Countries

The wizarding world is organized into distinct national communities, which generally coexist secretly within the geographical and political boundaries of Muggle nations. The fundamental law governing all wizarding countries is the International Statute of Secrecy, established by the International Confederation of Wizards in 1692. This statute mandates that the existence of magic and the wizarding community be concealed from the non-magical population, or Muggles. Each country with a substantial wizarding population typically has its own government to manage magical affairs, enforce laws, and maintain secrecy. The most common form of this government is a Ministry of Magic, such as the one in Great Britain. Other nations may have different names for their governing bodies, such as the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) (film). These national governments are represented in the International Confederation of Wizards, which functions as a global wizarding equivalent of the Muggle United Nations, dealing with international magical law and cooperation.

Relations between wizarding countries are managed through diplomacy, international law, and collaborative events.

• Cooperation: Events like the Triwizard Tournament and the Quidditch World Cup foster international cooperation and friendly rivalry. The Triwizard Tournament, in particular, was established to promote bonds between the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Great Britain), Beauxbatons Academy of Magic (France), and the Durmstrang Institute (Northern Europe). International conventions, such as the International Warlock Convention of 1709, are also held to address global magical issues.
• Conflicts and Legal Differences: Tensions can arise from differing national laws and historical events. For example, while Flying Carpets are a common form of transport in some Eastern countries, they are banned as a registrable Muggle artifact in Great Britain. Historically, the rise of the Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald in continental Europe presented a major international crisis that required a global response, preceding the two British-centric wars against Lord Voldemort.

The original novels are primarily set in Great Britain, but many other countries are mentioned or visited, revealing a vibrant and interconnected global wizarding society.

• Albania: A forest in this country served as a hiding place for the disembodied spirit of Lord Voldemort. It is also where Helena Ravenclaw (the Grey Lady) hid her mother's diadem and where Voldemort later murdered Bertha Jorkins.
• Brazil: Mentioned as the home of a wizarding school attended by Bill Weasley's pen-friend. This school is known as Castelobruxo (Pottermore).
• Bulgaria: Home to a national Quidditch team, which was the runner-up in the 1994 Quidditch World Cup. Its star Seeker, Viktor Krum, was a student at the Durmstrang Institute.
• Egypt: Bill Weasley worked here as a Curse-Breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank. The Weasley family visited him here and toured ancient, cursed tombs.
• France: The location of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. It is the home country of characters such as Fleur Delacour and her family. Its Ministry of Magic (Ministère des Affaires Magiques) is a prominent location in films (film).
• Great Britain: The primary setting for the series, encompassing England, Scotland, and Wales. It is governed by the Ministry of Magic in London and is home to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the village of Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and many other key magical locations.
• Ireland: Represented by its celebrated national Quidditch team, which won the 1994 Quidditch World Cup.
• Romania: Features a Dragon Sanctuary where Charlie Weasley works with various breeds of dragons.
• Uganda: Mentioned in relation to a 1709 convention where its wizards had a dispute regarding Flying Carpets. It is the location of the major wizarding school Uagadou (Pottermore).
• United States of America: The Salem Witches' Institute is mentioned as being from the USA. The country's wizarding government is the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA), and its premier school is Ilvermorny (Pottermore, film).
• Other Mentions: Numerous other countries are referenced in various contexts, such as being home to specific dragon breeds or having officials at international events. These include Germany, Liechtenstein, Norway, New Zealand, China, Sweden, Transylvania, and Ukraine.

• J.K. Rowling significantly expanded the wizarding world on the Pottermore (now Wizarding World) website by revealing the existence and locations of the “Great Eleven” wizarding schools around the globe. This established major magical institutions in countries not detailed in the books, such as Mahoutokoro in Japan and Uagadou in Uganda. (Pottermore)
• The Fantastic Beasts film series provides the most detailed on-screen look at wizarding communities outside of Great Britain, with major plotlines set in the United States of America and France, showcasing their respective magical governments and societies. (film)