If you are looking for countries that start with E, there are eight sovereign United Nations member states whose standard English names begin with the letter E:
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
These eight countries stretch across Africa, Europe, South America, and Central America, making E one of the more geographically diverse letters in an alphabetical list of countries.
The current United Nations Member States directory lists all eight under the letter E.
There are eight countries that start with E: Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, and Ethiopia.
How Many Countries Start With E?
There are 8 countries beginning with E when using the standard English names of current UN member states.
| # | Country | Capital | Region | ISO Codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecuador | Quito | South America | EC / ECU |
| 2 | Egypt | Cairo | Northern Africa | EG / EGY |
| 3 | El Salvador | San Salvador | Central America | SV / SLV |
| 4 | Equatorial Guinea | Ciudad de la Paz | Middle Africa | GQ / GNQ |
| 5 | Eritrea | Asmara | Eastern Africa | ER / ERI |
| 6 | Estonia | Tallinn | Northern Europe | EE / EST |
| 7 | Eswatini | Mbabane* | Southern Africa | SZ / SWZ |
| 8 | Ethiopia | Addis Ababa | Eastern Africa | ET / ETH |
*Mbabane is Eswatini’s administrative capital, while Lobamba serves as its legislative capital. The United Nations Statistics Division records this distinction.
Countries That Start With E by Continent
Africa accounts for most of the countries beginning with E.
| Continent / Region | Number | Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 5 | Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia |
| Americas | 2 | Ecuador, El Salvador |
| Europe | 1 | Estonia |
| Asia | 0 | None |
| Oceania | 0 | None |
So five of the eight E countries are in Africa.
Ecuador and El Salvador are in the Americas, while Estonia is the only European country beginning with E.
Is E an Unusual First Letter for Country Names?
E is more common than some letters but still produces a relatively short country list.
For comparison, there are no sovereign UN member countries that start with W, while countries that start with O gives just one answer: Oman.
The letter D presents a different challenge because formal naming conventions can affect the total. Our guide to countries that start with D explains why different alphabetical systems can produce different answers.
With E, the list is much clearer:
Eight current UN member states begin with E.
1. Ecuador
Ecuador is a South American country on the Pacific coast. Its capital is Quito, and its ISO codes are EC and ECU.
The United Nations geographical names database lists the formal English name as the Republic of Ecuador and places the country in South America.
Ecuador borders Colombia and Peru and also includes the internationally famous Galápagos Islands, located roughly 1,000 kilometers west of mainland South America.
Why Is Ecuador Called Ecuador?
The country’s name is closely connected with its geographic position.
Ecuador is the Spanish word for equator, and the equator passes through the country.
That gives Ecuador one of the most geographically descriptive country names in the world.
A Short History of Ecuador
The territory of modern Ecuador was home to Indigenous societies long before European colonization and later became incorporated into the Inca world.
Spanish forces arrived during the 16th century.
Quito became an important colonial city. UNESCO’s Historic Centre of Quito profile states that the Spanish-founded city was established in 1534 on the ruins of an Inca city and today preserves one of the best-known historic centers in Latin America.
The region later participated in the South American independence movements of the early 19th century and became part of Gran Colombia before emerging as the Republic of Ecuador in 1830.
Ecuador’s Remarkable Geography
Few countries combine as many dramatically different environments within a relatively compact territory.
- Pacific beaches
- Andean mountains
- Volcanoes
- Amazon rainforest
- High-altitude cities
- The Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos are especially important in the history of science.
According to UNESCO’s Galápagos Islands profile, the archipelago is an exceptional location for observing evolutionary processes. Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1835, and his observations later contributed to the development of his ideas about evolution by natural selection.
2. Egypt
Egypt is a transcontinental country centered in northeastern Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula extending into Asia.
Its capital is Cairo.
The United Nations geographical names database classifies Egypt within Northern Africa and records its formal English name as the Arab Republic of Egypt.
A Short History of Egypt
Egypt contains one of the world’s best-known ancient civilizations.
The Nile Valley supported organized communities and increasingly powerful kingdoms over thousands of years. Ancient Egyptian civilization developed monumental architecture, writing systems, complex administration, long-distance trade networks, religious institutions, and royal dynasties whose influence remains visible today.
One of the most important ancient centers was Memphis.
UNESCO describes Memphis as the first capital of a politically unified ancient Egypt and traditionally associates its foundation with around 3000 BCE.
Its vast archaeological landscape includes:
- the pyramids of Giza
- the Great Sphinx
- Saqqara
- Dahshur
- royal and elite tombs
- early monumental stone structures
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only surviving monument from the traditional Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Egypt Beyond the Pyramids
Egypt’s history continued through Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Ottoman, and modern political periods.
Cairo eventually developed into one of the major political and cultural centers of the Arab world.
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre currently lists seven World Heritage properties in Egypt.
3. El Salvador
El Salvador is a country in Central America.
Its capital is San Salvador, and its ISO codes are SV and SLV.
The United Nations geographical names database records the formal English name as the Republic of El Salvador.
What Does El Salvador Mean?
The name El Salvador is Spanish for “The Savior.”
It is unusual among country names because the standard English form keeps the Spanish article El.
That means El Salvador genuinely belongs under E in an alphabetical country list.
A Short History of El Salvador
The region was home to Indigenous societies long before Spanish colonization.
An extraordinary glimpse of everyday pre-Hispanic life survives at Joya de Cerén.
UNESCO describes the site as a farming community buried by volcanic ash around the sixth or seventh century AD. The eruption preserved buildings, agricultural areas, artifacts, and organic materials in unusual detail.
The territory later became part of Spain’s colonial administration in Central America.
El Salvador traces its independence history to September 15, 1821, when Central America declared independence from Spain.
El Salvador and Volcanoes
Volcanic activity has played an important role in the country’s physical and human geography.
The same geological forces that created fertile soils and striking landscapes have also produced destructive eruptions.
Joya de Cerén offers perhaps the clearest archaeological example of how volcanic activity affected communities living in the region centuries ago.
4. Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is a Central African country consisting of a mainland region and several islands.
The United Nations places it in Middle Africa, and its ISO codes are GQ and GNQ.
The UN geographical names database records its formal English name as the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
What Is the Capital of Equatorial Guinea in 2026?
As of 2026, the official capital of Equatorial Guinea is Ciudad de la Paz.
This is a very recent change.
On January 2, 2026, the Government of Equatorial Guinea issued a decree formally declaring Ciudad de la Paz the national capital and replacing Malabo.
The official announcement can be read through Equatorial Guinea’s government information service.
2026 Update: Older geography books and websites may still show Malabo as the capital. The official capital is now Ciudad de la Paz.
Geography of Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is geographically unusual because its territory is divided between mainland Africa and offshore islands.
The World Bank describes the country as including mainland Río Muni and islands such as Bioko and Annobón.
Malabo, the former capital, is located on Bioko Island. Ciudad de la Paz is located on the continental mainland.
A Short History of Equatorial Guinea
The territory came under Spanish colonial rule.
United Nations decolonization records identify the former Spanish territories of Fernando Póo and Río Muni as gaining independence as Equatorial Guinea in 1968.
The country joined the United Nations on November 12, 1968.
The 2026 capital relocation therefore represents one of the most significant geographic and administrative changes in the country’s modern history.
5. Eritrea
Eritrea is an East African country along the Red Sea.
Its capital is Asmara.
The United Nations geographical names database classifies Eritrea within Eastern Africa and records its ISO codes as ER and ERI.
A Short History of Eritrea
Eritrea’s position on the Red Sea placed the region near ancient maritime and overland trade routes connecting northeastern Africa, Arabia, and the wider Indian Ocean world.
Its modern borders were strongly shaped during the colonial era.
Italy established colonial rule during the late 19th century.
The architectural legacy of that period remains especially visible in Asmara.
UNESCO explains that Asmara developed from the 1890s as an Italian colonial military outpost and underwent extensive urban development during the following decades.
After a long and complex 20th-century history, Eritrea achieved independence in 1993.
The United Nations General Assembly admitted Eritrea as a member on May 28, 1993.
Why Is Asmara a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Asmara is one of Africa’s most unusual architectural capitals.
Its streets preserve examples of Modernist, Rationalist, Futurist, and other early 20th-century architectural styles.
UNESCO inscribed Asmara: A Modernist African City on the World Heritage List in 2017.
6. Estonia
Estonia is a Northern European country on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.
Its capital is Tallinn, and its ISO codes are EE and EST.
The United Nations geographical names database lists its formal English name as the Republic of Estonia.
A Short History of Estonia
Estonia’s location on the Baltic Sea placed it within important northern European trade networks for centuries.
Its territory came under several different political powers over time.
Estonia declared itself an independent democratic republic on February 24, 1918.
The original text of the declaration is preserved by the Office of the President of Estonia.
Estonia’s sovereignty was interrupted during the political upheavals surrounding the Second World War and the Soviet period.
The country restored its independence on August 20, 1991.
Estonia joined the United Nations on September 17, 1991.
Tallinn’s Medieval Heritage
Tallinn is particularly famous for its historic Old Town.
UNESCO describes Tallinn as an exceptionally well-preserved medieval northern European trading city that became an important center of the Hanseatic League.
7. Eswatini
Eswatini is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa.
Its formal English name is the Kingdom of Eswatini, and its ISO codes are SZ and SWZ.
The United Nations geographical names database classifies it within Southern Africa.
The country is almost completely surrounded by South Africa, with Mozambique along part of its eastern border.
Was Eswatini Previously Called Swaziland?
Yes.
This is one reason older alphabetical country lists may show only seven countries beginning with E.
Until 2018, the country’s internationally used English name was Swaziland.
The United Nations records that the official name changed from the Kingdom of Swaziland to the Kingdom of Eswatini, effective April 19, 2018.
Therefore:
- Older lists: Swaziland appeared under S
- Current lists: Eswatini appears under E
This change increased the modern E-country total from seven to eight.
What Is the Capital of Eswatini?
Eswatini has an unusual capital arrangement.
Mbabane is the administrative capital, while Lobamba is the legislative and royal capital.
A Short History of Eswatini
Eswatini’s monarchy and traditional political structures have deep roots in Swazi history.
The country became independent in September 1968.
The Parliament of Eswatini states that the country became a constitutional monarchy at independence under King Sobhuza II.
Ancient Mining in Eswatini
One of the country’s most fascinating archaeological areas is Ngwenya Mine.
UNESCO’s Tentative List describes evidence of extremely early mining activity at Ngwenya, including the extraction of red ochre and other minerals.
8. Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a major country in the Horn of Africa.
Its capital is Addis Ababa.
The United Nations geographical names database classifies Ethiopia within Eastern Africa and records its formal English name as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
A Short History of Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s recorded history stretches back thousands of years.
Several powerful civilizations developed in the region, including the Kingdom of Aksum.
UNESCO describes Aksum as the center of a major civilization positioned between Africa, Arabia, and the wider ancient world.
Surviving monuments include:
- enormous stone stelae
- royal tombs
- ancient inscriptions
- archaeological remains
- ruined palaces
Ethiopia and the United Nations
Ethiopia was one of the founding members of the United Nations.
The United Nations in Ethiopia identifies the country as a founding member of the organization.
Addis Ababa is also a major center of African diplomacy and hosts the headquarters of the African Union.
Ethiopia’s UNESCO Heritage
Ethiopia has one of the richest concentrations of World Heritage properties in Africa.
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre currently lists 12 World Heritage properties in Ethiopia.
They include:
- Aksum
- Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
- Simien National Park
- Fasil Ghebbi
- Lower Valley of the Awash
- Lower Valley of the Omo
- Tiya
- Harar Jugol
- Konso Cultural Landscape
- Gedeo Cultural Landscape
- Bale Mountains National Park
- Melka Kunture and Balchit
Which Countries That Start With E Are in Africa?
There are five African countries that start with E:
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
They are distributed across several African regions.
| Country | UN Region |
|---|---|
| Egypt | Northern Africa |
| Equatorial Guinea | Middle Africa |
| Eritrea | Eastern Africa |
| Eswatini | Southern Africa |
| Ethiopia | Eastern Africa |
Which Countries That Start With E Are in the Americas?
Two countries beginning with E are in the Americas:
- Ecuador in South America
- El Salvador in Central America
Despite both having Spanish as their dominant national language and histories connected with Spanish colonial rule, their landscapes are very different.
Ecuador stretches from the Pacific coast through the Andes and into the Amazon basin, while also including the Galápagos Islands.
El Salvador is much smaller and is strongly shaped by volcanic landscapes.
Which European Country Starts With E?
Estonia is the only sovereign European country whose standard English name starts with E.
It lies in Northern Europe on the Baltic Sea.
Are There Any Asian Countries That Start With E?
No current UN member state in Asia has a standard English short name beginning with E.
However, one familiar name often causes confusion.
Does East Timor Count as a Country That Starts With E?
Not in the standard UN alphabetical list.
The country commonly called East Timor in English is officially listed internationally as Timor-Leste.
The United Nations geographical names database records its English short name as Timor-Leste and its formal English name as the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.
Therefore, it is alphabetized under T, not E.
Key distinction: East Timor is a commonly understood alternative name, but Timor-Leste is the standard international English short name, so it is not counted among countries beginning with E.
Why Did the Number of E Countries Change in 2018?
Because Swaziland became Eswatini.
Before April 2018, alphabetical country lists normally placed the country under S.
After the official name change, it moved to E.
An older geography book may therefore list only seven E countries:
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
A current list should add Eswatini, bringing the total to eight.
Which Country Starting With E Has the Oldest Recorded History?
This question depends heavily on how “country” and “recorded history” are defined.
Egypt and Ethiopia both contain exceptionally important ancient civilizations.
Ancient Egyptian civilization developed along the Nile thousands of years ago, while the Ethiopian region contains deep archaeological records and later became home to the powerful Kingdom of Aksum.
It is more accurate to discuss the ancient civilizations within the territories of modern countries than to assume today’s national borders existed unchanged thousands of years ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eight sovereign UN member states begin with E: Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, and Ethiopia.
There are eight countries that start with E using the current standard English names of United Nations member states.
They are Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, and Ethiopia.
Five are in Africa: Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, and Ethiopia.
Estonia is the only European sovereign state beginning with E.
Ecuador is in South America, while El Salvador is in Central America.
No current UN member state in Asia has a standard English short name beginning with E. East Timor is officially listed as Timor-Leste and belongs under T.
No. Its internationally used English name was previously Swaziland. The official name changed to Eswatini in April 2018.
As of 2026, the official capital is Ciudad de la Paz. The capital was formally changed from Malabo in January 2026.
Mbabane is the administrative capital, while Lobamba is the legislative and royal capital.
Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands are part of Ecuador and lie roughly 1,000 kilometers west of mainland South America.
Final Remarks
There are eight sovereign United Nations member states whose standard English names begin with E:
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
Five are in Africa, two are in the Americas, and one is in Europe.
The list has changed in relatively recent history. Eswatini was internationally known as Swaziland until 2018, meaning older sources may show only seven E countries.
There is another important 2026 update: Equatorial Guinea’s official capital is now Ciudad de la Paz rather than Malabo.
And although East Timor appears to begin with E, the country’s standard international English name is Timor-Leste, so it belongs under T in an official alphabetical country list.
In one sentence: The eight countries that start with E are Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, and Ethiopia.
