Former countries are nations that once existed as independent states but have since been dissolved, merged, or transformed into new political entities. Examples include the Soviet Union, which broke apart in 1991 into 15 independent countries, and Yugoslavia, which fragmented in the 1990s into several nations, including Croatia and Serbia. These changes often result from various factors such as political upheaval, war, or changes in governance. The dissolution of former countries can lead to significant cultural and social shifts, as populations adapt to new national identities and borders. Understanding these historical transformations helps to grasp current global dynamics.