The oldest settlements in the world with unchanged borders have passed the test of time.
Some of the monuments of ancient civilizations have been preserved for thousands of years.
Before you go off on your next vacation, check these tips for the most ancient cities in the world.
They did not fall into decay and were not lost after years, but were constantly inhabited by people.
Find out which cities of the East, Europe, and Asia are not only considered the oldest but also inhabited so far!
Contents
1. France
It’s hard to believe that such a modern country in Europe is one of the oldest in the world.
Nevertheless, the history of France dates back to the 5th century CE.
According to the archaeological excavations, the ancient people lived on this territory for a little less than 2 million years.
A number of sources have documented that the territory of modern France was inhabited by Gauls (the Celts who spoke Gallic language), Aquitans, and Belgas.
France Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
2. Iran
The Median Empire was the first to have all the signs of a state in the territory of modern Iran.
Founded in the 6th century BC, the state was called the “Land of the Aryans.”
The rapidly developing state has strengthened and expanded throughout the entire territory of western Iran.
The traditions of the Median state continued in the more modern Persian empire until the 1930s when it was officially renamed as Iran.
Iran Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
3. China
In ancient times, China was named according to the names of its rulers and emperors (Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing).
Beijing was the most important state center and retained this status even after the formation of New China.
It was in the vicinity of Beijing that the remains of the synanthropus were found.
Synanthropus was the so-called Peking Man whose age dates back to about 600 thousand years.
The written evidence of Chinese civilization indicates 3,600 years.
At that time, there was already a management system in China.
Thanks to an active military policy, the territory of the state expanded significantly.
Besides, China had a professional army that used bronze weapons and war chariots.
China Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
4. Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, you will see the ancient remains of monumental architecture, steles, and fragments of altars.
They are covered with inscriptions in ancient Ethiopian, Greek, and Sabean languages.
They almost do not differ from the inscriptions from South Arabia.
In the city of Axum, the remains of monumental buildings have been preserved.
The platforms of the rich villas, palaces, temples, and steps leading to them are still there.
Ethiopia Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: HIGH
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
5. Greece
Greece is called the cradle of European civilization.
The first evidence about the Greek polity appeared 5,000-6,000 years ago.
However, it was the Aegean civilization that appeared three millennia ago that fully demonstrated the state formations.
The ancient state grew rapidly and extended its influence to the Northern Black Sea region, Asia Minor, and northern Italy.
Greece Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
6. Japan
The land of the rising sun also boasts an ancient statehood.
The first mention of the ancient states on the archipelago can be found in Chinese historical chronicles.
They date back to the 1st century AD.
However, according to Japanese sources, the reign of the first Japanese emperor began as far back as 660 BC.
Japan is called the oldest state in the world due to the dynastic continuity and the lack of fundamental changes in borders.
Japan Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
7. Portugal
This is another old country in the world with a rich historical heritage.
Portugal was a great colonizer and explorer, it settled a sea root to India and maintained the borders unchanged for about 1,000 years.
Recently, an ancient Roman cemetery was dug out in the center of Lisbon with the cremated human remains, as well as the prehistoric ceramic relics.
Portugal Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
8. Egypt
The warlike pharaohs, Cleopatra’s cunning beauty, and intrigues have always been part of school history lessons.
In Egypt, you should manage to visit the magnificent pyramids and get acquainted with the traditions of the people who lived on the banks of the Nile.
It all began in the 4th-3rd millennia BC when several dozen cities along the upper and lower reaches of Egypt united under the reign of two rulers.
Even then, the administrative structure was viewed, art and architecture developed.
Many fundamental changes occurred over the course of 5 centuries, however, the ancient Egyptian heritage is the hallmark of modern Egypt and attracts thousands of tourists.
Egypt Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
9. San Marino
In Italy, there is one tiny state within the state of San Marino.
The official date of foundation was September 3, 301 which is the oldest republic in Europe.
San Marino is the oldest republic in the world and the third country in terms of size after the Vatican and Monaco.
The old fortresses on the tops of the hills are real evidence of the Medieval ages.
10. India
The civilization of the Indus River Valley, also known as the Kharappa, turned out to be much older than the Egyptian (7,000–3,000 BC) and Mesopotamian (6,500–3,100 BC), which until now was considered the oldest known.
A slave-owning society, writing, a relatively high level of culture was achieved in the second half of the III millennium BC.
New studies have shown that changes in climatic and geological conditions have caused the decline of ancient culture.
India Safety Overview
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Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: HIGH
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Some of the oldest settlements in the world have managed to withstand the test of time and remain inhabited to this day, showcasing the rich history and culture of these ancient civilizations.