With a footprint that spans every inhabited continent, the Commonwealth of Nations is one of the most expansive and culturally diverse political associations in the world. Comprising 56 countries and representing over 2.5 billion people, or nearly one-third of the global population, the Commonwealth remains a powerful force in shaping 21st-century multilateral diplomacy and development. From small island states like Tuvalu and Dominica to major economies such as India, Canada, and Australia, the Commonwealth includes countries of vastly different sizes, geographies, and histories.