List of sovereign states

"List of nations" redirects here. For other country lists, see Lists of countries and territories. For other national lists, see Lists of nations. For non-sovereign dependencies, see Dependent territory.

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 is divided into two parts. It is arranged alphabetically, and contains 203 entries, as of 2011:

1. The internationally-recognized sovereign states section lists 193 states, consisting of all member states of the United Nations and Vatican City.
2. The other states section lists 10 states which have de facto sovereignty or independence, but are not widely recognised diplomatically by 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.

Internationally-recognized sovereign states

Name in English, and the official, national, and other important languages of the state	Information on status and recognition of sovereignty
A
Abkhazia → Other states
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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Albania – Republic of Albania Albanian: Shqipëria – Republika e Shqipërisë	Widely recognized member of the UN.
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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Andorra – Principality of Andorra Catalan: Andorra – Principat d’Andorra	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Antigua and Barbuda English: Antigua and Barbuda	Widely recognized member of the UN. Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth realm with 1 autonomous region, Barbuda.
Argentina – Argentine Republic Spanish: Argentina – República Argentina	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Armenia is not recognised by one UN member: Pakistan.
Australia – Commonwealth of Australia English: Australia – Commonwealth of Australia	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Austria is a federation of 9 states (Bundesländer).
Azerbaijan – Republic of Azerbaijan Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan – Azərbaycan Respublikası	Widely recognized member of the UN. Azerbaijan contains 2 autonomous regions, Nakhchivan and Nagorno-Karabakh (Dağlıq Qarabağ). In Nagorno-Karabakh, a de facto state has been established (see Other states).
B
Bahamas – Commonwealth of The Bahamas English: The Bahamas – Commonwealth of The Bahamas	Widely recognized member of the UN. The Bahamas is a Commonwealth realm.
Bahrain – Kingdom of Bahrain Arabic: البحرين – مملكة البحرين → Al Baḩrayn – Mamlakat al Baḩrayn	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Bangladesh – People's Republic of Bangladesh Bengali: বাংলাদেশ – গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ → Bāṁlādesh – Gaṇaprajātantrī Bāṁlādesh	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Barbados English: Barbados	Widely recognized member of the UN. Barbados is a Commonwealth realm.
Belarus – Republic of Belarus Belarusian: Беларусь – Рэспубліка Беларусь → Bielarus' – Respublika Bielarus' Russian: Беларусь  – Республика Беларусь → Belarus' – Respublika Belarus'	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium Dutch: België – Koninkrijk België French: Belgique – Royaume de Belgique German: Belgien – Königreich Belgien	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Belgium is a federation divided into linguistic communities and regions.
Belize English: Belize	Widely recognized member of the UN. Belize is a Commonwealth realm.
Benin – Republic of Benin French: Bénin – République du Bénin	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ་ – འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་ཁབ་ → Druk Yul – Druk Gyalkhap	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Bolivia – Plurinational State of Bolivia Spanish: Bolivia – Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia Aymara: Wuliwya – Wuliwya Suyu Guaraní: Volíviacode: grn promoted to code: gn  – Tetã Volíviacode: grn promoted to code: gn Quechua: Buliwya – Buliwya Mama Llaqta	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnian: Bosna i Hercegovina Serbian: Босна и Херцеговина → Bosna i Hercegovina Croatian: Bosna i Hercegovina	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Brazil – Federative Republic of Brazil Portuguese: Brasil – República Federativa do Brasil	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Brunei claims sovereignty over part of the Spratly Islands.
Bulgaria – Republic of Bulgaria Bulgarian: [България]  – [Република България] → Bǎlgarija – Republika Bǎlgarija	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Burkina Faso French: Burkina Faso	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Burma – Republic of the Union of Myanmar Burmese: မန္မာ – ပည္ေထာင္စုမန္မာနုိင္ငံေတာ္ → Myanma – Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Burundi – Republic of Burundi Kirundi: Uburundi – Republika y'Uburundi French: Burundi – République du Burundi	Widely recognized member of the UN.
C
Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia Khmer: កម្ពុជា – ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រ កម្ពុជា → Kâmpŭchéa – Preăhréachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchéa	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon French: Cameroun – République du Cameroun English: Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Canada English and French: Canada	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Central African Republic French: République centrafricaine Sango: Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Chad – Republic of Chad French: Tchad – République du Tchad Arabic: تشاد – جمهوريّة تشاد → Tshād – Jumhūrīyat Tshād	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Chile – Republic of Chile Spanish: Chile – República de Chile	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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 Macao 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) → Other states
Colombia – Republic of Colombia Spanish: Colombia – República de Colombia	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Congo, Republic of the (Congo-Brazzaville) French: République du Congo	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica Spanish: Costa Rica – República de Costa Rica	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Côte d'Ivoire – Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) French: Côte d'Ivoire – République de Côte d'Ivoire	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Croatia – Republic of Croatia Croatian: Hrvatska – Republika Hrvatska	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Cuba – Republic of Cuba Spanish: Cuba – República de Cuba	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus Greek: Κύπρος – Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία → Kýpros – Kypriakí Dimokratía Turkish: Kıbrıs – Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti	Widely recognized member of the UN and 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	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
D
Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark Danish: Danmark – Kongeriget Danmark	Widely recognized member of the UN and 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica English: Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Dominican Republic Spanish: República Dominicana Taíno: Quisqueya	Widely recognized member of the UN.
E
East Timor – Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Portuguese: Timor-Leste – República Democrática de Timor-Leste Tetum: Timor Lorosa'e – Repúblika Demokrátika Timor Lorosa'e	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador Spanish: Ecuador – República del Ecuador	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Egypt – Arab Republic of Egypt Arabic: مصر –جمهوريّة مصرالعربيّة → Mişr – Jumhūrīyat Mişr al ‘Arabīyah	Widely recognized member of the UN.
El Salvador – Republic of El Salvador Spanish: El Salvador – República de El Salvador	Widely recognized member of the UN.
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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Eritrea – State of Eritrea Tigrinya: ኤርትራ – ሃግሬ ኤርትራ → Iertra – Hagere Iertra Arabic: إريتريا –دولة إرتريا → Irītrīyā – Dawlat Irītrīyā	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Estonia – Republic of Estonia Estonian: Eesti – Eesti Vabariik	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Ethiopia – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Amharic: ኢትዮጵያ – የኢትዮጵያ ፈደራላዊ ዲሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ → Ityop'iya – Ityop'iya Fe̱de̱ralawi Dimokrasiyawi Ripe̱blik	Widely recognized member of the UN. Ethiopia is a federation of 9 regions and 2 chartered cities.
F
Fiji – Republic of the Fiji Islands Fijian: Viti – Matanitu ko Viti English: Fiji – Republic of the Fiji Islands Hindustani: फ़िजी / فیجی – फ़िजी गणराज्य / فیجی رپبلک → Fijī – Fijī dvip samooh ganarajya	Widely recognized member of the UN. Fiji contains 1 autonomous region, Rotuma.
Finland – Republic of Finland Finnish: Suomi – Suomen tasavalta Swedish: Finland – Republiken Finland	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Åland is a neutral and demilitarised autonomous region of Finland.
France – French Republic French: France – République française	Widely recognized member of the UN and 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.
G
Gabon – Gabonese Republic French: Gabon – République gabonaise	Widely recognized member of the UN.
The Gambia – Republic of The Gambia English: The Gambia – Republic of The Gambia	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Georgia Georgian: საქართველო → Sak’art’velo	Widely recognized member of the UN. Georgia contains 2 autonomous regions, Adjara and Abkhazia. In Abkhazia and South Ossetia, de facto states have been formed (see Other states).
Germany – Federal Republic of Germany German: Deutschland – Bundesrepublik Deutschland	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Germany is a federation of 16 federated states (Länder).
Ghana – Republic of Ghana English: Ghana – Republic of Ghana	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Greece – Hellenic Republic Greek: Ελλάδα – Ελληνική Δημοκρατία → Elláda – Ellinikí Dimokratía Katharevousa: Ελλάς – Ελληνική Δημοκρατία → Ellás – Ellinikí Dimokratía	Widely recognized member of the UN and 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Grenada is a Commonwealth realm.
Guatemala – Republic of Guatemala Spanish: Guatemala – República de Guatemala	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Guinea – Republic of Guinea French: Guinée – République de Guinée	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Guinea-Bissau – Republic of Guinea-Bissau Portuguese: Guiné-Bissau – República da Guiné-Bissau	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Guyana – Co-operative Republic of Guyana English: Guyana – Co-operative Republic of Guyana	Widely recognized member of the UN. A substantial part of Guyana, from the west of the Essequibo River, is claimed by Venezuela.
H
Haiti – Republic of Haiti French: Haïti – République d’Haïti Haitian Creole: Ayiti – Repiblik d’Ayiti	Widely recognized member of the UN. Haiti claims the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa Island.
Holy See → Vatican City
Honduras – Republic of Honduras Spanish: Honduras – República de Honduras	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Hungary – Republic of Hungary Hungarian: Magyarország – Magyar Köztársaság	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
I
Iceland – Republic of Iceland Icelandic: Ísland – Lýðveldið Ísland	Widely recognized member of the UN.
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 – ભારતીય 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Iraq – Republic of Iraq Arabic: العراق – جمهورية العراق → Al ʿIrāq – Jumhūrīyat al ʿIrāq Kurdish: عێراق – كۆماری عێراق → ʿÎraq – Komara Îraqę	Widely recognized member of the UN. Iraq is a federation of 18 governorates, 3 of which make up the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan.
Ireland English: Ireland Irish: Éire	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Israel – State of Israel Hebrew: ישראל – מדינת ישראל → Yisra'el – Medinat Yisra'el Arabic: إسرائيل – دولة إسرائيل → Isrā'īl – Dawlat Isrā'īl	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Italy has 5 autonomous regions, Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.
Ivory Coast → Côte d'Ivoire
J
Jamaica English: Jamaica	Widely recognized member of the UN. Jamaica is a Commonwealth realm.
Japan Japanese: 日本 – 日本国 → Nihon/Nippon – Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
K
Kazakhstan – Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakh: Қазақстан – Қазақстан Республикасы → Qazaqstan – Qazaqstan Respūblīkasy Russian: Казахстан – Республика Казахстан → Kazahstan – Respublika Kazahstan	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Kenya – Republic of Kenya English: Kenya – Republic of Kenya Swahili: Kenya – Jamhuri ya Kenya	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Kiribati – Republic of Kiribati Gilbertese: Kiribati – Ribaberiki Kiribati English: Kiribati – Republic of Kiribati	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Korea, North – Democratic People's Republic of Korea Korean: 조선 – 조선민주주의인민공화국 → Chosŏn – Chosŏn-minjujuŭi-inmin-konghwaguk	Widely recognised member of the UN. 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	Widely recognised member of the UN. South Korea contains 1 autonomous region, Jeju-do. South Korea is not recognised by one UN member: North Korea.
Kosovo → Other states
Kuwait – State of Kuwait Arabic: الكويت – دولة الكويت → Al Kuwayt – Dawlat al Kuwayt	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz Republic Kyrgyz: Кыргызстан – Кыргыз Республикасы → Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz Respublikasy Russian: Кыргызстан – Кыргызская Республика → Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyzskaya Respublika	Widely recognized member of the UN.
L
Laos – Lao People's Democratic Republic Lao: ລາວ – ສາທາລະນະລັດປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ → Lao – Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxôn Lao	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Latvia – Republic of Latvia Latvian: Latvija – Latvijas Republika	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Lebanon – Lebanese Republic Arabic: لبنان –الجمهوريّة اللبنانيّة → Lubnān – Al Jumhūrīyah al Lubnānīyah French: Liban – République libanaise	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Lesotho – Kingdom of Lesotho English: Lesotho – Kingdom of Lesotho Sotho: Lesotho – Mmuso wa Lesotho	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Liberia – Republic of Liberia English: Liberia – Republic of Liberia	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Libya – Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Arabic: ليبيا – الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الاشتراكية العظمى → Lībyā – Al Jamāhīrīyah al ‘Arabīyah al Lībīyah ash Sha‘bīyah al Ishtirākīyah al ‘Uz̧má	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Liechtenstein – Principality of Liechtenstein German: Liechtenstein – Fürstentum Liechtenstein	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Lithuania – Republic of Lithuania Lithuanian: Lietuva – Lietuvos Respublika	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Luxembourg – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuerg – Groussherzogdem Lëtzebuerg French: Luxembourg – Grand-Duché du Luxembourg German: Luxemburg – Großherzogtum Luxemburg	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
M
Macedonia – Republic of Macedonia Macedonian: Македонија – Република Македонија → Makedonija – Republika e Maqedonisë	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Malaysia Malay: Malaysia Jawi: مليسيا Chinese: 马来西亚 – Măláixīyà English: Malaysia Tamil: மலேசியா – Malēciyā	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Mali – Republic of Mali French: Mali – République du Mali	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Malta – Republic of Malta Maltese: Malta – Repubblika ta' Malta English: Malta – Republic of Malta	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Marshall Islands – Republic of the Marshall Islands Marshallese: Aelōn̄ in M̧ajeļ – Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ English: Marshall Islands – Republic of the Marshall Islands	Widely recognized member of the UN 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius English: Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius French: Île Maurice – République de Maurice Mauritian Creole: Moris – Repiblik Moris	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Mexico is a federation of 31 states and 1 federal district.
Micronesia, Federated States of English: Federated States of Micronesia	Widely recognized member of the UN 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Moldova has the autonomous regions of Gagauzia and Transnistria, the latter of which has established a de facto state (see Other states).
Monaco – Principality of Monaco French: Monaco – Principauté de Monaco Monegasque: Múnegu – Principatu de Múnegu Italian: Monaco – Principato di Monaco	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Mongolia Mongolian: Монгол улс → Mongol uls	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Montenegro Montenegrin: Црна Гораcode: srp promoted to code: sr → Crna Gora	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Morocco – Kingdom of Morocco Arabic: المغرب – المملكة المغربية → Al Maghrib – Al Mamlakah al Maghribīyah	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Myanmar → Burma
N
Nagorno-Karabakh → Other states
Namibia – Republic of Namibia English: Namibia – Republic of Namibia	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Nauru – Republic of Nauru Nauruan: Naoero – Ripublik Naoero English: Nauru – Republic of Nauru	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Nepal – Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Nepali: नेपाल – संघिय लोकतन्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल → Nepāl – Saṁghīya Loktāntrik Gaṇatantra Nepāl	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN and 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, Saint 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. New Zealand is a Commonwealth realm and has responsibilities for two freely associated states: Cook Islands Niue Both of the above have established independent foreign relations with a number of states. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Nicaragua contains 2 autonomous regions, Atlántico Sur and Atlántico Norte.
Niger – Republic of Niger French: Niger – République du Niger Hausa: Nijar – Jamhuriyar Nijar	Widely recognized member of the UN.
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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Nigeria is a federation of 36 states and 1 federal territory.
Northern Cyprus → Other states
North Korea → Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Norway – Kingdom of Norway Bokmål: Norge – Kongeriket Norge Nynorsk: Noreg – Kongeriket Noreg	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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.
O
Oman – Sultanate of Oman Arabic: عُمان – سلطنة عُمان → ʿUmān – Salţanat ʿUmān	Widely recognized member of the UN.
P
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 Persian: پاکستان - جمهوری اسلامی پاکستان	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN under Compact of Free Association with the United States.
Palestine → Other states
Panama – Republic of Panama Spanish: Panamá – República de Panamá	Widely recognized member of the UN.
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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth realm with 1 autonomous region, Bougainville.
Paraguay – Republic of Paraguay Guarani: Paraguaycode: grn promoted to code: gn  – Tetã Paraguáicode: grn promoted to code: gn Spanish: Paraguay – República del Paraguay	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Persia → Iran
Peru – Republic of Peru Spanish: Perú – República del Perú Aymara: Piruw – Piruw Republika Quechua: Piruw – Piruw Suyu	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Philippines – Republic of the Philippines Filipino and Tagalog: Pilipinas – Republika ng Pilipinas English: Philippines – Republic of the Philippines Spanish: Filipinas – República de Filipinas	Widely recognized member of the UN. The Philippines contains 1 autonomous region, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Portugal – Portuguese Republic Portuguese: Portugal – República Portuguesa Mirandese: Pertual – República Pertuesa	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Portugal contains 2 autonomous regions, Azores and Madeira. Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over Olivenza and Táliga.
Pridnestrovie → Other states, Transnistria
Q
Qatar – State of Qatar Arabic: قطر – دولة قطر → Qaţar – Dawlat Qaţar	Widely recognized member of the UN.
R
Romania Romanian: România Hungarian: Románia	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Russia – Russian Federation Russian: Россия – Российская Федерация → Rossiya – Rossiyskaya Federaciya	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
S
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic → Other states
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis English: Saint Kitts and Nevis – Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis	Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Kitts and Nevis is a Commonwealth realm and is a federation of 14 parishes.
Saint Lucia English: Saint Lucia	Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth realm.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines English: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
San Marino – Republic of San Marino Italian: San Marino – Repubblica di San Marino	Widely recognized member of the UN.
São Tomé and Príncipe – Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Portuguese: São Tomé e Príncipe – República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Senegal – Republic of Senegal French: Sénégal – République du Sénégal	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Serbia – Republic of Serbia Serbian: Србија – Република Србија → Srbija – Republika Srbija	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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 (see Other states).
Seychelles – Republic of Seychelles English: Seychelles – Republic of Seychelles French: Seychelles – République des Seychelles Seselwa: Sesel – Repiblik Sesel	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Slovakia – Slovak Republic Slovak: Slovensko – Slovenská republika Hungarian: Szlovákia – Szlovák Köztársaság	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Slovenia – Republic of Slovenia Slovenian: Slovenija – Republika Slovenija Italian: Slovenia – Repubblica slovena Hungarian: Szlovénia – a Szlovén Köztársaság	Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.
Solomon Islands English: Solomon Islands	Widely recognized member of the UN. The Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm.
Somalia – Somali Republic Somali: Soomaaliya – Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya Arabic: الصومال – جمهورية الصومال → Aş Şūmāl – Jumhūrīyat aş Şūmāl	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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 which the TFG does not recognise), while Somaliland has formed an unrecognised de facto state (see Other states).
Somaliland → Other states
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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
South Korea → Korea, Republic of
South Ossetia → Other states
Spain – Kingdom of Spain Spanish: España – Reino de España Asturian: España – Reinu d’España Basque: Espainia – Espainiako Erresuma Catalan: Espanya – Regne d'Espanya Galician: España – Reino de España Occitan: Espanha – Reialme d'Espanha	Widely recognized member of the UN and 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 disputes British 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Formerly known as Ceylon.
Sudan – Republic of the Sudan Arabic: السودان – جمهورية السودان → As Sūdān – Jumhūrīyat as Sūdān English: Sudan – Republic of the Sudan	Widely recognized member of the UN. Sudan is a federation of 25 states, 10 of which form the autonomous region of Southern Sudan, which is scheduled to become independent in July 2011.
Suriname – Republic of Suriname Dutch: Suriname – Republiek Suriname	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Swaziland – Kingdom of Swaziland English: Swaziland – Kingdom of Swaziland Swazi: eSwatini – Umbuso weSwatini	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Sweden – Kingdom of Sweden Swedish: Sverige – Konungariket Sverige	Widely recognized member of the UN and 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Switzerland is a federation of 26 cantons.
Syria – Syrian Arab Republic Arabic: سورية – الجمهوريّة العربيّة السّوريّة → Sūrīyah – Al Jumhūrīyah al ‘Arabīyah as Sūrīyah	Widely recognized member of the UN. Israel occupies the Golan Heights. Syria disputed the Turkish sovereignty over Hatay Province.
T
Taiwan (Republic of China) → Other states
Tajikistan – Republic of Tajikistan Tajik: Тоҷикистон – Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон → Tojikiston – Jumhurii Tojikiston	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Tanzania contains 1 autonomous region, Zanzibar.
Thailand – Kingdom of Thailand Thai: ประเทศไทย – ราชอาณาจักรไทย → Prathet Thai – Ratcha Anachak Thai	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Timor-Leste → East Timor
Togo – Togolese Republic French: Togo – République togolaise	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Tonga – Kingdom of Tonga Tongan: Tonga – Pule'anga Tonga English: Tonga – Kingdom of Tonga	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Transnistria → Other states
Trinidad and Tobago – Republic of Trinidad and Tobago English: Trinidad and Tobago – Republic of Trinidad and Tobago	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Turkey – Republic of Turkey Turkish: Türkiye – Türkiye Cumhuriyeti	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Turkmenistan Turkmenian: Türkmenistan	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Tuvalu Tuvaluan and English: Tuvalu	Widely recognized member of the UN. Tuvalu is a Commonwealth realm.
U
Uganda – Republic of Uganda English: Uganda – Republic of Uganda Swahili: Uganda – Jamhuri ya Uganda	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Ukraine Ukrainian: Україна → Ukraina Russian: Украина → Ukraina	Widely recognized member of the UN. Ukraine contains 1 autonomous region, Crimea.
United Arab Emirates Arabic: اَلإمَارَات – اَلإمَارَات اَلْعَرَبِيَّة اَلْمُتَّحِدَة → Al Imārāt – Al Imārāt al ‘Arabīyah al Muttaḩidah	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN and 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 (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	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Uzbekistan – Republic of Uzbekistan Uzbek: Ўзбекистон – Ўзбекистон Республикаси → O'zbekiston – O‘zbekiston Respublikasi	Widely recognized member of the UN. Uzbekistan contains 1 autonomous region, Karakalpakstan.
V
Vanuatu – Republic of Vanuatu Bislama: Vanuatu – Ripablik blong Vanuatu English: Vanuatu – Republic of Vanuatu French: Vanuatu – République du Vanuatu	Widely recognized member of the UN.
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	Widely recognized sovereign state. 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". 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).
Venezuela – Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Spanish: Venezuela – República Bolivariana de Venezuela	Widely recognized member of the UN. 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	Widely recognized member of the UN. Vietnam claims sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands.
W
X
Y
Yemen – Republic of Yemen Arabic: اليمن – الجمهوريّة اليمنية → Al Yaman – Al Jumhūrīyah al Yamanīyah	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Z
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	Widely recognized member of the UN.
Zimbabwe – Republic of Zimbabwe English: Zimbabwe – Republic of Zimbabwe Ndebele: Zimbabwe – iRiphabliki ye Zimbabwe	Widely recognized member of the UN.

Other states

Further information: List of states with limited recognition

This annex lists states seeking official statehood and wider recognition. They have control over (part of or all of) their claimed territory, but due to disputes over their legitimacy, do not have normal diplomatic relations with many states. None of the states in this annex list are UN member states.

Name in English and the official languages of the state	Information on status and recognition of sovereignty
Abkhazia – Republic of Abkhazia Abkhaz: Аҧсны – Аҧсны Аҳәынҭқарра → Apsny – Apsny Akheyntkarra Russian: Aбхазия – Республика Абхазия → Abhaziya – Respublika Abhaziya	A de facto independent state recognised by Russia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Venezuela, South Ossetia and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
Kosovo – Republic of Kosovo Albanian: Kosova – Republika e Kosovës Serbian: Косово / Kosovo – Република Косово / Republika Kosovo	A de facto independent state that is recognised by 75 UN member states and by the Republic of China. Claimed in whole by Serbia as part of its Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. Republic of Kosovo has de facto control over most of the territory, with limited control in North Kosovo.
Nagorno-Karabakh – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Armenian: Լեռնային Ղարաբաղ – Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Հանրապետություն → Leṙnalin Ġarabaġ – Leṙnayin Ġarabaġi Hanrapetut‘yun	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	A de facto independent state that is recognised only by Turkey. It has participated as an observer state of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference 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	Palestine, categorised under "other entities", 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 over 110 countries; the exact number is unknown due to the equivocal nature of many declarations of acknowledgment. The proclaimed state has no agreed territorial borders, nor effective control on the territory which 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 over parts of the West Bank, while the Gaza Strip is controlled by Hamas.
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Arabic: الجمهورية العربية الصحراوية الديمقراطية → Al-Jumhūrīya al-`Arabīya as-Sahrāwīya ad-Dīmuqrātīya Spanish: República Árabe Saharaui Democrática	State recognised by 81 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	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	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	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	A de facto independent state, recognised only by Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Claimed in whole by Moldova as the Territorial Unit of Transnistria.

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 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 are included all states which 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 203 entities:

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

See also

• 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
• Terra nullius

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