How many countries are in the world?

195... here they are:
Capitals of Every Country - Country Capital Cities

There are several answers. If you count Taiwan, there are 195. However, most of the world does not recognize Taiwan as a country - this would change the answer to 194. Also Vatican City is debated as a country - making it 193.

The number is always changing as nations merge or become independent. For example, Kosova has only been a country for about 6 months - that is when it declared independence from Serbia.