With 196 countries on our glorious planet, it's no wonder that there are so many different kinds of leaders all over the world. Some of us have presidents, others have prime ministers, and many more have kings, queens, or sultans.
Blame it on Disney or just our global fascination with royalty in general, but there's no doubt that the world's monarchies have the ability to spark some serious interest… especially for those of us who have never lived under the rule of someone who we refer to as "His Majesty." And really, when you look at the lives of some of history's most iconic princesses, it's no wonder we tend to glamorize the lives of royal leaders!
Whether you love or hate the idea of living under a monarchy (or feel like you'd need to travel the world for three years like this guy did in order to see for yourself), there's no denying that it would be pretty interesting to live under a system of government that is so different from our own. For many people around the world, though, it's just everyday life! Check out these monarchies that exist all around the world and see if you recognize their leaders. A visit to number 11 is definitely on my bucket list!
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1. Brunei (Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah)
This small country has a population of less than 500,000. According to legend, it got its name from its founder and discoverer, Awang Alak Betatar, who exclaimed, "Baru nah" (meaning "That's it!") upon seeing it. From there, the word "Brunei" slowly evolved.
2, Japan (Emperor Akihito)
Japan is one of the most densely population countries on the entire planet — up to 73 percent of the nation is made up of either forests or mountains, so most of its residents live in coastal areas. Unfortunately, Japan also has the highest natural disaster risk of all developed nations, largely in part to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
3. Norway (King Harald V)
Once home to viking settlers, Norway is now a nation with impressive levels of biodiversity. Some of their most incredible creatures include the massive sperm whale, which swims in the waters that border the country, and the polar bear.
4. Denmark (Queen Margrethe II)
If you're feeling down, you might want to consider moving to Denmark. This nation frequently ranks as the happiest country in the world, with the highest per-capita income, the highest social mobility, and impressive levels of income equality.
5. Bahrain (King Hamad ibn Isa)
Bahrain was one of the first nations to convert to Islam, and more recently, it's also set a precedent for being the first country in the Persian Gulf to move away from an oil-dependent economy; today, the country's banking and tourism industries are helping it to thrive.
6. Luxembourg (Grand Duke Henri)
While most countries only have one official language (and the United States doesn't have one at all), Luxembourg has three. German, French, and Luxembourgish are all official languages of the nation, so it's no surprise that most of its citizens are tri-lingual.
7. Qatar (Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani)
The richest country in the world has its plentiful oil and gas supplies for its success. Qatar will become the first Arab country in history to host the FIFA World Cup when it comes to the nation in 2022.
8. Belgium (King Philippe)
Like Luxembourg, Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. The nation's citizens are also known for their excellent health, and the average life expectancy is 80 years — slightly higher than that of the United States.
9. United Kingdom (Queen Elizabeth II)
The U.K. is definitely considered to be a global powerhouse. It has the world's fifth largest economy and ranks 14th in the Human Development Index. Its monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is also considered the official monarch of many other nations, including Canada and Australia, though many of the countries she had previously reigned over are now independent from England.
10. Thailand (King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX)
Up to 95 percent of Thailand's population practices Buddhism, and the country is well known for its ancient and beautiful monasteries. Millions of people travel to the nation every year, making tourism (along with manufacturing and agriculture) one of Thailand's leading industries.
11. Spain (King Felipe VI)
The fourth largest country in Europe can be credited for the 500 million people around the world who speak Spanish as their first language, making it the second most popular first language on the globe. It's also home to Mount Teide, which is the third largest volcano on a volcanic ocean island in the world.
12. Vatican City (Pope Francis)
This tiny state has an area of 110 acres and a population of less then 850 people, making it the smallest independent state in the entire world. The Pope himself governs the area with the assistance of his Cardinals, which gives the Vatican City a very unique system of government.
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