All 26 Countries That Start With S

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a small Caribbean nation made up of two islands. The country takes its name from Saint Christopher (Saint Kitts) and the nearby island of Nevis.

It is the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere by both area and population.

Saint Lucia is an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is one of the few countries in the world named after a woman, Saint Lucy.

The island is known for its volcanic landscapes, including the famous Pitons.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a Caribbean nation consisting of the main island of Saint Vincent and a chain of smaller islands.

Its long name encapsulates both its largest island and the surrounding Grenadine islands.

Samoa is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. The name Samoa is believed to mean “sacred center” in the Samoan language.

It is known for its strong cultural traditions and Polynesian heritage.

San Marino is a tiny landlocked country surrounded by Italy. It is one of the world’s oldest republics, dating back to the fourth century, according to tradition.

The country is named after Saint Marinus, a Christian stonemason.

Sao Tome and Principe is an island nation off the west coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea. Its name comes from two main islands discovered by Portuguese explorers.

It is one of Africa’s smallest countries.

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest countries that start with the letter S. Located in the Middle East, the nation is notable for having coastlines on both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

The country's name comes from the ruling Saud family. Saudi Arabia sits at the center of the Arabian Peninsula and plays a major political and economic role in the region.

Senegal is a West African country named after the Senegal River, which forms part of its northern border. It is known for a stable political system and vibrant cultural traditions.

Serbia is a landlocked country in southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. Its name comes from the Serbs, a South Slavic ethnic group.

The country has a rich history shaped by empires and regional conflicts.

Seychelles is an island nation in the Indian Ocean made up of over 100 islands. The name honors a French finance minister, Jean Moreau de Séchelles.

It is known for its beaches, coral reefs, and biodiversity.

Sierra Leone is located on the west coast of Africa. Its name, meaning “Lion Mountains,” was given by Portuguese explorers.

The country has a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.

Singapore is a small but influential city-state in Southeast Asia. The name comes from Sanskrit words where “simha” means lion and “pura” means city.

Despite its small land area, Singapore has developed into one of the world's major financial and shipping hubs.

Slovakia is a landlocked nation in central Europe. The country's name is linked to the Slavic peoples who historically lived in the region.

It formed as an independent country in 1993 after the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia.

Slovenia sits between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea in central Europe. Like Slovakia, its name is also linked to the Slavic people and means “Land of the Slavs.”

The country gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.

The Solomon Islands are located in Oceania and consist of nearly 1,000 islands scattered across the Pacific Ocean. The archipelago acquired its name from rumors that it might contain the biblical King Solomon's legendary gold.

The islands later became an important battlefield during the Second World War in the Pacific theater.

Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa along the Indian Ocean. Its name is derived from the Somali people who inhabit the region.

The country has one of the longest coastlines in Africa.

South Africa sits at the southern tip of the African continent. Its name reflects its geographic position on the southern edge of Africa.

It is one of several African countries that start with S along with Sudan, South Sudan, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Sao Tome and Principe.

South Korea is a technologically advanced nation in East Asia. Its name traces back to the historical kingdom of Goryeo, which later evolved into the modern name Korea.

The country became a major global economic power in the decades following the Korean War.

South Sudan became an independent country in 2011 after separating from Sudan. It is one of the world’s newest sovereign states.

Spain lies in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The name comes from the Roman term “Hispania,” which referred to the peninsula during the era of the Roman Empire.

Today Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe and has coastlines along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Sri Lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean south of India. The name Sri Lanka means “resplendent island.”

Its location has made it an important crossroads for trade routes across Asia for centuries.

Sudan is a large country in northeast Africa. The country once formed part of a larger state before South Sudan became an independent nation in 2011.

Suriname is the only country in South America whose name starts with the letter S. The country's name comes from the Surinen people who lived in the region before European colonization.

It lies on the northern coast of the continent along the Atlantic Ocean.

Sweden is a Scandinavian country in northern Europe. Its name comes from the Swedes, a North Germanic people.

It is known for its high standard of living and extensive social welfare system.

Switzerland is a landlocked country in central Europe known for its Alps and neutrality. Its name comes from the canton of Schwyz, one of its founding regions.

The country has four official languages and a long tradition of political stability.

Syria is located in the Middle East along the eastern Mediterranean. The origin of its name is often linked to the ancient region of Assyria.

It has been a crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.