The Most Difficult Country to Invade, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the country you think is the most difficult!

Updated on May 7, 2024 06:24

Historical conflicts and strategic defenses have often highlighted the resilience of nations against invasion. From natural barriers to technological advancements, some countries are notably fortified against external threats. This can lead to intriguing discussions about military strategy and geopolitical stability. By voting on which country you believe is the hardest to invade, you contribute to a broader conversation about global defense structures and international relations. Each vote helps shape a dynamic picture of public perception regarding the strength and impenetrability of nations worldwide.

What Is the Most Difficult Country to Invade?

1

65
votes
Switzerland

With its mountainous terrain, fortified bunkers, and strict gun laws, Switzerland is considered one of the most difficult countries to invade.
Switzerland, officially known as the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in the heart of Europe. Renowned for its stunning landscapes, Switzerland is often referred to as the epitome of natural beauty. It is a country that seamlessly blends picturesque mountains, charming villages, tranquil lakes, and rolling hills. Switzerland is also famous for its cultural richness and extraordinary quality of life.

Capital: Bern

Population: Approximately 8.6 million

Official Language: German, French, Italian, and Romansh

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)

Area: 41,290 square kilometers
2

38
votes
Afghanistan

With its rugged terrain, fierce tribes, and history of repelling invaders, Afghanistan has proven to be a difficult country to conquer.
Afghanistan is a landlocked country located in South Asia, with a rich history and diverse landscapes. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, including rugged mountains, vast deserts, and lush valleys. Afghanistan is also home to ancient cities and archaeological sites that hold immense cultural and historical significance.

Capital: Kabul

Area: 652,230 square kilometers

Population: About 38 million people

Official Languages: Dari and Pashto

Religion: Islam
3

11
votes
Russia

As the largest country in the world, with a formidable military and nuclear arsenal, Russia is not easily conquered. Its harsh climate and vast territory also make it a challenging target.
Russia, officially known as the Russian Federation, is the largest country in the world by land area. Located across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, it spans eleven time zones and has diverse landscapes, including vast plains, mountain ranges, and Arctic coastlines. With its rich history, cultural diversity, and geopolitical significance, Russia holds a prominent place on the global stage.

Area: 17,098,242 square kilometers

Population: approximately 145 million

Capital: Moscow

Language: Russian

Government: Federal semi-presidential republic
4

16
votes
Xiehechaotian · CC BY-SA 3.0

North Korea

Kim Il-sung

With one of the largest standing armies in the world and a highly secretive regime, North Korea is a difficult country to invade. Its mountainous terrain and fortified borders also make it a challenging target.
North Korea is a country located in East Asia, known for its authoritarian regime and isolation from the rest of the world. It is often referred to as one of the most difficult countries to escape from due to strict border controls, surveillance, and severe consequences for those attempting to flee.

Totalitarian regime: North Korea is governed by a totalitarian regime that tightly controls all aspects of life.

Isolation: North Korea has limited interactions with the international community and restricts access to information from the outside world.

Border controls: The country has heavily guarded borders with barbed wire fences, minefields, and patrol units, making it difficult to cross.

Surveillance: North Korea has extensive surveillance systems that monitor its citizens, making it challenging to plan and execute an escape.

Punishment for escape attempts: Individuals caught attempting to escape North Korea can face harsh punishments, including detention in forced labor camps or execution.
North Korea in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult country to escape from
5

8
votes
Israel

With a highly trained military and advanced technology, Israel has proven to be a difficult country to invade. Its strategic location and history of conflict have also made it a challenging target.
Israel is a modern and highly developed country located in the Middle East, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. It is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and significant contributions in various fields such as technology, innovation, science, and agriculture.

Capital: Jerusalem

Official Language: Hebrew

Population: Approximately 9 million

Government: Parliamentary republic

Religions: Judaism, Islam, Christianity
6

20
votes
Iran

With a large and well-equipped military, Iran is not an easy country to invade. Its mountainous terrain and history of repelling invaders also make it a challenging target.
The flag of Iran, also known as the Iranian Flag, features three horizontal bands of green, white, and red. In the middle and slightly towards the hoist side of the white band, there is a stylized emblem of the country. The green band represents Islam, the white band symbolizes peace and spirituality, and the red band signifies bravery and courage.

Proportions: 4:7

Colors: Green, White, Red

Emblem: Stylized coat of arms containing a representation of a sword, cogwheel, and a Persian rug

Green Band: Represents Islam and the Persian cult of nature

White Band: Symbolizes peace, purity, and spirituality
7

10
votes
Mongolia

With its vast, sparsely populated territory and harsh climate, Mongolia is a difficult country to invade. Its nomadic culture and history of repelling invaders also make it a challenging target.
Mongolia is a landlocked country located in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east, and west. It is known for its vast and rugged landscape, including the Gobi Desert and the Mongolian Steppe. The country has a rich history and is often associated with the Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan. With its harsh climate, vast distances, and strong cultural identity, Mongolia has proven to be a challenging country to invade throughout history.

Terrain: Vast and rugged landscape, including deserts, mountains, and grasslands.

Climate: Extreme continental climate, with harsh winters and hot summers.

Geography: Landlocked country, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east, and west.

Military Tactics: Historically skilled in horseback warfare and guerrilla tactics.

Nomadic Culture: Strong nomadic traditions, allowing for quick mobility and adaptability.
8

16
votes

Canada

With its vast, rugged terrain and highly trained military, Canada is not an easy country to invade. Its proximity to the United States and shared border also make it a challenging target.
9

9
votes
Australia

With its isolated location, vast desert, and highly trained military, Australia is a difficult country to invade. Its naval power and shared intelligence with other countries also make it a challenging target.
Australia is a stunning continent located in the southern hemisphere. It is known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, unique wildlife, and vibrant Aboriginal culture. From vast deserts and golden beaches to lush rainforests and iconic landmarks, Australia offers a diverse array of natural wonders and tourist attractions. The continent is home to several famous landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and the Twelve Apostles. With its laid-back lifestyle, friendly people, and fantastic culinary scene, Australia has become a popular travel destination for adventurers and nature enthusiasts worldwide.

Landscapes: Deserts, beaches, rainforests

Location: Southern Hemisphere

Biodiversity: Rich and diverse flora and fauna

Wildlife: Unique and fascinating species

Aboriginal Culture: Vibrant and ancient indigenous heritage
10

-1
votes
Bhutan

With its mountainous terrain and strong sense of national identity, Bhutan is a difficult country to invade. Its strict immigration policies and fortified borders also make it a challenging target.
Bhutan, also known as the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country located in the Eastern Himalayas of South Asia. Renowned for its natural beauty, Bhutan is often referred to as the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon.' With its breathtaking landscapes, including towering mountains, lush valleys, and pristine forests, Bhutan offers a truly magical and untouched experience to visitors.

Capital: Thimphu

Official Language: Dzongkha

Government: Constitutional monarchy

Monarch: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Currency: Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)

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Ranking factors for difficult country

Geography

The physical layout of a country, such as its size, terrain, natural barriers, and climate, can significantly impact the ease with which it can be invaded. Mountain ranges, deserts, swamps, and coastlines can all present challenges to an invading force, while a landlocked country or an archipelago can pose additional logistical challenges.
Border security

The strength of a country's border defenses, such as its military presence, surveillance capabilities, and physical barriers, can discourage or impede invasions.
Diplomatic relations

A country's alliances, treaties, and diplomatic relations can help deter potential invading forces. A united front of allied nations can make invasion more difficult, while strong diplomatic ties can encourage other countries to come to the nation's aid in the event of an invasion.
National defense capabilities

The overall strength of a country's military, including its personnel, equipment, and technology, plays a crucial role in determining how difficult it is to invade. A well-equipped, well-trained, and well-funded military can make the prospect of invasion much less appealing to potential adversaries.
Infrastructure

The quality and extent of a country's transportation infrastructure can affect the ease of invasion. Road, rail, and air networks may be critical for an invading force to move personnel and equipment, while communication and power networks can serve as targets for sabotage or attack.
Population size and density

A larger and more geographically dispersed population can make occupation more difficult. Additionally, a higher population density, especially in urban areas, might prove to be a challenge for any invading force.
National resiliency and resistance

Some countries have a history of strong national identity and resistance to foreign occupation. This might make it more difficult for a foreign power to establish control, even if they have managed to invade successfully.
Economic strength

A strong economy can help fund efficient defenses and equipping military forces to deter invasions. A robust economy can also attract support from allied countries in times of crisis.
Intelligence capabilities

A country's intelligence capabilities, including the ability to gather and analyze information about potential threats, can play a role in preventing or repelling invasions.
Public opinion and support

A nation's public support for its government and military can affect the ease of invasion. Countries with strong public support for their government and military may be more difficult to invade, as the citizenry may be more likely to rally and resist a foreign presence.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult country to invade. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or nation is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

3531 views
178 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each nation once every 24 hours. The rank of each nation is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most difficult country to invade

Background Information: What Makes a Country Difficult to Invade? Throughout history, there have been numerous attempts to invade and conquer different countries. Some have been successful, while others have failed. However, there are certain countries that have proven to be particularly difficult to invade. There are several factors that make a country difficult to invade. One of the most important factors is geography. Countries with rugged terrain, such as mountains or dense forests, are much harder to conquer than those with flat landscapes. Such terrain makes it difficult for enemy troops to move around and navigate. Another significant factor is the size of a country. The larger a country, the more difficult it is to conquer. This is because it requires a larger military force to control the vast area, which is often difficult to sustain. The presence of natural barriers, such as rivers, deserts, or oceans, also makes it challenging for an invading force to penetrate and conquer a country. This is because such barriers provide a natural defense against enemy troops. Finally, a country's military strength and preparedness also play a crucial role in determining its vulnerability to invasion. A strong military force with modern weapons and technology can deter potential invaders and defend the country's borders effectively. Considering these factors, there are several countries that have proven to be extremely difficult to invade throughout history. These countries include Afghanistan, Russia, Switzerland, and Japan.