List of sovereign states

"List of nations" and "List of countries" redirect here. For other country lists, see Lists of countries and territories.

This is a list of sovereign states giving an overview of states around the world with information on the status and recognition of their sovereignty.

The list contains 204 entries, as of 2011. The states are divided using two distinct methods:

1. The membership within the United Nations system column divides the states into three categories: 193 member states of the United Nations, two states that are not UN member states but are either a UN observer state or a member state of a UN specialised agency, and nine other states.
2. The sovereignty disputes column divides the states into two categories: 13 states whose sovereignty is disputed and 191 other states.

Compiling a list such as this can be a difficult and controversial process, as there is no definition that is binding on all the members of the community of nations concerning the criteria for statehood. For more information on the criteria used to determine the contents of this list, please see the "criteria for inclusion" section below.

List of states

Name in English, and the official, national, and other important languages of the state	Membership within the UN System	Sovereignty dispute	Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty
A AAA	A AAA	A AAA
ZZZ UN member states	A AAA	ZZZ
ZZZAbkhazia → Abkhazia	A UN member state	A None
Afghanistan – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Persian: افغانستان – جمهوری اسلامی افغانستان → Afgānestān – Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Afgānestān Pashto: افغانستان – د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت → Afghānistān – Afghānistān Islāmī Jumhūrīyat	A UN member state	A None
Albania – Republic of Albania Albanian: Shqipëria – Republika e Shqipërisë	A UN member state	A None
Algeria – People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Arabic: الجزائر – الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية → Al Jazā'ir – Al Jumhūrīyah al Jazā'irīyah ad Dīmuqrāţīyah ash Sha‘bīyah	A UN member state	A None
Andorra – Principality of Andorra Catalan: Andorra – Principat d’Andorra	A UN member state	A None	Andorra is a co-principality in which the office of head of state is jointly held ex officio by the French president and the bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Urgell, who himself is appointed by the Holy See.
Angola – Republic of Angola Portuguese: Angola – República de Angola	A UN member state	A None
Antigua and Barbuda English: Antigua and Barbuda	A UN member state	A None	Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth realm with 1 autonomous region, Barbuda.
Argentina – Argentine Republic Spanish: Argentina – República Argentina	A UN member state	A None	Argentina is a federation of 23 provinces and 1 autonomous city. Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, which are administered by the United Kingdom. Argentina claims Argentine Antarctica as part of its national territory, officially a department of the province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and South Atlantic Islands, which overlaps with the claims of the UK and Chile.
Armenia – Republic of Armenia Armenian: Հայաստան – Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն → Hayastan – Hayastani Hanrapetut’yun	A UN member state	A None	Armenia is not recognised by one UN member: Pakistan.
Australia – Commonwealth of Australia English: Australia – Commonwealth of Australia	A UN member state	A None	Australia is a Commonwealth realm and a federation of 6 states and 10 territories. The external territories of Australia are: Ashmore and Cartier Islands Australian Antarctic Territory Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Coral Sea Islands Territory Heard Island and McDonald Islands Norfolk Island
Austria – Republic of Austria German: Österreich – Republik Österreich	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. Austria is a federation of 9 states (Bundesländer).
Azerbaijan – Republic of Azerbaijan Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan – Azərbaycan Respublikası	A UN member state	A None	Azerbaijan contains 2 autonomous regions, Nakhchivan and Nagorno-Karabakh (Dağlıq Qarabağ). In Nagorno-Karabakh, a de facto state has been established (see Nagorno-Karabakh).
Bahamas – Commonwealth of The Bahamas English: The Bahamas – Commonwealth of The Bahamas	A UN member state	A None	The Bahamas is a Commonwealth realm.
Bahrain – Kingdom of Bahrain Arabic: البحرين – مملكة البحرين → Al Baḩrayn – Mamlakat al Baḩrayn	A UN member state	A None
Bangladesh – People's Republic of Bangladesh Bengali: বাংলাদেশ – গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ → Bāṁlādesh – Gaṇaprajātantrī Bāṁlādesh	A UN member state	A None
Barbados English: Barbados	A UN member state	A None	Barbados is a Commonwealth realm.
Belarus – Republic of Belarus Belarusian: Беларусь – Рэспубліка Беларусь → Bielarus' – Respublika Bielarus' Russian: Беларусь  – Республика Беларусь → Belarus' – Respublika Belarus'	A UN member state	A None
Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium Dutch: België – Koninkrijk België French: Belgique – Royaume de Belgique German: Belgien – Königreich Belgien	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. Belgium is a federation divided into linguistic communities and regions.
Belize English: Belize	A UN member state	A None	Belize is a Commonwealth realm.
Benin – Republic of Benin French: Bénin – République du Bénin	A UN member state	A None
Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ་ – འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་ཁབ་ → Druk Yul – Druk Gyalkhap	A UN member state	A None
Bolivia – Plurinational State of Bolivia Spanish: Bolivia – Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia Aymara: Wuliwya – Wuliwya Suyu Guaraní: Volívia – Tetã Volívia Quechua: Buliwya – Buliwya Mama Llaqta	A UN member state	A None
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnian: Bosna i Hercegovina Serbian: Босна и Херцеговина → Bosna i Hercegovina Croatian: Bosna i Hercegovina	A UN member state	A None	Bosnia and Herzegovina is a federation of 2 constituent units: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska.
Botswana – Republic of Botswana Tswana: Botswana – Lefatshe la Botswana English: Botswana – Republic of Botswana	A UN member state	A None
Brazil – Federative Republic of Brazil Portuguese: Brasil – República Federativa do Brasil	A UN member state	A None	Brazil is a federation of 26 states and 1 federal district.
Brunei – State of Brunei, Abode of Peace Malay: Brunei – Negara Brunei Darussalam Jawi: برني دارالسلام	A UN member state	A None	Brunei claims sovereignty over part of the Spratly Islands.
Bulgaria – Republic of Bulgaria Bulgarian: България – Република България → Bǎlgarija – Republika Bǎlgarija	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Burkina Faso French: Burkina Faso	A UN member state	A None
Burma – Republic of the Union of Myanmar Burmese: မြန်မာပြည် – ပြည်ထောင်စု သမ္မတ မြန်မာနိုင်ငံတော်‌ → Myanma – Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw	A UN member state	A None
Burundi – Republic of Burundi Kirundi: Uburundi – Republika y'Uburundi French: Burundi – République du Burundi	A UN member state	A None
Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia Khmer: កម្ពុជា – ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រ កម្ពុជា → Kâmpŭchéa – Preăhréachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchéa	A UN member state	A None
Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon French: Cameroun – République du Cameroun English: Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon	A UN member state	A None
{{{name}}} English and French: Canada	A UN member state	A None	Canada is a Commonwealth realm and a federation of 10 provinces and 3 territories.
Cape Verde – Republic of Cape Verde Portuguese: Cabo Verde – República de Cabo Verde	A UN member state	A None
Central African Republic French: République centrafricaine Sango: Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka	A UN member state	A None
Chad – Republic of Chad French: Tchad – République du Tchad Arabic: تشاد – جمهوريّة تشاد → Tshād – Jumhūrīyat Tshād	A UN member state	A None
Chile – Republic of Chile Spanish: Chile – República de Chile	A UN member state	A None	Easter Island and the Juan Fernández Islands are "special territories" of Chile in the Valparaíso Region. Chile claims part of Antarctica as a commune in its Magallanes and Antártica Chilena Region. Its claim overlaps with those of the UK and Argentina.
China – People's Republic of China Chinese: 中国 – 中华人民共和国 → Zhōnggúo – Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Mongolian: → Bügüde Nayiramdaqu Dumdadu Arad Ulus Tibetan: རྒྱ་ནག – ཀྲུང་ ཧྭ་ མི་ དམངས་ སྤྱི་ མཐུན་ རྒྱལ་ ཁབ། → Zhunghua Mimang Jitun Gyalkab Kazakh: جۇڭگو – جۇڭحۋا حالىق رەسپۋبليكاسى → Juñgo – Juñxwa Xalıq Respwblïkası Korean: 중국 – 중화인민공화국 → Jungguk – Junghwa Inmin Gonghwaguk Uyghur: جۇڭگو – جۇڭخۇا خەلق جۇمھۇرىيىت → Junggo – Jungxua Xelq Jumhuriyiti Zhuang: Cunghgoz – Cunghvaz Yinzminz Gunghozgoz	A UN member state	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	The People's Republic of China (PRC) contains five autonomous regions, Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Tibet. Additionally, it has sovereignty over the Special Administrative Regions of: Hong Kong Macau It also claims: Taiwan and associated islands, Kinmen, Matsu, the Pratas and Itu Aba, which are governed by the Republic of China (which claims sovereignty over the whole of China); The Paracel Islands (disputed); The Spratly Islands (disputed); South Tibet (governed by India as part of Arunachal Pradesh). Aksai Chin, controlled by the PRC, is claimed by India as a part of Jammu and Kashmir. As of 2011, the PRC was not recognised by 22 UN member states and the Holy See, which instead recognise the ROC.
China, Republic of (Taiwan) → Taiwan	A UN member state	A None
Colombia – Republic of Colombia Spanish: Colombia – República de Colombia	A UN member state	A None	Colombia's department of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina is the subject of a territorial dispute with Nicaragua.
Comoros – Union of the Comoros Comorian: Komori – Udzima wa Komori French: Comores – Union des Comores Arabic: جمهورية القمر المتحدة – جزر القمر → Juzur al Qamar – Jumhūrīyat al Qamar al Muttaḩidah	A UN member state	A None	Comoros is a federation of 3 islands, and claims Mayotte, currently part of France, as a fourth. Comoros also disputes French sovereignty over the Glorioso Islands and Banc du Geyser.
Congo, Democratic Republic of the (Congo-Kinshasa) French: République démocratique du Congo	A UN member state	A None
Congo, Republic of the (Congo-Brazzaville) French: République du Congo	A UN member state	A None
Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica Spanish: Costa Rica – República de Costa Rica	A UN member state	A None
Côte d'Ivoire – Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) French: Côte d'Ivoire – République de Côte d'Ivoire	A UN member state	A None
Croatia – Republic of Croatia Croatian: Hrvatska – Republika Hrvatska	A UN member state	A None
Cuba – Republic of Cuba Spanish: Cuba – República de Cuba	A UN member state	A None
Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus Greek: Κύπρος – Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία → Kýpros – Kypriakí Dimokratía Turkish: Kıbrıs – Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. The northeastern part of the island is the de facto state of Northern Cyprus. Cyprus is not recognised by one UN member: Turkey.
Czech Republic Czech: Česko – Česká republika	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark Danish: Danmark – Kongeriget Danmark	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. The Kingdom of Denmark also includes two self-governing countries. Faroe Islands (Føroyar/Færøerne) Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat/Grønland)
Djibouti – Republic of Djibouti French: Djibouti – République de Djibouti Arabic: جيبوتي –جمهورية جيبوتي → Jībūtī – Jumhūrīyat Jībūtī	A UN member state	A None
Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica English: Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica	A UN member state	A None
Dominican Republic Spanish: República Dominicana Taíno: Quisqueya	A UN member state	A None
East Timor – Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Portuguese: Timor-Leste – República Democrática de Timor-Leste Tetum: Timor Lorosa'e – Repúblika Demokrátika Timor Lorosa'e	A UN member state	A None
Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador Spanish: Ecuador – República del Ecuador	A UN member state	A None
Egypt – Arab Republic of Egypt Arabic: مصر –جمهوريّة مصرالعربيّة → Mişr – Jumhūrīyat Mişr al ‘Arabīyah	A UN member state	A None
El Salvador – Republic of El Salvador Spanish: El Salvador – República de El Salvador	A UN member state	A None
Equatorial Guinea – Republic of Equatorial Guinea Spanish: Guinea Ecuatorial – República de Guinea Ecuatorial French: Guinée Équatoriale – République de Guinée équatoriale Portuguese: Guiné Equatorial – República da Guiné Equatorial	A UN member state	A None
Eritrea – State of Eritrea Tigrinya: ኤርትራ – ሃግሬ ኤርትራ → Iertra – Hagere Iertra Arabic: إريتريا –دولة إرتريا → Irītrīyā – Dawlat Irītrīyā	A UN member state	A None
Estonia – Republic of Estonia Estonian: Eesti – Eesti Vabariik	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Ethiopia – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Amharic: ኢትዮጵያ – የኢትዮጵያ ፈደራላዊ ዲሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ → Ityop'iya – Ityop'iya Fe̱de̱ralawi Dimokrasiyawi Ripe̱blik	A UN member state	A None	Ethiopia is a federation of 9 regions and 2 chartered cities.
Fiji – Republic of Fiji Fijian: Viti – Matanitu ko Viti English: Fiji – Republic of Fiji Hindustani: फ़िजी / فیجی – फ़िजी गणराज्य / فیجی رپبلک → Fijī – Fijī dvip samooh ganarajya	A UN member state	A None	Fiji contains 1 autonomous region, Rotuma.
Finland – Republic of Finland Finnish: Suomi – Suomen tasavalta Swedish: Finland – Republiken Finland	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. Åland is a neutral and demilitarised autonomous region of Finland.
France – French Republic French: France – République française	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. French overseas regions/departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte and Réunion) are full, integral parts of France. The French Republic also includes the overseas territories of: Clipperton Island French Polynesia New Caledonia Saint-Barthélemy Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Wallis and Futuna French Southern and Antarctic Lands (includes the Antarctic claim of Adélie Land). Clipperton Island is a possession of the government. French sovereignty over Banc du Geyser, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, Mayotte, and Tromelin Island is disputed in part by Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and the Comoros.
Gabon – Gabonese Republic French: Gabon – République gabonaise	A UN member state	A None
Gambia The Gambia – Republic of The Gambia English: The Gambia – Republic of The Gambia French: La Gambie – République de Gambie	A UN member state	A None
Georgia Georgian: საქართველო → Sak’art’velo	A UN member state	A None	Georgia contains 2 autonomous regions, Adjara and Abkhazia. In Abkhazia and South Ossetia, de facto states have been formed.
Germany – Federal Republic of Germany German: Deutschland – Bundesrepublik Deutschland	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. Germany is a federation of 16 federated states (Länder).
Ghana – Republic of Ghana English: Ghana – Republic of Ghana	A UN member state	A None
Greece – Hellenic Republic Greek: Ελλάδα – Ελληνική Δημοκρατία → Elláda – Ellinikí Dimokratía Katharevousa: Ελλάς – Ελληνική Δημοκρατία → Ellás – Ellinikí Dimokratía	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. Mount Athos is an autonomous part of Greece that is jointly governed by the multinational "Holy Community" on the mountain and a civil governor appointed by the Greek government.
Grenada English: Grenada	A UN member state	A None	Grenada is a Commonwealth realm.
Guatemala – Republic of Guatemala Spanish: Guatemala – República de Guatemala	A UN member state	A None
Guinea – Republic of Guinea French: Guinée – République de Guinée	A UN member state	A None
Guinea-Bissau – Republic of Guinea-Bissau Portuguese: Guiné-Bissau – República da Guiné-Bissau	A UN member state	A None
Guyana – Co-operative Republic of Guyana English: Guyana – Co-operative Republic of Guyana	A UN member state	A None	A substantial part of Guyana, from the west of the Essequibo River, is claimed by Venezuela.
Haiti – Republic of Haiti French: Haïti – République d’Haïti Haitian Creole: Ayiti – Repiblik d’Ayiti	A UN member state	A None	Haiti claims the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa Island.
Holy See → Vatican City	A UN member state	A None
Honduras – Republic of Honduras Spanish: Honduras – República de Honduras	A UN member state	A None
Hungary – Republic of Hungary Hungarian: Magyarország – Magyar Köztársaság	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Iceland – Republic of Iceland Icelandic: Ísland – Lýðveldið Ísland	A UN member state	A None
India – Republic of India Hindi: भारत – भारत गणराज्य → Bhārat – Bhāratīya Gaṇarājya English: India – Republic of India Assamese: ভাৰত – ভাৰত গণৰাজ্য → Bhārôt – Bhārôt Gôṇrājẏô Bengali: ভারত – ভারতীয় প্রজাতন্ত্র → Bhārôt – Bhārôtīyô Prôjātôntrô Bhojpuri: भारत – भारत गणराज्य → Bhārat – Bhārat Gaṇrādzya Gujarati: ભારત – ભારત ગણરાજ્ય → Bhārat – Bhārat Gaṇrājya Kannada: ಭಾರತ – ಭಾರತ ಗಣರಾಜ್ಯ → Bhārata – Bhārata Gaṇarājya Kashmiri: ہِندوستان → Hindustān Konkani: भारत – भारोत गोणराज → Bhārot – Bhārot Goṇrāj Maithili: भारत – भारत गणराज्य → Bhārat – Bhārat Ganarājya Malayalam: ഭാരതം – ഭാരത ഗണരാജ്യം → Bhārataṃ – Bhārata Gaṇarājyaṃ Marathi: भारत – भारतीय प्रजासत्ताक → Bhārat – Bhāratīy Pradzāsattāk Meitei: ভারত – ভারত গণরাজ্য → Bhārata – Bhārata Gaṇarājya Nepali: भारत – भारत गणराज्य → Bhārat – Bhārat Gaṇrādzya Oriya: ଭାରତ – ଭାରତ ଗଣରାଜ୍ଯ → Bhārôt – Bhārôt Gôṇrājẏô Punjabi: ਭਾਰਤ – ਭਾਰਤ ਗਣਤੰਤਰ → Bhārat – Bhārat Gaṇtãtar Sanskrit: भारतम् – भारत गणराज्यम् → Bhārat – Bhāratam Gaṇarājyam Sindhi: भारत गणराज्य, هندستانڀارت – भारत, ڀارت → Bhāratu – Bhārat Ganarājya Tamil: இந்தியா – இந்தியக் குடியரசு → Intiyā – Intiyak Kuṭiyaracu Telugu: భారత్ – భారత గణతంత్ర రాజ్యము → Bhārata – Bhārata Gaṇataṃtra Rājyamu Urdu: جمہوریہ بھارت – جمہوریہ بھارت → Bhārat – Jumhūrīyâ-e Bhārat	A UN member state	A None	India is a federation of 28 states and 7 union territories. Indian sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh is disputed by the People's Republic of China. India claims sovereignty over the whole of Kashmir, but administers only part of it as the federated state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Indonesia – Republic of Indonesia Indonesian: Indonesia – Republik Indonesia	A UN member state	A None	Indonesia has 3 provinces with official special autonomy status: Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, Papua, and West Papua.
Iran – Islamic Republic of Iran Persian: ایران – جمهوری اسلامی ایران → Īrān – Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān	A UN member state	A None
Iraq – Republic of Iraq Arabic: العراق – جمهورية العراق → Al ʿIrāq – Jumhūrīyat al ʿIrāq Kurdish: عێراق – كۆماری عێراق → ʿÎraq – Komara Îraqę	A UN member state	A None	Iraq is a federation of 18 governorates, 3 of which make up the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan.
Ireland English: Ireland Irish: Éire	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. The Constitution of the Republic of Ireland asserts the aspiration towards creating a United Ireland by peaceful means.
Israel – State of Israel Hebrew: ישראל – מדינת ישראל → Yisra'el – Medinat Yisra'el Arabic: إسرائيل – دولة إسرائيل → Isrā'īl – Dawlat Isrā'īl	A UN member state	A None	Israel annexed East Jerusalem, and occupies the Golan Heights and parts of the West Bank. These areas are not internationally-recognised as being part of Israel. Israel no longer has a permanent military presence in the Gaza Strip, following its unilateral disengagement, but is still arguably considered the occupying power under international law. As of 2011 Israel was not recognised as a state by 20 members of the UN.
Italy – Italian Republic Italian: Italia – Repubblica Italiana	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. Italy has 5 autonomous regions, Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.
Ivory Coast → Côte d'Ivoire	A UN member state	A None
Jamaica English: Jamaica	A UN member state	A None	Jamaica is a Commonwealth realm.
Japan Japanese: 日本 – 日本国 → Nihon/Nippon – Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku	A UN member state	A None	Japan disputes Russian administration of the Kuril Islands.
Jordan – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Arabic: الأردن – المملكة الأردنّيّة الهاشميّة → Al Urdun – Al Mamlakah al Urdunīyah al Hāshimīyah	A UN member state	A None
Kazakhstan – Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakh: Қазақстан – Қазақстан Республикасы → Qazaqstan – Qazaqstan Respūblīkasy Russian: Казахстан – Республика Казахстан → Kazahstan – Respublika Kazahstan	A UN member state	A None
Kenya – Republic of Kenya English: Kenya – Republic of Kenya Swahili: Kenya – Jamhuri ya Kenya	A UN member state	A None
Kiribati – Republic of Kiribati Gilbertese: Kiribati – Ribaberiki Kiribati English: Kiribati – Republic of Kiribati	A UN member state	A None
Korea, North – Democratic People's Republic of Korea Korean: 조선 – 조선민주주의인민공화국 → Chosŏn – Chosŏn-minjujuŭi-inmin-konghwaguk	A UN member state	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	North Korea is not recognised by two UN members: Japan and South Korea.
Korea, South – Republic of Korea Korean: 한국 – 대한민국 → Han’guk – Taehan Min’guk	A UN member state	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	South Korea contains 1 autonomous region, Jeju-do. South Korea is not recognised by one UN member: North Korea.
ZZZKosovo → Kosovo	A UN member state	A None
Kuwait – State of Kuwait Arabic: الكويت – دولة الكويت → Al Kuwayt – Dawlat al Kuwayt	A UN member state	A None
Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz Republic Kyrgyz: Кыргызстан – Кыргыз Республикасы → Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz Respublikasy Russian: Кыргызстан – Кыргызская Республика → Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyzskaya Respublika	A UN member state	A None
Laos – Lao People's Democratic Republic Lao: ລາວ – ສາທາລະນະລັດປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ → Lao – Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxôn Lao	A UN member state	A None
Latvia – Republic of Latvia Latvian: Latvija – Latvijas Republika	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Lebanon – Lebanese Republic Arabic: لبنان –الجمهوريّة اللبنانيّة → Lubnān – Al Jumhūrīyah al Lubnānīyah French: Liban – République libanaise	A UN member state	A None
Lesotho – Kingdom of Lesotho English: Lesotho – Kingdom of Lesotho Sotho: Lesotho – Mmuso wa Lesotho	A UN member state	A None
Liberia – Republic of Liberia English: Liberia – Republic of Liberia	A UN member state	A None
Libya (disputed between two governments) Libya (National Transitional Council) Arabic: ليبيا → Lībyā (المجلس الوطني الإنتقالي → al-Majlis al-Waṭanī al-Intiqālī) Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Arabic: الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الاشتراكية العظمى → Al Jamāhīrīyah al ‘Arabīyah al Lībīyah ash Sha‘bīyah al Ishtirākīyah al ‘Uz̧má	A UN member state	A None	The National Transitional Council controls most of the country but is not yet recognized by a majority of states. (see Foreign relations of the National Transitional Council)
Liechtenstein – Principality of Liechtenstein German: Liechtenstein – Fürstentum Liechtenstein	A UN member state	A None
Lithuania – Republic of Lithuania Lithuanian: Lietuva – Lietuvos Respublika	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Luxembourg – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuerg – Groussherzogdem Lëtzebuerg French: Luxembourg – Grand-Duché du Luxembourg German: Luxemburg – Großherzogtum Luxemburg	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Macedonia – Republic of Macedonia Macedonian: Македонија – Република Македонија → Makedonija – Republika Makedonija Albanian: Maqedonia - Republika e Maqedonisë	A UN member state	A None	Because of the Macedonia naming dispute, the country is referred to by the UN and a number of states and international organizations as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".
Madagascar – Republic of Madagascar Malagasy: Madagasikara – Repoblikan'i Madagasikara French: Madagascar – Republique de Madagascar	A UN member state	A None	Madagascar claims the French territories of Banc du Geyser, Juan de Nova Island, and the Glorioso Islands.
Malawi – Republic of Malawi English: Malawi – Republic of Malawi Chewa: Malaŵi – Dziko la Malaŵi	A UN member state	A None
Malaysia Malay: Malaysia Jawi: مليسيا Chinese: 马来西亚 → Măláixīyà English: Malaysia Tamil: மலேசியா → Malēciyā	A UN member state	A None	Malaysia is a federation of 13 states and 3 federal territories. Malaysia claims part of the Spratly Islands.
Maldives – Republic of Maldives Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ – ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ → Dhivehi Raajje – Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa	A UN member state	A None
Mali – Republic of Mali French: Mali – République du Mali	A UN member state	A None
Malta – Republic of Malta Maltese: Malta – Repubblika ta' Malta English: Malta – Republic of Malta	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Marshall Islands – Republic of the Marshall Islands Marshallese: Aelōn̄ in M̧ajeļ – Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ English: Marshall Islands – Republic of the Marshall Islands	A UN member state	A None	Under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Marshall Islands claim the U.S. territory of Wake Island.
Mauritania – Islamic Republic of Mauritania Arabic: موريتانيا – الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية → Mūrītāniyā – Al Jumhūrīyah al Islāmīyah al Mūrītānīyah French: Mauritanie – République Islamique de la Mauritanie	A UN member state	A None
Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius English: Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius French: Île Maurice – République de Maurice Mauritian Creole: Moris – Repiblik Moris	A UN member state	A None	Mauritius has an autonomous island, Rodrigues. Mauritius claims the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French island of Tromelin.
Mexico – United Mexican States Spanish: México – Estados Unidos Mexicanos	A UN member state	A None	Mexico is a federation of 31 states and 1 federal district.
Micronesia, Federated States of English: Federated States of Micronesia	A UN member state	A None	Under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Federated States of Micronesia is a federation of 4 states.
Moldova – Republic of Moldova Romanian: Moldova – Republica Moldova	A UN member state	A None	Moldova has the autonomous regions of Gagauzia and Transnistria, the latter of which has established a de facto state.
Monaco – Principality of Monaco French: Monaco – Principauté de Monaco Monegasque: Múnegu – Principatu de Múnegu Italian: Monaco – Principato di Monaco	A UN member state	A None
Mongolia Mongolian: Монгол улс → Mongol uls	A UN member state	A None
Montenegro Montenegrin: Црна Гора → Crna Gora	A UN member state	A None
Morocco – Kingdom of Morocco Arabic: المغرب – المملكة المغربية → Al Maghrib – Al Mamlakah al Maghribīyah	A UN member state	A None	Morocco claims sovereignty over the Western Sahara and controls most of it, which is disputed by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Morocco disputes Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñón de Alhucemas.
Mozambique – Republic of Mozambique Portuguese: Moçambique – República de Moçambique	A UN member state	A None
Myanmar → Burma	A UN member state	A None
ZZZNagorno-Karabakh → Nagorno-Karabakh	A UN member state	A None
Namibia – Republic of Namibia English: Namibia – Republic of Namibia	A UN member state	A None
Nauru – Republic of Nauru Nauruan: Naoero – Ripublik Naoero English: Nauru – Republic of Nauru	A UN member state	A None
Nepal – Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Nepali: नेपाल – संघिय लोकतन्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल → Nepāl – Saṁghīya Loktāntrik Gaṇatantra Nepāl	A UN member state	A None	Nepal is a federation composed of 14 zones.
Netherlands – Kingdom of the Netherlands Dutch: Nederland – Koninkrijk der Nederlanden Papiamentu: Hulanda (or Ulanda) – Reino di Hulanda English: Netherlands – Kingdom of the Netherlands Frisian: Nederlân – Keninkryk fan de Nederlannen	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. The Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of four constituent countries: Netherlands Aruba Curaçao Sint Maarten The monarch and her ministers form the government of the kingdom as well as the government of the country the Netherlands. Following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, Curaçao and Sint Maarten have become constituent countries, which, alongside Aruba, enjoy considerable autonomy. The other three islands (Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius) became special municipalities of the Netherlands. The designation "Netherlands" can refer to either one of the Kingdom's constituent countries or to the short name for the Kingdom (e.g., in international organizations). The Kingdom of the Netherlands as a whole is a member of the EU, but EU law applies only to the Netherlands proper.
New Zealand English: New Zealand Māori: Aotearoa	A UN member state	A None	New Zealand is a Commonwealth realm and has responsibilities for (but has no sovereignty over) two freely associated states: Cook Islands Niue Cook Islands and Niue are recognized by number of states. They established diplomatic relatations with 31 and 6 UN members respectively. Cook Islands and Niue are sovereign subjects of international law. UN recognized the full treaty-making capacity of the Cook Islands in 1992 and that of Niue in 1994. Cook Islands and Niue are members of UN specialized agencies without any specifications or limitations. Cook Islands is member of FAO, ICAO, IFAD, IMO, UNESCO, WHO, WMO and Niue is member of FAO, IFAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO. New Zealand also has the dependent territories of: Ross Dependency Tokelau The Tokelauan government claims sovereignty over Swains Island, part of American Samoa, a territory of the United States. New Zealand does not recognize the Tokelauan claim.
Nicaragua – Republic of Nicaragua Spanish: Nicaragua – República de Nicaragua	A UN member state	A None	Nicaragua contains 2 autonomous regions, Atlántico Sur and Atlántico Norte.
Niger – Republic of Niger French: Niger – République du Niger Hausa: Nijar – Jamhuriyar Nijar	A UN member state	A None
Nigeria – Federal Republic of Nigeria English: Nigeria – Federal Republic of Nigeria Hausa: Nijeriya – Jamhuriyar Taraiyar Nijeriya Igbo: Naigeria – Njíkötá Óchíchìiwù Naíjíríà Yoruba: Naìjírìà – Àpapọ̀ Olómìnira ilẹ̀ Nàìjíríà	A UN member state	A None	Nigeria is a federation of 36 states and 1 federal territory.
ZZZNorthern Cyprus → Northern Cyprus	A UN member state	A None
North Korea → Korea, Democratic People's Republic of	A UN member state	A None
Norway – Kingdom of Norway Bokmål: Norge – Kongeriket Norge Nynorsk: Noreg – Kongeriket Noreg	A UN member state	A None	Svalbard is an integral part of Norway, but has a special status due to the Spitsbergen Treaty. Bouvet Island is a dependent territory of Norway. Norway also claims Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land as dependent territories of Norway, as part of the Norwegian Antarctic Territory.
Oman – Sultanate of Oman Arabic: عُمان – سلطنة عُمان → ʿUmān – Salţanat ʿUmān	A UN member state	A None
Pakistan – Islamic Republic of Pakistan Urdu: پَاکِسْتَان – جَمْهُورْيَة إِسْلامِی پَاکِسْتَان → Pākistān – Jamhūryat Islāmī Pākistān English: Pakistan – Islamic Republic of Pakistan Punjabi: پاکستان – اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان Sindhi: پاکستان - پاکستان گنراجیۃ → Pākistān – Pākistān Ganarājya Persian: پاکستان - جمهوری اسلامی پاکستان	A UN member state	A None	Pakistan is a federation of 4 provinces, 1 capital territory, and tribal regions. Pakistan disputes Indian sovereignty over Kashmir. It exercises control over some areas, but does not explicitly claim any part of it, instead regarding it as a disputed territory. The portions that it controls are divided into two polities, administered separately from Pakistan proper: Azad Kashmir Gilgit-Baltistan
Palau – Republic of Palau Palauan: Belau – Beluu er a Belau English: Palau – Republic of Palau	A UN member state	A None	Under Compact of Free Association with the United States.
ZZZPalestine → Palestine	A UN member state	A None
Panama – Republic of Panama Spanish: Panamá – República de Panamá	A UN member state	A None
Papua New Guinea – Independent State of Papua New Guinea English: Papua New Guinea – Independent State of Papua New Guinea Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu: Papuaniugini	A UN member state	A None	Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth realm with 1 autonomous region, Bougainville.
Paraguay – Republic of Paraguay Guarani: Paraguay – Tetã Paraguái Spanish: Paraguay – República del Paraguay	A UN member state	A None
Peru – Republic of Peru Spanish: Perú – República del Perú Aymara: Piruw – Piruw Republika Quechua: Piruw – Piruw Suyu	A UN member state	A None
Philippines – Republic of the Philippines Filipino and Tagalog: Pilipinas – Republika ng Pilipinas English: Philippines – Republic of the Philippines Spanish: Filipinas – República de Filipinas	A UN member state	A None	The Philippines contains two autonomous regions, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera Administrative Region. The Philippines administers Scarborough Shoal and some of the Spratly Islands, and claims sovereignty over the Macclesfield Bank and Sabah, which as of 2011 was part of Malaysia.
Poland – Republic of Poland Polish: Polska – Rzeczpospolita Polska	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Portugal – Portuguese Republic Portuguese: Portugal – República Portuguesa Mirandese: Pertual – República Pertuesa	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. Portugal contains 2 autonomous regions, Azores and Madeira. Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Olivenza and Táliga.
Pridnestrovie → Transnistria	A UN member state	A None
Qatar – State of Qatar Arabic: قطر – دولة قطر → Qaţar – Dawlat Qaţar	A UN member state	A None
Romania Romanian: România Hungarian: Románia	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Russia – Russian Federation Russian: Россия – Российская Федерация → Rossiya – Rossiyskaya Federaciya	A UN member state	A None	Russia is officially a federation of 83 federal subjects (oblasts, republics, autonomous okrugs, krays, and federal cities). Several of the federal subjects are republics acting as ethnic autonomies. Sovereignty over the Kuril Islands is disputed by Japan.
Rwanda – Republic of Rwanda Kinyarwanda: Rwanda – Republika y'u Rwanda French: Rwanda – République du Rwanda English: Rwanda – Republic of Rwanda	A UN member state	A None
ZZZSahrawi Arab Democratic Republic → Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic	A UN member state	A None
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis English: Saint Kitts and Nevis – Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis	A UN member state	A None	Saint Kitts and Nevis is a Commonwealth realm and is a federation of 14 parishes.
Saint Lucia English: Saint Lucia	A UN member state	A None	Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth realm.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines English: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	A UN member state	A None	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a Commonwealth realm.
Samoa – Independent State of Samoa Samoan: Sāmoa – Malo Sa‘oloto Tuto'atasi o Sāmoa English: Samoa – Independent State of Samoa	A UN member state	A None
San Marino – Republic of San Marino Italian: San Marino – Repubblica di San Marino	A UN member state	A None
São Tomé and Príncipe – Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Portuguese: São Tomé e Príncipe – República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe	A UN member state	A None	São Tomé and Príncipe contains 1 autonomous province, Príncipe.
Saudi Arabia – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Arabic: السعودية – المملكة العربيّة السّعوديّة → As Su‘ūdīyah – Al Mamlakah al ‘Arabīyah as Su‘ūdīyah	A UN member state	A None
Senegal – Republic of Senegal French: Sénégal – République du Sénégal	A UN member state	A None
Serbia – Republic of Serbia Serbian: Србија – Република Србија → Srbija – Republika Srbija	A UN member state	A None	Serbia contains 2 autonomous regions, Vojvodina and Kosovo and Metohija. Most of the latter is under the de facto control of the Republic of Kosovo.
Seychelles – Republic of Seychelles English: Seychelles – Republic of Seychelles French: Seychelles – République des Seychelles Seselwa: Sesel – Repiblik Sesel	A UN member state	A None	Seychelles claims the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island.
Sierra Leone – Republic of Sierra Leone English: Sierra Leone – Republic of Sierra Leone	A UN member state	A None
Singapore – Republic of Singapore English: Singapore – Republic of Singapore Malay: Singapura – Republik Singapura Chinese: 新加坡 – 新加坡共和国 → Xinjiapo – Xinjiapo Gongheguo Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர் – சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு → Chiṅkappūr – Chiṅkappūr Kuṭiyarachu	A UN member state	A None
Slovakia – Slovak Republic Slovak: Slovensko – Slovenská republika Hungarian: Szlovákia – Szlovák Köztársaság	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Slovenia – Republic of Slovenia Slovenian: Slovenija – Republika Slovenija Italian: Slovenia – Repubblica slovena Hungarian: Szlovénia – a Szlovén Köztársaság	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Solomon Islands English: Solomon Islands	A UN member state	A None	The Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm.
Somalia – Somali Republic Somali: Soomaaliya – Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya Arabic: الصومال – جمهورية الصومال → Aş Şūmāl – Jumhūrīyat aş Şūmāl	A UN member state	A None	Somalia is presently divided with its official government (TFG) controlling only part of the country. Puntland and Galmudug have declared themselves as autonomous regions of Somalia (a claim that the TFG does not recognise), while Somaliland has formed an unrecognised de facto state.
ZZZSomaliland → Somaliland	A UN member state	A None
South Africa – Republic of South Africa Afrikaans: Suid-Afrika – Republiek van Suid-Afrika English: South Africa – Republic of South Africa Northern Sotho: Afrika-Borwa – Rephaboliki ya Afrika-Borwa Sotho: Afrika Borwa – Rephaboliki ya Afrika Borwa Southern Ndebele: Sewula Afrika – iRiphabliki yeSewula Afrika Swazi: Ningizimu Afrika – iRiphabhulikhi yeNingizimu Afrika Tsonga: Afrika Dzonga – Riphabliki ra Afrika Dzonga Tswana: Aforika Borwa – Rephaboliki ya Aforika Borwa Venda: Afurika Tshipembe – Riphabuḽiki ya Afurika Tshipembe Xhosa: uMzantsi Afrika – iRiphabliki yaseMzantsi Afrika Zulu: Ningizimu Afrika – iRiphabliki yaseNingizimu Afrika	A UN member state	A None
South Korea → Korea, Republic of	A UN member state	A None
ZZZSouth Ossetia → South Ossetia	A UN member state	A None
South Sudan – Republic of South Sudan English: South Sudan – Republic of South Sudan	A UN member state	A None	Disputes Abyei with the Republic of the Sudan.
Spain – Kingdom of Spain Spanish: España – Reino de España Aragonese: Espanya  – Reino d'Espanya Asturian: España – Reinu d’España Basque: Espainia – Espainiako Erresuma Catalan: Espanya – Regne d'Espanya Galician: España – Reino de España Occitan: Espanha – Reialme d'Espanha	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. Spain is divided into autonomous communities and cities. Sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñón de Alhucemas is disputed by Morocco. Sovereignty over Olivenza and Táliga is disputed by Portugal. Spain calls for sovereignty over Gibraltar.
Sri Lanka – Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකා – ශ්රී ලංකා ප්රජාතාන්ත්රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය → Shrī Laṁkā – Shrī Laṁkā Prajātāntrika Samājavādī Janarajaya Tamil: இலங்கை – இலங்கை சனநாயக சோசலிசக் குடியரசு → Ilaṅkai – Ilaṅkai Jaṉanāyaka Choṣhalichak Kuṭiyarachu	A UN member state	A None	Formerly known as Ceylon.
Sudan – Republic of the Sudan Arabic: السودان – جمهورية السودان → As Sūdān – Jumhūrīyat as Sūdān English: Sudan – Republic of the Sudan	A UN member state	A None	Sudan is a federation of 15 states. Disputes Abyei with South Sudan.
ZZZSudan, South → South Sudan	A UN member state	A None
Suriname – Republic of Suriname Dutch: Suriname – Republiek Suriname	A UN member state	A None
Swaziland – Kingdom of Swaziland English: Swaziland – Kingdom of Swaziland Swazi: eSwatini – Umbuso weSwatini	A UN member state	A None
Sweden – Kingdom of Sweden Swedish: Sverige – Konungariket Sverige	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU.
Switzerland – Swiss Confederation German: Schweiz – Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft French: Suisse – Confédération suisse Italian: Svizzera – Confederazione Svizzera Romansh: Svizra – Confederaziun Svizra Latin: Helvetia – Confoederatio Helvetica	A UN member state	A None	Switzerland is a federation of 26 cantons.
Syria – Syrian Arab Republic Arabic: سورية – الجمهوريّة العربيّة السّوريّة → Sūrīyah – Al Jumhūrīyah al ‘Arabīyah as Sūrīyah	A UN member state	A None	Israel occupies the Golan Heights. Syria disputed the Turkish sovereignty over Hatay Province.
ZZZTaiwan (Republic of China) → Taiwan	A UN member state	A None
Tajikistan – Republic of Tajikistan Tajik: Тоҷикистон – Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон → Tojikiston – Jumhurii Tojikiston	A UN member state	A None	Tajikistan contains 1 autonomous region, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province.
Tanzania – United Republic of Tanzania Swahili: Tanzania – Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania English: Tanzania – United Republic of Tanzania	A UN member state	A None	Tanzania contains 1 autonomous region, Zanzibar.
Thailand – Kingdom of Thailand Thai: ประเทศไทย – ราชอาณาจักรไทย → Prathet Thai – Ratcha Anachak Thai	A UN member state	A None
Timor-Leste → East Timor	A UN member state	A None
Togo – Togolese Republic French: Togo – République togolaise	A UN member state	A None
Tonga – Kingdom of Tonga Tongan: Tonga – Pule'anga Tonga English: Tonga – Kingdom of Tonga	A UN member state	A None
ZZZTransnistria → Transnistria	A UN member state	A None
Trinidad and Tobago – Republic of Trinidad and Tobago English: Trinidad and Tobago – Republic of Trinidad and Tobago	A UN member state	A None	Trinidad and Tobago contains 1 autonomous region, Tobago.
Tunisia – Republic of Tunisia Arabic: تونس – الجمهورية التونسية → Tūnis – Al Jumhūrīyah at Tūnisīyah French: Tunisie – République tunisienne	A UN member state	A None
Turkey – Republic of Turkey Turkish: Türkiye – Türkiye Cumhuriyeti	A UN member state	A None
Turkmenistan Turkmenian: Türkmenistan	A UN member state	A None
Tuvalu Tuvaluan and English: Tuvalu	A UN member state	A None	Tuvalu is a Commonwealth realm.
Uganda – Republic of Uganda English: Uganda – Republic of Uganda Swahili: Uganda – Jamhuri ya Uganda Luganda: Uganda – Ensi ya Yuganda	A UN member state	A None
Ukraine Ukrainian: Україна → Ukraina Russian: Украина → Ukraina	A UN member state	A None	Ukraine contains 1 autonomous region, Crimea.
United Arab Emirates Arabic: اَلإمَارَات – اَلإمَارَات اَلْعَرَبِيَّة اَلْمُتَّحِدَة → Al Imārāt – Al Imārāt al ‘Arabīyah al Muttaḩidah	A UN member state	A None	The United Arab Emirates is a federation of 7 emirates.
United Kingdom – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland English: United Kingdom – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Scots: Unitit Kinrick o Great Breetain an Northren Ireland Scottish Gaelic: Rìoghachd Aonaichte na Breatainn Mòire agus Èireann a Tuath Welsh: Teyrnas Unedig Prydain Fawr a Gogledd Iwerddon	A UN member state	A None	Member of the EU. The United Kingdom is a Commonwealth realm consisting of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The United Kingdom has the following overseas territories: Akrotiri and Dhekelia Anguilla Bermuda British Indian Ocean Territory (disputed by Mauritius and Seychelles) British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Falkland Islands (disputed by Argentina) Gibraltar (status disputed by Spain) Montserrat Pitcairn Islands Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (disputed by Argentina) Turks and Caicos Islands British Antarctic Territory (disputed by Argentina and Chile) The British monarch has direct sovereignty over three self-governing Crown dependencies: Guernsey, with three dependencies: Alderney Herm Sark Isle of Man Jersey
United States – United States of America English: United States – United States of America French: États-Unis – États-Unis d'Amérique Hawaiian: ʻAmelika Hui – ‘Amelika Huipū‘ia Spanish: Estados Unidos – Estados Unidos de América	A UN member state	A None	The United States is a federation of 50 states, 1 federal district, and the incorporated territory of Palmyra Atoll. The United States has sovereignty over the following inhabited possessions and commonwealths: American Samoa (including Swains Island, disputed by Tokelau) Guam Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands In addition, there are uninhabited possessions of the United States in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea: Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, Navassa Island (disputed by Haiti), and Wake Island (disputed by the Marshall Islands). According to some sources, the United States also claims Bajo Nuevo Bank and Serranilla Bank as territories.
Uruguay – Eastern Republic of Uruguay Spanish: Uruguay – República Oriental del Uruguay	A UN member state	A None
Uzbekistan – Republic of Uzbekistan Uzbek: Ўзбекистон – Ўзбекистон Республикаси → O'zbekiston – O‘zbekiston Respublikasi	A UN member state	A None	Uzbekistan contains 1 autonomous region, Karakalpakstan.
Vanuatu – Republic of Vanuatu Bislama: Vanuatu – Ripablik blong Vanuatu English: Vanuatu – Republic of Vanuatu French: Vanuatu – République du Vanuatu	A UN member state	A None
ZZZVatican City → Vatican City	A UN member state	ZZZ
Venezuela – Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Spanish: Venezuela – República Bolivariana de Venezuela	A UN member state	A None	Venezuela is a federation of 23 states, 1 capital district, and federal dependencies.
Vietnam – Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vietnamese: Việt Nam – Cộng Hòa Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam	A UN member state	A None	Vietnam claims sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands.
Yemen – Republic of Yemen Arabic: اليمن – الجمهوريّة اليمنية → Al Yaman – Al Jumhūrīyah al Yamanīyah	A UN member state	A None
Zambia – Republic of Zambia English: Zambia – Republic of Zambia Bemba: Zambia – Ichalo Ca Zambia Kaonde: Zambia – Kyalo Kya Zambia Lozi: Zambia – Naha Zambia Ye Ipusa Chewa: Zambia – Dziko La Zambia Tonga: Zambia – Cisi Ca Zambia	A UN member state	A None
Zimbabwe – Republic of Zimbabwe English: Zimbabwe – Republic of Zimbabwe Ndebele: Zimbabwe – iRiphabliki ye Zimbabwe	A UN member state	A None
ZZZ↑ UN member states ↑	A ZZZ	ZZZ
ZZZ	AB	B
ZZZ↓ UN observer states and member states of UN Specialized Agencies ↓	B AAA	ZZZ
Vatican City – State of the Vatican City Latin: Civitas Vaticana – Status Civitatis Vaticanæ Italian: Città del Vaticano – Stato della Città del Vaticano French: Cité du Vatican – État de la Cité du Vatican	B UN observer state and member of one or more related agencies Not a UN member state, but member of one or more related agencies	A None	Administered by the Holy See, a sovereign entity with diplomatic ties to 178 states. The Holy See is a permanent observer of the UN in the category of "Non-member State" and a member of the IAEA, ITU, UPU, and WIPO. The Vatican City is governed by officials appointed by the Pope, who is the Bishop of the Archdiocese of Rome and ex officio sovereign of Vatican City. The Holy See also administers a number of extraterritorial properties in Italy and in many other countries (Apostolic Nunciatures).
Kosovo – Republic of Kosovo Albanian: Kosova – Republika e Kosovës Serbian: Косово / Kosovo – Република Косово / Republika Kosovo	B UN observer state and member of one or more related agencies Not a UN member state, but member of one or more related agencies	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in 2008 and it has received diplomatic recognition from 84 UN member states and the Republic of China. Pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, Kosovo is formally under the administration of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. Serbia continues to maintain its sovereignty claim over Kosovo. Other UN member states and non UN member states continue to recognise Serbian sovereignty or have taken no postion on the question. Kosovo is a member of the IMF and the WBG. The Republic of Kosovo has de facto control over most of the territory, with limited control in North Kosovo.
ZZZ↑ UN observer states and member states of UN Specialized Agencies ↑	B ZZZ	ZZZ
ZZZ	CD	B AAA
ZZZ↓ States with no membership to the UN or to UN specialized agencies ↓	D AAA	ZZZ
Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia Abkhaz: Аҧсны – Аҧсны Аҳәынҭқарра → Apsny – Apsny Akheyntkarra Russian: Aбхазия – Республика Абхазия → Abhaziya – Respublika Abhaziya	D No membership	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	Recognised by Russia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Vanuatu, Venezuela, South Ossetia and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
Nagorno-Karabakh – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Armenian: Լեռնային Ղարաբաղ – Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Հանրապետություն → Leṙnalin Ġarabaġ – Leṙnayin Ġarabaġi Hanrapetut‘yun	D No membership	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	A de facto independent state, recognised only by Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Azerbaijan.
Northern Cyprus – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs – Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti	D No membership	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	Recognised only by Turkey. It has participated as an observer state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation under the name "Turkish Cypriot State" since 1979. In addition, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic regards TRNC as sovereign but Azerbaijan has not followed suit. Northern Cyprus is claimed in whole by the Republic of Cyprus.
Palestine Arabic: فلسطين → Filastīn	DNo membership. Observer entity at the UN General Assembly	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	Palestine, categorised as a non-member entity by the United Nations, has observer status at United Nations General Assembly and maintains a permanent observer mission at the UN Headquarters. The unilaterally-declared State of Palestine has received diplomatic recognition from 127 states. The proclaimed state has no agreed territorial borders, or effective control on the territory that it proclaimed. In foreign relations, the State of Palestine is represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization. The Palestinian National Authority is an interim administrative body formed as a result of the Oslo Accords that exercises limited autonomous jurisdiction within the Palestinian territories.
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Arabic: الجمهورية العربية الصحراوية الديمقراطية → Al-Jumhūrīya al-`Arabīya as-Sahrāwīya ad-Dīmuqrātīya Spanish: República Árabe Saharaui Democrática	D No membership	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	Recognised by 84 other states. It is a founding member of the African Union and the Asian-African Strategic Partnership formed at the 2005 Asian-African Conference. The territories under its control, the so-called Free Zone, are claimed in whole by Morocco as part of its Southern Provinces. In turn, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic claims the part of the Western Sahara to the west of the Moroccan Wall controlled by Morocco. Its government resides in exile in Tindouf, Algeria.
Somaliland – Republic of Somaliland Somali: Soomaaliland – Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliland Arabic: أرض الصومال – جمهورية أرض الصومال → Ard as-Sūmāl – Jumhūrīyat Ard as-Sūmāl	D No membership	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	A de facto independent state, not diplomatically recognised by any other state, claimed in whole by the Somali Republic.
South Ossetia – Republic of South Ossetia Ossetian: Хуссар Ирыстон – Республикæ Хуссар Ирыстон → Khussar Iryston – Respublikæ Khussar Iryston Russian: Южная Осетия – Республика Южная Осетия → Yuzhnaya Osetiya – Respublika Yuzhnaya Osetiya	D No membership	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	A de facto independent state, recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Venezuela, Abkhazia and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Provisional Administrative Entity of South Ossetia.
Taiwan – Republic of China Chinese: 中華民國 → Zhōnghuá Mínguó	D Former UN Member (1945-1971); Member or participant in some UN-related organizations as "Chinese Taipei" (see right)	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	A state competing for recognition with the People's Republic of China as the government of China since 1949. The Republic of China controls the island of Taiwan and associated islands, Quemoy, Matsu, the Pratas and parts of the Spratly Islands, and has not renounced claims over its annexed territories on the mainland. The Republic of China is currently recognised by 23 states including the Holy See. The territory of the Republic of China is claimed in whole by the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China participates in the World Health Organization and a number of non-UN international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, International Olympic Committee and others under a variety of pseudonyms, most commonly "Chinese Taipei".
Transnistria – Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (Pridnestrovie, Trans-Dniester) Russian: Приднестровье – Приднестровская Молдавская Республика → Pridnestrovye – Pridnestrovskaya Moldavskaya Respublika Ukrainian: Придністров'я – Придністровська Молдавська Республіка → Pridnistrov'ya – Pridnistrovs'ka Moldavs'ka Respublika Romanian: Транснистрия – Република Молдовеняскэ Нистрянэ → Transnistria – Republica Moldovenească Nistreană	D No membership	B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Disputed by Northern Cyprus	A de facto independent state, recognised only by Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Claimed in whole by Moldova as the Territorial Unit of Transnistria.
ZZZ↑ States with no membership to the UN or to UN Specialized Agencies ↑	D ZZZ	ZZZ
ZZZZ	ZZZZ	ZZZZ

Criteria for inclusion

The dominant customary international law standard of statehood is the declarative theory of statehood that defines the state as a person of international law if it "possess[es] the following qualifications: (a) a permanent population; (b) a defined territory; (c) government; and (d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states." Debate exists on the degree to which recognition should be included as a criterion of statehood. The declarative theory of statehood, an example of which can be found in the Montevideo Convention, argues that statehood is purely objective and recognition of a state by other states is irrelevant. On the other end of the spectrum, the constitutive theory of statehood defines a state as a person under international law only if it is recognized as sovereign by other states. For the purposes of this list, included are all states that either:

• (a) have declared independence and are often regarded as having control over a permanently populated territory

or

• (b) are recognized as a sovereign state by at least one other sovereign state

Note that in some cases there is a divergence of opinion over the interpretation of the first point, and whether an entity satisfies it is disputed.

On the basis of the above criteria, this list includes the following 204 entities:

• 201 States recognized by at least one UN member state
• Two states that control a permanently populated territory and are recognized only by non-UN member states: Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Transnistria
• One state that controls a permanently populated territory and is not recognized by any other state: Somaliland

See also

• Sovereign state
• List of international rankings
• List of micronations
• List of sovereign states by formation date
• Lists of sovereign states by year
• Table of administrative divisions by country
• Template:Clickable world map
• Terra nullius

Bibliography

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• (1995) The World: A Third World Guide: 1995/96. Montevideo: Instituto del Tercer Mundo. ISBN 9780855982911. OCLC 476299738. 
• "Countries or areas, codes and abbreviations". Statistics Division, United Nations (1 April 2010).
• Davis, Tim (19 February 2009). "World Countries and States List". Timdavis.com.au.
• "Geographic Names". Department of Public Information, Cartographic Section, United Nations (7 September 2000).
• "ISO 3166-1 Country names and code elements". International Organization for Standardization (2010).
• "List of countries, territories and currencies". Publications Office of the European Union (4 May 2010).
• Madore, David (3 August 2003). "How many countries are there in the world?". Madore.org.
• "The World Factbook". Central Intelligence Agency (2010).
• World of Information (Firm), and International Chamber of Commerce (2003). Middle East Review 2003/04: The Economic and Business Report, 27th, London: Kogan Page, 161. ISBN 9780749440664. OCLC 51992589.