This is a list of sovereign states in the 2000s, giving an overview of states around the world during the period between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2009. It contains 213 entries, arranged alphabetically, with information on the status and recognition of their sovereignty. It includes 194 widely recognized sovereign states, 2 associated states, and 17 entities which claim an effective sovereignty but are considered de facto dependencies of other powers by the general international community.
| width=60% | Name and capital city | width=40% | Status and recognition of sovereignty |
|---|---|---|---|
A | |||
| valign=top | → → → Widely-recognized UN member state. Claimed to be and was widely recognized as the sole legitimate government of Afghanistan, however in effect it only controlled a small portion of the country until 13 November 2001. | ||
| valign=top | → – Republic of Albania Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Principality of Andorra Widely-recognized UN member 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. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Angola Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Antigua and Barbuda had two dependencies, Barbuda and Redonda. | ||
| valign=top | → – Argentine Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. Argentina was a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city. 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 | – Republic of Armenia Widely-recognized UN member state.[1] | ||
| valign=top | – Commonwealth of Australia Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Australia was a federation of six states and three territories. It had sovereignty over the following external territories:
| ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Austria Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member. Austria was a federation of nine states. | ||
| valign=top | → Azerbaijan – Republic of Azerbaijan Widely-recognized UN member state. Azerbaijan had one autonomous republic, Nakhchivan. It included the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, where a partially recognized breakaway republic had declared independence. | ||
B | |||
| valign=top | – Commonwealth of the Bahamas Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
| valign=top | → Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – People's Republic of Bangladesh Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Belarus Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Kingdom of Belgium Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member. Belgium was a federation of three communities and three regions. | ||
| valign=top | Belize Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Benin Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Kingdom of Bhutan Widely-recognized UN member state. Bhutan was officially guided by India in its foreign affairs, but effectively pursued an independent foreign policy. The Indo-Bhutanese Friendship Treaty was revised on 8 February 2007, confirming Bhutan's full independence in this area. | ||
| valign=top |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state. Bosnia and Herzegovina was a federation of two constituent entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was itself a federation of ten cantons, and Republika Srpska. There was also a neutral Brčko District. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Botswana Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Federative Republic of Brazil Widely-recognized UN member state. Brazil was a federation of 26 states and one federal district. | ||
| valign=top | – State of Brunei, Abode of Peace Widely-recognized UN member state. Brunei claimed part of the Spratly Islands (disputed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia). | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Bulgaria Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member (from 1 January 2007). | ||
| valign=top | Burkina Faso Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top colspan=2 | Burma Myanmar | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Burundi Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
C | |||
| valign=top | – Kingdom of Cambodia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Cameroon Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state and Commonwealth realm; Canada was a federation of ten provinces and three territories. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Cape Verde Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Chad Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Chile Widely-recognized UN member state. Chile had two special territories after 30 July 2007, Easter Island and the Juan Fernández Islands. It had a claim over Chilean Antarctic Territory, which is suspended under the Antarctic Treaty. | ||
| valign=top | – People's Republic of China Widely-recognized UN member state.[3] China had five autonomous regions: Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Tibet. Additionally, it had sovereignty over two special administrative regions: China claimed Taiwan, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, Pratas Island and the Vereker Banks, and Itu Aba, all of which were governed by Taiwan. 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, Malaysia and Brunei), 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 | – Republic of Colombia Widely-recognized UN member state. Colombia administered Serranilla Bank and claimed Bajo Nuevo Bank (disputed by Nicaragua and the United States) | ||
| valign=top | →
Widely-recognized UN member state. The Comoros was a federation of three islands (autonomous islands since 23 December 2001): Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan. Anjouan and Mohéli were de facto independent states until 10 March 2002. Comoros also claimed sovereignty over the French overseas territories of Mayotte and the Glorioso Islands. Comoros also claimed Banc du Geyser (disputed by Madagascar and France). | ||
| valign=top | → → – Democratic Republic of the Congo Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of the Congo Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Costa Rica Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top colspan=2 | Côte d'Ivoire Ivory Coast | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Croatia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Cuba Widely-recognized UN member state. The Cuban area of Guantánamo Bay was under the control of the United States. | ||
| valign=top | → – Republic of Cyprus Widely-recognized UN member state. EU member (from 1 May 2004). The northeastern part of the island was the de facto independent state of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state.[5] EU member (from 1 May 2004). | ||
D | |||
| valign=top | – Kingdom of Denmark Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member. The Danish Realm also included two of its constituent countries: | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Djibouti Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Commonwealth of Dominica Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
E | |||
| valign=top | [6]
Widely recognized independent state; UN member state (from 27 September 2002). | ||
| valign=top | → – Republic of Ecuador Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Egypt – Arab Republic of Egypt Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of El Salvador Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Equatorial Guinea Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – State of Eritrea Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Estonia Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member (from 1 May 2004). | ||
| valign=top | → – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Widely-recognized UN member state; Ethiopia was a federation of nine regions and two chartered cities. | ||
F | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of the Fiji Islands Widely-recognized UN member state. Fiji had an autonomous dependency, Rotuma. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Finland Widely-recognized UN member state. EU member. Finland had a neutral and demilitarised region: | ||
| valign=top | – French Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. EU member. France included four overseas departments: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. It also had sovereignty over the following overseas territories:
France also claimed Banc du Geyser (disputed by Madagascar and the Comoros). | ||
G | |||
| valign=top | – Gabonese Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of the Gambia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | → Widely-recognized UN member state. Georgia had two autonomous republics: Adjara and Abkhazia. The latter republic was home to a de facto independent state. Georgia also included the disputed region of South Ossetia, where a partially recognized breakaway republic had declared independence. | ||
| valign=top | – Federal Republic of Germany Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member. Germany was a federation of sixteen states. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Ghana Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Hellenic Republic Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member. 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 | Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Grenada had one autonomous dependency, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Guatemala Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Guinea Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Guinea-Bissau Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Co-operative Republic of Guyana Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
H | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Haiti Widely-recognized UN member state. Haiti claimed the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa Island. | ||
| valign=top colspan=2 | Holy See Vatican City | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Honduras Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Hungary Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member (from 1 May 2004). | ||
I | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Iceland Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of India Widely-recognized UN member state. India was a federation of twenty-eight states and seven union territories. Indian sovereignty over South Tibet 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 | – Republic of Indonesia Widely-recognized UN member state. Indonesia had five special provinces: Aceh, Jakarta, Papua (from 21 November 2001), West Papua (from 14 November 2003), and Yogyakarta | ||
| valign=top | – Islamic Republic of Iran Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | → →
Widely-recognized UN member state. After 15 October 2005, Iraq was constitutionally designated as a federation of autonomous regions, but only one region (i.e. Iraqi Kurdistan) had been established. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member. | ||
| valign=top | – State of Israel Widely-recognized UN member state. Israel occupied East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, the Israeli Security Zone in Southern Lebanon (to 22 May 2000), and the West Bank. These areas were not generally recognized as being part of Israel. | ||
| valign=top | → → – Italian Republic Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member. Italy had 5 autonomous regions and they were the Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily, and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
J | |||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state. Japan claimed the Liancourt Rocks, which were controlled by South Korea. | ||
| valign=top | – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
K | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Kazakhstan Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Kenya Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Kiribati Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Democratic People's Republic of Korea Widely-recognized UN member state. Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Korea Widely-recognized UN member state. South Korea had one autonomous region and it was Jeju Island from 1 July 2006; claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. South Korea controlled the Liancourt Rocks, which were claimed by Japan. | ||
| valign=top | – State of Kuwait Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Kyrgyz Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
L | |||
| valign=top | – Lao People's Democratic Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Latvia Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member (from 1 May 2004). | ||
| valign=top | – Lebanese Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. Lebanon was occupied by Syria (to 25 April 2005). Some of Southern Lebanon was occupied by Israel (to 22 May 2000). | ||
| valign=top | → – Kingdom of Lesotho Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Liberia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Libya – Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Principality of Liechtenstein Widely-recognized UN member state. The defense of Liechtenstein was the responsibility of Switzerland. | ||
| valign=top | → – Republic of Lithuania Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member (from 1 May 2004). | ||
| valign=top | – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member. | ||
M | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Macedonia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Madagascar – Republic of 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 (disputed by Comoros and France) | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Malawi Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state. Malaysia was a federation of thirteen states and three federal territories. Malaysia claimed part of the Spratly Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei). | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Maldives Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Mali Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Malta Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member (from 1 May 2004). | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of the Marshall Islands Widely-recognized UN member state under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Marshall Islands claimed the United States territory of Wake Island. | ||
| valign=top | – Islamic Republic of Mauritania Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Mauritius Widely-recognized UN member state. Mauritius had one autonomous dependency: Rodrigues (from 12 October 2002). Mauritius also had three (later two) other dependencies: Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos and Rodrigues (to 12 October 2002). It claimed the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French territory of Tromelin Island. | ||
| valign=top | – United Mexican States Widely-recognized UN member state. Mexico was a federation of 31 states and one federal district. | ||
| valign=top | – Federated States of Micronesia Widely-recognized UN member state under Compact of Free Association with the United States; the FSM was a federation of four states. | ||
| valign=top | Moldova – Republic of Moldova Widely-recognized UN member state. Moldova had two autonomous territorial units: Gagauzia and Transnistria. The latter was home to a de facto independent state. | ||
| valign=top | – Principality of Monaco Widely-recognized UN member state. The defense of Monaco was the responsibility of France. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top |
Widely recognized independent state from 3 June 2006; UN member state from 28 June 2006. | ||
| valign=top | – Kingdom of Morocco Widely-recognized UN member state. Morocco claimed sovereignty over and controlled most of the disputed Western Sahara, which was home to the de facto independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Morocco disputed the Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla, and Peñón de Alhucemas. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Mozambique Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Myanmar – Union of Myanmar Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
N | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Namibia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Nauru Widely-recognized UN member state. The defense of Nauru was the responsibility of Australia. | ||
| valign=top |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Nepal was designated as a federation after 28 May 2008, but its federal units had not yet been created. | ||
| valign=top | Netherlands – 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 EU, but Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles were not. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. New Zealand had responsibilities for the two free associated states of: It also had sovereignty over two dependent territories:
The government of Tokelau claimed Swains Island, part of American Samoa (a U.S. dependence). New Zealand did not recognize this claim. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Nicaragua Widely-recognized UN member state. Nicaragua had two autonomous regions: Región Autónoma del Atlántico Norte and Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Niger Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Federal Republic of Nigeria Widely-recognized UN member state. Nigeria was a federation of 36 states and one federal territory. | ||
| valign=top | – 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 | – Sultanate of Oman Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
P | |||
| valign=top | – Islamic Republic of Pakistan Widely-recognized UN member state. Pakistan was a federation of four provinces and four territories. It administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir as the territories of Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas. The latter territory was autonomous under the name Gilgit-Baltistan after 29 August 2009. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Palau Widely-recognized UN member state under Compact of Free Association with the United States. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Panama Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Independent State of Papua New Guinea Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. After 15 June 2005, Papua New Guinea had one autonomous region: Bougainville. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Paraguay Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of the Philippines Widely-recognized UN member state. The Philippines had one autonomous region: Muslim Mindanao. The Philippines administered Scarborough Shoal and Macclesfield Bank, disputed by the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China. It also claimed sovereignty over the Spratly Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia) and the Malaysian territory of Sabah. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Poland Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member (from 1 May 2004). | ||
| valign=top | – Portuguese Republic Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member. Portugal had two autonomous regions: the Azores and Madeira. Portugal claimed the Spanish municipalities of Olivenza and Táliga. | ||
Q | |||
| valign=top | – State of Qatar Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
R | |||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member (from 1 January 2007). | ||
| valign=top | – Russian Federation Widely-recognized UN member state. Russia was a federation of 21 republics, 49 oblasts, 9 krais, 2 federal cities, 1 autonomous oblast, and 10 autonomous okrugs. | ||
| valign=top | →
Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
S | |||
| valign=top | – Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Saint Kitts and Nevis was a federation of fourteen parishes within two islands. Nevis (which was one of the islands) had autonomy. | ||
| valign=top | → Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
| valign=top | – Independent State of Samoa Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of San Marino Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Widely-recognized UN member state. São Tomé and Príncipe had one autonomous province: Príncipe. | ||
| valign=top | – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Senegal Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Serbia Widely-recognized UN member state from 5 June 2006. Serbia had two autonomous provinces: Vojvodina and Kosovo and Metohija. The latter province was governed by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. After 17 February 2008, it was home to a partially-recognized de facto independent state. | ||
| valign=top |
Widely recognized independent state; UN member state from 1 November 2000. Serbia and Montenegro was a federation of two republics, Montenegro and Serbia, until 3 June 2006 after which it only consisted of the latter. It also included two autonomous provinces within Serbia, Vojvodina and Kosovo and Metohija. The latter province was under the administration of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Seychelles Widely-recognized UN member state. The Seychelles claimed the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French territories of Tromelin Island and the Glorioso Islands. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Sierra Leone Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Singapore Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Slovak Republic Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member (from 1 May 2004). | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Slovenia Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member (from 1 May 2004). | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
| valign=top |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Somalia did not have a recognized central government until April 2000, when the Transitional National Government (after November 2004, the Transitional Federal Government) was established. Over the course of the Somali Civil War, several autonomous regional governments were established in the de jure territory of Somalia. Although these states did not claim independence from Somalia, they were de facto self-governing:
There were also areas of the country which at various times had no effective government at all or which were ruled by local clans. In addition, there were two states which had declared and established de facto independence from Somalia: Puntland (to 1 July 2001) and Somaliland. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of South Africa Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Kingdom of Spain Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member. Spain was divided into seventeen autonomous communities and two autonomous cities. 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 | – Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of the Sudan Widely-recognized UN member state. Sudan was a federation of 26 states, ten of which formed the autonomous region of Southern Sudan after 9 January 2005. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Suriname Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Kingdom of Swaziland Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Kingdom of Sweden Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member. | ||
| valign=top | – Swiss Confederation Widely recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN (to 10 September 2002). UN member state (from 10 September 2002). Switzerland was a federation of 26 cantons. | ||
| valign=top | – Syrian Arab Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. Syria included the Golan Heights, which were occupied by Israel. It disputed the Turkish sovereignty over Hatay Province. | ||
T | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Tajikistan Widely-recognized UN member state. Tajikistan had one autonomous province: Gorno-Badakhshan. | ||
| 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 colspan=2 | Timor-Leste East Timor | ||
| valign=top | Togo Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Kingdom of Tonga Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Widely-recognized UN member state. Trinidad and Tobago had one autonomous island: Tobago. | ||
| valign=top | – Tunisian Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Turkey Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | → Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Widely recognized independent state and UN member state from 5 September 2000; Commonwealth realm. | ||
U | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Uganda Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state; Ukraine had one autonomous republic and it was Crimea. | ||
| valign=top | Widely-recognized UN member state; the United Arab Emirates was a federation of seven emirates. | ||
| valign=top | – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Widely-recognized UN member state; EU member. The United Kingdom was composed of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. It had sovereignty over the following dependent territories (referred to as "overseas territories" after 26 February 2002):
In addition, the British Monarch had direct sovereignty over three self-governing Crown dependencies:
| ||
| valign=top | – 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 insular areas:
| ||
| valign=top | – Eastern Republic of Uruguay Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Uzbekistan Widely-recognized UN member state. Uzbekistan had one autonomous republic: Karakalpakstan. | ||
V | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Vanuatu Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| 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 | →
Widely-recognized UN member state. Venezuela was a federation of 23 states, one federal dependency, and one federal district. | ||
| valign=top | – Socialist Republic of Vietnam Widely-recognized UN member state. Vietnam claimed sovereignty over the Paracel Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China) and Spratly Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, Brunei, the Philippines, and Malaysia). | ||
Y | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Yemen Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
Z | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Zambia Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| valign=top | – Republic of Zimbabwe Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
| width=60% | Name and capital city | width=40% | Information on status and recognition of sovereignty |
|---|---|---|---|
| valign=top | – Republic of Abkhazia Partially recognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Afghanistan, Islamic Emirate of (to 7 December 2001) Capital: Kabul (to 13 November 2001), Kandahar (from 13 November 2001)Partially recognized de facto independent state.[9] Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Afghanistan but only controlled a small portion of the country after 13 November 2001. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Anjouan – State of Anjouan (to 10 March 2002)[10] De facto self-governing entity. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by the Comoros. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Cook Islands A state in free association with New Zealand, recognized by China. The Cook Islands is a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty making capacity. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (to 6 February 2000) Partially recognized de facto self-governing entity.[11] Claimed by Russia as the Republic of Chechnya. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Kosova – Republic of Kosova (until 1 February 2000) Partially-recognized de facto independent state.[12] | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Republic of Kosovo (from 17 February 2008) Partially recognized de facto self-governing entity.[13] Claimed by Serbia as the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija under UN administration | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | Mohéli – Democratic Republic of Mohéli (to 10 March 2002) De facto self-governing entity. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by the Comoros. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top | – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic De facto self-governing entity. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by Azerbaijan. | ||
| ---- | |||
| valign=top |  Niue A state in free association with New Zealand, recognized by China (from 12 December 2007). Niue is a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty making capacity. It had shared citizenship with New Zealand. | ||
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| valign=top | – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Partially recognized de facto self-governing entity.[14] Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus. | ||
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| valign=top | – State of Palestine Capital: Ramallah (administrative), Gaza City (administrative), Jerusalem (claimed)Disputed region consisting of three occupied territories: the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. The declared State of Palestine, which claimed independence for all the Palestinian territories, was recognized by a large number of countries. In foreign relations, Palestine was represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization, which was a permanent observer at the United Nations. The Palestinian National Authority was an interim administrative body that exercised limited control over parts of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. From 12 September 2005 to 15 June 2007, the PNA controlled all of Gaza. After 15 June 2007, Gaza was under the control of Hamas. | ||
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| valign=top | – Puntland State of Somalia (to 1 July 2001)[15] De facto self-governing entity. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by Somalia. | ||
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| valign=top | Capital: Bir Lehlou (official), Rabouni (seat of government-in-exile), El Aaiún (claimed)Partially recognized de facto self-governing entity.[16] The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic claimed the disputed territory of Western Sahara, most of which was under control of Morocco. The territories under its control, the so-called Free Zone, were claimed by Morocco. Its government resided in exile in Tindouf, Algeria. | ||
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| valign=top | – Republic of Somaliland De facto self-governing entity. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by Somalia. | ||
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| valign=top | – Republic of South Ossetia Partially recognized de facto independent state. Claimed by Georgia (as the Provisional Administrative Entity of South Ossetia from April 2007). | ||
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| valign=top | – Republic of China Capital: Taipei (seat of government)Partially recognized de facto independent state. The Republic of China 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 (to 2002[17]); the Russian republic of Tuva; the Sixty-Four Villages East of the River (administered by Russia); The majority of Gorno-Badakhshan (administered by Tajikistan); 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 Myanmar) (to mid 2000s[18]). | ||
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| valign=top | (to 18 May 2009)[19] Unrecognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Sri Lanka. | ||
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| valign=top | – Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Partially recognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Moldova. | ||
Excluded from the list above are the following noteworthy entities which either were not fully sovereign or did not claim to be independent: