List of sovereign states in the 1950s

This is a list of sovereign states in the 1950s, giving an overview of states around the world during the period between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1959. It contains 106 entries, arranged alphabetically, with information on the status and recognition of their sovereignty. It includes 99 widely recognized sovereign states, 6 entities which were de facto sovereign but which were not widely recognized by other states, and 1 state which was initially unrecognized but then gained full recognition later in the decade.

Contents
Sovereign states A B C D E F G H I J K L M N P R S T U V Y Other entities See also Notes

Sovereign states

Name and capital city	Information on status and recognition of sovereignty

A

Afghanistan – Kingdom of Afghanistan Capital: Kabul	Widely recognized UN member state.

Albania – People's Republic of Albania Capital: Tirana	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955)

Andorra – Principality of Andorra Capital: Andorra la Vella	Widely recognized independent state. The President of France and Bishop of Urgell were ex officio Co-Princes of Andorra. The defense of Andorra was the responsibility of France and Spain.

Arab Federation – Arab Federation of Iraq and Jordan (from 14 Feb 1958 to 14 Jul 1958)^[1] Capital: Baghdad	Widely recognized independent state. The Arab Federation occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, but these areas were not generally recognized as being part of the Arab Federation.^[2]

Argentina – Argentine Republic^[3] Capital: Buenos Aires	Widely recognized UN member state. Argentina was a federation of 23 provinces and 10 federal territories.^[4] It had a claim over Argentine Antarctica. It also claimed the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, both of which were British overseas territories.

Australia – Commonwealth of Australia Capital: Canberra	Widely recognized UN member state. Commonwealth realm. Australia was a federation of six states and three territories.^[5] It had sovereignty over the following external territories: Australian Antarctic Territory Christmas Island (from 1 Oct 1958) Cocos (Keeling) Islands (from 23 Nov 1955) Heard Island and McDonald Islands Norfolk Island Australia administered two United Nations Trust Territories: Nauru (with New Zealand and the United Kingdom) Papua and New Guinea

Austria – Republic of Austria Capital: Vienna	Widely recognized state under Allied occupation. Independent state (from 27 Jul 1955). UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955). Austria was a federation of nine states.^[6]

B

Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium Capital: Brussels	Widely recognized UN member state. EEC member (from 25 Mar 1957). Belgium had sovereignty over one colony: Belgian Congo Belgium administered one United Nations trust territory: Ruanda-Urundi

Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan Capital: Thimphu (to 1955), Punakha (from 1955)	Widely recognized independent state. Bhutan was officially guided by India in its foreign affairs.

Bolivia – Republic of Bolivia Capital: Sucre (official), La Paz (administrative)	Widely recognized UN member state.

Brazil – Republic of the United States of Brazil Capital: Rio de Janerio	Widely recognized UN member state. Brazil was a federation of 20 states, six territories, and one federal district.^[7]

Bulgaria – People's Republic of Bulgaria Capital: Sofia	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955).

Burma – Union of Burma Capital: Rangoon	Widely recognized UN member state.

C

Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia (from 17 Oct 1953)^[8] Capital: Phnom Penh	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955).

Canada – Dominion of Canada Capital: Ottawa	Widely recognized UN member state. Commonwealth realm. Canada was a federation of ten provinces and two territories.^[9]

Ceylon – Dominion of Ceylon Capital: Colombo	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955). Commonwealth realm.

Chile – Republic of Chile Capital: Santiago	Widely recognized UN member state. It had a claim over Chilean Antarctic Territory.

China, People's Republic of Capital: Beijing	Partially recognized de facto independent state. ^[10] The People's Republic of China had four autonomous regions: Guangxi (from 5 Mar 1958), Inner Mongolia, Ningxia (from 25 Oct 1958), Xinjiang (from 1 Oct 1955). The People's Republic of China claimed Taiwan, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, the Pratas Islands and Itu Aba, all of which were governed by the Republic of China. It also claimed the Paracel Islands (disputed by the Republic of China and South Vietnam), the Spratly Islands (disputed by the Republic of China, South Vietnam, and the Philippines), and South Tibet (controlled by India's North-East Frontier Agency).

China, Republic of Capital: Taipei (seat of government), Nanjing (claimed)	Widely recognized UN member state. ^[10] The Republic of China claimed to be the sole legitimate government of China, but only administered Taiwan, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, the Pratas Islands, Itu Aba, and portions of Yunnan Province. The Republic of China had territorial claims over Mongolia; the Tuvan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic; the Sixty-Four Villages East of the River (administered by the Soviet Union); The majority of Gorno-Badakhshan (adminsitered by the Soviet Union); The eastern tip of the Wakhan Corridor (administered by Afghanistan); part of the disputed Kashmir region; eastern Bhutan; South Tibet (controlled by India's North-East Frontier Agency); and Kachin State (administered by Burma).

Colombia – Republic of Colombia Capital: Bogotá	Widely recognized UN member state. Colombia claimed Quita Sueño Bank, Roncador Bank, and Serrana Bank (disputed by the United States); Bajo Nuevo Bank (disputed by Jamaica, Nicaragua and the United States); and Serranilla Bank (disputed by Nicaragua and the United States)

Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica Capital: San José	Widely recognized UN member state.

Cuba – Republic of Cuba Capital: Havana	Widely recognized UN member state. The Cuban area of Guantánamo Bay was under the permanent control of the United States.

Czechoslovakia – Czechoslovak Republic Capital: Prague	Widely recognized UN member state.^[11]

D

Dadra / Dadra and Nagar Haveli Capital: Dadra (to 2 Aug 1954), Silvassa (from 2 Aug 1954) Free Dadra (from 22 Jul 1954 to 15 Aug 1954)^[12] Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli (from 15 Aug 1954)^[12]	De facto independent state.^[13] Claimed by Portugal.

Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark Capital: Copenhagen	Widely recognized UN member state. The Kingdom of Denmark also included one autonomous country: Faroe Islands Denmark had one colony: Greenland (to 5 Jun 1953)

Dominican Republic Capital: Santo Domingo	Widely recognized UN member state.

E

Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador Capital: Quito	Widely recognized UN member state.

Egypt Capital: Cairo Kingdom of Egypt (to 19 Jun 1953)^[14] Republic of Egypt (from 19 Jun 1953 to 1 Feb 1958)^[14]^[15]	Widely recognized UN member state. Egypt administered one condominium: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan (to 1 Jan 1956, with the United Kingdom) Egypt occupied the Gaza Strip.

El Salvador – Republic of El Salvador Capital: San Salvador	Widely recognized UN member state.

Ethiopia – Empire of Ethiopia Capital: Addis Ababa	Widely recognized UN member state.

F

Finland – Republic of Finland Capital: Helsinki	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955). Finland had a neutral and demilitarised region: Åland

France – French Republic Capital: Paris	Widely recognized UN member state. EEC member (from 25 Mar 1957). France included 21 overseas departments: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, and multiple departments in French Algeria (three departments to 1955, four departments from 1955 to 1957, fourteen departments from 1957 to 1958, and seventeen departments from 1958 on.) The French Union contained the following autonomous associated states: Cambodia (to 17 Oct 1953) Laos (to 22 Oct 1953) Morocco (from 18 Feb 1956 to 2 Mar 1956) Tunisia (from 3 Jun 1955 to 20 Mar 1956) Vietnam (to 21 Jul 1954) The French Community consisted of the following autonomous republics: Central African Republic (from 1 Dec 1958) Chad (from 28 Nov 1958) Congo (from 28 Nov 1958) Dahomey (from 4 Dec 1958) Gabon (from 28 Nov 1958) Ivory Coast (from 4 Dec 1958) Malagasy Republic (from 14 Oct 1958) Mali Federation (from 4 Apr 1959) Mauritania (from 28 Nov 1958) Niger (from 19 Dec 1958) Senegal (from 25 Nov 1958 to 4 Apr 1959) Soudan (from 24 Nov 1958 to 4 Apr 1959) Upper Volta (from 11 Dec 1958) France administered the foreign affairs of the following protectorates: Morocco (to 18 Feb 1956) Tunisia (to 3 Jun 1955) Saar (to 1 Jan 1957) France also had sovereignty over the following overseas territories: Adélie Land (to 6 Aug 1955) Comoros French Equatorial Africa, consisting of four territories: Chad (to 28 Nov 1958) Gabon (to 28 Nov 1958) Middle Congo (to 28 Nov 1958) Ubangi-Shari (to 1 Dec 1958) French India (to 21 Jul 1954) French Oceania (renamed French Polynesia on 22 Jul 1957), with one dependency: Clipperton Island French Somaliland French Southern and Antarctic Lands (from 6 Aug 1955) French West Africa, consisting of eight territories: Dahomey (to 4 Dec 1958) French Guinea (to 2 Oct 1958) French Sudan (to 24 Nov 1958) Ivory Coast (to 4 Dec 1958) Mauritania (to 28 Nov 1958) Niger (to 19 Dec 1958) Senegal (to 25 Nov 1958) Upper Volta (to 11 Dec 1958) Madagascar (to 14 Oct 1958), with three dependencies Crozet Islands (to 6 Aug 1955) Kerguelen Islands (to 6 Aug 1955) Saint-Paul and Amsterdam Islands (to 6 Aug 1955) New Caledonia, with one dependency Wallis and Futuna Saint Pierre and Miquelon It also co-administered one condominium: New Hebrides (with the United Kingdom) France administered three United Nations Trust Territories: Cameroun French Togoland (renamed Togo on 22 Feb 1958) France administered one occupied territory: Fezzan (to 24 Dec 1951, under UN supervision)

G

Germany, East – German Democratic Republic Capital: East Berlin (disputed)	Widely recognized state under Soviet occupation. Independent state (from 26 Mar 1954).

Germany, West – Federal Republic of Germany Capital: Bonn	Widely recognized state under Allied occupation. Independent state (from 5 May 1955). Permanent observer at the UN (from 1955). EEC member (from 25 Mar 1957). West Germany was a federation of thirteen states.^[16]

Ghana (from 6 Mar 1957)^[17] Capital: Accra	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 8 Mar 1957). Commonwealth realm.

Greece – Kingdom of Greece Capital: Athens	Widely recognized UN member state. Greece had sovereignty over Mount Athos, an autonomous monastic state that was 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 came under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Guatemala – Republic of Guatemala Capital: Guatemala City	Widely recognized UN member state.

Guinea – Republic of Guinea (from 2 Oct 1958)^[18] Capital: Conakry	Widely recognized UN member state.

H

Haiti – Republic of Haiti Capital: Port-au-Prince	Widely recognized UN member state. Haiti claimed the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa Island.

Holy See Vatican City

Honduras – Republic of Honduras Capital: Tegucigalpa	Widely recognized UN member state.

Hungary – People's Republic of Hungary Capital: Budapest	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955).

I

Iceland – Republic of Iceland Capital: Reykjavík	Widely recognized UN member state.

India Capital: New Delhi Union of India (to 26 Jan 1950)^[19] Republic of India (from 26 Jan 1950)^[19]	Widely recognized UN member state. Commonwealth realm (to 26 Jan 1950). From 26 Jan 1950 to 1 Nov 1956, India was a federation of ten Part A states, eight Part B states, nine Part C states, and four Part D Territories.^[20] After 1 Nov 1956, India was a federation of fourteen states and seven union territories.^[21] India had partial sovereignty over one protectorate: Sikkim (from 5 Dec 1950) Indian sovereignty over South Tibet, administered as part of its North-East Frontier Agency, was disputed by the People's Republic of China. India administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir as the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Indonesia Capital: Djakarta Republic of the United States of Indonesia (to 17 Aug 1950)^[22] Republic of Indonesia (from 17 Aug 1950)^[22]	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 28 Sep 1950). Until 17 Aug 1950, Indonesia was a federation of fourteen states.^[23] Indonesia had two special provinces: Aceh (from 26 May 1959) and Yogyakarta (from 3 Aug 1950).

Iran – Imperial State of Iran Capital: Tehran	Widely recognized UN member state.

Iraq Capital: Baghdad Kingdom of Iraq (to 14 Feb 1958)^[1] Republic of Iraq (from 14 Jul 1958)^[1]	Widely recognized UN member state.

Ireland^[24] Capital: Dublin	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955).

Israel – State of Israel Capital: Jerusalem	Widely recognized UN member state.^[25]

Italy – Italian Republic Capital: Rome	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955). Italy had 5 autonomous regions: Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily, and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. EEC member (from 25 Mar 1957). Italy administered one United Nations Trust Territory: Somalia (from 1 Apr 1950)

J

Japan Capital: Tokyo	Widely recognized state under United States occupation. Independent state (from 28 Apr 1952). Japan had residual sovereignty over the Ryukyu Islands and the Bonin-Volcano Islands, which were occupied and administered by the United States.

Jordan – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (to 14 Feb 1958, from 14 Jul 1958)^[1] Capital: Amman	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955). Jordan occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, but these areas were not generally recognized as being part of Jordan.^[26]

K

Korea, North – Democratic People's Republic of Korea Capital: Pyongyang	Widely recognized independent state.^[27] Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea.

Korea, South – Republic of Korea Capital: Seoul	Widely recognized independent state.^[28] Permanent observer at the UN (from 1953). Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea.

L

Laos – Kingdom of Laos (from 22 Oct 1953)^[29] Capital: Vientiane	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955).

Lebanon – Lebanese Republic Capital: Beirut	Widely recognized UN member state.

Liberia – Republic of Liberia Capital: Monrovia	Widely recognized UN member state.

Libya – United Kingdom of Libya (from 24 Dec 1951)^[30] Capital: Tripoli	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955). Libya was a federation of three provinces.^[31]

Liechtenstein – Principality of Liechtenstein Capital: Vaduz	Widely recognized independent state.^[11] The defense of Liechtenstein was the responsibility of Switzerland.

Luxembourg – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Capital: Luxembourg	Widely recognized UN member state. EEC member (from 25 Mar 1957).

M

Malaya (from 31 Aug 1957)^[32] Capital: Kuala Lumpur	Widely recognized UN member state. Malaya was a federation of eleven states.^[33]

Mexico – United Mexican States Capital: Mexico City	Widely recognized UN member state. Mexico was a federation of 29 states, three territories, and one federal district.^[34]

Monaco – Principality of Monaco Capital: Monaco	Widely recognized independent state. The defense of Monaco was the responsibility of France.

Mongolia – Mongolian People's Republic Capital: Ulaanbaatar	Widely recognized independent state.

Morocco Capital: Rabat Sherifian Empire (from 2 Mar 1956)^[35]^[36] Kingdom of Morocco (from 14 Aug 1957)^[36]	Widely recognized UN member state. Morocco disputed the Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla, and Peñón de Alhucemas, and the rest of Spanish Morocco (to 7 Apr 1956).

Muscat and Oman – Sultanate of Muscat and Oman Capital: Muscat, Oman	Widely recognized independent state under the informal protection of the United Kingdom. Muscat and Oman contained one self-governing territory, The Imamate of Oman (to 11 Aug 1957).

N

Nepal – Kingdom of Nepal Capital: Kathmandu	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955)

Netherlands – Kingdom of the Netherlands Capital: Amsterdam (official), The Hague (seat of government)	Widely recognized UN member state. The Kingdom of the Netherlands consisted of three autonomous countries: Netherlands (from 15 Dec 1954) Netherlands Antilles (from 15 Dec 1954) Suriname (from 15 Dec 1954) The Kingdom of the Netherlands as a whole was a member of the EEC (from 25 Mar 1957), but Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles were not. The Kingdom of the Netherlands had sovereignty over the following colonies: Netherlands Antilles (to 15 Dec 1954) Netherlands New Guinea Suriname (to 15 Dec 1954)

New Zealand – Dominion of New Zealand Capital: Wellington	Widely recognized UN member state. Commonwealth realm. New Zealand had sovereignty over four dependent territories: Cook Islands Niue Ross Dependency Tokelau Islands The government of Tokelau Islands claimed Swains Island, part of American Samoa (a U.S. dependence). New Zealand administered two United Nations Trust Territories: Nauru (with Australia and the United Kingdom) Western Samoa

Nicaragua – Republic of Nicaragua Capital: Managua	Widely recognized UN member state.

Norway – Kingdom of Norway Capital: Oslo	Widely recognized UN member state. Norway had two integral overseas areas: Jan Mayen and Svalbard. The latter area had a special status due to the Spitsbergen Treaty. Norway had sovereignty over the following dependencies: Bouvet Island Peter I Island Queen Maud Land

P

Pakistan – Islamic Republic of Pakistan Capital: Karachi	Widely recognized UN member state. Pakistan was a federation of eight provinces, thirteen princely states, and one territory.^[37] It administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir.

Palestine – All-Palestine Government (to 1959)^[38] Capital: Jerusalem (claimed), Gaza (administrative)	Nominally independent state under Egyptian occupation.^[39] The All-Palestine Government claimed all of the former Mandate of Palestine, including Israel and the Jordanian-occupied West Bank, but only operated in the Gaza Strip, which was under Egyptian occupation.

Panama – Republic of Panama Capital: Panama City	Widely recognized UN member state.

Paraguay – Republic of Paraguay Capital: Asunción	Widely recognized UN member state.

Peru – Peruvian Republic Capital: Lima	Widely recognized UN member state.

Philippines – Republic of the Philippines Capital: Quezon City (official), Baguio (summer)	Widely recognized UN member state.

Poland Capital: Warsaw Republic of Poland (to 22 Jul 1952)^[40] People's Republic of Poland (from 22 Jul 1952)^[40]	Widely recognized UN member state.

Portugal – Portuguese Republic Capital: Lisbon	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955). Portugal had sovereignty over the following colonies (overseas province from 11 Jun 1951): Cape Verde Islands Macau Portuguese East Africa (renamed Mozambique on 11 Jun 1951) Portuguese Guinea Portuguese India Portuguese Timor Portuguese West Africa (renamed Angola on 11 Jun 1951) São Tomé and Príncipe It also had sovereignty over one possession: São João Baptista de Ajudá Portugal claimed the Spanish municipalities of Olivenza and Táliga.

R

Romania^[41] – Romanian People's Republic Capital: Bucharest	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955).

S

San Marino – Republic of San Marino Capital: San Marino	Widely recognized independent state.

Saudi Arabia – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Capital: Riyadh	Widely recognized UN member state.

Sikkim – Kingdom of Sikkim (to 5 Dec 1950)^[42] Capital: Gangtok	Widely recognized independent state under the informal protection of India.

South Africa – Union of South Africa Capital: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)	Widely recognized UN member state. Commonwealth realm. South Africa administered one League of Nations mandate: South-West Africa

South Moluccas – Republic of the South Moluccas (from 25 Apr 1950 to 17 Oct 1952)^[43] Capital: Ambon	De facto independent state. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by Indonesia.

Soviet Union – Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Capital: Moscow	Widely recognized UN member state. The Soviet Union was a federation of 16 (later 15) republics, two of which (Byelorussia and Ukraine) were UN members in their own right.^[44]

Spain – Spanish State Capital: Madrid	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 Dec 1955). Spain had sovereignty over the following overseas provinces: Fernando Pó (from 30 Jun 1959) Ifni (from 10 Apr 1958) Río Muni (from 30 Jun 1959) Spanish Sahara (from 10 Apr 1958) Spanish Guinea (to 30 Jun 1959) Spanish West Africa (to 10 Apr 1958) Spain administered the foreign affairs of one protectorate: Spanish Morocco (to 7 Apr 1956) Its sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñón de Alhucemas was disputed by Morocco. Its sovereignty over Olivenza and Táliga was disputed by Portugal. It claimed the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.

Sudan – Republic of the Sudan (from 1 Jan 1956)^[45] Capital: Khartoum	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 12 Nov 1956).

Suvadive Islands – United Suvadive Republic (from 3 Jan 1959)^[46] Capital: Hithadhoo	De facto independent state. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by the United Kingdom.

Sweden – Kingdom of Sweden Capital: Stockholm	Widely recognized UN member state.

Switzerland – Swiss Confederation Capital: Bern	Widely recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN. Switzerland was a federation of 25 cantons.^[47]

Syria – Syrian Republic (to 1 Feb 1958)^[15] Capital: Damascus	Widely recognized UN member state.

T

Thailand – Kingdom of Thailand Capital: Bangkok	Widely recognized UN member state.

Tibet (to 23 May 1951)^[48] Capital: Lhasa	De facto independent state. Claimed by the Republic of China. Recognized by no other sovereign state.

Tunisia Capital: Tunis Tunisian Realm (from 20 Mar 1956 to 25 Jul 1957)^[49]^[50] Tunisian Republic (from 25 Jul 1957)^[50]	Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 12 Nov 1956).

Trieste – Free Territory of Trieste (to 26 Oct 1954)^[51] Capital: Trieste	Widely recognized state under occupation of the United States, United Kingdom, and Yugoslavia.

Turkey – Republic of Turkey Capital: Ankara	Widely recognized UN member state.

U

United Arab Republic (from 1 Feb 1958 to 8 Mar 1958)^[15] Capital: Cairo	Widely recognized UN member state. United Arab States member (from 1958). The United Arab Republic consisted of two states: Syria and Egypt. The United Arab Republic occupied the Gaza Strip, but this area was not generally recognized as being part of the UAR.

United Arab States (from 8 Mar 1958)	Widely recognized UN member state. The United Arab States consisted of two states (later three): The United Arab Republic (Egypt and Syria, later, just Egypt), North Yemen, and later Syria.

United Kingdom – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Capital: London	Widely recognized UN member state. The United Kingdom was composed of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The United Kingdom administered the foreign affairs of the following protected states: Bahrain Brunei Kuwait Malaya (to 31 Aug 1957) Maldive Islands Qatar Tonga (from 3 Jul 1952) Trucial States, consisting of eight protected states: Abu Dhabi Ajman Dubai Fujairah Kalba (to 30 Jul 1952) Ras al-Khaimah Sharjah Umm al-Quwain The United Kingdom co-administered the following condominiums: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan (to 1 Jan 1956, with Egypt) Canton and Enderbury Islands (with the United States) New Hebrides (with France) It also had sovereignty over the following crown colonies and protectorates: Aden, with one dependency: Kamaran Bahama Islands Barbados (to 3 Jan 1958) Basutoland Bechuanaland Bermuda British Guiana British Honduras British Leeward Islands (to 3 Jan 1958) British Somaliland British Western Pacific Territories, consisting of five territories British Solomon Islands Fiji (to 3 Jul 1952) Gilbert and Ellice Islands Pitcairn Islands (to 3 Jul 1952) Tonga (to 3 Jul 1952) British Windward Islands (to 3 Jan 1958) Christmas Island (from 1 Jan 1958 to 1 Oct 1958) Cyprus Falkland Islands (disputed by Argentina), with one dependency Falkland Islands Dependencies Fiji (from 3 Jul 1952), with one dependency Rotuma Gambia Gibraltar Gold Coast (to 6 Mar 1957) Hong Kong Jamaica (to 3 Jan 1958) Kenya Malta Mauritius Nigeria North Borneo Northern Rhodesia (to 1 Aug 1953) Nyasaland (to 1 Aug 1953) Pitcairn Islands (from 3 Jul 1952) Rhodesia and Nyasaland (from 1 Aug 1953) Saint Helena, with two dependencies Ascension Island Tristan da Cunha Sarawak Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore, with two dependencies Christmas Island (to 1 Jan 1958) Cocos (Keeling) Islands (to 23 Nov 1955) Southern Rhodesia (to 1 Aug 1953) Swaziland Trinidad and Tobago (to 3 Jan 1958) Uganda West Indies Federation (from 3 Jan 1958) Zanzibar In addition, the British Monarch had direct sovereignty over three self-governing Crown dependencies: Guernsey, with two dependencies: Alderney Sark Isle of Man Jersey The United Kingdom administered four United Nations Trust Territories: British Togoland (to 13 Dec 1956) Cameroons Nauru (with Australia and New Zealand) Tanganyika The United Kingdom administered four occupied territories: Cyrenaica (to 24 Dec 1951, under UN supervision) Eritrea (to 15 Sep 1952, under UN supervision from 19 Feb 1951) Italian Somaliland (to 1 Apr 1950) Tripolitania (to 24 Dec 1951, under UN supervision)

United States – United States of America Capital: Washington, D.C.	Widely recognized UN member state. The United States was a federation of 48 (later 50) states, one federal district, and two (later one) incorporated territories.^[52] It asserted sovereignty over the following inhabited unincorporated territories: American Samoa (including Swains Island, disputed by Tokelau) Guam Panama Canal Zone Puerto Rico United States Virgin Islands It also asserted sovereignty over fifteen uninhabited unincorporated territories^[53]: Bajo Nuevo Bank (claimed by Colombia and Nicaragua) Baker Island Birnie Island (claimed by United Kingdom)) Caroline Island (claimed by United Kingdom)) Christmas Island (claimed by United Kingdom)) Corn Islands Howland Island Jarvis Island Johnston Atoll Kingman Reef Midway Atoll Navassa Island (claimed by Haiti) Quita Sueño Bank (claimed by Colombia) Roncador Bank (claimed by Colombia) Serrana Bank (claimed by Colombia) Serranilla Bank (claimed by Colombia, Jamaica, and Nicaragua) Swan Islands Wake Island The United States co-administered the following condominium: Canton and Enderbury Islands (with the United Kingdom) After 28 Apr 1952, the United States administered two territories under the residual sovereignty of Japan: Bonin-Volcano Islands Ryukyu Islands In addition, the United States administered one United Nations Trust Territory: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

Uruguay – Eastern Republic of Uruguay Capital: Montevideo	Widely recognized UN member state.

V

Vatican City – Vatican City State Capital: Vatican City	Widely recognized independent state. Vatican City was administered by the Holy See, a sovereign entity recognized by a large number of countries and a Permanent observer at the United Nations. The Holy See also administered a number of extraterritorial properties in Italy. The Pope was the ex officio head of state of Vatican City.

Venezuela Capital: Caracas United States of Venezuela (to 15 Apr 1953)^[54] Republic of Venezuela (from 15 Apr 1953)^[54]	Widely recognized UN member state. Venezuela was a federation of 20 states, two territories, one federal dependency, and one federal district.^[55]

Vietnam, North – Democratic Republic of Vietnam Capital: Hanoi	De facto independent state. Claimed by France (to 21 Jul 1954). Widely recognized (from 21 Jul 1954).

Vietnam, South Capital: Saigon State of Vietnam (from 21 Jul 1954 to 26 Oct 1955)^[56] Republic of Vietnam (from 26 Oct 1955)^[56]	Widely recognized independent state. South Vietnam claimed sovereignty over the Paracel Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China) and Spratly Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, and the Philippines).

Y

Yemen – Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen Capital: Ta'izz	Widely recognized UN member state. United Arab States member (from 1958).

Yugoslavia – Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia Capital: Belgrade	Widely recognized UN member state. Yugoslavia was a federation of six republics.^[57]

Other entities

Excluded from the list above are the following noteworthy entities which either were not fully sovereign or did not claim to be independent:

Estonia was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1940, but the legality of the annexation was not widely recognized. The Baltic diplomatic services in the West continued to be recognised as representing the de jure state.
Latvia was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1940, but the legality of the annexation was not widely recognized. The Baltic diplomatic services in the West continued to be recognised as representing the de jure state.
Lithuania was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1940, but the legality of the annexation was not widely recognized. The Baltic diplomatic services in the West continued to be recognised as representing the de jure state.
The Saudi–Iraqi neutral zone was a strip of neutral territory between Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi–Kuwaiti neutral zone was a strip of neutral territory between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta was an entity claiming sovereignty. The order had bi-lateral diplomatic relations with a large number of states, but had no territory other than extraterritorial areas within Rome.^[58] Although the order frequently asserted its sovereignty, it did not claim to be a sovereign state. It lacked a defined territory. Since all its members were citizens of other states, almost all of them lived in their native countries, and those who resided in the order's extraterritorial properites in Rome did so only in connection with their official duties, the order lacked the characteristic of having a permanent population.
Tangier was an international zone under the joint administration of France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal and Belgium. It was reintegrated into Morocco on 29 Oct 1956.
West Berlin was a political enclave that was closely aligned with – but not actually a part of – West Germany. It consisted of three occupied sectors administered by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Jordan and Iraq united to form the Arab Federation on 14 Feb 1958. It was dissolved on July 14 following the overthrow of the Hashemite monarchy in Iraq. [1]
^ Only the United Kingdom recognized the West Bank and East Jerusalem as being part of the Arab Federation.
^ The name "Argentine Nation" was also used for the purposes of legislation.
^ 23 Provinces: Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chubut (from 15 Jun 1955), Córdoba, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Formosa (from 15 Jun 1955), Jujuy, La Pampa (renamed Eva Perón from 29 Jan 1952 to 27 Apr 1956), La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones (from 1953), Neuquén (from 15 Jun 1955), Presidente Juan Perón (from 10 Aug 1951, renamed Chaco on 27 Apr 1956), Río Negro (from 15 Jun 1955), Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz (from 1957), Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tucumán. 10 Territories: Buenos Aires, Chaco (to 10 Aug 1951, renamed Presidente Juan Perón on 1950), Chubut (to 15 Jun 1955), Formosa (to 15 Jun 1955), Misiones (to 1953), Neuquén (to 15 Jun 1955), Río Negro (to 15 Jun 1955), Santa Cruz (to 1957), Tierra del Fuego.
^ 6 States: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia. 3 Territories: Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, Northern Territory.
^ 9 States: Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Upper Austria, Vorarlberg, Vienna.
^ 20 States: Alagoas, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Pará, Paraíba, Paraná, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Sergipe. 6 Territories: Acre, Amapá, Fernando de Noronha, Guaporé (renamed Rondônia on 17 Feb 1956), Rio Branco, Tocantins. 1 Federal District: Brazilian Federal District.
^ Cambodia gained independence from France on 9 Nov 1953. [2]
^ 10 Provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan. 2 Territories: Northwest Territories, Yukon.
^ ^a ^b The People's Republic of China and the Republic of China did not recognize each other, as both states claimed to be the sole legitimate government of China. The following states recognized the PRC instead of the ROC: Afghanistan (from 20 Jan 1955), Albania, Algeria (from 20 Dec 1958), Bulgaria, Burma (from 8 Jun 1950), Cambodia (from 19 Jul 1958), Ceylon (from 7 Feb 1957), Czechoslovakia, Denmark (from 11 May 1950), Egypt (from 30 May 1956), Finland (from 28 Oct 1950), East Germany, Guinea (from 4 Oct 1959), Hungary, India (from 1 Apr 1950), Indonesia (from 13 Apr 1930), Iraq (from 25 Aug 1958), North Korea, Liechtenstein (from 14 Sep 1950), Mongolia, Morocco (from 1 Nov 1958), Nepal (from 1 Aug 1955), Norway (from 5 Oct 1954), Pakistan (from 21 May 1951), Poland, Romania, the Soviet Union, Sudan ((from 4 Feb 1959), Sweden (from 9 May 1950), Switzerland (from 14 Sep 1950), Syria (from 1 Aug 1956), North Vietnam (from 18 Jan 1950), North Yemen (from 24 Sep 1956), Yugoslavia (from 2 Jan 1955). The United Kingdom recognized the PRC on 6 Jan 1950, but this recognition was not initially accepted.
^ ^a ^b Owing to a dispute over lands seized during World War II, Liechtenstein and Czechoslovakia did not recognize each other.
^ ^a ^b Dadra was liberated from Portuguese Rule on 22 Jul 1954. and Nagar Haveli was liberated 2 Aug 1954. On 15 Aug 1954 the territory was renamed "Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli", and became effectively independent under a local administration. It was entirely surrounded by and closely allied with India, which sent an official to help administer the state. [3]
^ Dadra and Nagar Haveli was recognized only by India
^ ^a ^b The Egyptian Republic was declared on 19 Jun 1953. [4]
^ ^a ^b ^c Egypt and Syria united to form the United Arab Republic on 1 Feb 1958. [5]
^ 13 States: Baden (to 25 Apr 1952), Baden-Württemberg (from 25 Apr 1952), Bavaria, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland (from 1 Jan 1957), Schleswig-Holstein, Württemberg-Baden (to 25 Apr 1952), Württemberg-Hohenzollern (to 25 Apr 1952).
^ Ghana gained independence from the United Kingdom on 6 Mar 1957 [6]
^ Guinea gained independence from France on 2 Oct 1958. [7]
^ ^a ^b India became a republic on 26 Jan 1950 [8]
^ 10 Part A States: Andhra State (from 1 Nov 1953), Assam, Bihar, Bombay, Madhya Pradesh, Madras, Orissa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. 8 Part B States: Hyderabad, Madhya Bharat, Mysore, Patiala and East Punjab States Union, Rajasthan, Saurashtra, Travancore-Cochin, Vindhya Pradesh. 9 Part C States: Ajmer-Merwara, Bhopal, Bilaspur (to 1954), Coorg, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Kutch, Manipur, and Tripura. 4 Part D Territories: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandernagore (from 2 May 1950 to 2 Nov 1954), Jammu and Kashmir, Pondicherry (from 28 May 1956).
^ 14 States: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Bombay, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Madras), Mysore, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. 7 Union Territories: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, National Capital Territory of Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands, Manipur, Pondicherry, Tripura.
^ ^a ^b Indonesia adopted a unitary constitution on 17 Aug 1950. [9]
^ 14 States: Bangka, Belitung, and Riau (to 4 Apr 1950), Banjar (to 4 Apr 1950), Central Java (to 9 Mar 1950), Dayak Besar (to 4 Apr 1950), East Borneo (to 24 Apr 1950), East Indonesia, East Java (to 9 Mar 1950), East Sumatra, Madura (to 9 Mar 1950), Republic of Indonesia, South Sumatra (to 24 Mar 1950), Southeast Kalimantan (to 4 Apr 1950), West Java (to 11 Mar 1950), West Kalimantan.
^ Ireland also had the legal description of "Republic of Ireland", although this was not its constitutional name.
^ Israel was not recognized by Afghanistan, Cuba, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen.
^ Only the United Kingdom recognized the West Bank and East Jerusalem as being part of Jordan.
^ North Korea was not recognized by Estonia, France, Japan, or South Korea.
^ South Korea was not recognized by the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of China, or North Korea.
^ Laos gained full independence from France on 22 Oct 1953. [10]
^ Libya gained independence from a UN trusteship on 24 Dec 1951. [11]
^ 3 Provinces: Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, and Fezzan.
^ Malaya gained independence from the United Kingdom on 31 Aug 1957. [12]
^ 11 States: Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Selangor, Terengganu.
^ 29 States: Aguascalientes, Baja California (from 16 Jan 1952), Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatán, Zacatecas. 2 Territories: Baja California (to 16 Jan 1952), Baja California Sur, Quintana Roo. 1 Federal District: Federal District
^ French Morocco gained independence on 2 Mar 1956. [13]
^ ^a ^b Morocco became a kingdom on 14 Aug 1957 [14]
^ 8 Provinces: Azad Kashmir (to 14 Oct 1955), Baluchistan (to 14 Oct 1955), East Bengal (renamed East Pakistan on 14 Oct 1955), Northern Areas (to 14 Oct 1955), North-West Frontier Province (to 14 Oct 1955), Sind (to 14 Oct 1955), West Pakistan (from 14 Oct 1955), West Punjab (to 14 Oct 1955). 13 Princely States: Amb (to 1950), Bahawalpur (to 14 Oct 1955), Baluchistan States Union (from 3 Oct 1952 to 14 Oct 1955), Chitral (to 14 Oct 1955), Dir (to 14 Oct 1955), Hunza (to 14 Oct 1955), Kalat (to 3 Oct 1952), Khayrpur (to 14 Oct 1955), Kharan (to 3 Oct 1952), Las Bela (to 3 Oct 1952), Makran (to 3 Oct 1952), Nagar (to 14 Oct 1955), Swat (to 14 Oct 1955). 1 Territory: Federal Capital Territory (to 14 Oct 1955).
^ The All-Palestine government was dissolved by Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1959.
^ The All-Palestine government was recognized only by Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen
^ ^a ^b Poland adopted a Communist constitution on 22 Jul 1952. [15]
^ English speakers often used the spellings "Rumania" and "Roumania" during this period.
^ Sikkim signed a protectorate treaty with India on 5 Dec 1950. [16]
^ The Republic of the South Moluccas declared independence from Indonesia on 25 Apr 1950. [17] It was annexed by Indonesia on 17 Oct 1952. [18]
^ 15 Republics: Armenian SSR, Azerbaijan SSR, Byelorussian SSR, Estonian SSR, Georgian SSR, Karelo-Finnish SSR (to 16 Jul 1956), Kazakh SSR, Kirghiz SSR, Latvian SSR, Lithuanian SSR, Moldavian SSR, Russian SFSR, Tajik SSR, Turkmen SSR, Ukrainian SSR, Uzbek SSR.
^ The Sudan gained independence from an Anglo-Egyptian condominium on 1 Jan 1956.
^ The United Suvadive Republic declared independence from the United Kingdom on 3 Jan 1959. [19]
^ 25 Cantons: Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Glarus, Graubünden, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zürich
^ s:Seventeen Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet
^ Tunisia gained independence from France on 20 Mar 1956. [20]
^ ^a ^b Tunisia became a republic on 25 Jul 1957.
^ Trieste was annexed by Yugoslavia and Italy on 26 Oct 1954 [21]
^ 50 States: Alabama, Alaska (from 3 Jan 1959), Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii (from 21 Aug 1959), Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. 1 Federal District: District of Columbia. 3 Incorporated Territories: Alaska (to 3 Jan 1959), Hawaii (to 21 Aug 1959), Palmyra Atoll (from 21 Aug 1959).
^ These islands were sometimes designated for statistical purposes as the United States Miscellaneous Caribbean Islands and the United States Miscellaneous Pacific Islands.
^ ^a ^b Venezuela adopted a new constitution on 15 Apr 1953. [22]
^ 20 States: Anzoátegui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolívar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Falcón, Guárico, Lara, Mérida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Táchira, Trujillo, Yaracuy, Zulia. 2 Territories: Amazonas, Delta Amacuro. 1 Federal District: Federal District. 1 Federal Dependency: Federal Dependencies.
^ ^a ^b The Geneva Accords formalized the division of Vietnam into two independent states. The State of Vietnam in the south became known as the Republic of Vietnam on 26 Oct 1955. [23]
^ 6 Republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia.
^ Bilateral relations with countries, Retrieved 2009-12-22

Lists of sovereign states by year

AD (CE)

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1776 · 1769 · 1768 · 1661 · 1660 · 1648 · 1528 · 1496 · 1494 · 1400 · 1143 · 1000 · 820 · 661 · 632 · 1

BC (BCE)

100 BC Centuries: 1st BC · 2nd BC · 3rd BC · 4th BC · 5th BC · 6th BC · 7th BC · 8th BC · 9th BC · 10th BC · 11th BC · Before 11th BC

List of sovereign states in the 1950s

Sovereign states

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

P

R

S

T

U

V

Y

Other entities

See also

Notes