Here's why:
* Proper Nouns: Country names are proper nouns, which are specific names of people, places, or things. They are usually capitalized and don't require "the" before them. Think of it like this: we wouldn't say "the John" or "the New York," we just say "John" and "New York."
* Exceptions: There are some exceptions to this rule. We do use "the" before:
* Countries with "Republic," "Kingdom," "States," or "Union" in their names: The United States, The United Kingdom, The Republic of Ireland, The Democratic Republic of Congo.
* Some countries with plural names: The Netherlands, The Philippines.
* Regions: The Middle East, The Caribbean.
In summary: The general rule is to avoid using "the" before country names, unless the country has a specific structure or is a region.