List of state leaders in 1197

Africa

China (Jin Dynasty) - Emperor Zhangzong (1190–1208)
China (Southern Song Dynasty) - Emperor Ningzong (1194–1224)
Japan (Kamakura period)
- Monarch - Emperor Go-Toba (1183–1198)
- Shogun (Kamakura) - Minamoto no Yoritomo (1192–1199)
Kara-Khitan Khanate (Western Liao) - Yelü Zhilugu (1178–1211)
Khmer Empire - Jayavarman VII (Mahaparamasangata?) (1181-1220?)
Korea (Goryeo Kingdom) -
1. Myeongjong (1170–1197)
2. Sinjong (1197–1204)
Western Xia - Emperor Huanzong (1193–1206)

Kingdom of Aragon - Peter II (1196–1213)
Bulgarian Empire -
- Peter IV, Tsar of Bulgaria (1185–1190), (1196–1197)
- Kaloyan, Tsar of Bulgaria (1197–1207)
Byzantine Empire - Alexios III Angelos (1195–1203)
Kingdom of Castile - Alfonso VIII (1158–1214)
Kingdom of Denmark - Canute VI (1182–1202)
Kingdom of England - Richard I (1189–1199)
Kingdom of France - Philip II (1180–1223)
Holy Roman Empire - Henry VI (1190–1197)
- Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen - Hartwig of Uthlede (Hartwig II) (1185–1190 and 1192–1207)
- County of Holland - Dirk VII (1190–1203)
Kingdom of Hungary - Emeric (1196–1204)
Kingdom of Norway - Sverre I (1184–1202)
Kingdom of Portugal - Sancho I (1185–1211)
Kingdom of Scotland - William I (1165–1214)
Kingdom of Sweden - Sverker II (1196–1208)