This is a list of sovereign states in the 2020s, giving an overview of states around the world during the period between 1 January 2020 and the present day. It contains 210 entries, arranged alphabetically, with information on the status and recognition of their sovereignty. It includes 195 widely recognized sovereign states, two associated states, and 13 entities which claim an effective sovereignty but are considered de jure constituents of other powers by the general international community.
| width=60% | Name and capital city | width=40% | Information on status and recognition of sovereignty |
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A | |||
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Widely-recognized UN member state. The United Nations continued to recognize the exiled government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as the de jure legitimate government (from 15 August 2021).[1] | ||
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| valign=top |  Albania – Republic of Albania Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Algeria – People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Andorra – 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. | ||
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| valign=top |  Angola – Republic of Angola Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Antigua and Barbuda Widely recognized UN member state and a Commonwealth realm. Antigua and Barbuda had two dependencies, Barbuda and Redonda. | ||
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| valign=top |  Argentina – 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. | ||
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| valign=top |  Armenia – Republic of Armenia Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Australia – Commonwealth of Australia Widely recognized UN member state and a Commonwealth realm. Australia was a federation of six states and three territories. It had sovereignty over the following external territories:
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| valign=top |  Austria – Republic of Austria Widely recognized UN member state and an EU member. Austria was a federation of nine states. | ||
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| 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 (to 1 January 2024). | ||
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B | |||
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| valign=top | – Commonwealth of the Bahamas Widely recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
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| valign=top |  Bahrain – Kingdom of Bahrain Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Bangladesh – People's Republic of Bangladesh Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Barbados Widely recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm until 30 November 2021, when it became a republic. | ||
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| valign=top |  Belarus – Republic of Belarus Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. Belgium was a federation of three communities and three regions. | ||
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| valign=top |  Belize Widely recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
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| valign=top |  Benin – Republic of Benin Capital: Porto-Novo (official), Cotonou (seat of government)Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top | – Plurinational State of Bolivia Capital: Sucre (official), La Paz (administrative)Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Bosnia and Herzegovina 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. | ||
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| valign=top |  Botswana – Republic of Botswana Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Brazil – Federative Republic of Brazil Widely recognized UN member state. Brazil was a federation of 26 states and one federal district. | ||
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| valign=top | – Nation of Brunei, Abode of Peace Widely recognized UN member state. Brunei claimed part of the Spratly Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia). | ||
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| valign=top |  Bulgaria – Republic of Bulgaria Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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| valign=top |  Burkina Faso Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| Burma Myanmar | |||
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| valign=top |  Burundi – Republic of Burundi Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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C | |||
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| valign=top |  Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Canada Widely recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm; Canada was a federation of ten provinces and three territories. | ||
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| valign=top |  Cape Verde – Republic of Cabo Verde Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Central African Republic Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Chad – Republic of Chad Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Chile – Republic of Chile Widely recognized UN member state; Chile had two special territories, Easter Island and the Juan Fernández Islands. It had a claim over Chilean Antarctic Territory, although it was suspended under the Antarctic Treaty. | ||
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| valign=top |  China – People's Republic of China Widely recognized UN member state. The People's Republic of China had 22 provinces, four direct controlled municipalities and five autonomous regions: Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Tibet. Additionally, it had sovereignty over two special administrative regions:
The People's Republic of China claimed Taiwan, Penghu, 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, 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. | ||
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| valign=top |  Colombia – Republic of Colombia Widely recognized UN member state; Colombia administered Serranilla Bank and claimed Bajo Nuevo Bank (disputed by Nicaragua and the United States). | ||
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| valign=top |  Comoros – Union of the Comoros Widely recognized UN member state. The Comoros was a federation of three islands autonomous islands: Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan. Comoros also claimed sovereignty over the French region of Mayotte and the Glorioso Islands. Comoros also claimed Banc du Geyser (disputed by Madagascar and France). | ||
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| valign=top | Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top | Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| Côte d'Ivoire Ivory Coast | |||
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| valign=top |  Croatia – Republic of Croatia Widely recognized UN member state and an EU member. | ||
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| valign=top |  Cuba – Republic of Cuba Widely recognized UN member state. The Cuban region of Guantánamo Bay was under the control of the United States. | ||
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| valign=top |  Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus Widely recognized UN member state; EU member. The northeastern part of the island was the de facto independent state of Northern Cyprus, which was recognized only by Turkey. | ||
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| valign=top |  Czech Republic Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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D | |||
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| valign=top |  Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. The Kingdom of Denmark also included two autonomous countries:
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| valign=top |  Djibouti – Republic of Djibouti Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Dominican Republic Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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E | |||
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| valign=top | – Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Egypt – Arab Republic of Egypt Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  El Salvador – Republic of El Salvador Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Equatorial Guinea – Republic of Equatorial Guinea Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Eritrea – State of Eritrea Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Estonia – Republic of Estonia Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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| valign=top | – Kingdom of Eswatini Capital: Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (royal and legislative)Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Ethiopia – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Widely recognized UN member state. Ethiopia was a federation of nine regions and two chartered cities. | ||
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F | |||
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| valign=top |  Fiji – Republic of Fiji Widely recognized UN member state. Fiji had an autonomous dependency, Rotuma. | ||
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| valign=top |  Finland – Republic of Finland Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. Finland had a neutral and demilitarised region: | ||
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| valign=top | →  France – French Republic Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. France included five overseas departments: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte and Réunion. It also had sovereignty over the following overseas territories:
France also claimed Banc du Geyser (disputed by Madagascar and the Comoros). | ||
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G | |||
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| valign=top |  Gabon – Gabonese Republic Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top | – Republic of the Gambia Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Georgia Widely recognized UN member state. Georgia had two autonomous regions, Adjara and Abkhazia; the latter 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. | ||
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| valign=top |  Germany – Federal Republic of Germany Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. Germany was a federation of sixteen states. | ||
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| valign=top |  Ghana – Republic of Ghana Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Greece – 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 under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. | ||
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| valign=top |  Grenada Widely recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Grenada had one autonomous dependency, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. | ||
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| valign=top |  Guatemala – Republic of Guatemala Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Guinea – Republic of Guinea Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Guinea-Bissau – Republic of Guinea-Bissau Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Guyana – Co-operative Republic of Guyana Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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H | |||
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| valign=top |  Haiti – Republic of Haiti Widely recognized UN member state. Haiti claimed the uninhabited U.S. possession of Navassa Island. | ||
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| Holy See Vatican City | |||
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| valign=top | →  Honduras – Republic of Honduras Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Hungary Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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I | |||
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| valign=top |  Iceland – Republic of Iceland Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  India – Republic of India Widely recognized UN member state. India was a federation of twenty-eight states and nine union territories. Indian sovereignty over South Tibet was disputed by China. India administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir as the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. | ||
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| valign=top |  Indonesia – Republic of Indonesia Widely recognized UN member state. Indonesia had five special provinces: Aceh, Jakarta, Papua, West Papua, and Yogyakarta. | ||
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| valign=top | – Islamic Republic of Iran Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Iraq – Republic of Iraq Widely recognized UN member state. Iraq was constitutionally designated as a federation of autonomous regions, but only one region (Iraqi Kurdistan) had been established. | ||
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| valign=top |  Ireland Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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| valign=top |  Israel – State of Israel Widely recognized UN member state. Israel occupied East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank. These areas were not generally recognized as being part of Israel. | ||
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| valign=top |  Italy – Italian Republic Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. Italy had 5 autonomous regions, Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily, and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. | ||
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| valign=top | – Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Capital: Yamoussoukro (official), Abidjan (seat of government)Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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J | |||
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| valign=top |  Jamaica Widely recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
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| valign=top |  Japan Widely recognized UN member state. Its claim over the Liancourt Rocks was disputed by North Korea and South Korea. Its claim over Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai Islands was disputed by Russia. | ||
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| valign=top |  Jordan – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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K | |||
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| valign=top |  Kazakhstan – Republic of KazakhstanCapital: Nur-Sultan (renamed Astana in 2022)Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Kenya – Republic of Kenya Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Kiribati – Republic of Kiribati Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top | – Democratic People's Republic of Korea Widely recognized UN member state. It claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea and its claim over the Liancourt Rocks was disputed by South Korea and Japan. | ||
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| valign=top | – Republic of Korea Widely recognized UN member state. South Korea had one autonomous region, Jeju. It claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea and its claim over the Liancourt Rocks was disputed by North Korea and Japan. | ||
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| valign=top |  Kuwait – State of Kuwait Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top | →  Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz Republic Widely-recognized UN member state. | ||
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L | |||
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| valign=top | – Lao People's Democratic Republic Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Latvia – Republic of Latvia Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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| valign=top |  Lebanon – Lebanese Republic Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Lesotho – Kingdom of Lesotho Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Liberia – Republic of Liberia Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Libya – State of Libya Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Liechtenstein – Principality of Liechtenstein Widely recognized UN member state. The defense of Liechtenstein was the responsibility of Switzerland. | ||
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| valign=top |  Lithuania – Republic of Lithuania Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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| valign=top |  Luxembourg – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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M | |||
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| 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). | ||
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| valign=top |  Malawi – Republic of Malawi Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Malaysia Capital: Kuala Lumpur (official), Putrajaya (administrative)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 China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei). | ||
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| valign=top |  Maldives – Republic of Maldives Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Mali – Republic of Mali Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Malta – Republic of Malta Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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| valign=top |  Marshall Islands – 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. | ||
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| valign=top |  Mauritania – Islamic Republic of Mauritania Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius Widely recognized UN member state. Mauritius had one autonomous dependency, Rodrigues, and two other dependencies, Agalega Islands and Cargados Carajos. It claimed the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French territory of Tromelin Island. | ||
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| valign=top |  Mexico – United Mexican States Widely recognized UN member state. Mexico was a federation of 31 states and one federal district. | ||
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| valign=top | Widely recognized UN member state under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The FSM was a federation of four states. | ||
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| valign=top | – Republic of Moldova Widely recognized UN member state. Moldova had two autonomous territorial units, Gagauzia and Transnistria; the latter was controlled by a de facto independent state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Monaco – Principality of Monaco Widely recognized UN member state. The defense of Monaco was the responsibility of France. | ||
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| valign=top |  Mongolia Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Montenegro Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Morocco – Kingdom of Morocco Widely recognized UN member state. Morocco claimed sovereignty over Western Sahara, which was disputed and partially controlled by the de facto independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Morocco disputed Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla, and Peñón de Alhucemas. | ||
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| valign=top |  Mozambique – Republic of Mozambique Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Myanmar – Republic of the Union of Myanmar Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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N | |||
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| valign=top |  Namibia – Republic of Namibia Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Nauru – Republic of Nauru Capital: Yaren (unofficial, seat of parliament)Widely recognized UN member state. The defense of Nauru was the responsibility of Australia. | ||
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| valign=top |  Nepal – Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Widely recognized UN member state. Nepal was a federation of seven provinces. | ||
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| valign=top | Netherlands – Kingdom of the Netherlands Capital: Amsterdam (official), The Hague (seat of government)Widely recognized UN member state. The Kingdom of the Netherlands consisted of four autonomous countries: It also had sovereignty over one non-autonomous region (consisting of three special municipalities that are part of the Netherlands): The Kingdom of the Netherlands, excluding Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Caribbean Netherlands, was a member of the EU. | ||
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| valign=top |  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 two dependent territories:
The government of Tokelau claimed Swains Island, part of American Samoa (an unincorporated territory of the United States). New Zealand did not recognize this claim. | ||
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| valign=top |  Nicaragua – Republic of Nicaragua Widely recognized UN member state. Nicaragua had two autonomous regions: the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region and South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region. | ||
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| valign=top |  Niger – Republic of Niger Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Nigeria – Federal Republic of Nigeria Widely recognized UN member state. Nigeria was a federation of 36 states and one federal territory. | ||
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| valign=top | – Republic of North Macedonia Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Norway – Kingdom of Norway Widely recognized UN member state. Norway had two integral overseas areas: Jan Mayen and Svalbard. The latter had a special status due to the Spitsbergen Treaty. Norway had sovereignty over the following dependencies:
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O | |||
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| valign=top |  Oman – Sultanate of OmanWidely recognized UN member state. | ||
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P | |||
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| valign=top |  Pakistan – 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 autonomous territory of Gilgit-Baltistan. | ||
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| valign=top |  Palau – Republic of Palau Widely recognized UN member state under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. | ||
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| valign=top | – State of Palestine Capital: Ramallah (administrative), Gaza City (administrative), Jerusalem (claims)Partially-recognised de facto self-governing entity. Palestine claimed sovereignty over a disputed region consisting of three Israeli-occupied territories: the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. Palestine was a non-member observer state of the United Nations General Assembly. The Palestinian National Authority was an interim administrative body that exercised limited control over parts of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Gaza was under the control of Hamas. | ||
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| valign=top |  Panama – Republic of Panama Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Papua New Guinea – Independent State of Papua New Guinea Widely recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Papua New Guinea had one autonomous region, Bougainville. | ||
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| valign=top |  Paraguay – Republic of Paraguay Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Peru – Republic of Peru Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Philippines – Republic of the Philippines Widely recognized UN member state. The Philippines had one autonomous region, Bangsamoro. The Philippines administered Scarborough Shoal, which was disputed by the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China. It also claimed sovereignty over the Spratly Islands (disputed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia) and the Malaysian territory of Sabah. | ||
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| valign=top |  Poland – Republic of Poland Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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| valign=top |  Portugal – 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. | ||
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Q | |||
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| valign=top |  Qatar – State of Qatar Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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R | |||
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| valign=top |  Romania Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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| valign=top | – Russian Federation Widely recognized UN member state and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Russia was a federation of 22 republics, 46 oblasts, 9 krais, 3 federal cities, 1 autonomous oblast, and 4 autonomous okrugs. Its claim over Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai Islands was disputed by Japan and its claim over Crimea,[2] Donetsk Oblast, Kherson Oblast, Luhansk Oblast and Zaporizhzhia Oblast[3] was disputed by Ukraine. | ||
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| valign=top |  Rwanda – Republic of RwandaWidely recognized UN member state. | ||
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S | |||
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| valign=top |  Saint Kitts and Nevis – Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis Widely recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Saint Kitts and Nevis was a federation of fourteen parishes on two islands. It had one autonomous island, Nevis. | ||
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| valign=top |  Saint Lucia Widely recognized UN member state and a Commonwealth realm. | ||
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| valign=top |  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Widely recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
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| valign=top |  Samoa – Independent State of Samoa Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  San Marino – Republic of San Marino Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top | – Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Widely recognized UN member state; São Tomé and Príncipe had one autonomous province, Príncipe. | ||
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| valign=top |  Saudi Arabia – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Senegal – Republic of Senegal Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Serbia – Republic of Serbia Widely recognized UN member state. Serbia claimed two autonomous provinces, Vojvodina and Kosovo and Metohija,[4] with the latter controlled by a partially-recognized de facto independent state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Seychelles – Republic of Seychelles Widely recognized UN member state. The Seychelles claimed the British Indian Ocean Territory. | ||
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| valign=top |  Sierra Leone – Republic of Sierra Leone Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Singapore – Republic of Singapore Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Slovakia – Slovak Republic Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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| valign=top |  Slovenia – Republic of Slovenia Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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| valign=top |  Solomon Islands Widely recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
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| valign=top |  Somalia – Federal Republic of Somalia Widely recognized UN member state. Several autonomous regional governments existed 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 that at various times had no effective government at all, or which were ruled by local clans. In addition, one state, Somaliland, had declared and established de facto independence from Somalia. | ||
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| valign=top |  South Africa – Republic of South Africa Capital: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top | → – Republic of South Sudan Widely recognized UN member state. South Sudan was a federation of 10 states. It disputed Abyei with Sudan. | ||
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| valign=top |  Spain – Kingdom of Spain Widely recognized UN member state and an 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. | ||
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| valign=top |  Sri Lanka – Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri LankaCapital: Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte (administrative), Colombo (commercial)Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Sudan – Republic of the Sudan Widely recognized UN member state; Sudan was a federation of 18 states. Sovereignty over Abyei was disputed with South Sudan. | ||
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| valign=top |  Suriname – Republic of Suriname Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| Swaziland Eswatini | |||
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| valign=top |  Sweden – Kingdom of Sweden Widely recognized UN member state. EU member. | ||
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| valign=top |  Switzerland – Swiss Confederation Widely recognized UN member state. Switzerland was a federation of 26 cantons. | ||
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| 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. The government of the Syrian Arab Republic was widely viewed as the legitimate authority of Syria, though control of its territory transferred between multiple groups during the Syrian civil war. | ||
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T | |||
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| valign=top |  Tajikistan – Republic of Tajikistan Widely recognized UN member state; Tajikistan had one autonomous province, Gorno-Badakhshan. | ||
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| valign=top | – United Republic of Tanzania Capital: Dodoma (official), Dar es Salaam (seat of government)Widely recognized UN member state; Tanzania had one autonomous region, Zanzibar. | ||
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| valign=top | – Kingdom of Thailand Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| Timor-Leste East Timor | |||
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| valign=top |  Togo – Togolese Republic Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Tonga – Kingdom of Tonga Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Trinidad and Tobago – Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Widely recognized UN member state; Trinidad and Tobago had one autonomous island, Tobago. | ||
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| valign=top |  Tunisia – Tunisian Republic Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Turkey – Republic of Türkiye Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Turkmenistan Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Tuvalu Widely recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | ||
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U | |||
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| valign=top |  Uganda – Republic of Uganda Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Ukraine Widely recognized UN member state; Ukraine had one autonomous republic, Crimea. Crimea and the city of Sevastopol were under de facto Russian control, and Donetsk Oblast, Kherson Oblast, Luhansk Oblast and Zaporizhzhia Oblast were claimed by Russia beginning in 2022. | ||
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| valign=top |  United Arab Emirates Widely recognized UN member state; the United Arab Emirates was a federation of seven emirates. | ||
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| valign=top |  United Kingdom – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Widely recognized UN member state. EU member (to 31 January 2020). The United Kingdom was composed of four "countries": England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. It had sovereignty over the following British overseas territories:
In addition, the British Monarch (not the United Kingdom) had direct sovereignty over three self-governing Crown dependencies:
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| 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 insular areas:
It also had sovereignty over eight uninhabited unincorporated territories, which are sometimes designated for statistical purposes as the United States Minor Outlying Islands:
The United States claimed Bajo Nuevo Bank and Serranilla Bank. Its claim to Serranilla was disputed by Colombia and Nicaragua and its claim to Bajo Nuevo was disputed by Colombia, Jamaica, and Nicaragua. Some government sources stated that these two areas were unincorporated territories of the United States. | ||
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| valign=top |  Uruguay – Eastern Republic of Uruguay Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Uzbekistan – Republic of Uzbekistan Widely recognized UN member state. Uzbekistan had one autonomous republic, Karakalpakstan. | ||
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V | |||
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| valign=top |  Vanuatu – Republic of Vanuatu Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| 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 non-member observer state of the United Nations General Assembly. The Holy See also administered a number of extraterritorial properties in Italy. The Pope was the ex officio head of state of Vatican City. | ||
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| valign=top | – Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Widely recognized UN member state. Venezuela was a federation of 23 states, one federal dependency, and one federal district. | ||
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| valign=top | – Socialist Republic of Vietnam Widely recognized UN member state. Vietnam claimed sovereignty over the Paracel Islands (disputed by China and Taiwan) and Spratly Islands (disputed by China, Taiwan, Brunei, the Philippines, and Malaysia). | ||
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Y | |||
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| valign=top |  Yemen – Republic of Yemen Widely recognized UN member state. It faced two civil wars:
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Z | |||
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| valign=top |  Zambia – Republic of Zambia Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| valign=top |  Zimbabwe – Republic of Zimbabwe Widely recognized UN member state. | ||
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| 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. | ||
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| valign=top | – Republic of Artsakh (to 1 January 2024) De facto self-governing entity (to 1 January 2024). It was not recognized by any other state and was claimed by Azerbaijan. | ||
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| valign=top |  Cook Islands A state in free association with New Zealand, recognized by Japan, Netherlands, and China. The Cook Islands was a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty making capacity. It shared a head of state and citizenship with New Zealand. | ||
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| valign=top | – Donetsk People's Republic (to 4 October 2022) Partially-recognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Ukraine as part of the Donetsk Oblast. | ||
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| valign=top | Kherson (from 29 September 2022 to 4 October 2022) Partially-recognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Ukraine as the Kherson Oblast. | ||
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| valign=top | – Republic of Kosovo Partially-recognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Serbia as the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija under UN administration | ||
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| valign=top | – Luhansk People's Republic (to 4 October 2022)Partially-recognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Ukraine as part of the Luhansk Oblast. | ||
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| valign=top |  Niue A state in free association with New Zealand, recognized by China. Niue was a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty making capacity. It shared a head of state and citizenship with New Zealand. | ||
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| valign=top | – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Partially-recognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Cyprus. | ||
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| valign=top | – Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Capital: Tifariti (temporary), El Aaiún (claimed)Partially-recognized de facto self-governing entity. 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. It was not recognized by any other state and was 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. | ||
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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, Penghu, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, Pratas Island and Itu Aba (collectively known as the "free area"). Territories controlled by the Republic of China were claimed by the People's Republic of China. | ||
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| valign=top | – Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Partially-recognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Moldova. | ||
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| valign=top | Zaporozhye (from 29 September 2022 to 4 October 2022) Capital: Melitopol (temporary), Zaporozhye (claimed)Partially-recognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Ukraine as the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. | ||
Excluded from the list above are the following noteworthy entities which either were not fully sovereign or did not claim to be independent:
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Norfolk Island
Hong Kong
Greenland
Faroe Islands
French Polynesia
New Caledonia
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Wallis and Futuna
Aruba
Netherlands
Tokelau
Anguilla
Bermuda
British Indian Ocean Territory
Cayman Islands
Gibraltar
Montserrat
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico