There are currently seventeen countries in the world with names that begin with the letter ‘I’. The following table lists them all. You can find some general information about each below.
| Country | Flag | Population | Capital | Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahamas | 🇧🇸 | 393,244 | Nassau | 1973 |
| Bahrain | 🇧🇭 | 1,701,575 | Manama | 1971 |
| Bangladesh | 🇧🇩 | 164,689,383 | Dhaka | 1971 |
| Barbados | 🇧🇧 | 287,375 | Bridgetown | 1966 |
| Belarus | 🇧🇾 | 9,449,323 | Minsk | 1991 |
| Belgium | 🇧🇪 | 11,589,623 | Brussels | 1830 |
| Belize | 🇧🇿 | 397,628 | Belmopan | 1981 |
| Benin | 🇧🇯 | 12,123,200 | Porto-Novo | 1960 |
| Bhutan | 🇧🇹 | 771,608 | Thimphu | 1907 |
| Bolivia | 🇧🇴 | 11,673,021 | Sucre | 1825 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 🇧🇦 | 3,280,819 | Sarajevo | 1992 |
| Botswana | 🇧🇼 | 2,351,627 | Gaborone | 1966 |
| Brazil | 🇧🇷 | 212,559,417 | Brasília | 1822 |
| Brunei | 🇧🇳 | 437,479 | Bandar Seri Begawan | 1984 |
| Bulgaria | 🇧🇬 | 6,948,445 | Sofia | 681 |
| Burkina Faso | 🇧🇫 | 20,903,273 | Ouagadougou | 1960 |
| Burundi | 🇧🇮 | 11,890,784 | Gitega | 1962 |
🇧🇸 Bahamas
The Bahamas is an archipelagic state in the Caribbean, comprising over 700 islands. It has a tropical savanna climate with warm temperatures year-round. The name “Bahamas” likely derives from the Spanish “baja mar,” meaning “shallow sea,” referring to the surrounding waters. The country is renowned for its pristine beaches, coral reefs, and as a popular tourist destination.
🇧🇭 Bahrain
Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf. It has an arid climate with extremely hot summers and mild winters. The name “Bahrain” means “two seas” in Arabic, possibly referring to the presence of freshwater springs under the sea. Bahrain is known for its oil industry, pearling history, and as a financial hub in the Middle East.
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a country in South Asia, located in the Bengal region. It has a tropical monsoon climate with high temperatures and heavy rainfall. The name “Bangladesh” means “Country of Bengal” in the Bengali language. Bangladesh is known for its dense population, lush greenery, and numerous rivers, including the Ganges and Brahmaputra.
🇧🇧 Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Caribbean region of North America. It has a tropical climate with a wet season from June to December. The name “Barbados” comes from the Portuguese “Os Barbados,” meaning “the bearded ones,” possibly referring to the island’s fig trees with their hanging aerial roots. Barbados is known for its beaches, cricket, and as the birthplace of rum.
🇧🇾 Belarus
Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It has a continental climate with mild to cold winters and cool to warm summers. The name “Belarus” means “White Rus,” with several theories about its origin, including references to the white clothing of the native people. Belarus is known for its forests, lakes, and Soviet-era architecture.
🇧🇪 Belgium
Belgium is a country in Western Europe, known for its medieval towns and Renaissance architecture. It has a temperate maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The name “Belgium” is derived from the Latin “Belgium,” used to describe the northern part of Gaul. Belgium is famous for its chocolate, waffles, beer, and as the de facto capital of the European Union.
🇧🇿 Belize
Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It has a tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons. The name “Belize” is thought to derive from the Maya word “belix,” meaning “muddy water,” referring to the Belize River. Belize is known for its diverse ecosystems, Mayan ruins, and the second-largest barrier reef in the world.
🇧🇯 Benin
Benin is a country in West Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin. It has a hot and humid climate in the south and semiarid in the north. The name “Benin” refers to the Bight of Benin, which was named after the Benin Empire. Benin is known for its rich history, including the powerful kingdom of Dahomey, and its vibrant culture.
🇧🇹 Bhutan
Bhutan is a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas. It has a varied climate due to its diverse geography, ranging from subtropical in the south to alpine in the north. The name “Bhutan” is derived from the Sanskrit “Bhotanta,” meaning “end of Tibet.” Bhutan is known for its policy of Gross National Happiness, distinctive architecture, and pristine natural environment.
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America. It has diverse climates due to its varied geography, from tropical in the lowlands to polar in the high Andes. The country is named after Simón Bolívar, a key figure in Latin American independence movements. Bolivia is known for its diverse indigenous cultures, the Salar de Uyuni salt flat, and the Andes Mountains.
🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. It has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The name “Bosnia” likely comes from an Indo-European word meaning “water,” while “Herzegovina” is derived from the German title “Herzog,” meaning duke. The country is known for its natural beauty, diverse cultures, and Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian architectural influences.
🇧🇼 Botswana
Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The name “Botswana” means “land of the Tswana,” referring to the country’s major ethnic group. Botswana is known for its vast Kalahari Desert, abundant wildlife, and the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta.
🇧🇷 Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in South America, covering nearly half the continent. It has diverse climates ranging from equatorial in the Amazon to temperate in the south. The name “Brazil” comes from brazilwood, a tree highly valued by early colonists for its red dye. Brazil is known for its biodiversity, Amazon rainforest, vibrant culture, and football legacy.
🇧🇳 Brunei
Brunei is a sovereign state on the north coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It has an equatorial climate with high temperatures, high humidity, and heavy rainfall. The origin of the name “Brunei” is uncertain but may derive from the Sanskrit “varunai,” meaning “seafarers.” Brunei is known for its wealth from oil and gas resources, Islamic architecture, and pristine rainforests.
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe, situated on the Black Sea coast. It has a temperate-continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. The name “Bulgaria” comes from the Bulgars, a nomadic people who founded the country. Bulgaria is known for its diverse landscape, ranging from the Balkan Mountains to the Black Sea coast, and its rich history spanning over 1,300 years.
🇧🇫 Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It has a tropical climate with warm, dry winters and hot, wet summers. The name “Burkina Faso” means “Land of Incorruptible People” in Mossi and Dioula languages. The country is known for its cultural diversity, with over 60 ethnic groups, and its music and craft traditions.
🇧🇮 Burundi
Burundi is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of East Africa. It has a tropical highland climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The name “Burundi” is derived from the country’s Kirundi name “Uburundi.” Burundi is known for its drumming traditions, coffee production, and as one of the poorest countries in the world despite its natural resources.
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