astana · Asia

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Kenya

Nairobi · Africa

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Kiribati

Tarawa · Oceania

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Korea, North

Pyongyang · Asia

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Korea, South

Seoul · Asia

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Kosovo

Pristina · Europe (partially recognized)

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Kuwait

Kuwait City · Middle East

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Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek · Asia

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Territories and other entities

No current territories or dependencies have English names beginning with the letter K.

Browsing the alphabet is a popular way to teach geography. Try the neighbouring letters:

Countries That Start With J — Three nations — Jamaica, Japan, and Jordan.
Countries That Start With L — Ten nations from Laos to Luxembourg.
Countries That Start With O — Just one country — Oman.

Quick answer for skimmers

Q: How many countries start with K?
A: Eight, counting the two Koreas separately. Kosovo's UN membership is contested and recognized by approximately 110 of 193 UN member states, but it functions as an independent country and is included here.

Q: What is the difference between North Korea and South Korea?
A: They are two distinct sovereign states sharing the Korean Peninsula. The peninsula was divided in 1945 at the end of Japanese colonial rule and split into separate governments in 1948. The Korean War ended in a 1953 armistice rather than a peace treaty, so the two states remain technically at war to this day.

Q: Is Kosovo a country?
A: Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. It is recognized by most Western nations and a majority of UN member states but not by Serbia, Russia, China, or several others, which has blocked its UN membership. Kosovo is listed here because it functions as an independent state with its own government, constitution, and currency.

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