在不使用数组的情况下保留PHP中的下拉列表值

I have a drop-down list containing all the countries in the world. The first few countries are:

Country: <select name="Country">
<option value="Afghanistan">Afghanistan</option>
<option value="Aland Islands">Aland Islands</option>
<option value="Albania">Albania</option>
<option value="Algeria">Algeria</option>
<option value="American Samoa">American Samoa</option>
<option value="Andorra">Andorra</option>
<option value="Angola">Angola</option>
<option value="Anguilla">Anguilla</option>
</select>

Forming an array would require over 200 elements. Is there a way to retain the drop-down value in PHP after a form post without using an array? Thank you.

You really are best using an array, it won't take any real noticable time to iterate through 200 items

Something like this should keep the selected item after post

<select name="country" method="POST">
<?php

for($i=0;$i<count($countries);$i++)
   {
   $selected="";

   if($countries[$i]==$_POST['country'])
      {
      $selected="selected";
      }

   ?><option <?php echo $selected;?> value="<?php echo $countries[$i];?>"><?php echo $countries[$i];?></option><?php
   }
?>
</select>