Of the 195 nations in the world, 17 are countries that start with C. Out of these, 1 is in North America, 2 are in South America, Asia, and the Caribbean, 3 in Europe, and 7 in Africa.
Apart from sharing the first letter of their names, some of these countries share borders, cultures, and climates. Distinct differences can be seen in other aspects such as population density, physical size, and religion.
How about an interesting fact? China, the biggest among these countries has a population that’s more than 6 times than of all the other 16 countries combined.
Continue reading for more insights on each of the countries.
What are all the Countries that Start with the Letter C?
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- The Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Columbia
- Comoros
- Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)
- Congo (DRC)
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
1. Cambodia
Alphabetically, Cambodia is the first among countries that start with C. This a Southeast Asian country that borders Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Pacific Ocean.
Cambodians number about 15 million with the majority being Buddhists. The largest ethnic group is made of the Khmers at about 98%. Khmer, English, and French are common languages.
The country experiences a tropical climate characterized by distinct dry and wet seasons. Cambodia has biodiverse animals and plants that make up most of the country’s tourist attractions.
Cambodians are very attached to their culture which is greatly influenced by Buddhism. For example, handshakes are rare and sampeah, a form of namasté, is the official greeting.
2. Cameroon
Cameroon is a West African country that is home to a convergence of varied cultures, religions, and over 300 languages. Cameroonians mainly practice Christianity and Islam.
Their culture is indigenous African with influences from its colonizers, France and Britain. Spanning at about 183,569 square miles, the country is home to over 26 million people and borders Nigeria and the Central African republic.
Often, Cameroon is referred to as ‘Africa in miniature’ because it hosts most of the natural features you will find in Africa- mountains, deserts, forests, wildlife, and beaches among others. That said, its climate also varies from region to region.
Fun Fact: How would you react to a frog that weighs about 7.2 pounds? Cameroon is home to the world’s largest frog species, the Goliath frog.
3. Canada
Canada is second among the biggest countries in the world. It is located north of the US and it spans across about a third of the North American continent. English and French are its official languages.
Queen Elizabeth is the reigning monarch since the country is governed by a constitutional monarchy. Most of the country’s approximately 38 million citizens are Christians.
It experiences a continental climate with harsh winters in some places and semi-arid conditions in others. Canada is home to some of the world’s best attractions such as Niagara Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Canadians are some of the most polite people; arguments are rare and people even apologize for others’ mistakes!
4. Cape Verde
Cape Verde is the smallest island nation amongst countries that start with C. It is a collection of 10 volcanic islands and several islets located in the central Atlantic Ocean.
Did you know that both the father of evolution, Charles Darwin and the famous explorer, Christopher Columbus have visited Cape Verde?
With a vibrant culture, picturesque terrains, beautiful beaches, world heritage sites, and volcanic mountains, the country is a delight for travelers. The subtropical climate also makes it an all-year-round tourist destination.
Cape Verde’s area is 1557 sq mi with an estimated population of 554,470 people. The majority of Cape Verdeans are Christians whose culture is a blend of African and European practices.
5. The Central African Republic
As the name implies, the Central African Republic (CAR) is right at the center of Africa bordering Chad, Sudan, and the two Congos.
The Central African Republic is a landlocked country with a population of a little over 4.5 million. Most of the people are Christians. French and Sango (a local language) are the official languages.
Its culture is influenced by traditional and conservative religious practices. Most of the country’s beautiful attractions such as waterfalls, forests, wildlife, and rivers remain unutilized due to an ongoing civil war.
If you visit this country, be sure to hike Mont Ngaoui, which is about 4620 ft high. At 165 ft high and 820 ft wide, Boali Falls is another impressive attraction in the country.
6. Chad
Chad is a north central-African country that borders Sudan and Niger. It is named after the second-largest wetland in Africa, Lake Chad. Museums, national parks, mountains, lakes, and canyons in the desert keep visitors coming back for more.
The ethnic groups in Chad practice independent cultures with a common French influence. The majority are Muslims, followed closely by Christians and other religions.
A third of Chad, on the north, is covered by the Sahara desert which causes a desert climate. The central and the southern parts experience semi-desert and tropical climates respectively.
Fun Fact: Are you interested in a Chadian bride? You might have to work for your future father-in-law for 3 years- it is expected in Chad…serious stuff.
7. Chile
Chile is a South American nation bordering Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean. It has one of the most unique shapes; a narrow strip extending along the Pacific Ocean to the west.
68% of the about 18 million Chileans are Christians. Spanish is the national language in the country, whose population comprises about 64% whites.
Chile has a diverse climate influenced by the Atacama Desert (north), glaciers (east and south), and an over 3,720 mile-long coastline. Breathtaking Chilean sceneries to visit include subpolar forests, earth’s driest desert, and Easter Island.
Fun Fact: The world’s largest swimming pool, with an area of 19.77 acres, is in Chile.
8. China
Among countries that start with C, China is the most populous. It is also the third-largest country in the world by area. Located in East Asia, it borders 19 sovereign states, thanks to a land border that spans 13,743 miles.
China’s 1.43 billion people account for approximately 18.5% of the world’s total population. Most of these are Chinese speakers and the majority are non-religious.
The country’s culture is influenced by local cults that follow the teachings of Confucius, a famous ancient Chinese philosopher, that emphasizes on work, family, and social harmony.
China has a diverse climate and some of the best attractions in the world. Such include the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Army, and the Forbidden City.
9. Colombia
Colombia is a South American country that borders five countries, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The name was derived from Christopher Columbus, the famous Italian explorer’s last name.
Colombians are about 50 million with 90% of them being Christians. The country has diverse cultures from natives, immigrants from Europe and the Middle East, and African slaves who settled there.
Have you heard Waka Waka, the official 2010 FIFA world cup song? Or Hips Don’t Lie? These are hit songs from Shakira- born in Barranquilla, Colombia. The country also boasts beaches, historical sites, and diverse eco-systems.
Spanish is the official language of Colombia with a host of other languages being spoken in different regions around the country.
10. Comoros
Comoros is made up of 3 major islands and many smaller ones in the Indian Ocean and off the coast of Mozambique, Africa. The capital, Moroni, is located in Grande Comore, the largest of the islands.
This tiny country is inhabited by about 820,000 people, most of whom are Afro-Arabs and Muslims. Immigrants from the nearby island of Madagascar also make up a sizable part of Comoros’ population at 14%.
Most Comorans speak Comorian, a variant of Swahili. French and Arabic are also recognized as official languages.
The nation enjoys a tropical climate with pristine beaches and lots of sunlight. Another of its greatest attractions is an active volcano which you can hike up to a crater on the summit.
11. Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)
Also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the country is located in Central Africa. It borders the Atlantic ocean and 5 countries including the other Congo and the Central African Republic. Its capital city is Brazzaville.
Have you noticed that 3 of the 7 African countries that start with C share borders?
Congo-Brazzaville has a population of about 5.3 million people. Most of these are French speakers who follow the Christian faith. 70% of the people live in the city leaving most of the country an uninhabited jungle.
Of the two Congos, this one is safer with friendlier people and a more stable tourism industry. It has an equatorial climate with high temperatures and heavy rainfall.
12. Congo (DRC)
The Democratic Republic of Congo is also known as Congo-Kinshasa (after the capital), DRC or DR Congo. Originally, it was known as Zaire.
DRC is among the biggest countries in the world and second in Africa after Algeria. With approximately 92 million people, it is also one of the most populous countries in the world. The Congolese are predominantly Christians.
National Parks, falls, lakes, and wild reserves dot the country’s landscape. Its rumba music is popular in entertainment joints across East, Central, and Southern Africa. Additionally, DRC is one of the most artistically exceptional centers in Africa.
Fun Fact: Kinshasa and Brazzaville are about 5 miles apart; they are only separated by River Congo.
13. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a Central American nation that shares land borders with Nicaragua, Panama, and Ecuador. It has coastlines on the Caribbean sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Costa Ricans number to around 5 million with the majority being Christians. Spanish is the nation’s official language with native languages being spoken as mother tongues.
This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Reason being that it has a tropical climate plus lots of natural attractions such as Cocos Island, numerous active volcanoes, sandy beaches, and classy resorts.
People also travel to Costa Rica trying to extend their lives. Why? The country lies in a Blue Zone; here, people are expected to live up to 90.
14. Croatia
How many people do you think live in the world’s smallest town? The record belongs to Hum, a Croatian town with a population of 23 in a country of about 4.3 million people.
Croatia is a European country that borders Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and the Mediterranean Sea. It has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers.
Over 90% of Croatians are Christians in a population made of majority native Croats. The country’s culture is also shaped by Serbs who make up the largest minority group.
Croatian architecture and beach towns are unique. These ancient buildings make some of the best film locations. Game of Thrones “King’s Landing” was shot there.
15. Cuba
Cuba consists of the island of Cuba, Isla de la Juventud, and collections of other minor islands. Located at the meeting point of the Caribbean sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, it covers an area of 42,800 sq mi.
For travelers, glittering and powdery beaches, UNESCO World Heritage sites, beautiful cities, museums, and diverse landscapes are irresistible. The sub-tropical climate and plenty of sunshine add to the appeal.
Cuban culture is influenced by African, Latin American, European, and Indigenous American cultures. The majority of the 11 million Cubans are Catholics.
By the way, some of the best doctors in the world are Cuban and the country doesn’t mind sharing them with the rest of the world…noble, isn’t it?
16. Cyprus
This is an island country and the third-largest in the Mediterranean. It enjoys a Mediterranean climate with four seasons. The country hosts about 1.2 million people and measures 3,572 sq. mi.
Cyprus practices diverse cultural practices but a major influence comes from Greek and Turkish cultures. Most Cypriots are followers of the Greek Orthodox Church but a significant minority, the Turkish Cypriots, practice Islam.
The legendary birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, is also home to ancient sites, 3 UNESCO World Heritage Centers, beautiful resorts, museums, and pristine beaches.
Fun Fact: If you are not a generous tipper, keep exact cab fare at hand! Cab drivers in Cyprus allegedly don’t seek your permission to keep the change as a tip
17. Czech Republic
Czech republic is a hilly country in Central Europe bordered by Poland, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. It experiences a temperate oceanic climate characterized by warm summers and snowy winters.
Czech culture is greatly influenced by Western European culture due to its location in the heart of Europe. It is also one of the least religious countries in Europe. That said, there are varying percentages among the 10.7 million people that are atheists, religious, or unaffiliated.
The Prague Castle which is the largest in the world, Charle’s Bridge, and St.Vitus Cathedral are some of the key tourist attractions. Also, in Prague city, you will find most of the medieval buildings still intact.
Final Thoughts
This list is just a highlight of the countries that start with C. It is clearly a mixture of different climates, cultures, physical and population sizes, and varying tourist attractions. Also, it touches on most parts of the world, with Africa taking the lion’s share.
Are you a global traveler? Touring these countries will give you a good taste of what travelling around the world would feel like.
