This is a list of sovereign states in the 1880s, giving an overview of states around the world during the period between 1 January 1880 and 31 December 1889. It contains entries, arranged alphabetically, with information on the status and recognition of their sovereignty. It includes widely recognized sovereign states, entities which were de facto sovereign but which were not widely recognized by other states, and 1 state which was initially unrecognized but then gained full recognition later in the decade.
| Name and capital city | Information on status and recognition of sovereignty | |
|---|---|---|
| ---- | ||
A | ||
| ---- | ||
| Abuja - Abuja Emirate Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Agadez - Tenere Sultanate of Aïr[1] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Andorra - Principality of AndorraWidely recognized independent state. The President of France and Bishop of Urgell were ex officio Co-Princes of Andorra. The defense of Andorra was the responsibility of France and Spain. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Angoche - Angoche Sultanate[2] | ||
| ---- | ||
| Ankole - Kingdom of Ankole[3] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Annam - Empire of Annam Widely recognized state to 1883. Internal imperial system within Chinese tributary to 1883. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Argentine Republic | ||
| ---- | ||
| Aro - Aro Confederacy Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Asante Union[4] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Aussa - Sultanate of Aussa[5] Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| - Austro-Hungarian Empire[6] Capital: Vienna (Cisleithania), Budapest (Transleithania)Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
B | ||
| ---- | ||
| Baguirmi - Kingdom of Baguirmi[7] Tributary state of the Bornu Empire. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bali - Kingdom of Bali Widely recognized state. Bali was a series of kingdoms that ruled the island of Bali. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Baol - Kingdom of Baol[8] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of Barotseland[9] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of Belgium Widely recognized state. Belgium has sovereignty over 1 corporatocracy and 1 condominium: | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of Benin Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bhutan - Kingdom of Bhutan Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Biu - Biu Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bolivia - Republic of Bolivia Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bora Bora - Kingdom of Bora Bora[10] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bornu - Bornu Empire[11] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Brakna - Brakna Emirate Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| → → Brazil[12] Brazil was a federation of 20 states and one federal district. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Brunei - Sultanate of Brunei Widely recognized state to 1888. Annexed by the United Kingdom on 1888. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Buganda - Kingdom of Buganda Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bulgaria - Principality of Bulgaria[13] De facto independent, and de jure vassal state under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bulungan - Sultanate of Bulungan Widely recognized state to 1880. Vassal state of Sulu to 1880. Annexed by the Netherlands on 1880. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bunyoro - Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Burma - Kingdom of Burma[14] Widely recognized state to 1885. Annexed by the United Kingdom in 1885. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Burundi - Kingdom of Burundi Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Busoga - Kingdom of Busoga Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
C | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Dominion of CanadaWidely recognized state. Commonwealth realm. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Champasak - Kingdom of Champasak[15] Widely recognized state. Vassal state of Siam. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Chile - Liberal Republic of Chile[16] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| → - Great Qing EmpireWidely recognized state. China had sovereignty over one territory: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Chokwe - Chokwe Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Colombia Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Congo Free State Sovereignty recognized on 8 November 1884. Widely recognized state from 1 July 1885. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Costa Rica - Republic of Costa Rica Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
D | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dagbon - Kingdom of Dagbon Widely recognized state to 1888. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dahomey - Kingdom of Dahomey[17] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dai Nam - Dai Nam Realm Widely recognized state to 25 August 1883. Tributary state of China to 25 August 1883. Annexed by France on 25 August 1883. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Damagaram - Sultanate of Damagaram Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dar al Kuti - Sultanate of Dar Al Kuti[18] Widely recognized state. Vassal state of Dar Runga. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of Denmark Widely recognized state. Denmark had sovereignty over the following overseas territories: | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Emirate of Dhala Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dominican Republic - Second Republic Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dosso - Dosso Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
E | ||
| ---- | ||
 Ecuador - Republic of Ecuador Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| El Salvador - Republic of El Salvador Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Ethiopia - Ethiopian EmpireWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
F | ||
| ---- | ||
| Fadhli - Fadhli Sultanate[19] Widely recognized state to 1888. | ||
| ---- | ||
France - French RepublicWidely recognized independent state. France had sovereignty over the following overseas territories:
| ||
| ---- | ||
| Futa Jallon - Imamate of Futa Jallon Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
G | ||
| ---- | ||
| Garo - Kingdom of Garo Widely recognized state to 1883. Annexed by Jimma in 1883. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gaza - Gaza Empire[20] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Geledi - Sultanate of the Geledi Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gera - Kingdom of Gera Widely recognized state to 1887. Annexed by the Ethiopian Empire in 1887. | ||
| ---- | ||
| – German EmpireWidely recognized independent state. Germany had sovereignty over the following overseas territories: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gomma - Kingdom of Gomma Widely recognized state to 1886. Annexed by the Ethiopian Empire in 1886. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gowa - Sultanate of Gowa Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Greece - Kingdom of Greece Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Guatemala - Republic of GuatemalaWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gumma - Kingdom of Gumma[21] Widely recognized state to 1885. Annexed by the Ethiopian Empire in 1885. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gyaaman - State of Gyaaman Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
H | ||
| ---- | ||
| Ha'il - Emirate of Jabal ShammarWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Haiti - Republic of Haiti[22] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| → Harar - Emirate of Harar Subject of the Khedivate of Egypt to 1884. Widely recognized state from 1884 to 1887. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Hawaii - Kingdom of Hawaii Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Hobyo - Sultanate of Hobyo Widely recognized state to 1888. Annexed by Italy in 1888. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Republic of Honduras Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Huahine - Kingdom of Huahine Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Hunza - State of Hunza Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
I | ||
| ---- | ||
| Igala - Igala Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Igara - Kingdom of Igara Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Ilé-Ifẹ̀ - Ilé-Ifẹ̀ Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Isaaq - Isaaq Sultanate Widely recognized state to 1884. Annexed by the United Kingdom in 1884 | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of ItalyWidely recognized independent state. Italy had sovereignty over the following overseas territories: | ||
| ---- | ||
J | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Empire of Japan Widely recognized state. Japan had sovereignty over the following overseas territories: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Jimma - Kingdom of Jimma Widely recognized state to 1884. Annexed by the Ethiopian Empire in 1884 | ||
| ---- | ||
| Johor - Sultanate of Johor Widely recognized state from December 11, 1885. Recognised the United Kingdom on December 11, 1885. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Jolof Kingdom Widely recognized state to 1889. Annexed by France in 1889. | ||
| ---- | ||
K | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kaarta - Kingdom of Kaarta Capital: Diangounté, Nioros Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kaffa - Kingdom of Kaffa Capital: Bonga, Anderaccha Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kajara – Kajara Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kakongo - Kingdom of Kakongo Widely recognized state to 1885. Incorporated into Portuguese Angola in 1885. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kano - Emirate of Kano Widely recognized state. Vassal of the Sokoto Caliphate | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kasanje - Jaga Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kathiri - Hadhrami Kathiri Dynasty in Seiyun Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kebbi - Kebbi Emirate Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kénédougou - Kénédougou Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Khasso - Kingdom of Khasso Widely recognized state to 1880. Incorporated into French Sudan in 1880. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kong - Kong Empire Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kongo - Kingdom of Kongo Vassal of the Kingdom of Portugal. | ||
| ---- | ||
| → → → → → → Korea - Kingdom of Great Joseon Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Koya Temne - Kingdom of Koya Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kuba - Kingdom of Kuba Widely recognized state to 1884. Incorporated into the International Association of the Congo in 1884. | ||
| ---- | ||
L | ||
| ---- | ||
| Lafia Beri-Beri - Lafia Beri-Beri Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Republic of Liberia Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Principality of Liechtenstein Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Limmu-Ennarea - Kingdom of Limmu-Ennarea Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Loango - Kingdom of Loango Widely recognized state to 1883. Incorporated into French Congo in 1883. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Lower Yafa - Sultanate of Lower Yafa Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Luba - Luba Empire Widely recognized state to 1889. Incorporated into the Congo Free State in 1889. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Lunda - Luba Empire Widely recognized state to 1887. Incorporated into the Chokwe Kingdom in 1887. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
M | ||
| ---- | ||
| Maguindanao - Sultanate of Maguindanao Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mahra - Sultanate of Mahra Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Majeerteen Sultanate - Majeerteen Kingdom Widely recognized state to 7 April 1889. Annexed by Italy on 7 April 1889. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Maldives - Sultanate of Maldive Islands Widely recognized state to 1887. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mangareva - Kingdom of Mangareva Widely recognized state to 21 February 1881. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Manipur - Kingdom of Manipur Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Maravi - Kingdom of Maravi Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Matabeleland - Matabele Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mbunda - Mbunda Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Merina - Kingdom of Imerina Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mexico - United Mexican States Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Principality of Monaco Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Principality of MontenegroWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
 Morocco - Sultanate of Morocco Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mossi Kingdoms – Mossi Empire Widely recognized independent state. The following are a number of different kingdoms that make up the Mossi Empire: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mthwakazi - Kingdom of Mthwakazi Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Sultanate of Muscat and Oman De jure independent state. De facto a British protectorate. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mutayr - Emirate of Mutayr Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
N | ||
| ---- | ||
| Negeri Sembilan Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Nejd – Emirate of Nejd Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Nepal - Kingdom of Nepal Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of The Netherlands Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| → Nicaragua - Republic of Nicaragua Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Niue - Kingdom of Niue-Fekai Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Nri - Kingdom of Nri Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Nshenyi - Nshenyi Kingdom Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
O | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Obwera - Obwera Kingdom Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Onitsha - Onitsha Kingdom Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Oron - Oron Nation Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| - Sublime Ottoman StateWidely recognized state. The following are autonomous territories of the Ottoman Empire: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Oyo - Oyo Empire Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
P | ||
| ---- | ||
| Pahang - Sultanate of Pahang Widely recognized state to 8 September 1881. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Republic of Paraguay Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Pattani - Sultanate of Patani[23] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Persia - Sublime State of Persia Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Portugal - Kingdom of PortugalWidely recognized state. The following are colonies, vassal state and possession of Portugal: | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Potiskum - Potiskum Emirate Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
Q | ||
| ---- | ||
| Qu'aiti - Qu'aiti Sultanate of Shihr and Mukalla[24] Widely recognized state 1888. Incorporated into the British Aden Protectorate in 1888. | ||
| ---- | ||
R | ||
| ---- | ||
| → Raiatea - Kingdom of Raiatea Widely recognized state to 19 March 1888. Annexed by France on 19 March 1888. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Rapa Nui - Kingdom of Rapa Nui Widely recognized state to 9 September 1888. Annexed by Chile on 9 September 1888. | ||
| ---- | ||
| → Rarotonga - Kingdom of Rarotonga Widely recognized state to 1888. Annexed by the United Kingdom in 1888. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Romania Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Rujumbura - Rujumbura Kingdom Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Rukiga - Rukiga Kingdom Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| → Russia - Russian EmpireWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Rwanda - Kingdom of Rwanda Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
S | ||
| ---- | ||
| Samoa - Kingdom of Samoa Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Most Serene Republic of San MarinoWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of Sarawak Widely recognized state to 14 June 1888. Annexed by the United Kingdom on 14 June 1888. | ||
| ---- | ||
| → Serbia Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Setul Mambang Segara - Kingdom of Setul Mambang Segara Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Siam - Kingdom of Siam Widely recognized state. The following are vassal states of Siam: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Sokoto - Sokoto CaliphateWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Spain - Kingdom of SpainWidely recognized state. Spain had three colonies, and two possessions: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Sulu - Sultanate of Sulu Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway Personal union of the separate kingdoms of Sweden and Norway. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Switzerland - Swiss Confederation Widely recognized state. Switzerland was a federation of 25 cantons. | ||
| ---- | ||
T | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Tagant - Emirate of Tagant Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Tahiti - Kingdom of Tahiti Widely recognized state to 29 June 1880. Annexed by France on 29 June 1880. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Tonga - Kingdom of Tonga Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| Toucouleur - Toucouleur Empire Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | - South African RepublicBoer republic. | |
| ---- | ||
| Trarza - Emirate of Trarza Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
U | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | - United Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandWidely recognized state. The following are colonies, territories, dependencies and protectorates of the United Kingdom:
| |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | - United States of America Widely recognized state. The following are territories of the United States of America: | |
| ---- | ||
| Upper Aulaqi Sultanate Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Upper Aulaqi Sheikhdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - State of Upper Yafa Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Eastern Republic of Uruguay Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
V | ||
| ---- | ||
| – United States of VenezuelaWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
W | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Wadai - Wadai Empire Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| - Wahidi Sultanate of Balhaf Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Wahidi Sultanate of Haban Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Wajoq - Kingdom of Wajoq Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Wassoulou - Wassoulou Empire Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Wituland - Witu Sultanate Widely recognized state to 1885. Annexed by the United Kingdom in 1885. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Wolaita - Kingdom of Wolaita Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
Y | ||
| ---- | ||
| Yamma - Kingdom of Yamma Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Yeke - Yeke Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
Z | ||
| ---- | ||
| Zabarma - Zabarma Emirate Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Zanzibar - Sultanate of Zanzibar Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Zululand - Kingdom of Zulu Widely recognized state to 1887. Annexed by the United Kingdom in 1887. | ||
| ---- | ||
States claiming sovereignty | ||
| valign=top | Aceh - Sultanate of Aceh Protectorate of the Ottoman Empire. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Counani - Republic of Independent Guiana Unrecognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Cuba - Republic of Cuba Unrecognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Franceville - Independent Commune of Franceville Unrecognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Goshen – State of Goshen Boer republic. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Goust – Republic of Goust Unrecognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Nieuwe Republiek – New Republic Boer republic from 1884 to 1888. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Saskatchewan – Provisional Government of Saskatchewan[25] Unrecognized state, Provisional Government. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Sedang – Kingdom of Sedang Unrecognized state from 3 June 1888. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | → Stellaland – Republic of Stellaland Boer republic. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Upingtonia – Republic of Upingtonia Boer republic to June 1887. Merged into German South-West Africa | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Xibei San Ma Unrecognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Zheltuga – Zheltuga Republic Unrecognized proto-state from 1883 to 1886. | |
| ---- | ||
Barbados