In most cases, only countries that are close in proximity to each other share many characteristics. However, there are some unique pairs of countries that are quite similar, yet they are far distant from each other. A list of these countries was developed by analyzing the data from the Country Similarity Index, which weighs equally five major aspects of countries: their demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography. The following five pairs of countries were found to be the most similar countries with capitals that are at least 5,000 km away from each other.
NEW ZEALAND-UNITED KINGDOM – 76.4
Distance: 18,815 km
Despite being located on opposite sides of the globe, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have a huge amount in common. New Zealand was once a British colony. The two countries still even share a monarch. As a result, both countries have English as their official language. Most of their people have European ancestry. They are also mostly Christian, although they are not especially religious. Furthermore, they have a high standard of living and their infrastructure is well developed. Both countries drive on the left side of the road. In addition, both countries are islands with temperate climates.
MAURITANIA-SUDAN – 76.4
Distance: 5,156 km
Although both Mauritania and Sudan are located in Northern Africa, their capitals are still quite far away from each other. One is located on the Atlantic Ocean, while the other is located on the Nile River. Arabic is the official language in both countries. The vast majority of their people are Muslims as well. In addition, both countries have a hot and dry climate, since they are located in the Sahara Desert. Their governments are similar as well. They both have experienced periods of authoritarian rule in their recent history. Military coups and autocratic leaders have shaped their political landscapes.
AUSTRALIA – UNITED KINGDOM (74.8)
Distance: 16,982 km
Australia and United Kingdom are located on different continents on opposite sides of the globe. However, since Australia was once a British colony, they have a lot in common as well. Both countries have English as their official language. They are also mostly Christian, although they are not especially religious. Furthermore, they have a high standard of living and their infrastructure is well developed. Both countries drive on the left side of the road. In addition, Australia and United Kingdom both have parliamentary governments with bicameral legislatures. They also have similar laws.
GUINEA-BISSAU – MOZAMBIQUE (74.5)
Distance: 6,695 km
Although Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique are both in Africa, they are on opposite sides of the large continent. Guinea-Bissau borders the Atlantic Ocean, while Mozambique borders the Indian Ocean. Despite their distance, they have a lot in common. They both have tropical climates. Portuguese is the official language in both countries since they were once colonized by Portugal. Furthermore, they are religiously diverse. Both countries have many Muslims and Christians. Moreover, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique face significant socioeconomic challenges, including poverty and the need for infrastructure development.
ARGENTINA – MEXICO (74.4)
Distance: 7,393 km
Argentina is in South America, while Mexico is located in North America. These countries share historical and cultural ties due to their shared colonial past under Spanish rule. Consequently, most of their people natively speak Spanish and are Catholic. Moreover, both countries are democracies with progressive laws. Their governments allow same sex marriage and do not allow capital punishment. In addition, these nations boast diverse geographical landscapes. While much of the land in both countries is relatively dry, they also feature abundant coastlines and mountainous regions that contribute to their natural beauty.
