The books frequently mention ¹ the sixteen great countries (Mahājanapada) that existed in the time of the Buddha. They are:

Kāsi,

Kosala,

Aṅga,

Magadha,

Vajji,

Mallā,

Cetiya,

Vaṃsā,

Kuru,

Pañcāla,

Macchā,

Sūrasena,

Assaka,

Avanti,

Gandhāra, and

Kamboja.

The first fourteen are included in the Middle Country of India (Majjhimadesa), the two last being in the Northern States (Uttarāpaṭha).

The Jaina Bhagavatī sutta gives a slightly different list: Aṅga, Baṅga, Magadha, Malaya, Mālava, Accha, Vaccha, Kocchaka, Pādha, Lādha, Bajji, Moli, Kāsi, Kosala, Avaha and Sambhuttara (PHAI. p.60).