The first country to be known in history is a matter of debate, as there is no single definition of what constitutes a "country". However, some of the earliest civilizations that are considered to be countries include:

• Sumer: The Sumerian civilization was located in what is now southern Iraq, and is considered to be one of the earliest civilizations in the world. The Sumerians developed a complex writing system, and their culture had a significant impact on later civilizations in the region.
• Egypt: The Egyptian civilization was located in the Nile River Valley, and is one of the most well-known ancient civilizations. The Egyptians developed a sophisticated system of government, and their culture produced some of the most famous works of art and architecture in the world.

• Mesopotamia: The Mesopotamian civilization was located in what is now Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, and is considered to be the "cradle of civilization". The Mesopotamians developed a number of important innovations, including writing, mathematics, and the wheel.
• India: The Indus Valley Civilization was located in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India, and is one of the earliest civilizations in the world. The Indus Valley Civilization was a highly developed urban civilization, and its cities were some of the largest in the world at the time.
• China: The Chinese civilization is one of the oldest continuous civilizations in the world, and its history can be traced back over 5,000 years. The Chinese have made significant contributions to a wide range of fields, including art, literature, science, and technology.

These are just a few of the earliest civilizations that are considered to be countries. The exact definition of what constitutes a "country" is a matter of debate, but these civilizations all played an important role in the development of human history.

It is worth noting that the concept of a "country" as we know it today did not exist in the ancient world. The early civilizations that are considered to be countries were more like city-states, and they often had fluid borders. However, these civilizations all had a sense of shared identity and culture, and they played an important role in the development of the modern world.