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Fifty-two countries have participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since it started in 1956. Of these, twenty-five have won the contest. The contest, organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), is held annually between members of the Union. Broadcasters from different countries submit songs to the event, and cast votes to determine the most popular in the competition. Participation in the contest is primarily open to all active member broadcasters of the EBU. To be an active member, broadcasters must be in the European Broadcasting Area, or be in a Council of Europe member country.〔European Broadcasting Union (22 February 2006). (Membership conditions ). Retrieved on 2 February 2008.〕 Eligibility to participate is not determined by geographic inclusion within the continent of Europe, despite the "Euro" in "Eurovision" — nor does it have a direct connection with the European Union. Several countries geographically outside the boundaries of Europe have competed: Israel, Cyprus and Armenia, in Western Asia, since 1973, 1981 and 2006 respectively; Morocco, in North Africa, in the 1980 competition alone; and Australia making a debut in the 2015 contest. In addition, several transcontinental countries with only part of their territory in Europe have competed: Turkey, since 1975; Russia, since 1994; Georgia, since 2007; and Azerbaijan, which made its first appearance in the 2008 edition. Two of the countries that have previously sought to enter the competition, Lebanon and Tunisia, in Western Asia and North Africa respectively, are also outside of Europe. The Gulf state of Qatar, in Western Asia, announced in 2009 its interest in joining the contest in time for the 2011 edition.〔 However, this did not materialise, and there are no known plans for a future Qatari entry the Eurovision Song Contest. The People's Republic of China have officially announced their interest in participating in the 2016 contest. The future of Australia in the competition is currently being discussed by the EBU, with the possibility of permanent participation. The Czech Republic, Cyprus, and Serbia returned for 2015 contest and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia and Ukraine have announced their return in time for the 2016 contest. No further countries have withdrawn since 2014 (when Ukraine took a one-year break). The number of countries participating each year has grown steadily, from seven in 1956 to over twenty in the late 1980s and 43 (in 2008, 2011 and 2016). As the number of contestants has risen, preliminary competitions and relegation have been introduced, to ensure that as many countries as possible get the chance to compete. In 1993, a preliminary show, ''Kvalifikacija za Millstreet'' ("Qualification for Millstreet"), was held to select three Eastern European countries to compete for the first time at the main Contest.〔ESCtoday.com. (Eurovision Song Contest 1993 ). Retrieved on 2 February 2008.〕 After the 1993 Contest, a relegation rule was introduced; the six lowest-placed countries in the contest would not compete the following year.〔O'Connor, John Kennedy (2005). ''The Eurovision Song Contest 50 Years The Official History''. London: Carlton Books Limited. ISBN 1-84442-586-X.〕 In 1996, a new system was introduced. Audio tapes of all twenty-nine entrants were submitted to national juries. The twenty-two highest-placed songs after the juries voted reached the contest. Norway, as host country, was given a bye to the final.〔ESCtoday.com. (Eurovision Song Contest 1996 ). Retrieved on 2 February 2008.〕 From 1997 to 2001 a system was used whereby the countries with the lowest average scores over the previous five years were relegated. Countries could not be relegated for more than one year.〔Eurovision.tv. (Eurovision Song Contest 1997 ). Retrieved on 2 February 2008.〕 Between 2001 and 2003, the relegation system used in 1994 and 1995 was used. In 2004, a semi-final was introduced. The ten highest-placed countries in the previous year's Contest qualified for the final, along with the "Big Four": the largest financial contributors to the EBU. All other countries entered the semi-final. Ten countries qualified from the semi, leaving a final of twenty-four.〔BBC News (12 May 2004). (Eurovision finalists chosen ). Retrieved on 2 February 2008.〕 In 2008, two semi-finals were held with all countries, except the host country and the Big Four, participating in one of the semi-finals.〔European Broadcasting Union (1 October 2007). (Two semi-finals Eurovision Song Contest 2008 ). Retrieved on 2 February 2008.〕 Some countries, such as Germany, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom, have entered on all but a handful of occasions; Morocco, on the other hand, has only entered once. Two countries, Tunisia and Lebanon, have attempted to enter the contest but withdrew before making a début. Liechtenstein, a country without an eligible television service, tried unsuccessfully to enter in 1976.〔 ==Participants== The following table lists the countries that have participated in the contest at least once. Shading indicates countries that have withdrawn from the contest. Morocco participated in the contest once, in 1980. Luxembourg, one of the original seven participants, has not been seen at the contest since 1993. Italy withdrew from the contest in 1997 and returned in 2011. Slovakia previously competed three times between 1994 and 1998, failing to break into the top ten, but returned in 2009.〔Victor Hondal (24 September 2008. (Slovakia returns to Eurovision in 2009 ). ESCtoday.com. Retrieved on 24 September 2008.〕 Monaco returned to the contest in 2004, after over two decades out of the contest. However, the country failed to advance from the semi-final with each of its first three entries post-return, and withdrew after the 2006 Contest.〔Gylleneskor.se (13 December 2006). (Monaco drag sig ur Eurovision Song Contest ) . Retrieved on 9 February 2008.〕 Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro were both dissolved, in 1991 and 2006 respectively. Serbia and Montenegro in the attempt to mask as ''Yugoslavia'', participated in the 1992 Contest under its name but representing the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which consisted of only the two republics. Both Montenegro and Serbia have competed as separate countries since 2007.〔Ian Taylor (14 May 2007). (From pariah state to kitsch victory: how a Balkan ballad showed Europe a new Serbia ). ''The Guardian''. Retrieved on 9 February 2008.〕 Austria, having returned from a one-year absence, withdrew from the 2008 Contest; Edgar Bohm of ORF said "We've already seen in 2007 that it's not the quality of the song, but the country of origin that determines the result."〔ESCtoday.com (20 November 2007). (Austria will not go to Belgrade ). Retrieved on 9 February 2008.〕 Austria returned in 2011 and has participated in 2012, 2013 and 2014, winning the latter edition. ;Table key : ''Withdrawn'' – Countries who have participated in the past but have withdrawn. : ''Former'' – Former countries that have dissolved. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「List of countries in the Eurovision Song Contest」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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