Template:List of countries 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 States claiming sovereignty |
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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.[1] 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 202 entities:
- 193 sovereign states with general international recognition:
- 192 member states of the United Nations (UN)
- 1 state with general international recognition but not UN membership, governed by the Holy See (a UN permanent observer): Vatican City
- 9 entities claiming sovereignty:
- 3 entities lacking general international recognition, none of which are UN members, that may be defined as states in the body of customary international law: Taiwan (Republic of China), Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and Palestine.
- 6 entities lacking general international recognition, none of which are UN members, that have declared independence and have limited or no international recognition: the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (only recognized by Turkey), Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Transnistria, Somaliland, and South Ossetia.
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:
- two states, in free association with New Zealand and represented in most matters by that country: Niue and the Cook Islands.
- one entity, a UN observer member, recognized by 96 states, but with extraterritorial areas within Rome is the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
- one state, never a UN member, only ever briefly recognized by the Republic of Georgia, with all of its claimed territory under military occupation, the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
- The European Union, a sui generis supranational organization which currently has 27 member countries. The member countries transferred part of their legislative, executive, and judicial powers to the institutions of the EU; therefore, it has some characteristics of a sovereign state, without generally being considered a sovereign state.
- Parts of Antarctica are claimed by a few nations. However, together with its outlying islands, Antarctica is held in abeyance under the terms of the Antarctic Treaty.[2]
The listing or placement of any entity in this article is not meant to imply an official position in any naming dispute.
Sovereign states
Name in English and the official languages of the state[3] | Information on the extent of the sovereignty[4] | |
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A | ||
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Abkhazia → States claiming sovereignty | ||
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Afghanistan - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Albania - Republic of Albania
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Algeria - People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Andorra - Principality of Andorra
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Angola - Republic of Angola
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. A separtist government in exile claims independence for Cabinda[5] | |
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Antigua and Barbuda - Antigua and Barbuda
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and has a division (dependency), Barbuda, with a autonomous status[7]. | |
| ||
Argentina - Argentine Republic[8]
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Argentina is a federation[9] divided in provinces and one federal district. The Argentine claim of Argentine Antarctica is suspended[2]. Argentine claims also sovereignty over the British overseas terriotires of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands[10] | |
| ||
Armenia - Republic of Armenia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Australia - Commonwealth of Australia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Australia is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and a federation[9] divided in states and territories. The Australian claim of the Australian Antarctic Territory is suspended[2]. Australia has sovereignty over: | |
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Austria - Republic of Austria
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. Austria is a federation[9] divided in states (Bundesländer). | |
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Azerbaijan - Republic of Azerbaijan
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Azerbaijan has one autonomous republic, 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. | |
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B | ||
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The Bahamas - Commonwealth of The Bahamas
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. The Bahamas is a Commonwealth Realm[6]. | |
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Bahrain - Kingdom of Bahrain
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Bangladesh - People's Republic of Bangladesh
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Barbados - Barbados
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Barbados is a Commonwealth Realm[6]. | |
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Belarus - Republic of Belarus
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Belgium - Kingdom of Belgium
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. Belgium is a federation[9] divided in linguistic communities and regions. | |
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Belize - Belize
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Belize is a Commonwealth Realm[6]. | |
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Benin - Republic of Benin[12]
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Bhutan - Kingdom of Bhutan
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Bolivia - Republic of Bolivia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. 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]. | |
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Botswana - Republic of Botswana
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Brazil - Federative Republic of Brazil
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Brasil is a federation[9] divided in states and one federal district. | |
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Brunei - Negara Brunei Darussalam
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Brunei claims sovereignty over part of the Spratly Islands[14]. | |
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Bulgaria - Republic of Bulgaria
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
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Burkina Faso - Burkina Faso[15]
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Burma → Myanmar | ||
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Burundi - Republic of Burundi
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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C | ||
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Cambodia - Kingdom of Cambodia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Cameroon - Republic of Cameroon
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Canada - Canada[16]
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Canada is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and a federation[9] divided into provinces and territories. | |
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Cape Verde - Republic of Cape Verde
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Central African Republic - Central African Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Chad - Republic of Chad
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Chile - Republic of Chile
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Easter Island is an integral part of Chile. The Chilean claim of the Chilean Antarctic Territory is suspended[2]. | |
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China - People's Republic of China[17]
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO[18]. 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),[21] the Paracel Islands (disputed by the ROC and Vietnam),[22] 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.[23] Tibet and East Turkestan (Xinjiang) have separatist governments in exile.[5] | |
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China, Republic of → States claiming sovereignty | ||
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Colombia - Republic of Colombia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Comoros - Union of the Comoros
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. The Comoros is a federation with autonomous islands[9][7]. The Comoros dispute the French sovereignty over Mayotte and the Glorioso Islands[10]. | |
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Congo - Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa)[24]
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Congo - Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Cook Islands → New Zealand | ||
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Costa Rica - Republic of Costa Rica
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Côte d'Ivoire - Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Croatia - Republic of Croatia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Cuba - Republic of Cuba
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. 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. | |
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Cyprus - Republic of Cyprus
|
Widely recognized[25] member of the UNO and the EU[11]. See Northern Cyprus for the de facto state in the de jure territory of Cyprus. | |
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Czech Republic - Czech Republic[26]
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
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D | ||
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Denmark - Kingdom of Denmark
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11].
The Kingdom of Denmark includes also the associated countries
| |
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Djibouti - Republic of Djibouti
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Dominica - Commonwealth of Dominica
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Dominican Republic - Dominican Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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E | ||
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East Timor - Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste[27]
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Ecuador - Republic of Ecuador
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Egypt - Arab Republic of Egypt
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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El Salvador - Republic of El Salvador
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Equatorial Guinea - Republic of Equatorial Guinea
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Eritrea - State of Eritrea
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Estonia - Republic of Estonia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
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Ethiopia - Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Ethiopia is a federation[9] divided in regions and chartered cities. | |
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F | ||
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Fiji - Republic of the Fiji Islands
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Fiji has an autonomous region (dependency), Rotuma[7]. | |
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Finland - Republic of Finland
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. Åland is a neutral and demilitarised autonomous region of Finland. [30][7]. | |
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France - French Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO 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
| |
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G | ||
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Gabon - Gabonese Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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The Gambia - Republic of The Gambia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Georgia - Georgia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. 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. | |
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Germany - Federal Republic of Germany
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. Germany is a federation[9] divided in states (Länder). | |
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Ghana - Republic of Ghana
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Greece - Hellenic Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. Greece has an autonomous republic, Athos[7]. | |
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Grenada - Grenada
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Grenada is a Commonwealth Realm[6]. | |
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Guatemala - Republic of Guatemala
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Guinea - Republic of Guinea
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Guinea-Bissau - Republic of Guinea-Bissau
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Guyana - Co-operative Republic of Guyana
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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H | ||
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Haiti - Republic of Haiti
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Haiti claims the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa[10]. | |
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Honduras - Republic of Honduras
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Hungary - Republic of Hungary
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
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I | ||
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Iceland - Republic of Iceland
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
India - Republic of India
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. 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 occupies part of Kashmir[23]/ | |
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Indonesia - Republic of Indonesia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Indonesia has an 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[31] | |
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Iran - Islamic Republic of Iran
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Iraq - Republic of Iraq
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Iraq's constitution labels the country as a federation[32][9] divided in regions, governorates and the capital district. At present the only region is Iraqi Kurdistan. | |
| ||
Ireland - Ireland (Republic of Ireland)[33]
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
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Israel - State of Israel
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO[34]. Israel occupies the Syrian 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. | |
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Italy - Italian Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. Italy has autonomous regions, Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol[7]. | |
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Ivory Coast → Côte d'Ivoire | ||
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J | ||
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Jamaica - Jamaica
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Jamaica is a Commonwealth Realm[6]. | |
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Japan - State of Japan[35]
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Jordan - Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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K | ||
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Kazakhstan - Republic of Kazakhstan
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Kenya - Republic of Kenya
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Kiribati - Republic of Kiribati
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Korea, North - Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Korea, South - Republic of Korea (South Korea)
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Kuwait - State of Kuwait
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyz Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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L | ||
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Laos - Lao People's Democratic Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Latvia - Republic of Latvia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
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Lebanon - Republic of Lebanon
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Lesotho - Kingdom of Lesotho
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Liberia - Republic of Liberia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Libya - Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Liechtenstein - Principality of Liechtenstein
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Lithuania - Republic of Lithuania
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
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Luxembourg - Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
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M | ||
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Macedonia - Republic of Macedonia[36]
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Madagascar - Republic of Madagascar
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Madagascar claims the French possessions of the Glorioso Islands and Juan de Nova[10]. | |
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Malawi - Republic of Malawi
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Malaysia - Malaysia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Malaysia is a federation[9] divided in states and federal territories. Malaysia claims part of the Spratly Islands[14]. | |
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Maldives - Republic of Maldives
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Mali - Republic of Mali
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Malta - Republic of Malta
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
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Marshall Islands - Republic of the Marshall Islands
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. The Marshall Islands claim the United States territory of Wake Island.[10] | |
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Mauritania - Islamic Republic of Mauritania
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Mauritius - Republic of Mauritius
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Mauritius has an autonomous island, Rodrigues[7]. Mauritius claims the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French island of Tromelin[10]. | |
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Mexico - United Mexican States
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Mexico is a federation[9] divided in states and one federal district. | |
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Micronesia - Federated States of Micronesia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Micronesia is a federation[9] divided in states. | |
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Moldova - Republic of Moldova
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Moldova has an autonomous region, Gagauzia[7]. See Transnistria for the de facto state inside the de jure territory of Moldova. | |
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Monaco - Principality of Monaco
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Mongolia - Mongolia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Montenegro - Republic of Montenegro
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Morocco - Kingdom of Morocco
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Morocco claims sovereignty over the Western Sahara and controls most of it, which is disputed by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic[39]. Morocco disputes the Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñón de Alhucemas[10]. | |
| ||
Mozambique - Republic of Mozambique
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Myanmar - Union of Myanmar (Burma)
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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N | ||
| ||
Nagorno Karabakh → States claiming sovereignty | ||
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Namibia - Republic of Namibia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Nauru - Republic of Nauru
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Nepal
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
The Netherlands - Kingdom of the Netherlands
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. Legally the Netherlands refers to the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the latter consisting of the Netherlands and the two overseas (associated) countries of
| |
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New Zealand - New Zealand
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. New Zealand is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and has sovereignty over the associated states of
The New Zealand claim of the Ross Dependency at Antarctica is suspendend[2]. | |
| ||
Nicaragua - Republic of Nicaragua
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Niger - Republic of Niger
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Nigeria - Federal Republic of Nigeria
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Nigeria is a federation[9] divided in states and one federal district. | |
| ||
Niue → New Zealand | ||
| ||
Northern Cyprus → States claiming sovereignty | ||
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North Korea → Korea, Democratic People's Republic of | ||
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Norway - Kingdom of Norway
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. 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[2]. | |
| ||
O | ||
| ||
Oman - Sultanate of Oman
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
P | ||
| ||
Pakistan - Islamic Republic of Pakistan
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Pakistan is a federation[9] divided in provinces and territories. Pakistan claims the sovereignty over and occupies part of Kashmir[23]. | |
| ||
Palau - Republic of Palau
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Palestine → States claiming sovereignty | ||
| ||
Panama - Republic of Panama
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Papua New Guinea - Independent State of Papua New Guinea
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and has an autonomous province, Bougainville Province[7]. | |
| ||
Paraguay - Republic of Paraguay
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Peru - Republic of Peru
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Philippines - Republic of the Philippines
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. 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
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
| ||
Portugal - Portuguese Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. Portugal has two autonomous regions, Azores and Madeira[7]. | |
| ||
Pridnestrovie → States claiming sovereignty, Transnistria | ||
| ||
Q | ||
| ||
Qatar - State of Qatar
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
R | ||
| ||
Romania - Romania
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
| ||
Russia - Russian Federation
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Russia is a federation[9][42] divided in Subjects of Russia (oblasts, republics, autonomous okrugs, krays, and federal cities, several of the federal subjects are autonomous republics[7]: Adygea, Altai Republic, Bashkortostan, Buryatia, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Kalmykia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Karelia, Komi, Mari El, Mordovia, Sakha Republic, North Ossetia-Alania, Tatarstan, Tuva, Udmurtia, Khakassia, Chechnya, Chuvashia. | |
| ||
Rwanda - Republic of Rwanda
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
S | ||
| ||
Sahara → States claiming sovereignty | ||
| ||
Saint Kitts and Nevis - Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a Commonwealth Realm[6] and is a federation[9] of the islands. | |
| ||
Saint Lucia - Saint Lucia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth Realm[6]. | |
| ||
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a Commonwealth Realm[6]. | |
| ||
Samoa - Independent State of Samoa
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
San Marino - Most Serene Republic of San Marino
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
São Tomé and Príncipe - Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. São Tomé and Príncipe has an autonomous province, Príncipe[7]. | |
| ||
Saudi Arabia - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Senegal - Republic of Senegal
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Serbia - Republic of Serbia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. 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. | |
| ||
Seychelles - Republic of Seychelles
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. The Sechelles claim the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French Glorioso Islands and Tromelin[10]. | |
| ||
Sierra Leone - Republic of Sierra Leone
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Singapore - Republic of Singapore
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
| ||
Slovakia - Slovak Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
| ||
Slovenia - Republic of Slovenia
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
| ||
Solomon Islands - Solomon Islands
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. The Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth Realm[6]. | |
| ||
Somalia - Somali Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UNO. 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. | |
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South Africa - Republic of South Africa
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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South Korea → Korea, Republic of | ||
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South Ossetia → States claiming sovereignty | ||
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Spain - Kingdom of Spain
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Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. Spain has characters of a federation[9] and is divided in autonomous communities and cities, of which Andalusia, Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia have a higher degree of autonomy[7]. The sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñón de Alhucemas is disputed by Morocco. Spain disputes the British sovereignty over Gibraltar[10]. | |
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Sri Lanka - Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. Tamil Eelam has a separatist government that controls part of Sri Lanka.(see source). It strives after an independent country but did not yet decalre independence. | |
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Sudan - Republic of the Sudan
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. Sudan is a federation[9] divided in [[divided in states and it has one autonomous region, Southern Sudan, formed out of the Southern Sudanese states[7]. | |
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Suriname - Republic of Suriname
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Swaziland - Kingdom of Swaziland
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Sweden - Kingdom of Sweden
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Widely recognized member of the UNO and the EU[11]. | |
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Switzerland - Swiss Confederation
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. Switzerland is a federation[9] divided in cantons. | |
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Syria - Syrian Arab Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. The Golan is occupied by Israel. Syria disputed the Turkish sovereignty over Hatay Province[10]. | |
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T | ||
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Taiwan → States claiming sovereignty | ||
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Tajikistan - Republic of Tajikistan
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. Tajikistan has an autonomous province, Gorno-Badakhshan[7]. | |
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Tanzania - United Republic of Tanzania
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. Tanzania is a federacy with an autonomous status for Zanzibar[7]. | |
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Thailand - Kingdom of Thailand
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Timor-Leste → East Timor | ||
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Togo - Togolese Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Tonga - Kingdom of Tonga
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Transnistria → States claiming sovereignty | ||
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Trinidad and Tobago - Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. Trinidad and Tobago has an autonomous island, Tobago[7]. | |
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Tunisia - Tunisian Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Turkey - Republic of Turkey
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. The Turkish sovereignty over the Hatay Province is disputed by Syria[10] | |
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Turkmenistan - Turkmenistan
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Tuvalu - Tuvalu
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. Tuvalu is a Commonwealth Realm[6]. | |
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U | ||
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Uganda - Republic of Uganda
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Ukraine - Ukraine
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. Ukraine has an autonomous republic, Crimea[7]. | |
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United Arab Emirates - United Arab Emirayes
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. The United Arab Emirates is a federation[9] divided in Emirates. | |
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United Kingdom - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Widely recognized member of the UNO 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 claims of the British Antarctic Territory are suspended[2]. The British Crown has sovereignty over | |
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United States of America - United States of America
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. The United States is a federation[9] divided in states and one federal district. The United States have 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]. 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. | |
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Uruguay - Eastern Republic of Uruguay
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Uzbekistan - Republic of Uzbekistan
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. Uzbekistan has an autonomous republic, Karakalpakstan[7]. | |
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V | ||
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Vanuatu - Republic of Vanuatu
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Vatican City - State of the Vatican City
|
Widely recognized country[43]. Vatican City is administered by a Governor appointed by the Pope, with the latter being the head of the Holy See and that of the Vatican City concurrently. | |
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Venezuela - Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. Venezuela is a federation[9] divided in states, one federal dependency and one federal district. | |
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Vietnam - Socialist Republic of Vietnam
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. Vietnam claims sovereignty over the Paracel Islands[22] and the Spratly Islands[14]. | |
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W | ||
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Y | ||
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Yemen - Republic of Yemen
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. The Yemenite sovereignty over Socotra is disputed by Somalia[10]. | |
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Z | ||
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Zambia - Republic of Zambia
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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Zimbabwe - Republic of Zimbabwe
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Widely recognized member of the UNO. | |
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States claiming sovereignty
This annex lists the states claiming sovereignty and having control over (part of) its claimed territory, but which may not be universally reckoned as sovereign. Entities considered to be micronations that are not internationally recognized are not included.
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Abkhazia: Republic of Abkhazia
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De facto independent country, inside the de jure territory of Georgia (the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia), diplomatically recognized by no UN member states.[44][45][46] |
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China, Republic of → Taiwan, listed below | |
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Nagorno-Karabakh - Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
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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.[47]}} |
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Northern Cyprus - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
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De facto independent country, 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.[48] |
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Palestinian territories
|
The Palestinian territories are partially occupied by Israel and partially under control of the Palestinian Authority resp. Hamas. The Palestinian Authority is not equivalent to the State of Palestine. The former does not, at the moment, claim independence. Palestine has received a standing invitation to participate as observer at United Nations General Assembly and maintains a permanent observer mission at the UNO Headquarters[49] Palestine is recognized by 103 countries[50]. In diplomatic relations, the State of Palestine is represented by the Palestinian Authority. |
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Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
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The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a gorvenment in exile that declared independence and claims sovereignty over the Western Sahara. This is disputed by Morocco, which controls most of it[39] |
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Somaliland - Republic of Somaliland
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De facto independent country inside the de jure territory of the Somali Republic, diplomatically recognized by no UN member states.[51] |
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South Ossetia - Republic of South Ossetia
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De facto independent country inside the de jure territory of Georgia (the provisional administrative entity in South Ossetia), diplomatically recognized by no UN member states. [52] |
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Taiwan - Republic of China[17]
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Claimed in whole by the People's Republic of China[21] Also claims sovereignty over the Paracel Islands[22] and the Spratly Islands.[14] |
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Transnistria - Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (Pridnestrovie, Trans-Dniester)
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De facto independent country, inside the de jure territory of the Republic of Moldova (the Territorial Unit of Transnistria), diplomatically recognized by no UN member states[54]. |
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See also
- Annex to the list of countries
- Geography
- The Earth
- Continent
- Declarative theory of statehood
- Constitutive theory of statehood
- Lists by country
- List of reference tables
- List of countries and capitals in native languages
- List of country names in various languages
- List of alternative country names
- Micronations
Other listings
- Gallery of sovereign state flags
- national days
- countries
- international rankings
- sovereign states by year
- of unrecognized countries
- of autonomous areas by country
- of dependent territories
- disputed or occupied areas
- of active autonomist and secessionist movements
- of imaginary countries
- of micronations
- of former countries
- by area
- by capital city
- by continent
- by gross domestic product
- of island countries
- by date of independence
- by population
- by population density
- by time zone
- by highest point
- by number of active troops
- of name etymologies
- by native names
For more sources, see Geographic references.
References
General references
- Template:PDFlink (2004). United Nations Cartographic Section. Retrieved 17 January 2006.
- Countries or areas, codes and abbreviations (2006). United Nations Statistics Division. Retrieved 18 October 2006 .
- Countries and currencies (2006). European Commission. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
- The World Factbook (2006). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 17 January 2006.
- ISO 3166 country code list (2006) ISO 3166-1 Retrieved 18 October 2006
- How many countries are there in the world? an article by David Madore on this unanswerable question
Footnotes
- ^ "State", pp. 512-3 in Penguin Dictionary of International Relations. Evans, Graham & Newnham, Jeffrey. 1998. (ISBN 0-14-051397-3). London: Penguin Books Ltd.
- ^ a b c d e f g h 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Information is included on
- the extent of recognition and membership of the United Nations (Source: the website of the UNO).
- the reason a non-de jure state is listed. More information can be found at the list of unrecognized countries.
- the overseas dependencies. Some sovereign states have overseas dependencies, generally not part of the territory of the state. More information can be found at the List of dependent countries.
- the federal structures if applicable. Some sovereign states have more or less federal structures. More information can be found at a List of federations.
- the autonomous areas inside the territory of the sovereign state. Some sovereign states have one or more autonomous areas as part of the their territory; see List of autonomous areas by country.
- disputed territories
- separatist governments in exile.
- ^ a b More information on separatism can be found at the List of active autonomist and secessionist movements and the main articles.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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 For more information on divisions with a high degree of autonomy, see the List of autonomous areas by country.
- ^ Argentina is also named Argentine Nation for purposes of legislation.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x More information on more or less federal structures can be found at a List of federations.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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
- ^ Formerly referred to as Dahomey, its official name until 1975.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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).
- ^ Also known as Burkina; formerly referred to as Upper Volta, its official name until 1984.
- ^ 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: Canada's name, Dominion.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Hong Kong is a Special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. It is often diplomatically known as Hong Kong, China.
- ^ .Macau is a Special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. It is diplomatically known as Macau, China.
- ^ a b In 1949, during the Chinese Civil War, the Chinese 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. 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 its 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.
- ^ a b c The Chinese sovereignty over the Paracel Islands is disputed by Vietnam and the Republic of China (Taiwan) (see List of territorial disputes).
- ^ 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.
- ^ Abbreviated as DRC, and also known as Congo-Kinshasa; also formerly referred to as Zaire, its official name from 1971 to 1997.
- ^ Cyprus is recognized by all countries except Turkey, see Foreign relations of Cyprus
- ^ 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
- ^ The government of East Timor uses Timor-Leste as English translation.
- ^ Hindustani uses both the Hindi and Urdu script
- ^ Source for the romanization is Geonames.
- ^ 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.
- ^ See List of active autonomist and secessionist movements.
- ^ Source: Iraqi constitution
- ^ Ireland is often referred to as the Republic of Ireland as the official "description" of the state in order to distinguish it from the island of Ireland as a whole.
- ^ Israel is currently non-recognized by 34 countries, see Foreign relations of Israel.
- ^ The translation of Nihon-koku was found at the Afrikaans Wikipedia.
- ^ Though the sovereignty of the Republic of Macedonia is not disputed, Greece disputes its name. Therefore, the republic is referred to by UN and a number of countries and international organizations as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Moldovan is often considered to be the same language as Romanian, see Moldovan language.
- ^ a b The Western Sahara is disputed between the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and #Morocco. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is currently recognized by 43 UN member states. It has never been admitted to the UN 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.
- ^ The Burmese short name in Burmese writing system is not available in Wikipedia.
- ^ 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
- ^ Whether or not the Russian Federation is a genuine federation is a matter of dispute. See: Russian Federation section.
- ^ Vatican City is recognized by 176 countries, whereby Vatican's foreign relations formally belong to the Holy See.
- ^ See Regions and territories: Abkhazia (14 December 2005). BBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2006, Federal Practice: Exploring alternatives for Georgia and Abkhazia by Bruno Coppieters, David Darchiashvili and Natella Akaba (eds), VUB University Press, Vrije Universiteir Brussel (Vakgroep Politieke Wetenschappen), Brussels, Belgium, 1999, page 238 and "Unresolved Conflicts in the Regional Security System: The Case of the South Caucasus" journal Transition Studies Review (Publisher: Springer Wien), ISSN 1614-4007, Issue: Volume 11, Number 3 / December, 2004, DOI 10.1007/s11300-004-0013-0, Pages 213-223.
- ^ "Legal opinion on The Validity and Interpretation othe 4 April 1994 Georgian-Abkhazian Agreements" Dr. Bart Driessen, legal advisor, for the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO).
- ^ Institute for Security and International Studies (ISIS), Sofia, research study 12, ISSN 1311 – 3259.
- ^ See Regions and territories: Nagorno-Karabakh (17 January 2006). BBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
- ^ See The World Factbook|Cyprus (10 January, 2006). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
- ^ Source for observership: UNO Website.
- ^ See for more information Proposals for a Palestinian state.
- ^ See Regions and territories: Somaliland (30 December 2005). BBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
- ^ See Regions and territories: South Ossetia (14 December 2005). BBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
- ^ Romanization in Tongyong Pinyin.
- ^ 'See Regions and territories: Trans-Dniester (13 December 2005). BBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2006.