This is a list of sovereign states, giving an overview of states around the world with information on the status and recognition of their sovereignty.
The list is divided into two parts. It is arranged alphabetically, and contains 203 entries, as of 2010[update]:
Compiling a list such as this can be a difficult and controversial process, as there is no definition that is binding on all the members of the community of nations concerning the criteria for statehood. For more information on the criteria used to determine the contents of this list, please see the "criteria for inclusion" section below.
Contents: |
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Name in English, and the official, national, and other important languages of the state [3] | Information on status and recognition of sovereignty [4] | |||
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A |
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Abkhazia → Other states | ||||
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Afghanistan – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Albania – Republic of Albania
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Algeria – People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Andorra – Principality of Andorra
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Angola – Republic of Angola
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Antigua and Barbuda
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth realm[5] and has a division (dependency), Barbuda, with an autonomous status.[6] | |||
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Argentina – Argentine Republic [7]
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Argentina is a federation [8] of twenty-three provinces and one autonomous city. Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, which are administered by the United Kingdom.[9] Argentina claims Argentine Antarctica as part of its national territory, officially a department of the province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and South Atlantic Islands. It overlaps with the claims of the UK and Chile.[10] | |||
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Armenia – Republic of Armenia
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Widely recognized member of the UN.
Armenia is not recognised by one UN member: Pakistan. |
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Australia – Commonwealth of Australia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Australia is a Commonwealth realm[5] and a federation [8] of 6 states and 10 territories. The external territories of Australia are: | |||
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Austria – Republic of Austria
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Austria is a federation [8] composed of 9 federated states (Bundesländer). | |||
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Azerbaijan – Republic of Azerbaijan
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Azerbaijan has one autonomous republic, Nakhchivan and the autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh (Dağlıq Qarabağ).[6] In Nagorno-Karabakh, a de facto state has been established (see Other states). | |||
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B |
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Bahamas – Commonwealth of The Bahamas
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Widely recognized member of the UN. The Bahamas is a Commonwealth realm.[5] | |||
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Bahrain – Kingdom of Bahrain
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Bangladesh – People's Republic of Bangladesh
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Barbados
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Barbados is a Commonwealth realm.[5] | |||
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Belarus – Republic of Belarus
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium | Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Belgium is a federation [8] divided into linguistic communities and regions. | |||
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Belize
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Belize is a Commonwealth realm.[5] | |||
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Benin – Republic of Benin [12]
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Bolivia – Plurinational State of Bolivia | Widely recognized member of the UN. Bolivia is divided into 9 autonomous departments. | |||
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Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Widely recognized member of the UN. As a result of the Dayton Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided into two constituent units: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska.[14] | |||
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Botswana – Republic of Botswana | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Brazil – Federative Republic of Brazil
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Brazil is a federation [8] composed of 26 states and one federal district. | |||
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Brunei – State of Brunei, Abode of Peace
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Brunei claims sovereignty over part of the Spratly Islands.[15] | |||
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Bulgaria – Republic of Bulgaria
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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Burkina Faso [16]
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Burma – Union of Myanmar
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Widely recognized member of the UN | |||
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Burundi – Republic of Burundi
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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C |
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Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Canada [17] | Widely recognized member of the UN. Canada is a Commonwealth realm[5] and a federation [8] composed of 10 provinces and 3 territories. | |||
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Cape Verde – Republic of Cape Verde
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Central African Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Chad – Republic of Chad
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Chile – Republic of Chile
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Easter Island and the Juan Fernández Islands are "special territories" of Chile in the Valparaíso Region. Chile claims part of Antarctica as a commune in Antártica Chilena Province, Magallanes and Antártica Chilena Region. Its claim overlaps with those of the UK and Argentina.[10] | |||
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China – People's Republic of China[18]
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Commonly known as "China", the People's Republic of China (PRC) has five autonomous regions: Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Tibet.[6] Additionally, it has sovereignty over the Special Administrative Regions of:
It also claims:
Aksai Chin, controlled by the PRC, is claimed by India as a part of Jammu and Kashmir.[24] The PRC is currently not recognised by 22 UN member states and the Holy See, which instead recognise the ROC.[25] |
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China, Republic of (Taiwan) → Other states | ||||
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Colombia – Republic of Colombia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Colombia's department of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina has been the subject of numerous territorial disputes with Nicaragua. | |||
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Comoros – Union of the Comoros
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Comoros is a federation with 3 autonomous islands.[8] Comoros disputes French sovereignty over Mayotte, the Glorioso Islands, and Banc du Geyser.[9] | |||
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Congo, Democratic Republic of the (Congo-Kinshasa) [26]
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Congo, Republic of the (Congo-Brazzaville)
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Côte d'Ivoire – Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Croatia – Republic of Croatia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Cuba – Republic of Cuba
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] The northeastern part of the island is the de facto state of Northern Cyprus. Cyprus is recognised by the Holy See and all UN member states except Turkey.[27] | |||
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Czech Republic [28]
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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D |
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Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11]
The Kingdom of Denmark also includes two autonomous countries.[29]
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Djibouti – Republic of Djibouti
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Dominican Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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E |
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East Timor – Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste [30]
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Egypt – Arab Republic of Egypt
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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El Salvador – Republic of El Salvador
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Equatorial Guinea – Republic of Equatorial Guinea
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Eritrea – State of Eritrea
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Estonia – Republic of Estonia
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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Ethiopia – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Ethiopia is a federation [8] composed of 9 regions and 2 chartered cities. | |||
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F |
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Fiji – Republic of the Fiji Islands
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Fiji has an autonomous region, Rotuma.[6][32] | |||
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Finland – Republic of Finland | Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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France – French Republic
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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 the government possesses the uninhabited Clipperton Island. French sovereignty also includes the overseas territories of:
French sovereignty over Bassas da India, Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island is disputed by Madagascar, over Glorioso Islands by Madagascar, Seychelles and the Comoros, over Tromelin Island by Mauritius and Seychelles, and over Banc du Geyser by Madagascar and the Comoros.[9] |
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G |
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Gabon – Gabonese Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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The Gambia – Republic of The Gambia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Georgia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Georgia has two divisions with autonomous statuses: Adjara and Abkhazia.[6] 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
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Germany is a federation [8] composed of 16 federated states (Länder). | |||
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Ghana – Republic of Ghana
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Greece – Hellenic Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Greece has sovereignty over Mount Athos, an autonomous monastic state that is jointly governed by the multi-national "Holy Community" on the mountain and the Civil Governor appointed by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and spiritually comes under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. | |||
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Grenada
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Grenada is a Commonwealth realm.[5] | |||
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Guatemala – Republic of Guatemala
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Guinea – Republic of Guinea
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Guinea-Bissau – Republic of Guinea-Bissau
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Guyana – Co-operative Republic of Guyana
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Widely recognized member of the UN. A substantial part of Guyana, from the west of the Essequibo River, is claimed by Venezuela. | |||
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H |
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Haiti – Republic of Haiti
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Haiti claims the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa Island.[9] | |||
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Holy See → Vatican City | ||||
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Honduras – Republic of Honduras
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Hungary – Republic of Hungary
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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I |
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Iceland – Republic of Iceland
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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India – Republic of India
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Widely recognized member of the UN. India is a federation [8] composed of 28 states and 7 union territories. The Indian sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh is disputed by the People's Republic of China.[9] India claims sovereignty over the whole of Kashmir, but administers only part of it as the federal state of Jammu and Kashmir.[24] | |||
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Indonesia – Republic of Indonesia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Indonesia has three provinces with official special autonomy status, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, Papua, and West Papua.[6] | |||
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Iran – Islamic Republic of Iran
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Iraq – Republic of Iraq
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Iraq's constitution labels the country as a federation [8][36] composed of 18 governorates. It also has the autonomous region Iraqi Kurdistan.[6] | |||
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Ireland [37] | Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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Israel – State of Israel
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Israel maintains control over East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and parts of the West Bank. These areas are not internationally recognized as being part of Israel.[9] Israel no longer has a permanent military presence in the Gaza Strip, following its unilateral disengagement but is still arguably considered the occupying power under International law.[38][39][40][41][42] Israel is currently not recognised as a state by 20 members of the UN.[43] | |||
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Italy – Italian Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Italy has 5 autonomous regions: Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.[6] | |||
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Ivory Coast → Côte d'Ivoire | ||||
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J |
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Jamaica
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Jamaica is a Commonwealth realm.[5] | |||
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Japan
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Jordan – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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K |
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Kazakhstan – Republic of Kazakhstan
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Kenya – Republic of Kenya | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Kiribati – Republic of Kiribati
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Korea, North – Democratic People's Republic of Korea
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Widely recognized member of the UN.
North Korea is not recognised by two UN members: Japan and South Korea.[45][46] |
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Korea, South – Republic of Korea
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Widely recognized member of the UN.
South Korea has one special autonomous province: Jeju-do.[6] South Korea is not recognised by one UN member: North Korea.[45] |
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Kosovo → Other states | ||||
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Kuwait – State of Kuwait
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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L |
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Laos – Lao People's Democratic Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Latvia – Republic of Latvia
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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Lebanon – Lebanese Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Lesotho – Kingdom of Lesotho | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Liberia – Republic of Liberia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Libya – Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Liechtenstein – Principality of Liechtenstein
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Lithuania – Republic of Lithuania
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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Luxembourg – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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M |
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Macedonia – Republic of Macedonia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Because of the Macedonia naming dispute, the country is provisionally referred to by the UN and a number of states and international organizations as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". | |||
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Madagascar – Republic of Madagascar | Widely recognized member of the UN. Madagascar claims the French possessions of the Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Banc du Geyser.[9] | |||
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Malawi – Republic of Malawi
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Malaysia | Widely recognized member of the UN. Malaysia is a federation [8] composed of 13 states and 3 federal territories. Malaysia claims part of the Spratly Islands.[15] | |||
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Maldives – Republic of Maldives
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Mali – Republic of Mali
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Malta – Republic of Malta | Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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Marshall Islands – Republic of the Marshall Islands | Widely recognized member of the UN under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Marshall Islands claim the United States territory of Wake Island.[9] | |||
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Mauritania – Islamic Republic of Mauritania
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius | Widely recognized member of the UN. Mauritius has an autonomous island, Rodrigues.[6] Mauritius claims the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French island of Tromelin.[9] | |||
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Mexico – United Mexican States
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Mexico is a federation [8] composed of 31 states and 1 federal district. | |||
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Micronesia, Federated States of
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Widely recognized member of the UN under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Federated States of Micronesia is a federation [8] composed of 4 states. | |||
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Moldova – Republic of Moldova | Widely recognized member of the UN. Moldova has the autonomous regions of Gagauzia and Transnistria, the latter of which has established a de facto state (see Other states). | |||
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Monaco – Principality of Monaco
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Mongolia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Montenegro
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Morocco – Kingdom of Morocco
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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. Morocco disputes the Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñón de Alhucemas.[9] | |||
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Mozambique – Republic of Mozambique
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Myanmar → Burma | ||||
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N |
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Nagorno-Karabakh → Other states | ||||
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Namibia – Republic of Namibia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Nauru – Republic of Nauru
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Nepal – Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
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Widely recognized member of the UN, Nepal is a federation [8] composed of 14 zones. | |||
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Netherlands – Kingdom of the Netherlands
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Widely recognized member of the UN. The Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of three countries:
Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles enjoy considerable autonomy, while no separate government or parliament for the country the Netherlands exists. The designation Netherlands thus refers to one of the Kingdom's constituent countries or to the short name for the Kingdom (e.g. in international organizations). The Kingdom of the Netherlands as a whole is a member of the EU,[11] but Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles are not part of the EU. |
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New Zealand | Widely recognized member of the UN. New Zealand is a Commonwealth realm[5] and has responsibilities for the two free associated states of:
Both of the above have established independent foreign relations with a number of states.[51][52][53] New Zealand also has the dependent territories of: The Tokelauan government has claimed sovereignty over Swains Island, part of American Samoa, a territory of the United States, at various times.[55] New Zealand does not recognize the Tokelauan claim.[56] |
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Nicaragua – Republic of Nicaragua
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Nicaragua contains the 2 autonomous regions of Atlántico Sur and Atlántico Norte.[6] | |||
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Niger – Republic of Niger
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Nigeria – Federal Republic of Nigeria | Widely recognized member of the UN. Nigeria is a federation [8] composed of 36 states and 1 federal territory. | |||
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Northern Cyprus → Other states | ||||
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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 UN. Svalbard is an integral part of Norway, but has a special status due to the Spitsbergen Treaty. The overseas uninhabited possessions of Bouvet Island and Jan Mayen are integral parts of Norway. Norway claims Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land as dependent territories of Norway, as part of the Norwegian Antarctic Territory.[10] | |||
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O |
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Oman – Sultanate of Oman
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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P |
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Pakistan – Islamic Republic of Pakistan
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Pakistan is a federation [8] composed of provinces and territories. Pakistan claims sovereignty over the majority of Kashmir, and exercises control over parts of it, which have not been incorporated into Pakistan proper. These portions are divided into two polities, each of which is administered separately and possesses a local government of its own:[24] | |||
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Palau – Republic of Palau
|
Widely recognized member of the UN under Compact of Free Association with the United States. | |||
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The Palestinian National Authority → Other states | ||||
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Panama – Republic of Panama
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Papua New Guinea – Independent State of Papua New Guinea | Widely recognized member of the UN. Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth realm[5]. Papua New Guinea contains the autonomous region of Bougainville.[6] | |||
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Paraguay – Republic of Paraguay | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Persia → Iran | ||||
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Peru – Republic of Peru | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Philippines – Republic of the Philippines | Widely recognized member of the UN. The Philippines contains the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.[6] The Philippines administers Scarborough Shoal and some of the Spratly Islands,[15] and claims sovereignty over the Macclesfield Bank and Sabah. Sabah is currently part of Malaysia.[9] | |||
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Poland – Republic of Poland
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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Portugal – Portuguese Republic
|
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Portugal has two autonomous regions: Azores and Madeira.[6] Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Olivenza and Táliga.[9] | |||
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Pridnestrovie → Other states, Transnistria | ||||
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Q |
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Qatar – State of Qatar
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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R |
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Romania | Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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Russia – Russian Federation
|
Widely recognized member of the UN. Russia is officially a federation [8] composed of 83 federal subjects (oblasts, republics, autonomous okrugs, krays, and federal cities). Several of the federal subjects are republics acting as ethnic autonomies.[6] | |||
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Rwanda – Republic of Rwanda
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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S |
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Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic → Other states | ||||
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Saint Kitts and Nevis – Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a Commonwealth realm[5] and is a federation [8] of 14 parishes. | |||
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Saint Lucia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth realm.[5] | |||
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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a Commonwealth realm.[5] | |||
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Samoa – Independent State of Samoa | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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San Marino – Republic of San Marino
|
Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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São Tomé and Príncipe – Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
|
Widely recognized member of the UN. São Tomé and Príncipe has an autonomous province, Príncipe.[6] | |||
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Saudi Arabia – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
|
Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Senegal – Republic of Senegal
|
Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Serbia – Republic of Serbia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Serbia officially has two autonomous provinces: Vojvodina and Kosovo and Metohija.[6] Most of the latter is under the de facto control of the Republic of Kosovo (see Other states). | |||
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Seychelles – Republic of Seychelles | Widely recognized member of the UN. Seychelles claims the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island.[9] | |||
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Sierra Leone – Republic of Sierra Leone
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Singapore – Republic of Singapore
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Slovakia – Slovak Republic | Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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Slovenia – Republic of Slovenia | Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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Solomon Islands
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Widely recognized member of the UN. The Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm.[5] | |||
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Somalia – Republic of Somalia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Somalia is presently divided with its official government controlling little of the country. Puntland has declared itself an autonomous region of Somalia, while Somaliland has formed an unrecognised de facto state (see Other states). Somalia disputes the Yemenite sovereignty over Socotra.[9] | |||
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Somaliland → Other states | ||||
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South Africa – Republic of South Africa
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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South Korea → Korea, Republic of | ||||
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South Ossetia → Other states | ||||
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Spain – Kingdom of Spain | Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] Spain is divided into 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 sovereignty over Olivenza and Táliga is disputed by Portugal. Spain disputes the British sovereignty over Gibraltar.[9] | |||
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Sri Lanka – Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Formerly known as Ceylon. | |||
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Sudan – Republic of the Sudan
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Sudan is a federation [8] composed 25 states. Ten of those states form the autonomous region of Southern Sudan.[6] | |||
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Suriname – Republic of Suriname
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Swaziland – Kingdom of Swaziland
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Sweden – Kingdom of Sweden
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] | |||
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Switzerland – Swiss Confederation | Widely recognized member of the UN. Switzerland is a federation [8] composed of 26 cantons. | |||
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Syria – Syrian Arab Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UN. The Golan Heights are annexed by Israel. Syria disputed the Turkish sovereignty over Hatay Province.[9] | |||
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T |
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Taiwan (Republic of China) → Other states | ||||
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Tajikistan – Republic of Tajikistan
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Tajikistan also has the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province.[6] | |||
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Tanzania – United Republic of Tanzania | Widely recognized member of the UN. Tanzania is a federacy with an autonomous status for Zanzibar.[6] | |||
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Thailand – Kingdom of Thailand
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Timor-Leste → East Timor | ||||
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Togo – Togolese Republic
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Tonga – Kingdom of Tonga | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Transnistria → Other states | ||||
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Trinidad and Tobago – Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Trinidad and Tobago has an autonomous island: Tobago.[6] | |||
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Tunisia – Republic of Tunisia
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Turkey – Republic of Turkey
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Turkmenistan
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Tuvalu | Widely recognized member of the UN. Tuvalu is a Commonwealth realm.[5] | |||
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U |
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Uganda – Republic of Uganda | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Ukraine
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Ukraine has one autonomous republic: Crimea.[6] | |||
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United Arab Emirates
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Widely recognized member of the UN. The United Arab Emirates is a federation [8] composed of 7 emirates. | |||
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United Kingdom – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.[11] The United Kingdom is a Commonwealth realm[5] consisting of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The United Kingdom has the following overseas territories:
The British monarch has direct sovereignty over three self-governing Crown dependencies:
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United States – United States of America | Widely recognized member of the UN. The United States is a federation [8] composed of 50 states, 1 federal district, and the incorporated territory of Palmyra Atoll. The United States has sovereignty over the following inhabited possessions and commonwealths:
In addition, there are uninhabited possessions of the United States in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea: Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, Navassa Island (disputed by Haiti), and Wake Island (disputed by the Marshall Islands). According to some sources, the United States also claims Bajo Nuevo Bank and Serranilla Bank as territories.[9] |
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Uruguay – Eastern Republic of Uruguay
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Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Uzbekistan – Republic of Uzbekistan
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Uzbekistan has one autonomous republic: Karakalpakstan.[6] | |||
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V |
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Vanuatu – Republic of Vanuatu | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Vatican City – State of the Vatican City | Widely recognized sovereign state. Administered by the Holy See, a sovereign entity with diplomatic ties to 178 states. The Holy See is a permanent observer of the UN in the category of "Non-member State."[2] Vatican City is governed by officials appointed by the Pope, who is the Bishop of the Archdiocese of Rome and therefore ex officio sovereign of Vatican City. The Holy See also administers a number of extraterritorial properties in Italy and in many other countries (Apostolic Nunciatures). | |||
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Venezuela – Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Venezuela is a federation [8] composed of 23 states, 1 capital district, and federal dependencies. | |||
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Vietnam – Socialist Republic of Vietnam
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Vietnam claims sovereignty over the Paracel[23] and Spratly Islands.[15] | |||
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W |
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Western Sahara → Other states X |
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Y |
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Yemen – Republic of Yemen
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Widely recognized member of the UN. Sovereignty over Socotra is disputed by Somalia.[9] | |||
Z |
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Zambia – Republic of Zambia | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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Zimbabwe – Republic of Zimbabwe | Widely recognized member of the UN. | |||
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This annex lists states that claim sovereignty and have control over (part of) their claimed territories, but due to disputes over their legitimacy, do not have normal diplomatic relations with the majority of sovereign states. None of the states in this annex list are UN member states. Entities considered to be micronations are not included.
Name in English and the official languages of the state | Information on status and recognition of sovereignty |
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Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia
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De facto independent state recognised by Russia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Venezuela, South Ossetia and Transnistria.[63][64] Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. |
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Kosovo – Republic of Kosovo
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De facto independent state that is recognised by 72 UN member states and by Taiwan (Republic of China). Claimed in whole by the Republic of Serbia as part of its Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. Republic of Kosovo has de facto control over most of the territory, with limited control in North Kosovo. |
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Nagorno-Karabakh – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
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De facto independent state that is recognised only by Transnistria. Claimed in whole by the Republic of Azerbaijan.[65] |
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Northern Cyprus – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
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De facto independent state that is recognised only by Turkey. It was accepted as an observer state of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference under the name of the Turkish Cypriot State since 1979. In addition, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic regards TRNC as sovereign but Azerbaijan (the sovereign state that Nakhichevan belongs to) has not followed suit. Northern Cyprus is claimed in whole by the Republic of Cyprus.[66] |
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Palestine - Palestine
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Palestine, categorized under "other entities",[2] has observer status at United Nations General Assembly and maintains a permanent observer mission at the UN Headquarters. The unilaterally declared State of Palestine received diplomatic recognition from around 100 countries (exact number unknown due to the equivocal nature of many declarations of acknowledgment[67][68][69]). The proclaimed state has no agreed territorial borders, nor effective control on the territory which it proclaimed (unless considering the partially autonomous Palestinian Authority as a realization of the 1988 proclamation). In foreign relations, the State of Palestine is represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization. The Palestinian National Authority is an interim administrative body formed as a result of the Oslo Accords that exercises limited jurisdiction over parts of the West Bank, while the Gaza Strip is controlled by Hamas. |
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SADR – Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
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De facto independent state recognized by 81 other states. It is a founding member of the African Union and the Asian-African Strategic Partnership formed at the 2005 Asian-African Conference. The territories under its control, the so-called Free Zone, are claimed in whole by Morocco as part of its Southern Provinces. In turn, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic claims the part of the Western Sahara to the west of the Moroccan Wall controlled by Morocco. Its government resides in exile in Tindouf, Algeria. |
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Somaliland – Republic of Somaliland
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De facto independent state not diplomatically recognized by any other state, claimed in whole by the Somali Republic.[70] |
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South Ossetia – Republic of South Ossetia
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De facto independent state recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Venezuela, Abkhazia and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by the Republic of Georgia as the Provisional Administrative Entity of South Ossetia.[63] |
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Taiwan – Republic of China[18]
|
A state competing for recognition with the People's Republic of China as the government of China since 1949. The Republic of China controls the island of Taiwan and associated islands, Quemoy, Matsu, the Pratas and part of the Spratly Islands[15], and has not renounced claims over the territory of the PRC and Mongolia.[72] The Republic of China is currently recognised by 23 states including the Holy See. The territory of the Republic of China is claimed in whole by the People's Republic of China.[22] The Republic of China participates in the World Health Organization and 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. |
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Transnistria – Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (Pridnestrovie, Trans-Dniester)
|
De facto independent state, not recognized by any UN-member, but by Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Claimed in whole by the Republic of Moldova as the Territorial Unit of Transnistria.[73] |
This list derives its definition of a state from Article 1 of the Montevideo Convention of 1933. According to the Convention, a state should possess the following qualifications:
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.[74] The list includes all states which are often regarded as satisfying these criteria and claim to be sovereign and independent. However, in many cases, whether an entity satisfies the Montevideo Convention criteria is disputed. It is also important to note that there is a divergence of opinion in international law on whether the Montevideo Convention criteria alone are sufficient qualities of statehood. Links to different theories on this question are provided below.
On the basis of the above criteria, this list includes the following 203 entities:
Excluded from the list above are the following noteworthy entities that do not satisfy all the qualifications in the Montevideo Convention or which do not claim to be sovereign and independent:
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