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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:

1. The internationally recognized sovereign states section lists all 193 widely recognised sovereign states, including all member states of the United Nations, plus Vatican City.
2. The other states section lists ten states which have de facto sovereignty or independence, but are not widely recognised diplomatically by other states.

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.

• Sovereign states
  
• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

• Other states
  
• Criteria for inclusion
• See also
• Notes
• References

Internationally recognized sovereign states

Name in English, and the official, national, and other important languages of the state	Information on status and recognition of sovereignty
A
Abkhazia → Other states
Afghanistan – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Dari/Persian: افغانستان – جمهوری اسلامی افغانستان Template:Rom Pashto: افغانستان – د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Albania – Republic of Albania Albanian: Shqipëria – Republika e Shqipërisë	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Algeria – People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Arabic: الجزائر – الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Andorra – Principality of Andorra Catalan: Andorra – Principat d’Andorra	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Angola – Republic of Angola Portuguese: Angola – República de Angola	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Antigua and Barbuda English: Antigua and Barbuda	Widely recognized member of the UN. Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth realm and has a division (dependency), Barbuda, with an autonomous status.
Argentina – Argentine Republic Spanish: Argentina – República Argentina	Widely recognized member of the UN. Argentina is a federation 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. 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.
Armenia – Republic of Armenia Armenian: Հայաստան – Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Armenia is not recognised by one UN member: Pakistan.
Australia – Commonwealth of Australia English: Australia – Commonwealth of Australia	Widely recognized member of the UN. Australia is a Commonwealth realm and a federation of 6 states and 10 territories. The external territories of Australia are:  Ashmore and Cartier Islands  Australian Antarctic Territory  Christmas Island  Cocos (Keeling) Islands  Coral Sea Islands Territory  Heard Island and McDonald Islands  Norfolk Island
Austria – Republic of Austria German: Österreich – Republik Österreich	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Austria is a federation composed of 9 federated states (Bundesländer).
Azerbaijan – Republic of Azerbaijan Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan – Azərbaycan Respublikası	Widely recognized member of the UN. Azerbaijan has one autonomous republic, Nakhchivan and the autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh (Dağlıq Qarabağ). In Nagorno-Karabakh, a de facto state has been established (see Other states).
B
Bahamas – Commonwealth of The Bahamas English: The Bahamas – Commonwealth of The Bahamas	Widely recognized member of the UN. The Bahamas is a Commonwealth realm.
Bahrain – Kingdom of Bahrain Arabic: البحرين – مملكة البحرين Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Bangladesh – People's Republic of Bangladesh Bengali: বাংলাদেশ – গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Barbados English: Barbados	Widely recognized member of the UN. Barbados is a Commonwealth realm.
Belarus – Republic of Belarus Belarusian: Беларусь – Рэспубліка БеларусьTemplate:Rom Russian: Беларусь / Белоруссия – Республика БеларусьTemplate:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium Dutch: België – Koninkrijk België French: Belgique – Royaume de Belgique German: Belgien – Königreich Belgien	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Belgium is a federation divided into linguistic communities and regions.
Belize English: Belize	Widely recognized member of the UN. Belize is a Commonwealth realm.
Benin – Republic of Benin French: Bénin – République du Bénin	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ་ – འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་ཁབ་ Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Bolivia – Plurinational State of Bolivia Spanish: Bolivia – Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia Aymara: Wuliwya – Wuliwya Suyu Guaraní: Volívia – Tetã Volívia Quechua: Buliwya – Buliwya Mama Llaqta	Widely recognized member of the UN. Bolivia is divided into 9 autonomous departments.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnian and Croatian: Bosna i Hercegovina Serbian: Босна и ХерцеговинаTemplate:Rom	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.
Botswana – Republic of Botswana Tswana: Botswana – Lefatshe la Botswana English: Botswana – Republic of Botswana	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Brazil – Federative Republic of Brazil Portuguese: Brasil – República Federativa do Brasil	Widely recognized member of the UN. Brazil is a federation composed of 26 states and one federal district.
Brunei – State of Brunei, Abode of Peace Malay: Brunei – Negara Brunei Darussalam Jawi: برني دارالسلام	Widely recognized member of the UN. Brunei claims sovereignty over part of the Spratly Islands.
Bulgaria – Republic of Bulgaria Bulgarian: България – Република БългарияTemplate:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Burkina Faso French: Burkina Faso	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Burma – Union of Myanmar Burmese: မန္မာ – ပည္ေထာင္စုမန္မာနုိင္ငံေတာ္ Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN
Burundi – Republic of Burundi Kirundi: Uburundi – Republika y'Uburundi French: Burundi – République du Burundi	Widely recognized member of the UN.
C
Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia Khmer: កម្ពុជា – ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រ កម្ពុជា Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon French: Cameroun – République du Cameroun English: Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Canada English and French: Canada	Widely recognized member of the UN. Canada is a Commonwealth realm and a federation composed of 10 provinces and 3 territories.
Cape Verde – Republic of Cape Verde Portuguese: Cabo Verde – República de Cabo Verde	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Central African Republic French: République centrafricaine Sango: Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Chad – Republic of Chad French: Tchad – République du Tchad Arabic: تشاد – جمهوريّة تشاد Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Chile – Republic of Chile Spanish: Chile – República de Chile	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.
China – People's Republic of China Chinese: 中国 – 中华人民共和国Template:Rom Mongolian: Template:Rom Tibetan: རྒྱ་ནག – ཀྲུང་ཧྭ་མི་དམངས་སྤྱི་མཐུན་རྒྱལ་ཁབ། Template:Rom Kazakh: جۇڭگو – جۇڭحۋا حالىق رەسپۋبليكاسى Template:Rom Korean: 중국 – 중화인민공화국 Template:Rom Uyghur: جۇڭگو – جۇڭخۇا خەلق جۇمھۇرىيىت Template:Rom Sino-Vietnamese: 中國 – 中華人民共和國 Template:Rom Zhuang: Cunghgoz – Cunghvaz Yinzminz Gunghozgoz	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. Additionally, it has sovereignty over the Special Administrative Regions of:  Hong Kong  Macao It also claims: Taiwan and associated islands, Kinmen, Matsu, the Pratas and Itu Aba, which are governed by the Republic of China (which claims sovereignty over the whole of China). The Paracel Islands (disputed). The Spratly Islands (disputed). South Tibet (governed by India as part of Arunachal Pradesh). Aksai Chin, controlled by the PRC, is claimed by India as a part of Jammu and Kashmir. The PRC is currently not recognised by 22 UN member states and the Holy See, which instead recognise the ROC.
China, Republic of (Taiwan) → Other states
Colombia – Republic of Colombia Spanish: Colombia – República de Colombia	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.
Comoros – Union of the Comoros Comorian: Komori – Udzima wa Komori French: Comores – Union des Comores Arabic: جمهورية القمر المتحدة – جزر القمر Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Comoros is a federation with 3 autonomous islands. Comoros disputes French sovereignty over Mayotte, the Glorioso Islands, and Banc du Geyser.
Congo, Democratic Republic of the (Congo-Kinshasa) French: République démocratique du Congo	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Congo, Republic of the (Congo-Brazzaville) French: République du Congo	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica Spanish: Costa Rica – República de Costa Rica	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Côte d'Ivoire – Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) French: Côte d'Ivoire – République de Côte d'Ivoire	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Croatia – Republic of Croatia Croatian: Hrvatska – Republika Hrvatska	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Cuba – Republic of Cuba Spanish: Cuba – República de Cuba	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus Greek: Κύπρος – Κυπριακή ΔημοκρατίαTemplate:Rom Turkish: Kıbrıs – Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. 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.
Czech Republic Czech: Česko – Česká republika	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
D
Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark Danish: Danmark – Kongeriget Danmark	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. The Kingdom of Denmark also includes two autonomous countries.  Faroe Islands (Føroyar/Færøerne)  Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat/Grønland)
Djibouti – Republic of Djibouti French: Djibouti – République de Djibouti Arabic: جيبوتي – جمهورية جيبوتيTemplate:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica English: Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Dominican Republic Spanish: República Dominicana Taíno: Quisqueya	Widely recognized member of the UN.
E
East Timor – Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Portuguese: Timor-Leste – República Democrática de Timor-Leste Tetum: Timor Lorosa'e – Repúblika Demokrátika Timor Lorosa'e	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador Spanish: Ecuador – República del Ecuador	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Egypt – Arab Republic of Egypt Arabic: مصر – جمهوريّة مصرالعربيّة Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
El Salvador – Republic of El Salvador Spanish: El Salvador – República de El Salvador	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Equatorial Guinea – Republic of Equatorial Guinea Spanish: Guinea Ecuatorial – República de Guinea Ecuatorial French: Guinée Équatoriale – République de Guinée équatoriale	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Eritrea – State of Eritrea Tigrinya: ኤርትራ – ሃግሬ ኤርትራ Template:Rom Arabic: إريتريا – دولة إرتريا Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Estonia – Republic of Estonia Estonian: Eesti – Eesti Vabariik	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Ethiopia – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Amharic: ኢትዮጵያ – የኢትዮጵያ ፈደራላዊ ዲሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክTemplate:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Ethiopia is a federation composed of 9 regions and 2 chartered cities.
F
Fiji – Republic of the Fiji Islands Fijian: Viti – Matanitu ko Viti English: Fiji – Republic of the Fiji Islands Hindustani: फ़िजी / فیجی – फ़िजी गणराज्य / فیجی رپبلک Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Fiji has an autonomous region, Rotuma.
Finland – Republic of Finland Finnish: Suomi – Suomen tasavalta Swedish: Finland – Republiken Finland	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.  Åland is a neutral and demilitarised autonomous region of Finland.
France – French Republic French: France – République française	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. 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 Polynesia  Mayotte (disputed by Comoros)  New Caledonia  Saint-Barthélemy  Saint Martin  Saint Pierre and Miquelon  Wallis and Futuna  French Southern and Antarctic Lands (uninhabited; includes the Antarctic claim of Adélie Land). 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.
G
Gabon – Gabonese Republic French: Gabon – République gabonaise	Widely recognized member of the UN.
The Gambia – Republic of The Gambia English: The Gambia – Republic of The Gambia	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Georgia Georgian: საქართველოTemplate:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Georgia has two divisions with autonomous statuses: Adjara and Abkhazia. In Abkhazia and South Ossetia, de facto states inside the de jure territory of Georgia have been formed.
Germany – Federal Republic of Germany German: Deutschland – Bundesrepublik Deutschland	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Germany is a federation composed of 16 federated states (Länder).
Ghana – Republic of Ghana English: Ghana – Republic of Ghana	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Greece – Hellenic Republic Dimotiki: Ελλάδα – Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Template:Rom Katharevousa: Ελλάς – Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. 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.
Grenada English: Grenada	Widely recognized member of the UN. Grenada is a Commonwealth realm.
Guatemala – Republic of Guatemala Spanish: Guatemala – República de Guatemala	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Guinea – Republic of Guinea French: Guinée – République de Guinée	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Guinea-Bissau – Republic of Guinea-Bissau Portuguese: Guiné-Bissau – República da Guiné-Bissau	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Guyana – Co-operative Republic of Guyana English: Guyana – Co-operative Republic of Guyana	Widely recognized member of the UN. A substantial part of Guyana, from the west of the Essequibo River, is claimed by Venezuela.
H
Haiti – Republic of Haiti French: Haïti – République d’Haïti Haitian Creole: Ayiti – Repiblik d’Ayiti	Widely recognized member of the UN. Haiti claims the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa Island.
Holy See → Vatican City
Honduras – Republic of Honduras Spanish: Honduras – República de Honduras	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Hungary – Republic of Hungary Hungarian: Magyarország – Magyar Köztársaság	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
I
Iceland – Republic of Iceland Icelandic: Ísland – Lýðveldið Ísland	Widely recognized member of the UN.
India – Republic of India Hindi: भारत – भारत गणराज्य Template:Rom English: India – Republic of India Assamese: ভাৰত – ভাৰত গণৰাজ্য Template:Rom Bengali: ভারত – ভারতীয় প্রজাতন্ত্র Template:Rom Bhojpuri: भारत – भारत गणराज्य Template:Rom Gujarati: ભારત – ભારતીય ગણરાજ્ય Template:Rom Kannada : ಭಾರತ – ಭಾರತ ಗಣರಾಜ್ಯ Template:Rom Kashmiri: ہِندوستان Template:Rom Konkani: भारत – भारोत गोणराज Template:Rom Maithili: भारत – भारत गणराज्य Template:Rom Malayalam: ഭാരതം – ഭാരത ഗണരാജ്യം Template:Rom Marathi: भारत – भारतीय प्रजासत्ताक Template:Rom Meitei: ভারত – ভারত গণরাজ্য Template:Rom Nepali: भारत – भारत गणराज्य Template:Rom Oriya: ଭାରତ – ଭାରତ ଗଣରାଜ୍ଯ Template:Rom Punjabi: ਭਾਰਤ – ਭਾਰਤ ਗਣਤੰਤਰ Template:Rom Sanskrit: भारतम् – भारत गणराज्यम् Template:Rom Sindhi: भारत गणराज्य, هندستانڀارت – भारत, ڀارت Template:Rom Tamil: இந்தியா – இந்தியக் குடியரசு Template:Rom Telugu: భారత్ – భారత గణతంత్ర రాజ్యము Template:Rom Urdu: جمہوریہ بھارت – جمہوریہ بھارت Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. India is a federation composed of 28 states and 7 union territories. The Indian sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh is disputed by the People's Republic of China. India claims sovereignty over the whole of Kashmir, but administers only part of it as the federal state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Indonesia – Republic of Indonesia Indonesian: Indonesia – Republik Indonesia	Widely recognized member of the UN. Indonesia has three provinces with official special autonomy status, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, Papua, and West Papua.
Iran – Islamic Republic of Iran Persian: ایران – جمهوری اسلامی ایران Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Iraq – Republic of Iraq Arabic : العراق – جمهورية العراق Template:Rom Kurdish: عێراق – كۆماری عێراق Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Iraq's constitution labels the country as a federation composed of 18 governorates. It also has the autonomous region Iraqi Kurdistan.
Ireland Irish: Éire English: Ireland	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Israel – State of Israel Hebrew: ישראל – מדינת ישראל Template:Rom Arabic: اسرائيل – دولة اسرائيل Template:Rom	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. 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. Israel is currently not recognised as a state by 20 members of the UN.
Italy – Italian Republic Italian: Italia – Repubblica Italiana	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Italy has 5 autonomous regions: Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.
Ivory Coast → Côte d'Ivoire
J
Jamaica English: Jamaica	Widely recognized member of the UN. Jamaica is a Commonwealth realm.
Japan Japanese: 日本 – 日本国 Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Jordan – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Arabic: الاردن – المملكة الأردنّيّة الهاشميّة Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
K
Kazakhstan – Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakh: Қазақстан – Қазақстан Республикасы Template:Rom Russian: Казахстан – Республика Казахстан Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Kenya – Republic of Kenya English: Kenya – Republic of Kenya Swahili: Kenya – Jamhuri ya Kenya	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Kiribati – Republic of Kiribati Gilbertese: Kiribati – Ribaberiki Kiribati English: Kiribati – Republic of Kiribati	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Korea, North – Democratic People's Republic of Korea Korean: 조선 – 조선민주주의인민공화국 Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. North Korea is not recognised by two UN members: Japan and South Korea.
Korea, South – Republic of Korea Korean: 한국 – 대한민국 Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. South Korea has one special autonomous province: Jeju-do. South Korea is not recognised by one UN member: North Korea.
Kosovo → Other states
Kuwait – State of Kuwait Arabic: الكويت – دولة الكويت Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz Republic Kyrgyz: Кыргызстан – Кыргыз Республикасы Template:Rom Russian: Кыргызстан – Кыргызская Республика Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
L
Laos – Lao People's Democratic Republic Lao: ລາວ – ສາທາລະນະລັດປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Latvia – Republic of Latvia Latvian: Latvija – Latvijas Republika	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Lebanon – Lebanese Republic Arabic: لبنان – الجمهوريّة اللبنانيّة Template:Rom French: République libanaise	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Lesotho – Kingdom of Lesotho English: Lesotho – Kingdom of Lesotho Sotho: Lesotho – Mmuso wa Lesotho	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Liberia – Republic of Liberia English: Liberia – Republic of Liberia	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Libya – Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Arabic: ليبيا – الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الإشتراكية العظمى Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Liechtenstein – Principality of Liechtenstein German: Liechtenstein – Fürstentum Liechtenstein	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Lithuania – Republic of Lithuania Lithuanian: Lietuva – Lietuvos Respublika	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Luxembourg – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuerg – Groussherzogdem Lëtzebuerg French: Luxembourg – Grand-Duché du Luxembourg German: Luxemburg – Großherzogtum Luxemburg	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
M
Macedonia – Republic of Macedonia Macedonian: Македонија – Република Македонија Template:Rom	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".
Madagascar – Republic of Madagascar Malagasy: Madagasikara – Repoblikan'i Madagasikara French: Madagascar – Republique de Madagascar English: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.
Malawi – Republic of Malawi English: Malawi – Republic of Malawi Chewa: Malaŵi – Dziko la Malaŵi	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Malaysia - Malaysia Malay: Malaysia	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Maldives – Republic of Maldives Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ – ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Mali – Republic of Mali French: Mali – République du Mali	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Malta – Republic of Malta Maltese: Malta – Repubblika ta' Malta English: Malta – Republic of Malta	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Marshall Islands – Republic of the Marshall Islands Marshallese: Aelōn̄ in M̧ajeļ – Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ English: 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.
Mauritania – Islamic Republic of Mauritania Arabic: موريتانيا – الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius English: Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius	Widely recognized member of the UN. Mauritius has an autonomous island, Rodrigues. Mauritius claims the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French island of Tromelin.
Mexico – United Mexican States Spanish: México – Estados Unidos Mexicanos	Widely recognized member of the UN. Mexico is a federation composed of 31 states and 1 federal district.
Micronesia, Federated States of English: Federated States of Micronesia	Widely recognized member of the UN under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Federated States of Micronesia is a federation composed of 4 states.
Moldova – Republic of Moldova Romanian: Moldova – Republica 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).
Monaco – Principality of Monaco French: Monaco – Principauté de Monaco Monegasque: Múnegu – Principatu de Múnegu	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Mongolia Mongolian: Монгол улс Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Montenegro Montenegrin: Црна Гора Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Morocco – Kingdom of Morocco Arabic: المغرب – المملكة المغربية Template:Rom	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.
Mozambique – Republic of Mozambique Portuguese: Moçambique – República de Moçambique	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Myanmar → Burma
N
Nagorno-Karabakh → Other states
Namibia – Republic of Namibia English: Namibia – Republic of Namibia	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Nauru – Republic of Nauru Nauruan: Naoero – Ripublik Naoero English: Nauru – Republic of Nauru	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Nepal – Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Nepali: नेपाल – संघिय लोकतन्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN, Nepal is a federation composed of 14 zones.
Netherlands – Kingdom of the Netherlands Dutch: Nederland – Koninkrijk der Nederlanden Papiamentu: Hulanda (or Ulanda) – Reino di Hulanda English: Netherlands – Kingdom of the Netherlands Frisian: Nederlân – Keninkryk fan de Nederlannen	Widely recognized member of the UN. The Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of three countries:  Netherlands  Aruba  Netherlands Antilles 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, but Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles are not part of the EU.
New Zealand English: New Zealand Māori: Aotearoa	Widely recognized member of the UN. New Zealand is a Commonwealth realm and has responsibilities for the two free associated states of:  Cook Islands  Niue Both of the above have established independent foreign relations with a number of states. New Zealand also has the dependent territories of:  Ross Dependency  Tokelau The Tokelauan government has claimed sovereignty over Swains Island, part of American Samoa, a territory of the United States, at various times. New Zealand does not recognize the Tokelauan claim.
Nicaragua – Republic of Nicaragua Spanish: Nicaragua – República de Nicaragua	Widely recognized member of the UN. Nicaragua contains the 2 autonomous regions of Atlántico Sur and Atlántico Norte.
Niger – Republic of Niger French: Niger – République du Niger	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Nigeria – Federal Republic of Nigeria English: Nigeria – Federal Republic of Nigeria Hausa: Nijeriya – Jamhuriyar Taraiyar Nijeriya Igbo: Naigeria – Njíkötá Óchíchìiwù Naíjíríà Yorùbá: Naìjírìà – Àpapọ̀ Olómìnira ilẹ̀ Nàìjíríà	Widely recognized member of the UN. Nigeria is a federation composed of 36 states and 1 federal territory.
Northern Cyprus → Other states
North Korea → Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Norway – Kingdom of Norway Bokmål: Norge – Kongeriket Norge Nynorsk: Noreg – Kongeriket Noreg	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.
O
Oman – Sultanate of Oman Arabic: عُمان – سلطنة عُمان Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
P
Pakistan – Islamic Republic of Pakistan Urdu: پَاکِسْتَان – جَمْهُورْيَة إِسْلامِی پَاکِسْتَان Template:Rom English: Pakistan – Islamic Republic of Pakistan	Widely recognized member of the UN. Pakistan is a federation 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:  Azad Kashmir  Gilgit-Baltistan
Palau – Republic of Palau Palauan: Belau – Beluu er a Belau English: Palau – Republic of Palau	Widely recognized member of the UN under Compact of Free Association with the United States.
The Palestinian National Authority → Other states
Panama – Republic of Panama Spanish: Panamá – República de Panamá	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Papua New Guinea – Independent State of Papua New Guinea English: Papua New Guinea – Independent State of Papua New Guinea Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu: Papuaniugini	Widely recognized member of the UN. Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth realm. Papua New Guinea contains the autonomous region of Bougainville.
Paraguay – Republic of Paraguay Guarani: Paraguay – Paraguay Retãn Spanish: Paraguay – República del Paraguay	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Persia → Iran
Peru – Republic of Peru Spanish: Perú – República del Perú Aymara : Piruw – Piruw Republika Quechua: Piruw – Piruw Suyu	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Philippines – Republic of the Philippines Filipino and Tagalog: Pilipinas – Republika ng Pilipinas English: Philippines – Republic of the Philippines Spanish: Filipinas – República de Filipinas	Widely recognized member of the UN. The Philippines contains the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The Philippines administers Scarborough Shoal and some of the Spratly Islands, and claims sovereignty over the Macclesfield Bank and Sabah. Sabah is currently part of Malaysia.
Poland – Republic of Poland Polish: Polska – Rzeczpospolita Polska	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Portugal – Portuguese Republic Portuguese: Portugal – República Portuguesa Mirandese: Pertual – República Pertuesa	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Portugal has two autonomous regions: Azores and Madeira. Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Olivenza and Táliga.
Pridnestrovie → Other states, Transnistria
Q
Qatar – State of Qatar Arabic: قطر – دولة قطر Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
R
Romania Romanian: România	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Russia – Russian Federation Russian: Россия – Российская Федерация Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Russia is officially a federation composed of 83 federal subjects (oblasts, republics, autonomous okrugs, krays, and federal cities). Several of the federal subjects are republics acting as ethnic autonomies.
Rwanda – Republic of Rwanda Kinyarwanda: Rwanda – Republika y'u Rwanda French: Rwanda – République du Rwanda English: Rwanda – Republic of Rwanda	Widely recognized member of the UN.
S
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic → Other states
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis English: Saint Kitts and Nevis – Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis	Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a Commonwealth realm and is a federation of 14 parishes.
Saint Lucia English: Saint Lucia	Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth realm.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines English: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a Commonwealth realm.
Samoa – Independent State of Samoa Samoan: Sāmoa – Malo Sa‘oloto Tuto'atasi o Sāmoa English: Samoa – Independent State of Samoa	Widely recognized member of the UN.
San Marino – Republic of San Marino Italian: San Marino – Repubblica di San Marino	Widely recognized member of the UN.
São Tomé and Príncipe – Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Portuguese: São Tomé e Príncipe – República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe	Widely recognized member of the UN. São Tomé and Príncipe has an autonomous province, Príncipe.
Saudi Arabia – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Arabic: السعودية – المملكة العربيّة السّعوديّة Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Senegal – Republic of Senegal French: Sénégal – République du Sénégal	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Serbia – Republic of Serbia Serbian: Србија – Република Србија Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Serbia officially has two autonomous provinces: Vojvodina and Kosovo and Metohija. Most of the latter is under the de facto control of the Republic of Kosovo (see Other states).
Seychelles – Republic of Seychelles English: Seychelles – Republic of Seychelles French: Seychelles – République des Seychelles Seselwa: Sesel – Repiblik Sesel	Widely recognized member of the UN. Seychelles claims the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island.
Sierra Leone – Republic of Sierra Leone English: Sierra Leone – Republic of Sierra Leone	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Singapore – Republic of Singapore English: Singapore – Republic of Singapore Malay: Singapura – Republik Singapura Chinese: 新加坡 – 新加坡共和国 Template:Rom Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர் – சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Slovakia – Slovak Republic Slovak: Slovensko – Slovenská republika Hungarian: Szlovákia – Szlovák Köztársaság	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Slovenia – Republic of Slovenia Slovenian: Slovenija – Republika Slovenija Italian: Slovenia – Repubblica slovena Hungarian: Szlovénia – a Szlovén Köztársaság	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Solomon Islands English: Solomon Islands	Widely recognized member of the UN. The Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm.
Somalia – Republic of Somalia Somali: Soomaaliya – Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya Arabic: الصومال – جمهورية الصومال Template:Rom	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.
Somaliland → Other states
South Africa – Republic of South Africa Afrikaans: Suid-Afrika – Republiek van Suid-Afrika English: South Africa – Republic of South Africa Northern Sotho: Afrika-Borwa – Rephaboliki ya Afrika-Borwa Sotho: Afrika Borwa – Rephaboliki ya Afrika Borwa Southern Ndebele: Sewula Afrika – iRiphabliki yeSewula Afrika Swati: Ningizimu Afrika – iRiphabhulikhi yeNingizimu Afrika Tsonga: Afrika Dzonga – Riphabliki ra Afrika Dzonga Tswana: Aforika Borwa – Rephaboliki ya Aforika Borwa Venda: Afurika Tshipembe – Riphabuḽiki ya Afurika Tshipembe Xhosa: uMzantsi Afrika – iRiphabliki yaseMzantsi Afrika Zulu: Ningizimu Afrika – iRiphabliki yaseNingizimu Afrika	Widely recognized member of the UN.
South Korea → Korea, Republic of
South Ossetia → Other states
Spain – Kingdom of Spain Spanish: España – Reino de España Asturian: España – Reinu d’España Basque: Espainia – Espainiako Erresuma Catalan: Espanya – Regne d'Espanya Galician: España – Reino de España Occitan: Espanha – Reialme d'Espanha	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. 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.
Sri Lanka – Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Sinhala: ශ්‍රී ලංකා – ශ්‍රී ලංකා ප්‍රජාතාන්ත්‍රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය Template:Rom Tamil: இலங்கை – இலங்கை சனநாயக சோசலிசக் குடியரசு Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Formerly known as Ceylon.
Sudan – Republic of the Sudan Arabic: السودان – جمهورية السودان Template:Rom English: Sudan – Republic of the Sudan	Widely recognized member of the UN. Sudan is a federation composed 25 states. Ten of those states form the autonomous region of Southern Sudan.
Suriname – Republic of Suriname Dutch: Suriname – Republiek Suriname	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Swaziland – Kingdom of Swaziland English: Swaziland – Kingdom of Swaziland Swati: eSwatini – Umbuso weSwatini	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Sweden – Kingdom of Sweden Swedish: Sverige – Konungariket Sverige	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Switzerland – Swiss Confederation German: Schweiz – Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft French: Suisse – Confédération suisse Italian: Svizzera – Confederazione Svizzera Romansh: Svizra – Confederaziun Svizra Latin: Helvetia - Confoederatio Helvetica	Widely recognized member of the UN. Switzerland is a federation composed of 26 cantons.
Syria – Syrian Arab Republic Arabic: سورية – الجمهوريّة العربيّة السّوريّة Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. The Golan Heights are annexed by Israel. Syria disputed the Turkish sovereignty over Hatay Province.
T
Taiwan (Republic of China) → Other states
Tajikistan – Republic of Tajikistan Tajik: Тоҷикистон – Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Tajikistan also has the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province.
Tanzania – United Republic of Tanzania Swahili: Tanzania – Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania English: Tanzania – United Republic of Tanzania	Widely recognized member of the UN. Tanzania is a federacy with an autonomous status for Zanzibar.
Thailand – Kingdom of Thailand Thai: ประเทศไทย – ราชอาณาจักรไทย Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Timor-Leste → East Timor
Togo – Togolese Republic French: Togo – République togolaise	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Tonga – Kingdom of Tonga Tongan: Tonga – Pule'anga Tonga English: Tonga – Kingdom of Tonga	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Transnistria → Other states
Trinidad and Tobago – Republic of Trinidad and Tobago English: Trinidad and Tobago – Republic of Trinidad and Tobago	Widely recognized member of the UN. Trinidad and Tobago has an autonomous island: Tobago.
Tunisia – Republic of Tunisia Arabic: تونس – الجمهورية التونسية Template:Rom French: Tunisie – République tunisienne	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Turkey – Republic of Turkey Turkish: Türkiye – Türkiye Cumhuriyeti	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Turkmenistan Turkmenian: Türkmenistan	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Tuvalu Tuvaluan and English: Tuvalu	Widely recognized member of the UN. Tuvalu is a Commonwealth realm.
U
Uganda – Republic of Uganda English: Uganda – Republic of Uganda Swahili: Uganda – Jamhuri ya Uganda	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Ukraine Ukrainian: Україна Template:Rom Russian: Украи́на Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Ukraine has one autonomous republic: Crimea.
United Arab Emirates Arabic: اَلإمَارَات – اَلإمَارَات اَلْعَرَبِيَّة اَلْمُتَّحِدَة Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. The United Arab Emirates is a federation composed of 7 emirates.
United Kingdom – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland English: United Kingdom – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Irish: Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus Thuaisceart Éireann Scots: Unitit Kinrick o Great Breetain an Northren Ireland Scottish Gaelic: Rìoghachd Aonaichte na Breatainn Mòire agus Èireann a Tuath Welsh: Teyrnas Unedig Prydain Fawr a Gogledd Iwerddon	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. The United Kingdom is a Commonwealth realm consisting of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The United Kingdom has the following overseas territories:  Akrotiri and Dhekelia  Anguilla  Bermuda  British Indian Ocean Territory (disputed by Mauritius and Seychelles)  British Virgin Islands  Cayman Islands  Falkland Islands (disputed by Argentina)  Gibraltar (disputed by Spain)  Montserrat  Pitcairn Islands  Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha  South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (disputed by Argentina)  Turks and Caicos Islands  British Antarctic Territory (disputed by Argentina and Chile) The British monarch has direct sovereignty over three self-governing Crown dependencies:  Guernsey, with three dependencies:  Alderney  Herm  Sark  Isle of Man  Jersey
United States – United States of America English: United States – United States of America French: États-Unis – États-Unis d'Amérique Hawaiian: ʻAmelika Hui – ‘Amelika Huipū‘ia Spanish: Estados Unidos – Estados Unidos de América	Widely recognized member of the UN. The United States is a federation 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:  American Samoa (including Swains Island, disputed by Tokelau)  Guam  Northern Mariana Islands  Puerto Rico  U.S. Virgin Islands 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.
Uruguay – Eastern Republic of Uruguay Spanish: Uruguay – República Oriental del Uruguay	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Uzbekistan – Republic of Uzbekistan Uzbek: Ўзбекистон – Ўзбекистон Республикаси Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Uzbekistan has one autonomous republic: Karakalpakstan.
V
Vanuatu – Republic of Vanuatu Bislama: Vanuatu – Ripablik blong Vanuatu English: Vanuatu – Republic of Vanuatu French: Vanuatu – République du Vanuatu	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Vatican City – State of the Vatican City Latin: Civitas Vaticana – Status Civitatis Vaticanæ Italian: Città del Vaticano – Stato della Città del Vaticano French: État de la Cité du Vatican	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." 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).
Venezuela – Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Spanish: Venezuela – República Bolivariana de Venezuela	Widely recognized member of the UN. Venezuela is a federation composed of 23 states, 1 capital district, and federal dependencies.
Vietnam – Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vietnamese: Việt Nam – Cộng Hòa Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam	Widely recognized member of the UN. Vietnam claims sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands.
W
Western Sahara → Other states X
Y
Yemen – Republic of Yemen Arabic: اليمن – الجمهوريّة اليمنية Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN. Sovereignty over Socotra is disputed by Somalia.
Z
Zambia – Republic of Zambia English: Zambia – Republic of Zambia Bemba: Zambia – Ichalo Ca Zambia Kaonde: Zambia – Kyalo Kya Zambia Lozi: Zambia – Naha Zambia Ye Ipusa Nyanja: Zambia – Dziko La Zambia Tonga: Zambia – Cisi Ca Zambia	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Zimbabwe – Republic of Zimbabwe English: Zimbabwe – Republic of Zimbabwe Ndebele: Zimbabwe – Republic of Zimbabwe Shona: Zimbabwe – Republic of Zimbabwe	Widely recognized member of the UN.

Other states

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
Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia Abkhaz: Аҧсны – Аҧсны АҳәынҭқарраTemplate:Rom Russian: Aбхазия – Республика АбхазияTemplate:Rom	De facto independent state recognised by Russia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Venezuela, South Ossetia and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
Kosovo – Republic of Kosovo Albanian: Kosova – Republika e Kosovës Serbian: Косово – Република Косово Template:Rom	De facto independent state that is recognised by 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.
Nagorno-Karabakh – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Armenian: Լեռնային Ղարաբաղ – Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի ՀանրապետությունTemplate:Rom	De facto independent state that is recognised only by Transnistria. Claimed in whole by the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Northern Cyprus – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs – Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti	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.
Palestine - Palestine Arabic: فلسطين Template:Rom	Palestine, categorized under "other entities", 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). 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.
SADR – Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Arabic: الجمهورية العربية الصحراوية الديمقراطية Template:Rom	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.
Somaliland – Republic of Somaliland Somali: Soomaaliland – Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliland Arabic: ارض الصومال – جمهورية ارض الصومال Template:Rom	De facto independent state not diplomatically recognized by any other state, claimed in whole by the Somali Republic.
South Ossetia – Republic of South Ossetia Ossetian: Хуссар Ирыстон – Республикæ Хуссар ИрыстонTemplate:Rom Russian: Южная Осетия – Республика Южная ОсетияTemplate:Rom	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.
Republic of China (Taiwan) – Republic of China Chinese: 中華民國 Template:Rom	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, and has not renounced claims over the territory of the PRC and Mongolia. The Republic of China is currently recognised by including the Holy See. The territory of the Republic of China is claimed in whole by the People's Republic of China. 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.
Transnistria – Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (Pridnestrovie, Trans-Dniester) Russian: Приднестровье: Приднестровская Молдавская РеспубликаTemplate:Rom Ukrainian: Придністров'я: Придністровська Молдавська РеспублікаTemplate:Rom Moldovan: Транснистрия – Република Молдовеняскэ НистрянэTemplate:Rom	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.

Criteria for inclusion

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:

• (a) a permanent population
• (b) a defined territory
• (c) government
• (d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states.

In respect of the last qualification, the role of recognition by other states can often be crucial since it implies acceptance into the international community. 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:

• 193 sovereign states with general international recognition:
  • 192 member states of the United Nations
  • One state with general international recognition, governed by the Holy See (a United Nations permanent observer in the category "Non-member states"): Vatican City
• 10 sovereign states lacking general international recognition, none of which are members of the United Nations:
  • One state with diplomatic relations with more than 100 states and informal relations with 25 others, governed by the Palestinian National Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization (a United Nations permanent observer): Palestine
  • One state, recognized by 81 UN member states, member of the African Union, in partial control of the Western Sahara (listed by the United Nations as a non self-governing territory): the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
  • One state, and by Taiwan, informal relations with six others: Kosovo
  • One state, competing for recognition with another state, currently as the state representing China, but no longer recognised by the United Nations as of 25 October 1971: the Republic of China (Taiwan)
  • Two states, recognized by four United Nations member states, by Transnistria and by each other: Abkhazia and South Ossetia
  • One state, recognized by one United Nations member state and having informal relations with 19 more: Northern Cyprus
  • One state, recognized by Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Transnistria
  • One state recognized by Transnistria: Nagorno-Karabakh
  • One state not recognized by any other state: Somaliland

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:

• Antarctica as a whole has no government and no permanent population. Seven states claim portions of Antarctica and five of these have reciprocally recognised one another's claims. These claims, which are regulated by the Antarctic Treaty System, are neither recognised nor disputed by any other signatory state.
• The European Union, a sui generis supranational organisation which currently has 27 member states. The member states have transferred a measure of their legislative, executive, and judicial powers to the institutions of the EU, and as such the EU has some elements of sovereignty, without generally being considered a sovereign state. The European Union does not claim to be a sovereign state and has only limited capacity for relations with other states.
• The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a United Nations observer in the category "Other entities having received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly and maintaining permanent offices at Headquarters." The order has bi-lateral diplomatic relations with 104 states, but has no territory other than extraterritorial areas within Rome. Its website asserts that "it has always been recognised by nations as an independent subject of international law." The order's Constitution states: "The Order is a subject of international law and exercises sovereign functions." Although the order frequently asserts its sovereignty, including in its name, it does not claim to be a sovereign state. It lacks a defined territory. As with other embassies, Italy could theoretically break diplomatic relations with the order and oblige the non-Italian members to leave Italian territory. Since all its members are citizens of other states, almost all of them live in their native countries, and those who reside in the order's extraterritorial properites in Rome do so only in connection with their official duties, the order lacks the characteristic of having a permanent population.
• States forming part of a federal union, for which, see: federated state. Such entities do not claim to be independent, as their respective governments have surrendered sovereignty to a federal government.
• Dependent territories that are under the sovereignty of states from the above lists.
• The International Committee of the Red Cross is a nongovernmental organization incorporated under Swiss law with a unique status. Although not a subject of international law, it plays a formal role under the Geneva Conventions as an impartial humanitarian body, and may serve in the same role as a protecting power in times of war.
• Uncontacted peoples who exercise varying degrees of de facto sovereignty over the areas under their control, but either live in societies that cannot be defined as states or whose statuses as such are currently too data deficient to be definitively known.
• Entities considered to be micronations are not included, even though they generally claim to be sovereign and independent, and try to enter into diplomatic relations with states that are listed. It is often up to debate whether a micronation truly controls its claimed territory. The permanent populations of micronations are generally small.

See also

• Constitutive theory of statehood
• Declarative theory of statehood
• Gallery of sovereign-state flags
• List of international rankings
• List of micronations
• List of statistically superlative countries
• List of territorial disputes
• Lists of sovereign states by year
• Terra nullius
• List of autonomous areas by country
• Table of administrative divisions by country
• Federation
• Federated state
• Associated state

Notes

1. "United Nations Member States". United Nations. 3 July 2006. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
2. ^ "Non-member States and Entities". United Nations. 29 February 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
3. The names of the items in the list are given in English, as well as in the official, national, major minority, and historically important languages of the state. Where applicable, names in other languages are included in their original script, along with a transliteration in Roman characters. Except where mentioned, the source for the names in their official languages is the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN, retrieved 16 July 2010), which uses romanisation systems approved by the United Nations. The sources for flags are the main articles on these states. When other sources are used, these sources are mentioned. For a gallery of flags, see Gallery of sovereign-state flags.
4. Information is included on
   • the extent of recognition and membership of the United Nations (Source: the website of the UN).
   • the reason a non-de jure state is listed. More information can be found at the list of states with limited recognition.
   • the overseas dependencies. Some sovereign states have overseas dependencies, generally not part of the territory of the state. More information can be found at List of dependent countries.
   • the federal structures if applicable. Some sovereign states have more or less federal structures. More information can be found at a List of federations.
   • the autonomous areas inside the territory of the sovereign state. Some sovereign states have one or more autonomous areas as part of the their territory; see List of autonomous areas by country.
   • List of territorial disputes
   • separatist governments in exile.
5. ^ The Commonwealth realms are members of the Commonwealth of Nations in which the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. The realms are sovereign states, see Sovereignty of the Realms.
6. ^ For more information on divisions with a high degree of autonomy, see the List of autonomous areas by country.
7. Argentina is also named Argentine Nation for purposes of legislation.
8. ^ More information on more or less federal structures can be found at a List of federations.
9. ^ More information on territorial disputes can be found at the List of territorial disputes and the main articles.
10. ^ The continent of Antarctica, including its outlying islands south of 60°S, are held in abeyance under the terms of the Antarctic Treaty System. Claimant countries are Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, with all those save Argentina and Chile mutually recognizing each others claims.
11. ^ The member countries of the European Union transferred part of their sovereignty in the form of legislative, executive, and judicial powers to the institutions of the EU.
12. Formerly referred to as Dahomey, its official name until 1975.
13. Source for the Aymara, Guaraní, and Quechua is the Consulate General of Brazil in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. "Datos de Bolivia". Government of Brazil. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
14. For more information about the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina, see Dayton Agreement and the text of The General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
15. ^ The sovereignty over the Spratly Islands is disputed by People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, Vietnam, and in part by Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Except Brunei, each of these countries occupies part of the islands (see List of territorial disputes).
16. Also known as Burkina; formerly referred to as Upper Volta, its official name until 1984.
17. The legal name for Canada is the sole word; an officially sanctioned, though disused, name is Dominion of Canada (which includes its legal title); see: Name of Canada, Dominion.
18. ^ The People's Republic of China (PRC) is commonly referred to as "China", while the Republic of China (ROC) is commonly referred to as "Taiwan". The ROC is also occasionally known diplomatically as Chinese Taipei, along with other names.
19. Rendered in unicode as ᠪᠦᠭᠦᠳᠡ ᠨᠠᠶᠢᠷᠠᠮᠳᠠᠬᠤ ᠳᠤᠮᠳᠠᠳᠤ ᠠᠷᠠᠳ ᠤᠯᠤᠰ
20. ^ Source for names in regional and minority languages is the Federal Foreign Office of Germany (see references) Cite error: The named reference "gmfa" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
21. Names in additional regional and minority languages are taken from Geonames. "China". Fröhlich, Werner. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
22. ^ In 1949, the Republic of China government led by the Kuomintang (KMT) lost the Chinese Civil War to the Communist Party of China (CPC) and set up a provisional capital in Taipei. The CPC established the PRC. As such, the political status of the ROC and the legal status of Taiwan (alongside the territories currently under ROC jurisdiction) are in dispute. In 1971, the United Nations gave the China seat to the PRC and the ROC withdrew from the UN. Most states recognize the PRC to be the sole legitimate representative of all China, and the UN classifies Taiwan as "Taiwan, Province of China". The ROC has de facto relations with most sovereign states. A significant political movement within Taiwan advocates Taiwan independence.
23. ^ The Chinese sovereignty over the Paracel Islands is disputed by Vietnam and the Republic of China (see List of territorial disputes).
24. ^ The sovereignty over Kashmir is disputed by India and Pakistan; smaller parts are disputed by the People's Republic of China (and the Republic of China). Currently, Kashmir is divided between India, Pakistan and the PRC. See the List of territorial disputes.
25. See also Dates of establishment of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and Foreign relations of the PRC.
26. Abbreviated as DRC, and also known as Congo-Kinshasa; also formerly referred to as Zaire, its official name from 1971 to 1997.
27. See Foreign relations of Cyprus and Cyprus dispute.
28. A simpler official short-form name has been encouraged by the Czech government: the English variant Czechia remains uncommon, but variants in Czech (Česko) and some other languages are more popular. See Name of the Czech Republic
29. For more information, see Rigsfællesskabet.
30. The government of East Timor uses Timor-Leste as the English translation.
31. Source for the Hindustani, which uses both the Hindi and Urdu script, is Geonames. "Fiji". Fröhlich, Werner. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
32. "Rotuma Act". Laws of Fiji (1978 ed.). Suva, Fiji: Government of Fiji. 1927. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help).
33. Åland was demilitarised by the Treaty of Paris in 1856, which was later affirmed by the League of Nations in 1921, and in a somewhat different context reaffirmed in the treaty on Finland's admission to the European Union in 1995.
34. Source for the names in recognised regional and national languages is Geonames. "India". Fröhlich, Werner. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
35. Source for the official name in Kurdish is the Kurdistan Regional Government. "Official website". Retrieved 2010-07-15.
36. Source: Iraqi constitution
37. The Irish state is often referred to as the Republic of Ireland (its official description but not its name). Sometimes this is done to distinguish the state from the island of Ireland as a whole. However, sometimes it is done for political reasons and is contentious.
38. Gold, Dore (26 August 2005). "Legal Acrobatics: The Palestinian Claim that Gaza is Still "Occupied" Even After Israel Withdraws". Jerusalem Issue Brief, Vol. 5, No. 3. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 2010-07-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
39. Bell, Abraham (28 January 2008). "International Law and Gaza: The Assault on Israel's Right to Self-Defense". Jerusalem Issue Brief, Vol. 7, No. 29. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
40. "Address by Foreign Minister Livni to the 8th Herzliya Conference" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. 22 January 2008. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
41. Salih, Zak M. (17 November 2005). "Panelists Disagree Over Gaza's Occupation Status". University of Virginia School of Law. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
42. "Israel: 'Disengagement' Will Not End Gaza Occupation". Human Rights Watch. 29 October 2004. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
43. See Foreign relations of Israel and Recognition of Israel.
44. See Names of Japan for more detail.
45. ^ Both North Korea and South Korea claim to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. See also Foreign relations of North Korea and Foreign relations of South Korea.
46. "Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea". Retrieved 2008-10-27.
47. Source for the formal native version is Geonames. "Marshall Islands". Fröhlich, Werner. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
48. Moldovan is often considered to be the same language as Romanian, see Moldovan language.
49. For example, the Cook Islands has diplomatic relations with Germany. Source:Federal Foreign Office of Germany (November 2009). "Beziehungen zu Deutschland". Government of Germany. Retrieved 2010-07-16. For more information: Foreign relations of the Cook Islands.
50. China Internet Information Centre (13 December 2007). "Full text of joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Niue". Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
51. Republic of Nauru Permanent Mission to the United Nations. "Foreign Affairs". United Nations. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
52. Tokelau remains a dependent territory after several referendums. Source: Gregory, Angela (25 October 2007). "Tokelau votes to remain dependent territory of New Zealand". New Zealand Herald. Wellington: APN Holdings NZ Limited. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
53. Radio New Zealand International (26 March 2007). "American Samoa governor ready to resist Tokelau's claim to Swains Island". Radio New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
54. Government of New Zealand (8 October 2007). "Draft Constitution of Tokelau – English". New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade. Retrieved 2010-07-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
55. Source for the Ayamara and Quechua is Geonames. "Peru". Fröhlich, Werner. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
56. Names in additional regional and minority languages are taken from Geonames. "Spain". Fröhlich, Werner. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
57. Source for the romanisation of the Russian version is Geonames. "Ukraine". Fröhlich, Werner. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
58. Source for the Irish, Scottish, and Welsh is Geonames. "United Kingdom". Fröhlich, Werner. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
59. Source for the Hawaiian is Geonames. "United States". Fröhlich, Werner. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
60. Source for the Cyrillic is the Federal Foreign Office of Germany (see references)
61. ^ "Russia condemned for recognizing rebel regions". CNN.com. 2008-08-26. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
62. Harding, Luke (14 December 2009). "Tiny Nauru struts world stage by recognising breakaway republics". London: Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
63. See Regions and territories: Nagorno-Karabakh (17 January 2006). BBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
64. See The World Factbook|Cyprus (10 January 2006). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
65. See Crawford, James (1999). "Israel (1948–1949) and Paletine (1998–1999): Two Studies in the Creation of States", in Goodwin-Gil G.S. and S. Talmon, The Reality of International Law: Essays in Honour of Ian Brownlie, Oxford University Press Inc., New York, pp. 110–115; In an interview to Uri Avneri (14 April 2010), the PA Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad said: "Dozens of countries recognized this state , and the PLO representatives there enjoy the official status of ambassadors. But did this improve the situation of the Palestinians?"; The Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki alleged that 67 states in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe have legally recognized the State of Palestine. See ICC prosecutor considers "Gaza war crimes" probe
66. Kurz, Anat N. (2005) Fatah and the Politics of Violence: the institutionalization of a popular Struggle. Brighton: Sussex Academic Press ISBN 1-84519-032-7, ISBN 978-1-84519-032-3 p. 123
67. Boyle, Francis A., "Palestine, Palestinians and International Law", Clarity Press, September 1, 2009, ISBN 093286337X, page 19
68. See Regions and territories: Somaliland (30 December 2005). BBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
69. Romanization in Pinyin.
70. "Ma refers to China as ROC territory in magazine interview". Taipei Times. 2008-10-08.
71. 'See Regions and territories: Trans-Dniester (13 December 2005). BBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2006.
72. "State", pp. 512–3 in Penguin Dictionary of International Relations. Evans, Graham & Newnham, Jeffrey. 1998. (ISBN 0-14-051397-3). London: Penguin Books Ltd.
73. Rogan-Finnemore, Michelle (2005). "What Bioprospecting Means for Antarctica and the Southern Ocean". In Von Tigerstrom, Barbara (ed.). International Law Issues in the South Pacific. Ashgate Publishing. p. 204. ISBN 0754644197. "Australia, New Zealand, France, Norway and the United Kingdom reciprocally recognize the validity of each other's claims."
74. CIA – the World Factbook – Antarctica – accessed 19 January 2008
75. "Other entities having received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly and maintaining permanent offices at Headquarters". Retrieved 2009-12-22.
76. Bilateral relations with countries, Retrieved 2009-12-22
77. "What is the Order of Malta?". Retrieved 2009-12-22.
78. Chapter General of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta (1998-01-12). Constitutional Charter and Code of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta, promulgated 27 June 1961, revised by the Extraordinary Chapter General 28–30 April 1997, Article 3 "Sovereignty," Paragraph 1 (PDF). Rome: Tipografia Arte della Stampa. p. 11. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
79. Boczek, Boleslaw Adam (2005). International law: a dictionary. Lanham, United States: Scarecrow Press. p. 76. ISBN 9780810850781.

References

• Federal Foreign Office of Germany (22 April 2009). "Amtliche Bezeichnungen ausländischer Staaten in den Landessprachen" (pdf). Government of Germany. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
• "Average Latitude & Longitude of Countries". Mobilgistix, Ltd. 15 June 2008.
• Bissio, Roberto Remo, ed. (1995). The World: A Third World Guide: 1995/96. Montevideo: Instituto del Tercer Mundo. ISBN 9780855982911. OCLC 476299738.
• "Countries or areas, codes and abbreviations". Statistics Division, United Nations. 1 April 2010.
• Davis, Tim (19 February 2009). "World Countries and States List". Timdavis.com.au.
• "Geographic Names" (PDF). Department of Public Information, Cartographic Section, United Nations. 7 September 2000.
• "ISO 3166-1 Country names and code elements". International Organization for Standardization. 2010.
• "List of countries, territories and currencies". Publications Office of the European Union. 4 May 2010.
• Madore, David (3 August 2003). "How many countries are there in the world?". Madore.org.
• "The World Factbook". United States: Central Intelligence Agency. 2010.
• World of Information (Firm), and International Chamber of Commerce (2003). Middle East Review 2003/04: The Economic and Business Report (27th ed.). London: Kogan Page. p. 161. ISBN 9780749440664. OCLC 51992589.

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