Countries That Start with D: Discover All About 5 Nations

There are exactly five sovereign countries that start with D letter in English pronunciation or spelling, this sound appears in 1,376 languages, representing 46% of all languages included in the Phoible.org database. If you’re exploring global naming patterns, these countries are just a small part of the broader Countries List A to Z.

In English alone, the /d/ sound can be found in roughly 4.32% of the total word count. The origins of these country names, however, stem from much deeper stories tied to regional histories, indigenous populations, and political developments.

🌍 Countries That Start with D in the World

🌎 Know the Continents of Countries that Start with D

While the letter “D” might seem underrepresented, the countries that carry it offer powerful stories, strategic locations, and cultural richness.

Here is the full list of countries beginning with the letter D:

1. Democratic Republic of the Congo
2. Denmark
3. Djibouti
4. Dominica
5. Dominican Republic

Each of these countries is recognized internationally and belongs to different regions of the world. Let’s explore them by continent.

1. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

• Location: Central Africa
• Population: Approximately 113 million
• Capital: Kinshasa
• Official Language: French
• Other Languages: Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba

Overview:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second-largest country in Africa by land area and the most populous French-speaking country in the world. It has vast natural resources, including cobalt and copper, as well as the mighty Congo River and rainforest. Despite its potential, the DRC faces ongoing challenges related to conflict, infrastructure, and governance.

2. Djibouti

• Location: Horn of Africa
• Population: Around 1.2 million
• Capital: Djibouti City
• Official Languages: French and Arabic
• Other Languages: Somali, Afar

Overview:
Djibouti is located near one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes at the junction of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It is known for its salt lakes, desert plateaus, and volcanic terrain. Lake Assal is Africa’s lowest point, and the country is a key location for international military bases and logistics hubs.

🇪🇺 Countries That Start with D in Europe

3. Denmark

• Location: Northern Europe (Scandinavia)
• Population: Approximately 6 million
• Capital: Copenhagen
• Language: Danish

Overview:
Denmark is a Scandinavian country consisting of the Jutland Peninsula and over 400 islands. It’s widely known for high living standards, environmental sustainability, and its unique cultural concept of “hygge” (coziness). Denmark frequently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world and boasts a strong welfare system, progressive policies, and a rich Viking history.

🌴 Countries That Start with D in the Caribbean

4. Dominica

• Location: Lesser Antilles, Caribbean
• Population: About 72,000
• Capital: Roseau
• Official Language: English
• Other Language: Dominican Creole French

Overview:
Known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” Dominica features volcanic peaks, rainforests, hot springs, and rare wildlife. Boiling Lake, one of the world’s largest hot springs, and Morne Trois Pitons National Park make it an ecotourism haven. Dominica remains a lesser-traveled but deeply rewarding destination for nature lovers.

5. Dominican Republic

• Location: Caribbean (Eastern Hispaniola)
• Population: Approximately 11.5 million
• Capital: Santo Domingo
• Official Language: Spanish

Overview:
Sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, the Dominican Republic is one of the Caribbean’s most visited destinations. Santo Domingo is the oldest European-established city in the Americas. Known for white-sand beaches, colonial history, vibrant dance music (like merengue and bachata), and rapidly growing tourism and infrastructure sectors, the country balances heritage with modern leisure.

🗺️ Are There Any Countries That Start with D in Asia or South America?

As of now, there are no countries starting with the letter D in Asia or South America.

Despite some confusion from historical names or territories (such as the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” for North Korea), these do not begin with “D” in their official short-form name and are not included in English alphabetical lists.

🌐 Countries That Start with D in Spanish and French

Many people search for country names in other languages. Here’s how the countries beginning with D are named in Spanish and French:

In Spanish:

• República Democrática del Congo (DRC)
• Dinamarca (Denmark)
• Djibouti
• Dominica
• República Dominicana (Dominican Republic)

In French:

• République démocratique du Congo
• Danemark
• Djibouti
• Dominique (Dominica)
• République dominicaine (Dominican Republic)

These translations can vary slightly but remain close to their English counterparts, especially in international contexts.

🏳️ Flags of Countries That Start with D

Flags offer insight into each country’s identity. Here’s a quick look:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo: Blue field, yellow star in the top left, and a diagonal red stripe with yellow borders.
• Denmark: Red background with a white Scandinavian cross; the oldest national flag in the world still in use.
• Djibouti: Two horizontal bands (light blue and green), a white triangle on the left with a red star.
• Dominica: Green field, a cross of three stripes (yellow, black, white), and a Sisserou Parrot emblem.
• Dominican Republic: Red and blue quarters divided by a white cross, with the national coat of arms in the center.

This table helps visualize the diversity of the “D” countries across different regions.

Countries with Names Ending in “D”

Only a handful of countries in English have names that conclude with the letter “D”. Here’s a shuffled look at these unique names:

• Switzerland
• Chad
• New Zealand
• Thailand
• Finland
• Poland
• Ireland
• Iceland

🧳 Why This List Is Useful?

Whether you’re studying geography, preparing for a quiz, teaching children, or just feeding your curiosity, knowing countries by alphabetical order is a great mental map builder. This list is also useful for:

• Travelers researching by region
• Multilingual naming accuracy
• Memorizing country flags
• Understanding geographic distribution by continent
• Creating educational materials or trivia

✨ Final Thoughts

Although only a handful of countries start with the letter D, they pack a global punch. From Denmark’s legendary happiness to the Congo’s ecological treasures and the Dominican Republic’s beachside culture, these five nations are each worth learning about.

To recap:

• There are 5 countries that start with D
• They span 3 continents
• Each has a distinct culture, language, and geography
• None are in Asia or South America
• They include famous flags, Caribbean islands, African giants, and European pioneers

This makes “D” an alphabetically small club—but a fascinating one.

🧠 Fun Facts & FAQs

Q: How many countries in the world start with the letter D?

A: There are five countries.

Q: Are there any countries starting with D in Asia or South America?

A: No. All five “D” countries are in Africa, Europe, or the Caribbean.

Q: Which “D” country has the largest population?

A: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, with over 113 million people.

Q: Which “D” country is the most visited?

A: The Dominican Republic, which is a major Caribbean tourism hub.

Q: What is the oldest “D” country by national flag?

A: Denmark. Its flag dates back to the year 1219.

Daniel

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