This is a list of sovereign states in the 1970s, giving an overview of states around the world during the period between 1 January 1970 and 31 December 1979. It contains 191 entries, arranged alphabetically, with information on the status and recognition of their sovereignty. It includes 166 widely-recognized sovereign states (including 4 associated states that gained full independence, 4 states which were initially unrecognized but then gained full recognition later in the decade, and 1 state which was initially widely-recognized but then lost full recognition later in the decade), 2 constituent republics of another sovereign state that were UN members on their own right, 12 entities which claim an effective sovereignty but are considered de facto dependencies of other powers by the general international community, 4 associated states, and 7 transitional states.
| width=60% | Name and capital city | width=40% | Information on status and recognition of sovereignty |
|---|---|---|---|
| ---- | |||
A | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Emirate of Abu Dhabi Transitional independent state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → → → → Afghanistan Widely-recognized UN member state; Afghanistan was occupied by the Soviet Union from 27 December 1979. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – State of Ajman Transitional independent state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Albania
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Algeria – People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →  Andorra – Principality of Andorra Widely-recognized independent state; the President of France and Bishop of Urgell were ex officio Co-Princes of Andorra. The defense of Andorra was the responsibility of foreign states, in this case France and Spain. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Angola – People's Republic of Angola Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state from 1 December 1976. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Antigua Associated state of the United Kingdom. Antigua had two dependencies, Barbuda (from 23 December 1976) and Redonda. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Argentina
Widely-recognized UN member state. Argentina was a federation of 22 provinces and two federal territories.[1] It had a claim over Argentine Antarctica, which was suspended under the Antarctic Treaty. It also claimed the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, both of which were British overseas territories. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Australia – Commonwealth of Australia Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Australia was a federation of six states and three territories.[2] It had sovereignty over the following external territories:
Australia administered one United Nations Trust Territory:
| ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Austria – Republic of Austria Widely-recognized UN member state. Austria was a federation of nine states.[3] | ||
| ---- | |||
B | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Commonwealth of the Bahamas Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state from 18 September 1973. Commonwealth realm. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Bahrain – State of Bahrain Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state from 21 September 1971. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →  Bangladesh
De facto independent state. Claimed by Pakistan (to 22 February 1974). Permanent observer at the UN (from 1973 to 17 September 1974). Widely-recognized state (from 1973). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Barbados Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top colspan=2 style="font-size: 100%;" | Benin Dahomey | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan Widely-recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN (to 21 September 1971). UN member state (from 21 September 1971). Bhutan was officially guided by India in its foreign affairs, but effectively pursued an independent foreign policy starting in the 1970s. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Biafra Partially recognized de facto independent state; claimed by Nigeria. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Bolivia – Republic of Bolivia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Bophuthatswana Nominally independent South African bantustan. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Botswana – Republic of Botswana Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Brazil – Federative Republic of Brazil Widely-recognized UN member state. Brazil was a federation of 22 states, four territories, and one federal district. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Bulgaria – People's Republic of Bulgaria Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Burma
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Burundi – Republic of Burundi Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
C | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Cabinda – Republic of Cabinda De facto independent state. Claimed by Portugal (to 11 November 1975) and Angola (on 11 November 1975). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → → → Cambodia / Khmer Republic / Kampuchea, Democratic
Widely-recognized UN member state. Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Kampuchea, despite being in exile from 10 January 1979. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →  Cameroon
Widely-recognized UN member state. Until 2 June 1972, Cameroon was a federation of two regions.[4] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Canada – Dominion of Canada Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Canada was a federation of ten provinces and two territories.[5] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Cape Verde – Republic of Cape Verde Widely-recognized independent state. UN member state (from 16 September 1975). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Central African Republic / Central African Empire
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Ceylon / Sri Lanka
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm (to 22 May 1972). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Chad – Republic of Chad Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Chile
Widely-recognized UN member state. It had a claim over Chilean Antarctic Territory, which is suspended under the Antarctic Treaty. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | People's Republic of China
Partially recognized de facto independent state (to 25 October 1971). Widely-recognized UN member state (from 25 October 1971). The People's Republic of China had five autonomous regions: Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Tibet. The People's Republic of China claimed Taiwan, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, Pratas Island and the Vereker Banks, and Itu Aba, all of which were governed by the Republic of China. It also claimed the Paracel Islands (disputed by the Republic of China and Vietnam), the Spratly Islands (disputed by the Republic of China, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia), and South Tibet (controlled by India). The People's Republic of China administered Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract, which were within the disputed region of Kashmir. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state to 25 October 1971 under the name "China". Partially recognized de facto independent state from 25 October 1971. Taiwan claimed to be the sole legitimate government of China, but only administered Taiwan, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, Pratas Island and Itu Aba. The Republic of China had territorial claims over Mongolia; the Tuvan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic; the Sixty-Four Villages East of the River (administered by the Soviet Union); The majority of Gorno-Badakhshan (administered by the Soviet Union); The eastern tip of the Wakhan Corridor (administered by Afghanistan); a small portion of Gilgit-Baltistan (administered by Pakistan and part of the disputed Kashmir region); Aksai Chin (administered by the People's Republic of China and part of the disputed Kashmir region); eastern Bhutan; South Tibet (controlled by India); and Kachin State (administered by Burma). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Colombia – Republic of Colombia Widely-recognized UN member state. Colombia claimed Quita Sueño Bank, Roncador Bank, and Serrana Bank (disputed by the United States); Bajo Nuevo Bank (disputed by Jamaica, Nicaragua and the United States); and Serranilla Bank (disputed by Nicaragua and the United States). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → →  Comoros De facto independent state. Claimed by France to 31 December 1975. Widely-recognized UN member state from 12 November 1975. After 24 May 1978, the Comoros was a federation of three islands. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Congo, Democratic Republic of the / Zaire
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Congo, Republic of the / Congo
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → →  Cook Islands A state in free association with New Zealand; it shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Cuba – Republic of Cuba Widely-recognized UN member state; the Cuban area of Guantánamo Bay was under the control of the United States. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus Widely-recognized UN member state. Cyprus included one self-declared state which, although it did not claim independence, was de facto self-governing:
| ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Czechoslovakia – Czechoslovak Socialist Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. Czechoslovakia was a federation of two republics.[6] | ||
| ---- | |||
D | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Dahomey / Benin
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member from 1 January 1973. The Danish Realm also included two of its constituent countries:
| ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Djibouti – Republic of Djibouti Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state from 20 September 1977. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →  Dominica
Associated state of the United Kingdom (to 2 November 1978).Widely-recognized independent state from 3 November 1978; UN member state from 18 December 1978. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Dominican Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – State of Dubai Transitional independent state. | ||
| ---- | |||
E | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Democratic Republic of East Timor De facto independent state from 28 November 1975 to 7 December 1975; claimed by Portugal and Indonesia from 29 November 1975. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Ecuador
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top colspan=2 style="font-size: 100%;" | Egypt United Arab Republic | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  El Salvador Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → → Equatorial Guinea – Republic of Equatorial Guinea Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Ethiopia
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
F | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Fiji – Dominion of Fiji Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state from 13 October 1970. Commonwealth realm. Fiji had an autonomous dependency, Rotuma. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Finland – Republic of Finland Widely-recognized UN member state. Finland had a neutral and demilitarized region: | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →  France – French Republic Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member. France included five overseas departments: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon (from 19 July 1976). It also had sovereignty over the following overseas territories:
It also co-administered one condominium:
France also claimed Banc du Geyser (disputed by Madagascar and the Comoros). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Fujairah – State of Fujairah Transitional independent state. | ||
| ---- | |||
G | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Gabon – Gabonese Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm (to 24 April 1970). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – German Democratic Republic Widely-recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN (from 1972 to 18 September 1973). UN member state (from 18 September 1973). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Federal Republic of Germany Widely-recognized independent state; Permanent observer at the UN to 18 September 1973. UN member state from 18 September 1973; EEC member. West Germany was a federation of ten states.[7] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Ghana
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → → →  Greece Widely-recognized UN member state. Greece had sovereignty over Mount Athos, an autonomous monastic state that was jointly governed by the multi-national "Holy Community" on the mountain and the Civil Governor appointed by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and spiritually came under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →  Grenada
Associated state of the United Kingdom (to 6 February 1974).Widely-recognized independent state from 7 February 1974; UN member state from 17 September 1974. Commonwealth realm. Grenada had one autonomous dependency, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Guatemala – Republic of Guatemala Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Guinea – People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Guinea-Bissau – Republic of Guinea-Bissau De facto independent state; claimed by Portugal to 10 September 1974. Widely-recognized from 10 September 1974; UN member state from 17 September 1974. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Guyana
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
H | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Haiti – Republic of Haiti Widely-recognized UN member state; Haiti claimed the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa Island. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top colspan=2 style="font-size: 100%;" | Holy See Vatican City | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Honduras – Republic of Honduras Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Hungary – People's Republic of Hungary Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
I | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Iceland – Republic of Iceland Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  India – Republic of India Widely-recognized UN member state. India was a federation of 22 states and 11 union territories.[8] India had sovereignty over one protectorate:
Indian sovereignty over South Tibet, administered as part of North-East Frontier Agency and then Arunachal Pradesh from 1972 was disputed by the People's Republic of China. India administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir as the state of Jammu and Kashmir. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Indonesia – Republic of IndonesiaWidely-recognized UN member state. Indonesia's sovereignty over Timor Timur from 17 July 1976 was disputed and not widely recognized. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Iran Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Iraqi Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Ireland Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member from 1 January 1973. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Israel – State of Israel Widely-recognized UN member state. Israel occupied the Gaza Strip the Golan Heights, the Sinai Peninsula, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. These areas were not recognized as being part of Israel. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Italy – Italian Republic Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member. Italy had 5 autonomous regions: Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily, and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Ivory Coast – Republic of Ivory Coast Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
J | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Jamaica Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Japan Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Jordan – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Widely-recognized UN member state. Jordan claimed the Israeli-occupied territories of West Bank, including East Jerusalem. | ||
| ---- | |||
K | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top colspan=2 style="font-size: 100%;" | Kampuchea, Democratic Cambodia | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Kampuchea, People's Republic of Partially recognized de facto independent state. Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Kampuchea; the People's Republic of Kampuchea was occupied by Vietnam from December 1978. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Kenya – Republic of Kenya Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top colspan=2 style="font-size: 100%;" | Khmer Republic Cambodia | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Kiribati – Republic of Kiribati Widely-recognized independent state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Democratic People's Republic of Korea Widely-recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN from 1973; claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Korea, South Widely-recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN; claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Kuwait – State of Kuwait Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
L | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Lebanon – Lebanese Republic Widely-recognized UN member state; Lebanon was occupied by Syria from 2 November 1975. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Lesotho – Kingdom of Lesotho Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Liberia – Republic of Liberia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → → Libya
Widely-recognized UN member state; Federation of Arab Republics member from 17 April 1971 to November 1977. | ||
| ---- | |||
| Liechtenstein Widely-recognized independent state. The defense of Liechtenstein was the responsibility of Switzerland. | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Luxembourg – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member. | ||
| ---- | |||
M | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Malagasy Republic / Madagascar
Widely-recognized UN member state. Madagascar claimed the French possessions of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands and Juan de Nova Island. It also claimed Banc du Geyser, which was disputed by Comoros and France. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Malawi – Republic of Malawi Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Malaysia Widely-recognized UN member state. Malaysia was a federation of thirteen states and one federal territory.[9] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Maldives – Republic of Maldives Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Mali – Republic of Mali Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Malta
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm (to 13 December 1974). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Mauritania
Widely-recognized UN member state. From 26 February 1976 to 11 August 1979, Mauritania claimed sovereignty over and controlled a portion of the disputed Western Sahara. The territory was home to the de facto independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic from 27 February 1976. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Mauritius Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Mauritius had three dependencies: Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos and Rodrigues. It claimed the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French territory of Tromelin Island. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Mexico – United Mexican States Widely-recognized UN member state. Mexico was a federation of 31 states, two territories, and one federal district.[10] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Monaco – Principality of Monaco Widely-recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN. The defense of Monaco was the responsibility of France. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Mongolia – Mongolian People's Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Morocco – Kingdom of Morocco Widely-recognized UN member state. After 26 February 1976, Morocco claimed sovereignty over and controlled most of the disputed Western Sahara. The territory was home to the de facto independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic from 27 February 1976. Morocco disputed the Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla, and Peñón de Alhucemas. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Mozambique – People's Republic of Mozambique Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state from 16 September 1975. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Muscat and Oman / Oman
Widely-recognized independent state. UN member state (from 7 October 1971). Under the informal protection of the United Kingdom until 1971. | ||
| ---- | |||
N | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Nauru – Republic of Nauru Widely-recognized independent state; the defense of Nauru was the responsibility of Australia. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Nepal – Kingdom of Nepal Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Kingdom of the Netherlands Widely-recognized UN member state. The Kingdom of the Netherlands consisted of three autonomous countries:
The Kingdom of the Netherlands as a whole was a member of the EEC. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  New Zealand – Dominion of New Zealand Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. New Zealand had responsibilities for the two free associated states of:
It also had sovereignty over three dependent territories:
The government of Tokelau Islands(Tokelau) claimed Swains Island, part of American Samoa (a US dependency). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →  Nicaragua – Republic of Nicaragua Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Niger – Republic of Niger Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Nigeria
Widely-recognized UN member state. Nigeria was a federation of 23 states and one federal territory.[11] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Niue A state in free association with New Zealand; Niue was a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty making capacity and it had shared citizenship with New Zealand. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | North Solomons – Republic of the North Solomons De facto independent state. Claimed by Australia (to 16 September 1975) and Papua New Guinea (from 16 September 1975). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Norway – Kingdom of Norway Widely-recognized UN member state. Norway had two integral overseas areas: Jan Mayen and Svalbard. The latter of area had a special status due to the Spitsbergen Treaty. Norway had sovereignty over the following dependencies:
| ||
| ---- | |||
O | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top colspan=2 style="font-size: 100%;" | Oman Muscat and Oman | ||
| ---- | |||
P | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Pakistan – Islamic Republic of Pakistan Widely-recognized UN member state. Pakistan was a federation of six provinces and three territories. It administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir as the territories of Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas.[12] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Panama – Republic of Panama Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Papua New Guinea – Independent State of Papua New Guinea Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state from 10 October 1975. Commonwealth realm. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Paraguay – Republic of Paraguay Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Peru – Revolutionary Government of the Armed Forces of Peru Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Philippines
Widely-recognized UN member state. The Philippines administered Scarborough Shoal, which was disputed by China and Taiwan. It also claimed sovereignty over the Spratly Islands (disputed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia) and the Malaysian territory of Sabah. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Poland – Polish People's Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. Poland's government was still in exile. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Portugal Widely-recognized UN member state. Portugal had two autnonomous regions: the Azores (from 27 August 1976) and Madeira (from 27 August 1976). Portugal had sovereignty over the following overseas provinces:
It had one autonomous republic:
It also had one Chinese territory which it administered as a dependency:
Portugal continued to claim sovereignty over Portuguese Timor after its unilateral declaration of independence on 28 November 1975 and its occupation by Indonesia on 7 December 1975. It claimed the former overseas province of Portuguese India, which had been annexed by India, until 31 December 1974. It also claimed the Spanish municipalities of Olivenza and Táliga. | ||
| ---- | |||
Q | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Qatar – State of Qatar Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state from 21 September 1971. | ||
| ---- | |||
R | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – State of Ras al-Khaimah Transitional independent state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Rhodesia / Zimbabwe Rhodesia
De facto independent state; not recognized by any other state. Claimed by the United Kingdom. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Romania – Socialist Republic of Romania Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Rwanda
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Rwenzururu – Kingdom of Rwenzururu De facto independent state; not recognized by any other state. Claimed by Uganda. | ||
| ---- | |||
S | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Partially recognized de facto independent state. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic claimed the disputed territory of Western Sahara, most of which was under control of Morocco and (to 11 August 1979) Mauritania. The territory under its control, the so-called Free Zone, was claimed by Morocco and Mauritania. Its government resided in exile in Tindouf, Algeria. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Associated state of the United Kingdom. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Saint Lucia Associated state of the United Kingdom (to 21 February 1979).Widely-recognized independent state from 22 February 1979; UN member state from 18 September 1979. Commonwealth realm. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Associated state of the United Kingdom to 26 October 1979. Widely-recognized independent state from 27 October 1979; Commonwealth realm. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  San Marino – Republic of San Marino Widely-recognized independent state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Widely-recognized independent state. UN member state (from 16 September 1975). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →  Saudi Arabia – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Senegal – Republic of Senegal Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →  Seychelles
Widely-recognized independent state. UN member state (from 21 September 1976). The Seychelles claimed the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French territories of Tromelin Island and the Glorioso Islands. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – State of Sharjah Transitional independent state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Sierra Leone
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm (to 19 April 1971). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Singapore – Republic of Singapore Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Solomon Islands Widely-recognized independent state. UN member state (from 19 September 1978). Commonwealth realm. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Somalia – Somali Democratic Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  South Africa – Republic of South Africa Widely-recognized UN member state. South Africa had eight autonomous bantustans: Bophuthatswana (from 1 June 1972 to 6 December 1977), Ciskei (from 1 August 1972) Gazankulu (from 1 February 1973), KwaZulu (from 1 February 1977), Lebowa (from 2 October 1972), Transkei (to 26 October 1976), QwaQwa (from 1 November 1974), and Venda (from 1 February 1973 to 13 September 1979). There were also three bantustans which were nominally independent: Bophuthatswana (from 6 December 1977), Transkei (from 26 October 1976), and Venda (from 13 September 1979). South Africa administered one League of Nations mandate: | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Widely-recognized UN member state. The Soviet Union was a federation of 15 republics, two of which (Byelorussia and Ukraine) were UN members in their own right.[13] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →  Spain
Widely-recognized UN member state. Spain included two autonomous communities. Spain had sovereignty over one overseas province:
Its sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla, and Peñón de Alhucemas was disputed by Morocco. Its sovereignty over Olivenza and Táliga was disputed by Portugal; it claimed the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top colspan=2 style="font-size: 100%;" | Sri Lanka Ceylon | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | →  Sudan – Democratic Republic of the Sudan Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Suriname – Republic of Suriname Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state from 4 December 1975. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Swaziland – Kingdom of Swaziland Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Sweden – Kingdom of Sweden Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Switzerland – Swiss Confederation Widely-recognized independent state; permanent observer at the UN. Switzerland was a federation of 26 cantons.[15] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → – Syrian Arab Republic Widely-recognized UN member state; Federation of Arab Republics member from 17 April 1971 to November 1977. Syria included the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and disputed Turkey's sovereignty over Hatay Province. | ||
| ---- | |||
T | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Tanna – Tanna Nation De facto independent state; claimed by the Anglo-French New Hebrides Condominium. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – United Republic of Tanzania Widely-recognized UN member state. Tanzania had one autonomous region: Zanzibar. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Thailand – Kingdom of Thailand Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Togo – Togolese Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Tonga – Kingdom of Tonga Widely-recognized independent state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Transkei Nominally independent South African bantustan. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Trinidad and Tobago
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm (to 1 August 1976). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Tunisia – Tunisian Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Turkey – Republic of Turkey Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Tuvalu Widely-recognized independent state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
| ---- | |||
U | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Uganda
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – State of Umm al-Quwain Transitional independent state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  United Arab Emirates Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state from 9 December 1971. The United Arab Emirates was a federation of seven emirates.[16] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → United Arab Republic / Egypt
Widely-recognized UN member state; Federation of Arab Republics member from 17 April 1971 to November 1977. to The United Arab Republic consisted of one state: Egypt. It included the Sinai Peninsula, which was occupied by Israel. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  United Kingdom – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member from 1 January 1973. The United Kingdom was composed of four constituent countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The United Kingdom had responsibilities for the following self-governing free associated states:
The United Kingdom administered the foreign affairs of the following protected states:
The United Kingdom co-administered the following condominiums:
It also had sovereignty over the following crown colonies and protectorates:
In addition, the British Monarch had direct sovereignty over three self-governing Crown dependencies:
| ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  United States – United States of America Widely-recognized UN member state. The United States was a federation of 50 states, one federal district, and one incorporated territory. It asserted sovereignty over the following inhabited unincorporated territories:[18]
The United States co-administered the following condominium:
The United States administered one territory under the residual sovereignty of Japan:
In addition, the United States administered one United Nations Trust Territory:
| ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Upper Volta Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Uruguay
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
V | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Vatican City State Widely-recognized independent state. Vatican City was administered by the Holy See, a sovereign entity recognized by a large number of countries and a Permanent observer at the United Nations. The Holy See also administered a number of extraterritorial properties in Italy; the Pope was the ex officio head of state of Vatican City. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Venda Nominally independent South African bantustan. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Venezuela – Republic of Venezuela Widely-recognized UN member state. Venezuela was a federation of 20 states, two territories, one federal dependency, and one federal district.[19] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Socialist Republic of Vietnam Widely-recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN (from 2 July 1976 to 20 September 1977). UN member state (from 20 September 1977). Vietnam claimed sovereignty over the Paracel Islands (disputed by China and Taiwan) and Spratly Islands (disputed by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Malaysia). | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Democratic Republic of Vietnam Widely-recognized independent state; permanent observer at the UN from 30 April 1975 to 2 July 1976. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | → Vietnam, South Widely-recognized independent state to 30 April 1975; permanent observer at the UN to 30 April 1975. South Vietnam claimed sovereignty over the Paracel Islands (disputed by China and Taiwan) and Spratly Islands (disputed by China, Taiwan, and the Philippines). | ||
| ---- | |||
W | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Independent State of Western Samoa Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state from 15 December 1976. | ||
| ---- | |||
Y | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Yemen Arab Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Widely-recognized UN member state; Yugoslavia was a federation of six republics.[20] | ||
| ---- | |||
Z | |||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top colspan=2 style="font-size: 100%;" | Zaire Congo, Democratic Republic of | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Zambia – Republic of Zambia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top colspan=2 style="font-size: 100%;" | Zimbabwe Rhodesia Rhodesia | ||
| ---- | |||
Excluded from the list above are the following noteworthy entities which either were not fully sovereign or did not claim to be independent:
Latvia was occupied and administered by the Soviet Union, but the legality of the annexation was not widely-recognized. The Baltic diplomatic services in the West continued to be recognised as representing the de jure state.
Lithuania was occupied and administered by the Soviet Union, but the legality of the annexation was not widely-recognized. The Baltic diplomatic services in the West continued to be recognised as representing the de jure state.
Faroe Islands
Netherlands
Bahamas
Bermuda
Cayman Islands
Gibraltar
American Samoa
Guam
Puerto Rico
Marshall Islands