List of sovereign states

"List of nations" redirects here. For other country lists, see Lists of countries and territories. For other national lists, see Lists of nations. For non-sovereign dependencies, see Dependent territory.

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 193 states, including all member states of the United Nations plus Vatican City.
2. The other states section lists 10 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.

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 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. The role of monarch is exercised jointly by the two co-princes, the President of the French Republic and the Bishop of Urgell.
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. The island of Barbuda is a self-governing but integral part of the state.
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 Беларусь Template: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: Volíviacode: grn promoted to code: gn  – Tetã Volíviacode: grn promoted to code: gn 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] Error: {{Lang}}: unrecognized language code: bu (help) – [Република България] Error: {{Lang}}: unrecognized language code: bu (help)Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Burkina Faso French: Burkina Faso	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Burma – Republic of the 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 of 4 autonomous islands; one of these, Mayotte, is currently part of France. Comoros also disputes French sovereignty over 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 Δημοκρατία Template: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 self-governing 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 Portuguese: Guiné Equatorial – República da Guiné Equatorial	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. Rotuma and its dependencies are a self-governing but integral part of Fiji.
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 full, integral parts of France. French sovereignty also includes the overseas territories of: Clipperton Island French Polynesia Mayotte (disputed by Comoros) New Caledonia Saint-Barthélemy Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Wallis and Futuna French Southern and Antarctic Lands (includes the Antarctic claim of Adélie Land). Clipperton Island is a possession of the government. French sovereignty over Banc du Geyser, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island is disputed in part by Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles 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 Greek: Ελλάδα – Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Template:Rom Katharevousa: Ελλάς – Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Mount Athos is an autonomous part of Greece 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 ایرانTemplate: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 annexed East Jerusalem, and occupies 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 with a special statute: 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 recognised 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 recognised member of the UN. South Korea has one special self-governing 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	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 Malay: Malaysia Chinese: 马来西亚 – Măláixīyà English: Malaysia Tamil: மலேசியா – Malēciyā	Widely recognized member of the UN. Malaysia is a federation composed of 13 states and 3 federal territories. Malaysia claims part of the Spratly Islands.
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 – الجمهوريةالإسلامية الموريتانية Template:Rom French: Mauritanie – République Islamique de la Mauritanie	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius English: Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius French: Île Maurice – République de Maurice Mauritian Creole: Moris – Repiblik Moris	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 Italian: Monaco – Principato di Monaco	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Mongolia Mongolian: Монгол улс Template:Rom	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Montenegro Montenegrin: Црна Гораcode: srp promoted to code: sr 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, 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 four constituent countries: Netherlands Aruba Curaçao Sint Maarten The monarch and her ministers form the government of the kingdom as well the government of the country the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formerly composed of Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles and the Netherlands proper. However, following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, two of the islands became constituent countries similar to Aruba and enjoy considerable autonomy. Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten have their own parliaments and each are represented by a minister plenipotentiary in the Kingdom's Council of Ministers. The other three islands (Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius) became special municipalities of the Netherlands. The designation Netherlands can refer to either 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 the countries and special municipalities in the Caribbean 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 Yoruba: 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. Bouvet Island is a dependent territory 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 Punjabi: پاکستان – اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان Persian: پاکستان - جمهوری اسلامی پاکستان Sindhi: پاکستان – اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان	Widely recognized member of the UN. Pakistan is a federation composed of provinces and territories. Pakistan claims sovereignty over Kashmir (except the parts it has ceded to the People's Republic of China by treaty), 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: Paraguaycode: grn promoted to code: gn  – Paraguay Retãncode: grn promoted to code: gn 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 / Srbija – Република Србија / Republika Srbija	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 (TFG) controlling only part of the country. Puntland has declared itself an autonomous region of Somalia (a claim which the TFG does not recognise), 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 Swazi: 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 of 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 Swazi: 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. Israel occupies the Golan Heights. 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: Украина 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: Cité du Vatican – 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
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 Chewa: 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 – iRiphabliki ye Zimbabwe	Widely recognized member of the UN.

Other states

For a more comprehensive list, see List of states with limited recognition.

This annex lists states that claim sovereignty and have control over (part of or all of) their claimed territories, but due to disputes over their legitimacy, do not have normal diplomatic relations with many sovereign states. None of the states in this annex list are UN member states.

Name in English and the official languages of the state	Information on status and recognition of sovereignty
Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia Abkhaz: Аҧсны – Аҧсны Аҳәынҭқарра Template:Rom Russian: Aбхазия – Республика Абхазия Template: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 / Kosovo – Република Косово / Republika Kosovo	De facto independent state that is recognised by UN member states and by the Republic of China (Taiwan). 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 Հանրապետություն Template: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 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.
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Arabic: الجمهورية العربية الصحراوية الديمقراطية Template:Rom Spanish: República Árabe Saharaui Democrática	State recognised 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 recognised by any other state, claimed in whole by the Somali Republic.
South Ossetia – Republic of South Ossetia Ossetian: Хуссар Ирыстон – Республикæ Хуссар Ирыстон Template:Rom Russian: Южная Осетия – Республика Южная Осетия Template: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) 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 Республика Template:Rom Ukrainian: Придністров'я – Придністровська Молдавська Республіка Template:Rom Romanian: [Транснистрия] Error: {{Lang}}: unrecognized language code: rum (help) – [Република Молдовеняскэ Нистрянэ] Error: {{Lang}}: unrecognized language code: rum (help) Template:Rom	De facto independent state, recognised only 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 the ROC, 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 (ROC; 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

See also

• Constitutive theory of statehood
• Declarative theory of statehood
• Gallery of sovereign-state flags
• List of governments-in-exile
• List of international rankings
• List of micronations
• 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

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.