In 1924, on the initiative of the French Chess Federation, invitations were sent to all national chess federations inviting them to attend a Congress in Paris to discuss the founding of an International Chess Federation.
Following two days of meetings, on July 20th 1924 representatives from fifteen countries signed the declaration to form FIDE.
The original signatories were mainly European but today FIDE has 166 member federations in all Continents.
Source: FIDE.com
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
SEE SUSAN!!! They have admitted it! The original SIGNIFYERS! were all European! {nige short and the boys.} Now they’re trickin people with their ratings!! makin it seem like topy is the top traditional chess playin guy! Now that bobby not here to defend himself theyhave started puttin garry and karpov on the chess life magazines!ERRWHERE!