List of sovereign states

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This list of sovereign states, alphabetically arranged, gives an overview of states around the world with information on the extent of their sovereignty. It includes both states widely recognized (de jure) to be sovereign and entities that claim sovereignty while exercising de facto control over (part of) their claimed territory.

Contents: Criteria for inclusion
Sovereign states: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Other states

See also - Other listings - References and footnotes

[edit] Criteria for inclusion

This list derives its definition of a sovereign state from Article 1 of the Montevideo Convention of 1933. According to the Convention, a sovereign state should possess the following qualifications: (a) a permanent population, (b) a defined territory, (c) government, and (d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states. In respect of the last qualification, the role of recognition by other states can often be crucial since it implies acceptance into the international community.[2] The list includes all states that satisfy these criteria and claim independence; however, the aforementioned qualifications are not absolute and permit variations.

On the basis of the above criteria, this list includes the following 203 entities:

Entities considered to be micronations that are not internationally recognized are not included.

Unlisted are the following noteworthy entities that do not possess all the qualifications in the Montevideo Convention:

The listing or placement of any entity in this article is not meant to imply an official position in any naming dispute.

[edit] Internationally recognized sovereign states

This list is complete and up-to-date as of June 8, 2008.
Name in English and the official languages of the state[3] Information on the extent of the sovereignty[4]

[edit] A


Abkhazia Other states

 Afghanistan - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
  • Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت
De Afġānistān Islāmī Jomhoriyat
  • Persian: افغانستان - جمهوری اسلامی افغانستان
Afġānestān - Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Afġānistān
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Albania - Republic of Albania
  • Albanian: Shqipëria - Republika e Shqipërise
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Algeria - People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
  • Arabic: الجزائر - الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية
Al-Jazā'ir - Al-Jumhūrīyah al-Jazā’irīyah ad-Dīmuqrāţīyah ash-Sha`bīyah
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Andorra - Principality of Andorra
  • Catalan: Andorra - Principat d’Andorra
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Angola - Republic of Angola
  • Portuguese: Angola - República de Angola
Widely recognized member of the UN. A separatist government in exile claims independence for Cabinda[5]

 Antigua and Barbuda - Antigua and Barbuda
  • English - Antigua and Barbuda
Widely recognized member of the UN. Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and has a division (dependency), Barbuda, with a autonomous status.[7]

 Argentina - Argentine Republic[8]
  • Spanish: Argentina - República Argentina
Widely recognized member of the UN. Argentina is a federation[9] divided in provinces and one federal district. Argentine claims also sovereignty over the British overseas territories of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands[10]

 Armenia - Republic of Armenia
  • Armenian: Հայաստան - Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն
Hayastan - Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Australia - Commonwealth of Australia
  • English: Australia - Commonwealth of Australia
Widely recognized member of the UN. Australia is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and a federation[9] of states and territories. Australia has sovereignty over:

 Austria - Republic of Austria
  • German: Österreich - Republik Österreich
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Austria is a federation[9] divided in states (Bundesländer).

 Azerbaijan - Republic of Azerbaijan
  • Azeri: Azərbaycan - Azərbaycan Respublikası
Widely recognized member of the UN. Azerbaijan has one autonomous republic, Image:Flag of Nakhichevan.svg Nakhchivan, and the autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh (Dağlıq Qarabağ,).[7] In Nagorno Karabakh a de facto country in the de jure territory of Azerbaijan has been established.

[edit] B


 The Bahamas - Commonwealth of The Bahamas
  • English: The Bahamas - Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Bahamas is a Commonwealth Realm.[6]

 Bahrain - Kingdom of Bahrain
  • Arabic: البحرين - مملكة البحرين
al-Baḥrayn - Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Bangladesh - People's Republic of Bangladesh
  • Bengali: বাংলাদেশ - গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ
Banglādeś - Gônoprojatontri Banglādeś
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Barbados
  • English: Barbados
Widely recognized member of the UN. Barbados is a Commonwealth Realm.[6]

 Belarus - Republic of Belarus
  • Belarusian: Беларусь - Рэспубліка Беларусь
Bjelarúś - Respublika Bjelarúś
  • Russian: Белоруссия - Республика Беларусь
Belorussiya - Respublika Belarus
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Belgium - Kingdom of Belgium
  • Dutch: België - Koninkrijk België
  • French: Belgique - Royaume de Belgique
  • German: Belgien - Königreich Belgien
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Belgium is a federation[9] divided in linguistic communities and regions.

 Belize
  • English: Belize
Widely recognized member of the UN. Belize is a Commonwealth Realm.[6]

 Benin - Republic of Benin[12]
  • French: Bénin - République du Bénin
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Bhutan - Kingdom of Bhutan
  • Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ - འབྲུག་ རྒྱལ་ཁབ་
Druk Yul - Druk Gyal-khab
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Bolivia - Republic of Bolivia
  • Spanish: Bolivia - República de Bolivia
  • Quechua: Bulibiya - Bulibiya Mama Llaqta
  • Aymara: Wuliwya - Wuliwya Suyu
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bosnian and Croatian: Bosna i Hercegovina
  • Serbian: Босна и Херцеговина / Bosna i Hercegovina
Widely recognized member of the UN. As a result of the Dayton Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided into two constituent entities, the  Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the  Republika Srpska.[13]

 Botswana - Republic of Botswana
  • Tswana: Botswana - Lefatshe la Botswana
  • English: Botswana - Republic of Botswana
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Brazil - Federative Republic of Brazil
  • Portuguese: Brasil - República Federativa do Brasil
Widely recognized member of the UN. Brasil is a federation[9] divided in states and one federal district.

 Brunei - Negara Brunei Darussalam
  • Malay: Brunei - Negara Brunei Darussalam
Widely recognized member of the UN. Brunei claims sovereignty over part of the Spratly Islands.[14]

 Bulgaria - Republic of Bulgaria
  • Bulgarian: България - Република България
Bălgarija - Republika Bălgarija
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Burkina Faso - Burkina Faso[15]
  • French: Burkina Faso
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Burma - Union of Myanmar (Burma)
  • Burmese: ဴမန္မာ[16]
Myan-ma - Pyi-daung-zu Myan-ma Naing-ngan-daw
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Burundi - Republic of Burundi
  • Kirundi: Uburundi - Republika y'Uburundi
  • French: Burundi - République du Burundi
Widely recognized member of the UN.

[edit] C


 Cambodia - Kingdom of Cambodia
  • Cambodian: កម្ពុជា - ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រ កម្ពុជា
Kampuchea - Preah Reachea Nachakr Kampuchea
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Cameroon - Republic of Cameroon
  • French: Cameroun - République du Cameroun
  • English: Cameroon - Republic of Cameroon
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Canada[17]
  • English and French: Canada
Widely recognized member of the UN. Canada is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and a federation[9] divided into provinces and territories.

 Cape Verde - Republic of Cape Verde
  • Portuguese: Cabo Verde - República de Cabo Verde
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Central African Republic
  • French: République Centrafricaine
  • Sangho: Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Chad - Republic of Chad
  • French: Tchad - République du Tchad
  • Arabic: تشاد - جمهوريّة تشاد
Tašād - Jumhūriyyat Tašād
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Chile - Republic of Chile
  • Spanish: Chile - República de Chile
Widely recognized member of the UN. Easter Island is an integral part of Chile.

 China - People's Republic of China[18]
  • Chinese: 中国 - 中华人民共和国
Zhōngguó - Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó
Widely recognized member of the UN.[19] Commonly known as China, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has five autonomous regions: Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Tibet.[7]

Additionally, it has sovereignty over the Special Administrative Regions of

It claims sovereignty over Taiwan (Republic of China; ROC) (which claims sovereignty over the whole of China),[22] the Paracel Islands (disputed by the ROC and Vietnam),[23] the Spratly Islands (disputed by the ROC, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei),[14] and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Kashmir.[24] Tibet and East Turkestan (Xinjiang) have separatist governments in exile.[5]


China, Republic of Other states

 Colombia - Republic of Colombia
  • Spanish: Colombia - República de Colombia
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Comoros - Union of the Comoros
  • Komori: Komori - Udzima wa Komori
  • French: Comores - Union des Comores
  • Arabic: القمر - اتحاد القمر
Al-Qumur - Ittihād al-Qumur
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Comoros is a federation with autonomous islands.[9][7] The Comoros dispute the French sovereignty over Mayotte and the Glorioso Islands.[10]

 Congo - Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa)[25]
  • French: Congo - République Démocratique du Congo
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Congo - Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)
  • French: Congo - République du Congo
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Cook Islands New Zealand

 Costa Rica - Republic of Costa Rica
  • Spanish: Costa Rica - República de Costa Rica
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Côte d'Ivoire - Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • French: Côte d'Ivoire - République de Côte d'Ivoire
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Croatia - Republic of Croatia
  • Croatian: Hrvatska - Republika Hrvatska
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Cuba - Republic of Cuba
  • Spanish: Cuba - República de Cuba
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Cuban area of Guantánamo Bay is as the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base under the permanent control (with no claim of sovereignty) of the United States which pays rent under terms of treaties with Cuba.

 Cyprus - Republic of Cyprus
  • Greek: Κυπρος - Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία
Kypros - Kipriakí Dimokratía
  • Turkish: Kıbrıs - Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti
Widely recognized[26] member of the UN and the EU.[11] See Northern Cyprus for the de facto state in the de jure territory of Cyprus.

 Czech Republic[27]
  • Czech: Česko - Česká republika
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

[edit] D


 Denmark - Kingdom of Denmark
  • Danish: Danmark - Kongeriget Danmark
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

The Kingdom of Denmark includes also two autonomous provinces. For more information, see Rigsfællesskabet.


 Djibouti - Republic of Djibouti
  • French: Djibouti - République de Djibouti
  • Arabic: جيبوتي - جمهورية جيبوتي
Jībūtī - Jumhūrīyat Jībūtī
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Dominica - Commonwealth of Dominica
  • English: Dominica - Commonwealth of Dominica
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Dominican Republic
  • Spanish: República Dominicana
Widely recognized member of the UN.

[edit] E


 East Timor - Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste[28]
  • Tetum: Timor Lorosa'e - Repúblika Demokrátika Timor Lorosa'e
  • Portuguese: Timor-Leste - República Democrática de Timor-Leste
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Ecuador - Republic of Ecuador
  • Spanish: Ecuador - República del Ecuador
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Egypt - Arab Republic of Egypt
  • Arabic: مصر - جمهوريّة مصرالعربيّة
Mişr - Jumhūriyyat Mişr al-`Arabiyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 El Salvador - Republic of El Salvador
  • Spanish: El Salvador - República de El Salvador
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Equatorial Guinea - Republic of Equatorial Guinea
  • Spanish: Guinea Ecuatorial - Républica de Guinea Ecuatorial
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Eritrea - State of Eritrea
  • Tigrinya: ኤርትራ - ሃግሬ ኤርትራ
Ertra - Hagere Ertra
  • Arabic: إرتريا - دولة إرتريا
Iritriyā - Dawlat Iritriyā
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Estonia - Republic of Estonia
  • Estonian: Eesti - Eesti Vabariik
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Ethiopia - Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
  • Amharic: ኢትዮጵያ - የኢትዮጵያ ፈደራላዊ ዲሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ
Ityop'iya - Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik
Widely recognized member of the UN. Ethiopia is a federation[9] divided in regions and chartered cities.

[edit] F


 Fiji - Republic of the Fiji Islands
  • Fijian: Viti - Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti
  • English: Fiji - Republic of the Fiji Islands
  • Hindustani:[29] फ़िजी / فِجی - फ़िजी गणराज्य / فِجی رپبلک
Fijī - Fijī Ripablik[30]
Widely recognized member of the UN. Fiji has an autonomous region (dependency), Rotuma.[7]

 Finland - Republic of Finland
  • Finnish: Suomi - Suomen Tasavalta
  • Swedish: Finland - Republiken Finland
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]  Åland is a neutral and demilitarised autonomous region of Finland.[31].[7]

 France - French Republic
  • French: France - République française
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] The French overseas regions/departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion) are legally part of France and France possesses the uninhabited Clipperton Island. The French sovereignty includes also the overseas territories of

[edit] G


 Gabon - Gabonese Republic
  • French: Gabon - République Gabonaise
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 The Gambia - Republic of The Gambia
  • English: The Gambia - Republic of The Gambia
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Georgia
  • Georgian: საქართველო
Sak’art’velo
Widely recognized member of the UN. Georgia has three divisions with an autonomous status,  Adjara,  Abkhazia and  South Ossetia.[7] Both in Abkhazia and South Ossetia de facto states inside the de jure territory of Georgia have been formed.

 Germany - Federal Republic of Germany
  • German: Deutschland - Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Germany is a federation[9] divided in states (Länder).

 Ghana - Republic of Ghana
  • English: Ghana - Republic of Ghana
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Greece - Hellenic Republic
  • Greek: Ελλάδα - Ελληνική Δημοκρατία
Elláda - Ellinikí Dimokratía
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Grenada
  • English: Grenada
Widely recognized member of the UN. Grenada is a Commonwealth Realm.[6]

 Guatemala - Republic of Guatemala
  • Spanish: Guatemala - República de Guatemala
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Guinea - Republic of Guinea
  • French: Guinée - République de Guinée
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Guinea-Bissau - Republic of Guinea-Bissau
  • Portuguese: Guiné-Bissau - República da Guiné-Bissau
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Guyana - Co-operative Republic of Guyana
  • English: Guyana - Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Widely recognized member of the UN.

[edit] H


 Haiti - Republic of Haiti
  • French: Haïti - République d'Haïti
  • Haitian Creole: Ayiti - Repiblik dAyiti
Widely recognized member of the UN. Haiti claims the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa.[10]

 Honduras - Republic of Honduras
  • Spanish: Honduras - República de Honduras
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Hungary - Republic of Hungary
  • Hungarian: Magyarország - Magyar Köztársaság
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

[edit] I


 Iceland - Republic of Iceland
  • Icelandic: Ísland - Lýðveldið Ísland
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 India - Republic of India
  • Hindi: भारत - भारत गणराज्य
Bhārat - Bhārat Ganarājya
  • English: India - Republic of India
Widely recognized member of the UN. India is a federation[9] divided in states and union territories. The Indian sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh is disputed by the People's Republic of China.[10] India claims sovereignty over and administers part of Kashmir.[24]

 Indonesia - Republic of Indonesia
  • Indonesian: Indonesia - Republik Indonesia
Widely recognized member of the UN. Indonesia has four provinces with special status, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, Yogyakarta Special Region, Papua, and Jakarta Special Capital Region.[7] Separatist governments in exile claim independence for the Republic of the South Moluccas and the Republic of West Papua[32]

 Iran - Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Persian: ایران - جمهوری اسلامی ایران
Īrān - Jomhūri-ye Eslāmi-ye Īrān
Widely recognized member of the UN. Divided into provinces and counties

 Iraq - Republic of Iraq
  • Arabic: العراق - جمهورية العراق
Al-ʿIrāq - Jumhūrīyat Al-`Irāq
  • Kurdish: عێراق - كۆماری عێراق
ʿÎraq - Komara `Îraqê
Widely recognized member of the UN. Iraq's constitution labels the country as a federation[33][9] divided in regions, governorates and the capital district. At present the only region is Iraqi Kurdistan.

 Ireland - Ireland[34]
  • Irish: Éire
  • English: Ireland
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Israel - State of Israel
  • Hebrew: ישראל - מדינת ישראל
Yisra'el - Medinat Yisra'el
  • Arabic: اسرائيل - دولة اسرائيل
Isrā'īl - Dawlat Isrā'īl
Widely recognized member of the UN.[35] Israel occupies the Golan Heights and parts of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It has supervision over the partially occupied Palestinian territories. These occupations are internationally not recognized.[10] See for more information also Palestine.

 Italy - Italian Republic
  • Italian: Italia - Repubblica Italiana
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Italy has autonomous regions, Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.[7]

Ivory Coast Côte d'Ivoire

[edit] J


 Jamaica
  • English: Jamaica
Widely recognized member of the UN. Jamaica is a Commonwealth Realm.[6]

 Japan - State of Japan[36]
  • Japanese: 日本 - 日本国
Nihon/Nippon - Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Jordan - Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
  • Arabic: الاردن - المملكة الأردنّيّة الهاشميّة
Al-Urdunn - Al-Mamlakah al-Urdunniyyah al-Hāshimiyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN.

[edit] K


 Kazakhstan - Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Kazakh: Қазақстан - Қазақстан Республикасы
Qazaqstan - Qazaqstan Respūblīkasy
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Kenya - Republic of Kenya
  • English: Kenya - Republic of Kenya
  • Swahili: Kenya - Jamhuri ya Kenya
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Kiribati - Republic of Kiribati
  • Gilbertese: Kiribati - Ribaberikin Kiribati
  • English: Kiribati - Republic of Kiribati
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Korea, North - Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
  • Korean: 조선 - 조선민주주의인민공화국
Chosŏn - Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Korea, South - Republic of Korea (South Korea)
  • Korean: 한국 - 대한민국
Hanguk - Daehan Minguk
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Kosovo Other states

 Kuwait - State of Kuwait
  • Arabic: الكويت - دولة الكويت
Al-Kuwayt - Dawlat al-Kuwayt
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyz Republic
  • Kyrgyz: Кыргызстан - Кыргыз Республикасы
Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyz Respublikasy
  • Russian: Кыргызстан - Кыргызская республика
Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyzskaya respublika
Widely recognized member of the UN.

[edit] L


 Laos - Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • Laotian: ນລາວ - ສາທາລະນະລັດປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ
Lao - Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Latvia - Republic of Latvia
  • Latvian: Latvija - Latvijas Republika
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Lebanon - Republic of Lebanon
  • Arabic: لبنان - الجمهوريّة البنانيّة
Lubnān - Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Lubnāniyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Lesotho - Kingdom of Lesotho
  • English: Lesotho - Kingdom of Lesotho
  • Sotho: Lesotho - Mmuso wa Lesotho
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Liberia - Republic of Liberia
  • English: Liberia - Republic of Liberia
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Libya - Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
  • Arabic: ليبيا - الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الإشتراكية العظمى
Lībiyā - al-Jamāhīrīyah al-‘Arabīyah al-Lībīyah ash-Sha‘bīyah al-Ishtirākīyah al-`Uzmā
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Liechtenstein - Principality of Liechtenstein
  • German: Liechtenstein - Fürstentum Liechtenstein
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Lithuania - Republic of Lithuania
  • Lithuanian: Lietuva - Lietuvos Respublika
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Luxembourg - Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
  • Luxembourgian: Lëtzebuerg - Groussherzogdem Lëtzebuerg
  • French: Luxembourg - Grand-Duché du Luxembourg
  • German: Luxemburg - Großherzogtum Luxemburg
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

[edit] M


 Macedonia[37] - (Former Yugoslav) Republic of Macedonia
  • Macedonian:[38] Македонија - Република Македонија
Makedonija - Republika Makedonija
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Madagascar - Republic of Madagascar
  • Malagasy: Madagasikara - Repoblikan'i Madagasikara
  • French: Madagascar - Republique de Madagascar
Widely recognized member of the UN. Madagascar claims the French possessions of the Glorioso Islands and Juan de Nova.[10]

 Malawi - Republic of Malawi
  • English: Malawi - Republic of Malawi
  • Chewa: Malaŵi - Mfuko la Malaŵi
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Malaysia
  • Malay: Malaysia
Widely recognized member of the UN. Malaysia is a federation[9] divided in states and federal territories. Malaysia claims part of the Spratly Islands.[14]

 Maldives - Republic of Maldives
  • Divehi: ގުޖޭއްރާ ޔާއްރިހޫމްޖު - ހިވެދި ގުޖޭއްރާ ޔާއްރިހޫމްޖ
Divehi Rājje - Divehi Rājje ge Jumhuriyyā
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Mali - Republic of Mali
  • French: Mali - République du Mali
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Malta - Republic of Malta
  • Maltese: Malta - Repubblika ta' Malta
  • English: Malta - Republic of Malta
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Marshall Islands - Republic of the Marshall Islands
  • Marshallese: Aorōkin M̧ajeļ - Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ
  • English: Marshall Islands - Republic of the Marshall Islands
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Marshall Islands claim the United States territory of Wake Island.[10]

 Mauritania - Islamic Republic of Mauritania
  • Arabic: موريتانيا - الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية
Mūrītāniyā - l-Jumhūriyyah al-Islāmiyyah al-Mūrītāniyyah
  • French: Mauritanie - République Islamique de la Mauritanie
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Mauritius - Republic of Mauritius
  • English: Mauritius - Republic of Mauritius
  • French: Maurice - République de Maurice
Widely recognized member of the UN. Mauritius has an autonomous island, Rodrigues.[7] Mauritius claims the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French island of Tromelin.[10]

 Mexico - United Mexican States
  • Spanish: México - Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Widely recognized member of the UN. Mexico is a federation[9] divided into states and one federal district.

 Micronesia - Federated States of Micronesia
  • English: Micronesia - Federated States of Micronesia
Widely recognized member of the UN. Micronesia is a federation[9] divided into states.

 Moldova - Republic of Moldova
  • Moldovan[39]: Moldova - Republica Moldova
Widely recognized member of the UN. Moldova has an autonomous region, Gagauzia.[7] See Transnistria for the de facto state inside the de jure territory of Moldova.

 Monaco - Principality of Monaco
  • French: Monaco - Principauté de Monaco
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Mongolia
  • Mongolian: Монгол Улс
Mongol Uls
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Montenegro
  • Montenegrin: Црна Гора - Црна Гора
Crna Gora - Crna Gora
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Morocco - Kingdom of Morocco
  • Arabic: المغرب - المملكة المغربية
al-Maġrib - Al-Mamlakah al-Maġribiyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN. Morocco claims sovereignty over the Western Sahara and controls most of it, which is disputed by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.[40] Morocco disputes the Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñón de Alhucemas.[10]

 Mozambique - Republic of Mozambique
  • Portuguese: Moçambique - República de Moçambique
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Myanmar Burma

[edit] N


Nagorno Karabakh Other states

 Namibia - Republic of Namibia
  • English: Namibia - Republic of Namibia
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Nauru - Republic of Nauru
  • Nauruan: Naoero - Republik Naoero
  • English: Nauru - Republic of Nauru
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Nepal - Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
  • Nepali: नेपाल
Sanghiya Toktāntrik Ganatantra Nepāl
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of the Netherlands The Netherlands - Kingdom of the Netherlands
  • Dutch: Nederland - Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Legally the Netherlands refers to the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the latter consisting of one European country:

and the two overseas (associated) countries:


 New Zealand
  • English: New Zealand
  • Māori: Aotearoa
Widely recognized member of the UN. New Zealand is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and has sovereignty over the associated states of
  •  Cook Islands. The Cook Islands have received some diplomatic recognition[41]
  •  Niue. Niue only has diplomatic relations with New Zealand.
  •  Tokelau

 Nicaragua - Republic of Nicaragua
  • Spanish: Nicaragua - República de Nicaragua
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Niger - Republic of Niger
  • French: Niger - République du Niger
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Nigeria - Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • English: Nigeria - Federal Republic of Nigeria
Widely recognized member of the UN. Nigeria is a federation[9] divided in states and one federal district.

Niue New Zealand

Northern Cyprus Other states

North Korea Korea, Democratic People's Republic of

 Norway - Kingdom of Norway
  • Norwegian: Norge - Kongeriket Norge / Noreg - Kongeriket Noreg
Widely recognized member of the UN. Svalbard is an integral part of Norway, but has a special status due to the Svalbard Treaty. The overseas uninhabited possessions of Bouvet Island and Jan Mayen are integral part of Norway. The Norwegian claim of Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land (Antarctica) as part of Norway is suspendend.[42]

[edit] O


 Oman - Sultanate of Oman
  • Arabic: عُمان - سلطنة عُمان
ʿUmān - Saltanat ʿUmān
Widely recognized member of the UN.

[edit] P


 Pakistan - Islamic Republic of Pakistan
  • Urdu: پاکستان - اسلامی جمہوریۂ پاکستان
Pākistān - Islami Jumhuriyah Pākistān
  • English: Pakistan - Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Widely recognized member of the UN. Pakistan is a federation[9] divided in provinces and territories. Pakistan claims sovereignty over and occupies part of Kashmir.[24]

 Palau - Republic of Palau
  • Paluan: Belau - Beluu er a Belau
  • English: Palau - Republic of Palau
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Palestine Other states

 Panama - Republic of Panama
  • Spanish: Panamá - República de Panamá
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Papua New Guinea - Independent State of Papua New Guinea
  • English: Papua New Guinea - Independent State of Papua New Guinea
  • Tok Pisin: Papua Niugini - Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini
Widely recognized member of the UN. Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and has an autonomous province, Bougainville Province.[7]

 Paraguay - Republic of Paraguay
  • Spanish: Paraguay - República del Paraguay
  • Guarani: Paraguái - Têta Paraguái
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Peru - Republic of Peru
  • Spanish: Perú - República del Perú
  • Quechua: Piruw - Piruw Mama Llaqta
  • Aymara: Piruw - Piruw Suyu
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Philippines - Republic of the Philippines
  • Filipino: Pilipinas - Republika ng Pilipinas
  • English: Philippines - Republic of the Philippines
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Philippines have has an autonomous region, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.[7] The Philippines claim the Spratly Islands.[14]

 Poland - Republic of Poland
  • Polish: Polska - Rzeczpospolita Polska
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Portugal - Portuguese Republic
  • Portuguese: Portugal - República Portuguesa
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Portugal has two autonomous regions, Azores and Madeira.[7] Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Olivenza and Táliga.

Pridnestrovie Other states, Transnistria

[edit] Q


 Qatar - State of Qatar
  • Arabic: قطر - دولة قطر
Qatar - Dawlat Qatar
Widely recognized member of the UN.

[edit] R


 Romania
  • Romanian: România
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Russia - Russian Federation
  • Russian: Россия - Российская Федерация
Rossiya - Rossiyskaya Federatsiya
Widely recognized member of the UN. Russia is a federation[9][43] divided in Subjects of Russia (oblasts, republics, autonomous okrugs, krays, and federal cities).
Several of the federal subjects are autonomous republics:[7]

 Rwanda - Republic of Rwanda
  • KinyaRwanda: Rwanda - Repubulika y'u Rwanda
  • French: Rwanda - République du Rwanda
  • English: Rwanda - Republic of Rwanda
Widely recognized member of the UN.

[edit] S


 Saint Kitts and Nevis - Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
  • English: Saint Kitts and Nevis - Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and is a federation[9] of the islands.

 Saint Lucia
  • English: Saint Lucia
Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth Realm.[6]

 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • English: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a Commonwealth Realm.[6]

 Samoa - Independent State of Samoa
  • Samoan: Sāmoa - Mālo Tuto'atasi o Sāmoa
  • English: Samoa - Independent State of Samoa
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 San Marino - Republic of San Marino
  • Italian: San Marino - Repubblica di San Marino
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 São Tomé and Príncipe - Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Portuguese: São Tomé e Príncipe - República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe
Widely recognized member of the UN. São Tomé and Príncipe has an autonomous province, Príncipe.[7]

 Saudi Arabia - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Arabic: العربية السعودية - المملكة العربيّة السّعوديّة
Al-ʿArabiyyah as-Saʿūdiyyah - Al-Mamlakah al-'Arabiyyah as-Sa'ūdiyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Senegal - Republic of Senegal
  • French: Sénégal - République du Sénégal
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Serbia - Republic of Serbia
  • Serbian: Србија - Република Србија
Srbija - Republika Srbija
Widely recognized member of the UN. Serbia has two autonomous provinces, Kosovo and Metohija and Vojvodina.[7] The Serbian autonomous province of Kosovo and Metohija is currently administered by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government under the supervision of the UN Interim Administration Mission. Kosovo Albanians have recently unilaterally declared independence which remains largely unrecognized.

 Seychelles - Republic of Seychelles
  • English: Seychelles - Republic of Seychelles
  • French: Seychelles - République des Seychelles
  • Seselwa: Sesel - Repiblik Sesel
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Seychelles claim the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French Glorioso Islands and Tromelin.[10]

 Sierra Leone - Republic of Sierra Leone
  • English: Sierra Leone - Republic of Sierra Leone
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Singapore - Republic of Singapore
  • English: Singapore - Republic of Singapore
  • Malay: Singapura - Republik Singapura
  • Chinese: 新加坡 - 新加坡共和国
Xīnjīapō - Xīnjīapō Gònghéguó
  • Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர் - சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு
Ciŋkappūr - Ciŋkappūr Kudiyarasu
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Slovakia - Slovak Republic
  • Slovak: Slovensko - Slovenská republika
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Slovenia - Republic of Slovenia
  • Slovenian: Slovenija - Republika Slovenija
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Solomon Islands
  • English: Solomon Islands
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth Realm.[6]

 Somalia - Somali Republic
  • Somali: Soomaaliya - Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya
  • Arabic: الصومال - جمهورية الصومال
As-Sūmāl - Jumhūriyyat aṣ-Ṣūmāl
Widely recognized member of the UN. Somalia is presently fragmented with its Transitional National Government. Somalia disputed the Yemenite sovereignty over Socotra.[10] See Somaliland for the de facto country inside the de jure territory of Somalia.

 South Africa - Republic of South Africa
  • English: South Africa - Republic of South Africa
  • Afrikaans: Suid-Afrika - Republiek van Suid-Afrika
  • Xhosa: Mzantsi Afrika - IRiphabliki yaseMzantsi Afrika
  • Zulu: Ningizimu Afrika - IRiphabliki yaseNingizimu Afrika
  • Ndbele: Sewula Afrika - IRiphabliki yeSewula Afrika
  • North Sotho: Afrika-Borwa - Rephaboliki ya Afrika-Borwa
  • Sotho: Afrika Borwa - Rephaboliki ya Afrika Borwa
  • Tswana: Aforika Borwa - Rephaboliki ya Aforika Borwa
  • Swazi: Ningizimu Afrika - IRiphabhulikhi yeNingizimu Afrika
  • Venda: Afurika Tshipembe - Riphabuḽiki ya Afurika Tshipembe
  • Tsonga: Afrika Dzonga - Riphabliki ra Afrika Dzonga
Widely recognized member of the UN.

South Korea Korea, Republic of

South Ossetia Other states

 Spain - Kingdom of Spain
  • Spanish: España - Reino de España
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Spain is divided in autonomous communities and cities./> The sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñón de Alhucemas is disputed by Morocco. The sovereigny over Olivenza and Táliga is disputed by Portugal. Spain disputes the British sovereignty over Gibraltar.[10]

 Sri Lanka - Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
  • Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකාව - Image:SrilankaFont.png
Sri Lanka - Sri Lankā Prajathanthrika Samajavadi Janarajaya
  • Tamil: இலங்கை - இலங்கை ஜனநாயக சமத்துவ குடியரசு
Llankai - Illankai Chananaayaka Chosalisa Kudiyarasu
Widely recognized member of the UN. Tamil Eelam has a separatist government that controls part of Sri Lanka.(see source). It strives after an independent country but has not yet declared independence.

 Sudan - Republic of the Sudan
  • Arabic: السودان - جمهورية السودان
As-Sūdān - Jumhūrīyat as-Sūdān
  • English: Sudan - Republic of the Sudan
Widely recognized member of the UN. Sudan is a federation[9] divided in states and it has one autonomous region, Southern Sudan, formed out of the Southern Sudanese states.[7]

 Suriname - Republic of Suriname
  • Dutch: Suriname - Republiek Suriname
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Swaziland - Kingdom of Swaziland
  • English: Swaziland - Kingdom of Swaziland
  • Swazi: eSwatini - Umbuso weSwatini
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Sweden - Kingdom of Sweden
  • Swedish: Sverige - Konungariket Sverige
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]

 Switzerland - Swiss Confederation
  • German: Schweiz - Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft
  • French: Suisse - Confédération Suisse
  • Italian: Svizzera - Confederazione Svizzera
  • Raeto-Romance: Svizra - Confederaziun Svizra
Widely recognized member of the UN. Switzerland is a federation[9] divided in cantons.

 Syria - Syrian Arab Republic
  • Arabic: سورية - الجمهوريّة العربيّة السّوريّة
Sūriyah - Al-Jumhūriyyah al-'Arabiyyah as-Sūriyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Golan is occupied by Israel. Syria disputed the Turkish sovereignty over Hatay Province.[10]

[edit] T


Taiwan Other states

 Tajikistan - Republic of Tajikistan
  • Tajik: Тоҷикистон - Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон
Tojikiston - Jumhurii Tojikiston
Widely recognized member of the UN. Tajikistan has an autonomous province, Gorno-Badakhshan.[7]

 Tanzania - United Republic of Tanzania
  • Swahili: Tanzania - Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania
Widely recognized member of the UN. Tanzania is a federacy with an autonomous status for Zanzibar.[7]

 Thailand - Kingdom of Thailand
  • Thai: ประเทศไทย - ราชอาณาจักรไทย
Prathēt Thai - Rātcha Anāchak Thai
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Timor-Leste East Timor

 Togo - Togolese Republic
  • French: Togo - République Togolaise
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Tonga - Kingdom of Tonga
  • Tongan: Tonga - Pule'anga Fakatu'i 'o Tonga
  • English: Tonga - Kingdom of Tonga
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Transnistria Other states

 Trinidad and Tobago - Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
  • English: Trinidad and Tobago - Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Widely recognized member of the UN. Trinidad and Tobago has an autonomous island, Tobago.[7]

 Tunisia - Tunisian Republic
  • Arabic: تونس - الجمهورية التونسية
Tūnis - Al-Jumhūriyyah at-Tūnisiyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Turkey - Republic of Turkey
  • Turkish: Türkiye - Türkiye Cumhuriyeti
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Turkish sovereignty over the Hatay Province is disputed by Syria[10]

 Turkmenistan
  • Turkmenian: Türkmenistan
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Tuvalu
  • Tuvaluan and English: Tuvalu
Widely recognized member of the UN. Tuvalu is a Commonwealth Realm.[6]

[edit] U


 Uganda - Republic of Uganda
  • English: Uganda - Republic of Uganda
  • Swahili: Uganda - Jamhuri ya Uganda
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Ukraine
  • Ukrainian: Україна
Ukrajina
Widely recognized member of the UN. Ukraine has an autonomous republic,  Crimea.[7]

 United Arab Emirates - United Arab Emirates
  • Arabic: الإمارات العربيّة المتّحدة
Al-Imārāt Al-`Arabiyyah Al-Muttahidah
Widely recognized member of the UN. The United Arab Emirates is a federation[9] divided into emirates.

 United Kingdom - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • English: United Kingdom - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] The United Kingdom is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and divided into constituent countries:

The United Kingdom has the following overseas territories:

The British Crown has sovereignty over


 United States of America
  • English: United States of America
Widely recognized member of the UN. The United States is a federation[9] divided in states, a federal district, and one territory. The United States has sovereignty over the following (inhabited) territories and commonwealths

Besides these, there are uninhabited territories in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea: Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island (disputed by the Marshall Islands) as well as Navassa Island (disputed by Haiti).[10] Of these only Palmyra Atoll is fully incorporated and considered a part of the US. The Cuban area of Guantánamo Bay is as the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base under the permanent control (with no claim of sovereignty) of the United States which pays rent under terms of treaties with Cuba.


 Uruguay - Eastern Republic of Uruguay
  • Spanish: Uruguay - República Oriental del Uruguay
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Uzbekistan - Republic of Uzbekistan
  • Uzbek: O'zbekiston - O‘zbekiston Respublikasi = Ўзбекистон - Ўзбекистон Республикаси
Widely recognized member of the UN. Uzbekistan has an autonomous republic,  Karakalpakstan.[7]

[edit] V


 Vanuatu - Republic of Vanuatu
  • Bislama: Vanuatu - Ripablik blong Vanuatu
  • English: Vanuatu - Republic of Vanuatu
  • French: Vanuatu - République du Vanuatu
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Vatican City - State of the Vatican City
  • Latin: Civitas Vaticana - Status Civitatis Vaticanæ
  • Italian: Città del Vaticano - Stato della Città del Vaticano
Widely recognized country, observer state in the United Nations.[44] Vatican City is administered by a President of the Government appointed by the Pope, with the latter being the head of the Holy See and that of the Vatican City concurrently.

 Venezuela - Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
  • Spanish: Venezuela - República Bolivariana de Venezuela
Widely recognized member of the UN. Venezuela is a federation[9] divided in states, one federal dependency and one federal district.

 Vietnam - Socialist Republic of Vietnam
  • Vietnamese: Việt Nam - Cộng hòa Xã hội Chủ nghĩa Việt Nam
Widely recognized member of the UN. Vietnam claims sovereignty over the Paracel Islands[23] and the Spratly Islands.[14]

[edit] W


Western Sahara Other states

[edit] Y


 Yemen - Republic of Yemen
  • Arabic: اليمن - الجمهوريّة اليمنية
Al-Yaman - Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Yamaniyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Yemenite sovereignty over Socotra is disputed by Somalia.[10]

[edit] Z


 Zambia - Republic of Zambia
  • English: Zambia - Republic of Zambia
Widely recognized member of the UN.

 Zimbabwe - Republic of Zimbabwe
  • English: Zimbabwe - Republic of Zimbabwe
Widely recognized member of the UN.


[edit] Other states

Further information: List of unrecognized countries

This annex lists states that claim sovereignty and have control over (part of) its claimed territory, but due to disputes over their legitimacy, do not have normal diplomatic relations with the majority of sovereign states. Entities considered to be micronations are not included.


 Abkhazia: Republic of Abkhazia
  • Abkhazian: Аҧсны - Аҧснытәи Республика
Apsny - Apsnytei Respublika
  • Russian: Aбхазия - Республика Абхазия
Abkhaziya - Respublika Abkhaziya
De facto independent state, inside the de jure territory of Georgia (the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia), diplomatically recognized by only two UN member states, Russia and Nicaragua.[45]

China, Republic of Taiwan, listed below

 Kosovo - Republic of Kosovo
  • Albanian: Kosovës - Republika e Kosovës
  • Serbian: Косово - Косово и Метохија
Kosovo - Kosovo i Metohija
De facto independent state that is recognised by 47 out of 192 UN member states (as well as the Republic of China), although not by the UN itself. Claimed in whole by the Republic of Serbia as the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. Previously administered by a United Nations mission (UNMIK) and entered into the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) during this period.

 Nagorno-Karabakh - Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
  • Armenian: Լեռնային Ղարաբաղ - Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Հանրապետություն
Leṙnalin Ġarabaġ - Leṙnayin Ġarabaġi Hanrapetut‘yun
Nagorno-Karabakh is a de facto independent state inside the de jure territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, diplomatically recognized by no UN member states.[46]

 Northern Cyprus - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
  • Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs - Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti
De facto independent state, inside the de jure territory of the Republic of Cyprus, recognized by no UN member states except Turkey. Though without universal diplomatic recognition, it was accepted as an observer state of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in the name of Turkish Cypriot State since 1979. In addition, the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic regards TRNC as sovereign but Azerbaijan (the sovereign state that Nakhichevan belongs to) has not followed suit.[47]

 Palestinian territories
  • Arabic: فلسطين
Filastīn
The Palestinian territories are partially occupied by Israel and partially under control of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has gained control of the Gaza Strip, but has not declared independence. Palestine has received a standing invitation to participate as observer at United Nations General Assembly and maintains a permanent observer mission at the UN Headquarters[48] The proposed State of Palestine is recognized by 103 countries.[49] In diplomatic relations, the proposed State of Palestine is represented by the Palestinian Authority.[citation needed]

 Somaliland - Republic of Somaliland
  • Somali: Soomaaliland: Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliland
  • Arabic: ارض الصومال - جمهورية ارض الصومال
Ard as-Sūmāl - Jumhūrīyat Ard as-Sūmāl
De facto independent state inside the de jure territory of the Somali Republic, diplomatically recognized by no UN member states.[50]

 South Ossetia - Republic of South Ossetia
  • Ossetian: Хуссар Ирыстон - Республикæ Хуссар Ирыстон
Xussar Iryston - Respublikæ Xussar Iryston
  • Russian: Южная Осетия - Республика Южная Осетия
Yuzhnaya Osetiya - Respublika Yuzhnaya Osetiya
De facto independent state inside the de jure territory of Georgia (the Provisional Administrative Entity of South Ossetia), diplomatically recognized by only two UN member states, Russia and Nicaragua.[45]

 Taiwan - Republic of China[18]
  • Chinese: 臺灣 / 台灣 - 中華民國
Táiwan - Jhonghuá Mínguó[51]
De facto state independent of Mainland China; de jure the Republic of China, a polity regarded by the People's Republic of China be its defunct (and no longer legitimate) predecessor state. In addition to the island Taiwan, the Republic of China (Taiwan) also governs part of the Spratly Islands[14] and has not formally renounced claims over the territory of the PRC and Mongolia. The territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is claimed in whole by the People's Republic of China.[22] Taiwan participates in a number of non-UN international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, International Olympic Committee and others under a variety of pseudonyms, most commonly Chinese Taipei.

 Transnistria - Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (Pridnestrovie, Trans-Dniester)
  • Russian: Приднестровье: Приднестровская Молдавская Республика
Pridnestrovye - Pridnestrovskaya Moldavskaya Respublika
  • Ukrainian: Придністров'я: Придністровська Молдавська Республіка
Pridnistrov'ya - ridnistrovs'ka Moldavs'ka Respublika
  • Moldovan: Нистря: Република Молдовеняскэ Нистрянэ
Nistria - Republica Moldovenească Nistreană
De facto independent state, inside the de jure territory of the Republic of Moldova (the Territorial Unit of Transnistria), diplomatically recognized by no UN member states.[52]

 Western Sahara - Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic -
  • Arabic: الجمهورية العربية الصحراوية الديمقراطية
Al-Jumhūrīya al-`Arabīya as-Sahrāwīya ad-Dīmuqrātīya
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a government-in-exile that declared independence and claims sovereignty over the Western Sahara. This is disputed by Morocco, which controls most of it.[40]

[edit] See also

[edit] Other listings

[edit] References

[edit] General references

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ E.g. the constituent countries of the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales).
  2. ^ "State", pp. 512–3 in Penguin Dictionary of International Relations. Evans, Graham & Newnham, Jeffrey. 1998. (ISBN 0-14-051397-3). London: Penguin Books Ltd.
  3. ^ The names of the items in the list are given in English and include both an English version of the short official names (e.g. Afghanistan) and an English version of the (longer) official names (e.g. Islamic Republic of Afghanistan), as well as the same names in the (de jure or de facto) official languages on national level of the entity. Main source for the names in the official languages are the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the CIA World Fact Book (both retrieved 14 August 2007). If needed, they have been transliterated into Romanized characters, but original scripts (such as Cyrillic or Chinese characters) are included. When possible, the Romanization preferred by the country has been used.The sources for both flag and names, official languages and Romanizations are the main articles on these entities. When other sources are used, these sources are mentioned. See for a gallery of flags Gallery of sovereign-state flags.
  4. ^ Information is included on
  5. ^ a b More information on separatism can be found at the List of active autonomist and secessionist movements and the main articles.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p The Commonwealth Realms are members of the Commonwealth of Nations in which the head of state of the United Kingdom is head of state. The realms are sovereign states, see Sovereignty of the Realms.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w For more information on divisions with a high degree of autonomy, see the List of autonomous areas by country.
  8. ^ Argentina is also named Argentine Nation for purposes of legislation.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w More information on more or less federal structures can be found at a List of federations.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v More information on territorial disputes can be found at the List of territorial disputes and the main articles.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa The member countries of the European Union transferred part of their sovereignty in the form of legislative, executive, and judicial powers to the institutions of the EU
  12. ^ Formerly referred to as Dahomey, its official name until 1975.
  13. ^ See form more information about the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dayton Agreement and the text of the The General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  14. ^ a b c d e f The sovereignty over the Spratly Islands is disputed by China, the ROC (Taiwan), Vietnam, the Philippines (part), Malaysia (part), and Brunei (part). Except Brunei, each of these countries occupies part of the islands (see List of territorial disputes).
  15. ^ Also known as Burkina; formerly referred to as Upper Volta, its official name until 1984.
  16. ^ The Burmese short name in Burmese writing system is not available in Wikipedia.
  17. ^ The legal name for Canada is the sole word; an officially sanctioned, though disused, name is Dominion of Canada (which includes its legal title); see: Name of Canada, Dominion.
  18. ^ a b The People's Republic of China (PRC) is commonly referred to as China, while the Republic of China (ROC) is commonly referred to as Taiwan. The ROC is also diplomatically occasionally known as Chinese Taipei or other names.
  19. ^ The People's Republic of China is currently non-recognized by 23 countries and Vatican City, see PRC's diplomatic relations, Foreign relations of the PRC.
  20. ^ Special administrative region of Hong Kong is a [[special administrative region (People's Republic of China)|]] of the People's Republic of China. It is often diplomatically known as Hong Kong, China.
  21. ^ .special administrative region of Macau is a Special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. It is diplomatically known as Macau, China.
  22. ^ a b In 1949, during the Chinese Civil War, the Republic of China government under the Kuomintang (KMT) of Chiang Kai-shek was overthrown by the Communist Party of China (CPC) under Mao Zedong and fled to the island of Taiwan. The CPC established the PRC, while the KMT regime re-established itself in Taiwan. As such, the political status of the ROC and the legal status of Taiwan (alongside the territories currently under ROC jurisdiction) are in dispute. In 1971, the ROC lost the China seat at the United Nations to the PRC: most states recognize or acknowledge the PRC to be the sole legitimate representative of all China, and the UN reckons the former as Taiwan, Province of China. The ROC is currently recognized by the Holy See and 23 UN member states and has de facto international relations with most others. The moniker Republic of Taiwan is proposed by supporters of Taiwan independence.
  23. ^ a b The Chinese sovereignty over the Paracel Islands is disputed by Vietnam and the Republic of China (Taiwan) (see List of territorial disputes).
  24. ^ a b c The sovereignty over Kashmir is disputed by India and Pakistan, smaller parts are disputed by the People's Republic of China (and the Republic of China). De facto Kashmir is divided between India, Pakistan and China. See the List of territorial disputes.
  25. ^ Abbreviated as DRC, and also known as Congo-Kinshasa; also formerly referred to as Zaire, its official name from 1971 to 1997.
  26. ^ Cyprus is recognized by all countries except Turkey, see Foreign relations of Cyprus
  27. ^ A simpler official short-form name has been encouraged by the Czech government: the English variant Czechia remains uncommon, but variants in Czech (Česko) and some other languages are more popular. See Names of the Czech Republic
  28. ^ The government of East Timor uses Timor-Leste as English translation.
  29. ^ Hindustani uses both the Hindi and Urdu script
  30. ^ Source for the romanization is Geonames.
  31. ^ Åland It was demilitarised by the Treaty of Paris in 1856, which was later affirmed by the League of Nations in 1921, and in a somewhat different context reaffirmed in the treaty on Finland's admission to the European Union in 1995.
  32. ^ See List of active autonomist and secessionist movements.
  33. ^ Source: Iraqi constitution
  34. ^ Ireland is often referred to as the Republic of Ireland (its official description but not its name). Sometimes this is done to distinguish Ireland from island of Ireland as a whole. However, sometimes it is done for political reasons and is contentious.
  35. ^ Israel is currently non-recognized by 34 countries, see Foreign relations of Israel.
  36. ^ The translation of Nihon-koku was found at the Afrikaans Wikipedia.
  37. ^ Though the sovereignty of the Macedonia is not disputed, Greece disputes its name. Therefore, the republic is referred to by the UN and a number of countries and international organizations as Macedonia.
  38. ^ Some argue that Albanian is the second official language, others argue that Albanian is not used as a second official language. See for more information Talk:Republic of Macedonia. See also Macedonian language naming dispute.
  39. ^ Moldovan is often considered to be the same language as Romanian, see Moldovan language.
  40. ^ a b The Western Sahara is disputed between the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and #Morocco. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is currently recognized by 46 UN member states. It has never been admitted to the UN. It is not a member of the Arab League or the Organization of the Islamic Conference, but is a member of the African Union and the Asian-African Strategic Partnership formed at the 2005 Asian-African Conference. It claims the whole territory of Western Sahara but only exercises effective control over the territory east of Moroccan Wall, while a large portion of the territory is integrated into Morocco.
  41. ^ E.g. the Federal Republic of Germany has diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands, Source: German foreign ministry, retrieved 14 August 2007. For more information: Foreign relations of the Cook Islands
  42. ^ The continent of Antarctica, including its outlying islands south of 60°S, are held in abeyance under the terms of the Antarctic Treaty. All claims are suspended. Claiming countries are Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. There is also an informal Brazilian claim.
  43. ^ Whether or not the Russian Federation is a genuine federation is a matter of dispute. See: Russian Federation section.
  44. ^ Vatican City is recognized by 176 countries, whereby Vatican's foreign relations formally belong to the Holy See.
  45. ^ a b "Russia condemned for recognizing rebel regions". CNN.com (2008-08-26). Retrieved on 2008-08-26.
  46. ^ See Regions and territories: Nagorno-Karabakh (17 January 2006). BBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
  47. ^ See The World Factbook|Cyprus (10 January 2006). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
  48. ^ Source for observership: UN Website.
  49. ^ See for more information Proposals for a Palestinian state.
  50. ^ See Regions and territories: Somaliland (30 December 2005). BBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
  51. ^ Romanization in Tongyong Pinyin.
  52. ^ 'See Regions and territories: Trans-Dniester (13 December 2005). BBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
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