List of sovereign states

2008/9 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Geography

This list of sovereign states, alphabetically arranged, gives an overview of states around the world with information on the extent of their sovereignty. It includes both states widely recognized ( de jure) to be sovereign and entities that claim sovereignty while exercising de facto control over (part of) their claimed territory.

Criteria for inclusion

This list derives its definition of a sovereign state from Article 1 of the Montevideo Convention of 1933. According to the Convention, a sovereign state should 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. In respect of the last qualification, the role of recognition by other states can often be crucial since it implies acceptance into the international community. The list includes all states that satisfy these criteria and claim independence; however, the aforementioned qualifications are not absolute and permit variations.

On the basis of the above criteria, this list includes the following 203 entities:

Entities considered to be micronations that are not internationally recognized are not included. Unlisted are the following noteworthy entities that do not possess all the qualifications in the Montevideo Convention:

  • two states, in free association with New Zealand and represented in most matters by that country: Niue and the Cook Islands.
  • one entity, a UN observer member, recognized by 96 states, but with extraterritorial areas within Rome is the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
  • one state, never a UN member, only ever briefly recognized by the Republic of Georgia, with all of its claimed territory under military occupation, the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
  • The European Union, a sui generis supranational organization which currently has 27 member countries. The member countries transferred part of their legislative, executive, and judicial powers to the institutions of the EU; therefore, it has some characteristics of a sovereign state, without generally being considered a sovereign state.
  • Parts of Antarctica are claimed by a few nations.

The listing or placement of any entity in this article is not meant to imply an official position in any naming dispute.

Internationally recognized sovereign states

This list is complete and up-to-date as of June 8, 2008.
Name in English and the official languages of the state Information on the extent of the sovereignty

A


Abkhazia Other states

Flag of Afghanistan Afghanistan - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
  • Persian: افغانستان - جمهوری اسلامی افغانستان
Afġānestān - Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Afġānistān
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Albania Albania - Republic of Albania
  • Albanian: Shqipëria - Republika e Shqipërise
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Algeria 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.

Flag of Andorra Andorra - Principality of Andorra
  • Catalan: Andorra - Principat d’Andorra
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Angola Angola - Republic of Angola
  • Portuguese: Angola - República de Angola
Widely recognized member of the UN. A separatist government in exile claims independence for Cabinda

Flag of Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda - Antigua and Barbuda
  • English - Antigua and Barbuda
Widely recognized member of the UN. Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth Realm and has a division (dependency), Barbuda, with a autonomous status.

Flag of Argentina Argentina - Argentine Republic
  • Spanish: Argentina - República Argentina
Widely recognized member of the UN. Argentina is a federation divided in provinces and one federal district. Argentine claims also sovereignty over the British overseas territories of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Flag of Armenia Armenia - Republic of Armenia
  • Armenian: Հայաստան - Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն
Hayastan - Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Australia Australia - Commonwealth of Australia
  • English: Australia - Commonwealth of Australia
Widely recognized member of the UN. Australia is a Commonwealth Realm and a federation of states and territories. Australia has sovereignty over:

Flag of Austria Austria - Republic of Austria
  • German: Österreich - Republik Österreich
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Austria is a federation divided in states (Bundesländer).

Flag of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan - Republic of Azerbaijan
  • Azeri: Azərbaycan - Azərbaycan Respublikası
Widely recognized member of the UN. Azerbaijan has one autonomous republic, Flag of Nakhchivan  Nakhchivan, and the autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh (Dağlıq Qarabağ,). In Nagorno Karabakh a de facto country in the de jure territory of Azerbaijan has been established.

B


Flag of the Bahamas The Bahamas - Commonwealth of The Bahamas
  • English: The Bahamas - Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Bahamas is a Commonwealth Realm.

Flag of Bahrain Bahrain - Kingdom of Bahrain
  • Arabic: البحرين - مملكة البحرين
al-Baḥrayn - Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Bangladesh Bangladesh - People's Republic of Bangladesh
  • Bengali: বাংলাদেশ - গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ
Banglādeś - Gônoprojatontri Banglādeś
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Barbados Barbados
  • English: Barbados
Widely recognized member of the UN. Barbados is a Commonwealth Realm.

Flag of Belarus Belarus - Republic of Belarus
  • Belarusian: Беларусь - Рэспубліка Беларусь
Bjelarúś - Respublika Bjelarúś
  • Russian: Белоруссия - Республика Беларусь
Belorussiya - Respublika Belarus
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Belgium 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 in linguistic communities and regions.

Flag of Belize Belize
  • English: Belize
Widely recognized member of the UN. Belize is a Commonwealth Realm.

Flag of Benin Benin - Republic of Benin
  • French: Bénin - République du Bénin
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Bhutan Bhutan - Kingdom of Bhutan
  • Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ - འབྲུག་ རྒྱལ་ཁབ་
Druk Yul - Druk Gyal-khab
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Bolivia Bolivia - Republic of Bolivia
  • Spanish: Bolivia - República de Bolivia
  • Quechua: Bulibiya - Bulibiya Mama Llaqta
  • Aymara: Wuliwya - Wuliwya Suyu
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bosnian and Croatian: Bosna i Hercegovina
  • Serbian: Босна и Херцеговина / Bosna i Hercegovina
Widely recognized member of the UN. As a result of the Dayton Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided into two constituent entities, the Flag of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina  Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Flag of Republika Srpska  Republika Srpska.

Flag of Botswana Botswana - Republic of Botswana
  • Tswana: Botswana - Lefatshe la Botswana
  • English: Botswana - Republic of Botswana
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Brazil Brazil - Federative Republic of Brazil
  • Portuguese: Brasil - República Federativa do Brasil
Widely recognized member of the UN. Brasil is a federation divided in states and one federal district.

Flag of Brunei Brunei - Negara Brunei Darussalam
  • Malay: Brunei - Negara Brunei Darussalam
Widely recognized member of the UN. Brunei claims sovereignty over part of the Spratly Islands.

Flag of Bulgaria Bulgaria - Republic of Bulgaria
  • Bulgarian: България - Република България
Bălgarija - Republika Bălgarija
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of Burkina Faso Burkina Faso - Burkina Faso
  • French: Burkina Faso
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Burma Burma - Union of Myanmar (Burma)
  • Burmese: ဴမန္မာ
Myan-ma - Pyi-daung-zu Myan-ma Naing-ngan-daw
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Burundi Burundi - Republic of Burundi
  • Kirundi: Uburundi - Republika y'Uburundi
  • French: Burundi - République du Burundi
Widely recognized member of the UN.

C


Flag of Cambodia Cambodia - Kingdom of Cambodia
  • Cambodian: កម្ពុជា - ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រ កម្ពុជា
Kampuchea - Preah Reachea Nachakr Kampuchea
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Cameroon Cameroon - Republic of Cameroon
  • French: Cameroun - République du Cameroun
  • English: Cameroon - Republic of Cameroon
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Canada Canada
  • English and French: Canada
Widely recognized member of the UN. Canada is a Commonwealth Realm and a federation divided into provinces and territories.

Flag of Cape Verde Cape Verde - Republic of Cape Verde
  • Portuguese: Cabo Verde - República de Cabo Verde
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of the Central African Republic Central African Republic
  • French: République Centrafricaine
  • Sangho: Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Chad Chad - Republic of Chad
  • French: Tchad - République du Tchad
  • Arabic: تشاد - جمهوريّة تشاد
Tašād - Jumhūriyyat Tašād
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Chile Chile - Republic of Chile
  • Spanish: Chile - República de Chile
Widely recognized member of the UN. Easter Island is an integral part of Chile.

Flag of the People's Republic of China China - People's Republic of China
  • Chinese: 中国 - 中华人民共和国
Zhōngguó - Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó
Widely recognized member of the UN. Commonly known as China, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has five autonomous regions: Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Tibet.

Additionally, it has sovereignty over the Special Administrative Regions of

It claims sovereignty over Taiwan (Republic of China; ROC) (which claims sovereignty over the whole of China), the Paracel Islands (disputed by the ROC and Vietnam), the Spratly Islands (disputed by the ROC, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei), and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Kashmir. Tibet and East Turkestan (Xinjiang) have separatist governments in exile.


China, Republic of Other states

Flag of Colombia Colombia - Republic of Colombia
  • Spanish: Colombia - República de Colombia
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of the Comoros Comoros - Union of the Comoros
  • Komori: Komori - Udzima wa Komori
  • French: Comores - Union des Comores
  • Arabic: القمر - اتحاد القمر
Al-Qumur - Ittihād al-Qumur
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Comoros is a federation with autonomous islands. The Comoros dispute the French sovereignty over Mayotte and the Glorioso Islands.

Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Congo - Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa)
  • French: Congo - République Démocratique du Congo
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of the Republic of the Congo Congo - Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)
  • French: Congo - République du Congo
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Cook Islands New Zealand

Flag of Costa Rica Costa Rica - Republic of Costa Rica
  • Spanish: Costa Rica - República de Costa Rica
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Côte d'Ivoire 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.

Flag of Croatia Croatia - Republic of Croatia
  • Croatian: Hrvatska - Republika Hrvatska
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Cuba Cuba - Republic of Cuba
  • Spanish: Cuba - República de Cuba
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Cuban area of Guantánamo Bay is as the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base under the permanent control (with no claim of sovereignty) of the United States which pays rent under terms of treaties with Cuba.

Flag of Cyprus Cyprus - Republic of Cyprus
  • Greek: Κυπρος - Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία
Kypros - Kipriakí Dimokratía
  • Turkish: Kıbrıs - Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. See Northern Cyprus for the de facto state in the de jure territory of Cyprus.

Flag of the Czech Republic Czech Republic
  • Czech: Česko - Česká republika
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

D


Flag of Denmark Denmark - Kingdom of Denmark
  • Danish: Danmark - Kongeriget Danmark
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

The Kingdom of Denmark includes also two autonomous provinces. For more information, see Rigsfællesskabet.


Flag of Djibouti Djibouti - Republic of Djibouti
  • French: Djibouti - République de Djibouti
  • Arabic: جيبوتي - جمهورية جيبوتي
Jībūtī - Jumhūrīyat Jībūtī
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Dominica Dominica - Commonwealth of Dominica
  • English: Dominica - Commonwealth of Dominica
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of the Dominican Republic Dominican Republic
  • Spanish: República Dominicana
Widely recognized member of the UN.

E


Flag of East Timor East Timor - Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
  • Tetum: Timor Lorosa'e - Repúblika Demokrátika Timor Lorosa'e
  • Portuguese: Timor-Leste - República Democrática de Timor-Leste
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Ecuador Ecuador - Republic of Ecuador
  • Spanish: Ecuador - República del Ecuador
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Egypt Egypt - Arab Republic of Egypt
  • Arabic: مصر - جمهوريّة مصرالعربيّة
Mişr - Jumhūriyyat Mişr al-`Arabiyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of El Salvador El Salvador - Republic of El Salvador
  • Spanish: El Salvador - República de El Salvador
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea - Republic of Equatorial Guinea
  • Spanish: Guinea Ecuatorial - Républica de Guinea Ecuatorial
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Eritrea Eritrea - State of Eritrea
  • Tigrinya: ኤርትራ - ሃግሬ ኤርትራ
Ertra - Hagere Ertra
  • Arabic: إرتريا - دولة إرتريا
Iritriyā - Dawlat Iritriyā
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Estonia Estonia - Republic of Estonia
  • Estonian: Eesti - Eesti Vabariik
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of Ethiopia Ethiopia - Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
  • Amharic: ኢትዮጵያ - የኢትዮጵያ ፈደራላዊ ዲሞክራሲያዊ ሪፐብሊክ
Ityop'iya - Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik
Widely recognized member of the UN. Ethiopia is a federation divided in regions and chartered cities.

F


Flag of Fiji Fiji - Republic of the Fiji Islands
  • Fijian: Viti - Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti
  • English: Fiji - Republic of the Fiji Islands
  • Hindustani: फ़िजी / فِجی - फ़िजी गणराज्य / فِجی رپبلک
Fijī - Fijī Ripablik
Widely recognized member of the UN. Fiji has an autonomous region (dependency), Rotuma.

Flag of Finland Finland - Republic of Finland
  • Finnish: Suomi - Suomen Tasavalta
  • Swedish: Finland - Republiken Finland
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Flag of Åland Islands Åland is a neutral and demilitarised autonomous region of Finland..

Flag of France France - French Republic
  • French: France - République française
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. The French overseas regions/departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion) are legally part of France and France possesses the uninhabited Clipperton Island. The French sovereignty includes also the overseas territories of

G


Flag of Gabon Gabon - Gabonese Republic
  • French: Gabon - République Gabonaise
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of The Gambia The Gambia - Republic of The Gambia
  • English: The Gambia - Republic of The Gambia
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Georgia (country) Georgia
  • Georgian: საქართველო
Sak’art’velo
Widely recognized member of the UN. Georgia has three divisions with an autonomous status, Flag of Adjara  Adjara, Flag of Abkhazia Abkhazia and Flag of South Ossetia South Ossetia. Both in Abkhazia and South Ossetia de facto states inside the de jure territory of Georgia have been formed.

Flag of Germany Germany - Federal Republic of Germany
  • German: Deutschland - Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Germany is a federation divided in states (Länder).

Flag of Ghana Ghana - Republic of Ghana
  • English: Ghana - Republic of Ghana
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Greece Greece - Hellenic Republic
  • Greek: Ελλάδα - Ελληνική Δημοκρατία
Elláda - Ellinikí Dimokratía
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of Grenada Grenada
  • English: Grenada
Widely recognized member of the UN. Grenada is a Commonwealth Realm.

Flag of Guatemala Guatemala - Republic of Guatemala
  • Spanish: Guatemala - República de Guatemala
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Guinea Guinea - Republic of Guinea
  • French: Guinée - République de Guinée
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau - Republic of Guinea-Bissau
  • Portuguese: Guiné-Bissau - República da Guiné-Bissau
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Guyana Guyana - Co-operative Republic of Guyana
  • English: Guyana - Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Widely recognized member of the UN.

H


Flag of Haiti Haiti - Republic of Haiti
  • French: Haïti - République d'Haïti
  • Haitian Creole: Ayiti - Repiblik dAyiti
Widely recognized member of the UN. Haiti claims the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa.

Flag of Honduras Honduras - Republic of Honduras
  • Spanish: Honduras - República de Honduras
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Hungary Hungary - Republic of Hungary
  • Hungarian: Magyarország - Magyar Köztársaság
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

I


Flag of Iceland Iceland - Republic of Iceland
  • Icelandic: Ísland - Lýðveldið Ísland
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of India India - Republic of India
  • Hindi: भारत - भारत गणराज्य
Bhārat - Bhārat Ganarājya
  • English: India - Republic of India
Widely recognized member of the UN. India is a federation divided in states and union territories. The Indian sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh is disputed by the People's Republic of China. India claims sovereignty over and occupies part of Kashmir.

Flag of Indonesia Indonesia - Republic of Indonesia
  • Indonesian: Indonesia - Republik Indonesia
Widely recognized member of the UN. Indonesia has four provinces with special status, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, Yogyakarta Special Region, Papua, and Jakarta Special Capital Region. Separatist governments in exile claim independence for the Republic of the South Moluccas and the Republic of West Papua

Flag of Iran Iran - Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Persian: ایران - جمهوری اسلامی ایران
Īrān - Jomhūri-ye Eslāmi-ye Īrān
Widely recognized member of the UN. Divided into provinces and counties

Flag of Iraq Iraq - Republic of Iraq
  • Arabic: العراق - جمهورية العراق
Al-ʿIrāq - Jumhūrīyat Al-`Irāq
  • Kurdish: عێراق - كۆماری عێراق
ʿÎraq - Komara `Îraqê
Widely recognized member of the UN. Iraq's constitution labels the country as a federation divided in regions, governorates and the capital district. At present the only region is Iraqi Kurdistan.

Flag of Ireland Ireland - Ireland
  • Irish: Éire
  • English: Ireland
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of Israel Israel - State of Israel
  • Hebrew: ישראל - מדינת ישראל
Yisra'el - Medinat Yisra'el
  • Arabic: اسرائيل - دولة اسرائيل
Isrā'īl - Dawlat Isrā'īl
Widely recognized member of the UN. Israel occupies the Syrian Golan Heights and parts of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It has supervision over the partially occupied Palestinian territories. These occupations are internationally not recognized. See for more information also Palestine.

Flag of Italy Italy - Italian Republic
  • Italian: Italia - Repubblica Italiana
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Italy has autonomous regions, Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.

Ivory Coast Côte d'Ivoire

J


Flag of Jamaica Jamaica
  • English: Jamaica
Widely recognized member of the UN. Jamaica is a Commonwealth Realm.

Flag of Japan Japan - State of Japan
  • Japanese: 日本 - 日本国
Nihon/Nippon - Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Jordan Jordan - Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
  • Arabic: الاردن - المملكة الأردنّيّة الهاشميّة
Al-Urdunn - Al-Mamlakah al-Urdunniyyah al-Hāshimiyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN.

K


Flag of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan - Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Kazakh: Қазақстан - Қазақстан Республикасы
Qazaqstan - Qazaqstan Respūblīkasy
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Kenya Kenya - Republic of Kenya
  • English: Kenya - Republic of Kenya
  • Swahili: Kenya - Jamhuri ya Kenya
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Kiribati Kiribati - Republic of Kiribati
  • Gilbertese: Kiribati - Ribaberikin Kiribati
  • English: Kiribati - Republic of Kiribati
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of North Korea Korea, North - Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
  • Korean: 조선 - 조선민주주의인민공화국
Chosŏn - Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of South Korea Korea, South - Republic of Korea (South Korea)
  • Korean: 한국 - 대한민국
Hanguk - Daehan Minguk
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Kosovo Other states

Flag of Kuwait Kuwait - State of Kuwait
  • Arabic: الكويت - دولة الكويت
Al-Kuwayt - Dawlat al-Kuwayt
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyz Republic
  • Kyrgyz: Кыргызстан - Кыргыз Республикасы
Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyz Respublikasy
  • Russian: Кыргызстан - Кыргызская республика
Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyzskaya respublika
Widely recognized member of the UN.

L


Flag of Laos Laos - Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • Laotian: ນລາວ - ສາທາລະນະລັດປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ
Lao - Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Latvia Latvia - Republic of Latvia
  • Latvian: Latvija - Latvijas Republika
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of Lebanon Lebanon - Republic of Lebanon
  • Arabic: لبنان - الجمهوريّة البنانيّة
Lubnān - Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Lubnāniyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Lesotho Lesotho - Kingdom of Lesotho
  • English: Lesotho - Kingdom of Lesotho
  • Sotho: Lesotho - Mmuso wa Lesotho
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Liberia Liberia - Republic of Liberia
  • English: Liberia - Republic of Liberia
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Libya Libya - Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
  • Arabic: ليبيا - الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الإشتراكية العظمى
Lībiyā - al-Jamāhīrīyah al-‘Arabīyah al-Lībīyah ash-Sha‘bīyah al-Ishtirākīyah al-`Uzmā
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Liechtenstein Liechtenstein - Principality of Liechtenstein
  • German: Liechtenstein - Fürstentum Liechtenstein
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Lithuania Lithuania - Republic of Lithuania
  • Lithuanian: Lietuva - Lietuvos Respublika
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of Luxembourg Luxembourg - Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
  • Luxembourgian: Lëtzebuerg - Groussherzogdem Lëtzebuerg
  • French: Luxembourg - Grand-Duché du Luxembourg
  • German: Luxemburg - Großherzogtum Luxemburg
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

M


Flag of the Republic of Macedonia FYR Macedonia - (Former Yugoslav) Republic of Macedonia
  • Macedonian: Македонија - Република Македонија
Makedonija - Republika Makedonija
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Madagascar Madagascar - Republic of Madagascar
  • Malagasy: Madagasikara - Repoblikan'i Madagasikara
  • French: Madagascar - Republique de Madagascar
Widely recognized member of the UN. Madagascar claims the French possessions of the Glorioso Islands and Juan de Nova.

Flag of Malawi Malawi - Republic of Malawi
  • English: Malawi - Republic of Malawi
  • Chewa: Malaŵi - Mfuko la Malaŵi
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Malaysia Malaysia
  • Malay: Malaysia
Widely recognized member of the UN. Malaysia is a federation divided in states and federal territories. Malaysia claims part of the Spratly Islands.

Flag of the Maldives Maldives - Republic of Maldives
  • Divehi: ގުޖޭއްރާ ޔާއްރިހޫމްޖު - ހިވެދި ގުޖޭއްރާ ޔާއްރިހޫމްޖ
Divehi Rājje - Divehi Rājje ge Jumhuriyyā
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Mali Mali - Republic of Mali
  • French: Mali - République du Mali
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Malta Malta - Republic of Malta
  • Maltese: Malta - Repubblika ta' Malta
  • English: Malta - Republic of Malta
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of the Marshall Islands Marshall Islands - Republic of the Marshall Islands
  • Marshallese: Aorōkin M̧ajeļ - Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ
  • English: Marshall Islands - Republic of the Marshall Islands
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Marshall Islands claim the United States territory of Wake Island.

Flag of Mauritania Mauritania - Islamic Republic of Mauritania
  • Arabic: موريتانيا - الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية
Mūrītāniyā - l-Jumhūriyyah al-Islāmiyyah al-Mūrītāniyyah
  • French: Mauritanie - République Islamique de la Mauritanie
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Mauritius Mauritius - Republic of Mauritius
  • English: Mauritius - Republic of Mauritius
  • French: Maurice - République de Maurice
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.

Flag of Mexico Mexico - United Mexican States
  • Spanish: México - Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Widely recognized member of the UN. Mexico is a federation divided in states and one federal district.

Flag of the Federated States of Micronesia Micronesia - Federated States of Micronesia
  • English: Micronesia - Federated States of Micronesia
Widely recognized member of the UN. Micronesia is a federation divided in states.

Flag of Moldova Moldova - Republic of Moldova
  • Moldovan: Moldova - Republica Moldova
Widely recognized member of the UN. Moldova has an autonomous region, Gagauzia. See Transnistria for the de facto state inside the de jure territory of Moldova.

Flag of Monaco Monaco - Principality of Monaco
  • French: Monaco - Principauté de Monaco
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Mongolia Mongolia
  • Mongolian: Монгол Улс
Mongol Uls
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Montenegro Montenegro - Republic of Montenegro
  • Montenegrin: Црна Гора - Република Црна Гора
Crna Gora - Republika Crna Gora
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Morocco Morocco - Kingdom of Morocco
  • Arabic: المغرب - المملكة المغربية
al-Maġrib - Al-Mamlakah al-Maġribiyyah
  • French: Maroc - Royaume du Maroc
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 the Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñón de Alhucemas.

Flag of Mozambique Mozambique - Republic of Mozambique
  • Portuguese: Moçambique - República de Moçambique
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Myanmar Burma

N


Nagorno Karabakh Other states

Flag of Namibia Namibia - Republic of Namibia
  • English: Namibia - Republic of Namibia
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Nauru Nauru - Republic of Nauru
  • Nauruan: Naoero - Republik Naoero
  • English: Nauru - Republic of Nauru
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Nepal Nepal - Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
  • Nepali: नेपाल
Nepāl
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of the Netherlands The Netherlands - Kingdom of the Netherlands
  • Dutch: Nederland - Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Legally the Netherlands refers to the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the latter consisting of one European country:

and the two overseas (associated) countries:


Flag of New Zealand New Zealand
  • English: New Zealand
  • Māori: Aotearoa
Widely recognized member of the UN. New Zealand is a Commonwealth Realm and has sovereignty over the associated states of
  • Flag of the Cook Islands Cook Islands. The Cook Islands have received some diplomatic recognition
  • Flag of Niue Niue. Niue only has diplomatic relations with New Zealand.
  • Flag of Tokelau Tokelau

Flag of Nicaragua Nicaragua - Republic of Nicaragua
  • Spanish: Nicaragua - República de Nicaragua
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Niger Niger - Republic of Niger
  • French: Niger - République du Niger
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Nigeria Nigeria - Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • English: Nigeria - Federal Republic of Nigeria
Widely recognized member of the UN. Nigeria is a federation divided in states and one federal district.

Niue New Zealand

Northern Cyprus Other states

North Korea Korea, Democratic People's Republic of

Flag of Norway Norway - Kingdom of Norway
  • Norwegian: Norge - Kongeriket Norge / Noreg - Kongeriket Noreg
Widely recognized member of the UN. Svalbard is an integral part of Norway, but has a special status due to the Svalbard Treaty. The overseas uninhabited possessions of Bouvet Island and Jan Mayen are integral part of Norway. The Norwegian claim of Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land (Antarctica) as part of Norway is suspendend.

O


Flag of Oman Oman - Sultanate of Oman
  • Arabic: عُمان - سلطنة عُمان
ʿUmān - Saltanat ʿUmān
Widely recognized member of the UN.

P


Flag of Pakistan Pakistan - Islamic Republic of Pakistan
  • Urdu: پاکستان - اسلامی جمہوریۂ پاکستان
Pākistān - Islami Jumhuriyah Pākistān
  • English: Pakistan - Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Widely recognized member of the UN. Pakistan is a federation divided in provinces and territories. Pakistan claims sovereignty over and occupies part of Kashmir.

Flag of Palau Palau - Republic of Palau
  • Paluan: Belau - Beluu er a Belau
  • English: Palau - Republic of Palau
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Palestine Other states

Flag of Panama Panama - Republic of Panama
  • Spanish: Panamá - República de Panamá
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea - Independent State of Papua New Guinea
  • English: Papua New Guinea - Independent State of Papua New Guinea
  • Tok Pisin: Papua Niugini - Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini
Widely recognized member of the UN. Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth Realm and has an autonomous province, Bougainville Province.

Flag of Paraguay Paraguay - Republic of Paraguay
  • Spanish: Paraguay - República del Paraguay
  • Guarani: Paraguái - Têta Paraguái
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Peru Peru - Republic of Peru
  • Spanish: Perú - República del Perú
  • Quechua: Piruw - Piruw Mama Llaqta
  • Aymara: Piruw - Piruw Suyu
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of the Philippines Philippines - Republic of the Philippines
  • Filipino: Pilipinas - Republika ng Pilipinas
  • English: Philippines - Republic of the Philippines
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Philippines have has an autonomous region, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The Philippines claim the Spratly Islands.

Flag of Poland Poland - Republic of Poland
  • Polish: Polska - Rzeczpospolita Polska
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of Portugal Portugal - Portuguese Republic
  • Portuguese: Portugal - República Portuguesa
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Portugal has two autonomous regions, Azores and Madeira.

Pridnestrovie Other states, Transnistria

Q


Flag of Qatar Qatar - State of Qatar
  • Arabic: قطر - دولة قطر
Qatar - Dawlat Qatar
Widely recognized member of the UN.

R


Flag of Romania Romania
  • Romanian: România
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of Russia Russia - Russian Federation
  • Russian: Россия - Российская Федерация
Rossiya - Rossiyskaya Federatsiya
Widely recognized member of the UN. Russia is a federation divided in Subjects of Russia (oblasts, republics, autonomous okrugs, krays, and federal cities).
Several of the federal subjects are autonomous republics:
  • Flag of Adygea  Adygea
  • Flag of Altai Republic  Altai Republic
  • Flag of Bashkortostan  Bashkortostan
  • Flag of Buryatia  Buryatia
  • Flag of Chechnya  Chechnya
  • Flag of Chuvashia  Chuvashia
  • Flag of Dagestan  Dagestan
  • Flag of Ingushetia  Ingushetia
  • Flag of Kabardino-Balkaria  Kabardino-Balkaria
  • Flag of Kalmykia  Kalmykia
  • Flag of Karachay-Cherkessia  Karachay-Cherkessia
  • Flag of the Republic of Karelia  Karelia
  • Flag of Khakassia  Khakassia
  • Flag of the Komi Republic  Komi
  • Flag of Mari El  Mari El
  • Flag of Mordovia  Mordovia
  • Flag of North Ossetia-Alania  North Ossetia-Alania
  • Flag of the Sakha Republic  Sakha Republic
  • Flag of Tatarstan  Tatarstan
  • Flag of Tuva  Tuva
  • Flag of Udmurtia  Udmurtia

Flag of Rwanda Rwanda - Republic of Rwanda
  • KinyaRwanda: Rwanda - Repubulika y'u Rwanda
  • French: Rwanda - République du Rwanda
  • English: Rwanda - Republic of Rwanda
Widely recognized member of the UN.

S


Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis 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 the islands.

Flag of Saint Lucia Saint Lucia
  • English: Saint Lucia
Widely recognized member of the UN. Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth Realm.

Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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.

Flag of Samoa Samoa - Independent State of Samoa
  • Samoan: Sāmoa - Mālo Tuto'atasi o Sāmoa
  • English: Samoa - Independent State of Samoa
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of San Marino San Marino - Most Serene Republic of San Marino
  • Italian: San Marino - Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of São Tomé and Príncipe 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 has an autonomous province, Príncipe.

Flag of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Arabic: العربية السعودية - المملكة العربيّة السّعوديّة
Al-ʿArabiyyah as-Saʿūdiyyah - Al-Mamlakah al-'Arabiyyah as-Sa'ūdiyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Senegal Senegal - Republic of Senegal
  • French: Sénégal - République du Sénégal
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Serbia Serbia - Republic of Serbia
  • Serbian: Србија - Република Србија
Srbija - Republika Srbija
Widely recognized member of the UN. Serbia has two autonomous provinces, Kosovo and Metohija and Vojvodina. The Serbian autonomous province of Kosovo and Metohija is currently administered by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government under the supervision of the UN Interim Administration Mission. Kosovo Albanians have recently unilaterally declared independence which remains largely unrecognized.

Flag of the Seychelles Seychelles - Republic of Seychelles
  • English: Seychelles - Republic of Seychelles
  • French: Seychelles - République des Seychelles
  • Seselwa: Sesel - Repiblik Sesel
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Sechelles claim the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French Glorioso Islands and Tromelin.

Flag of Sierra Leone Sierra Leone - Republic of Sierra Leone
  • English: Sierra Leone - Republic of Sierra Leone
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Singapore Singapore - Republic of Singapore
  • English: Singapore - Republic of Singapore
  • Malay: Singapura - Republik Singapura
  • Chinese: 新加坡 - 新加坡共和国
Xīnjīapō - Xīnjīapō Gònghéguó
  • Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர் - சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு
Ciŋkappūr - Ciŋkappūr Kudiyarasu
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Slovakia Slovakia - Slovak Republic
  • Slovak: Slovensko - Slovenská republika
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of Slovenia Slovenia - Republic of Slovenia
  • Slovenian: Slovenija - Republika Slovenija
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of the Solomon Islands Solomon Islands
  • English: Solomon Islands
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth Realm.

Flag of Somalia Somalia - Somali Republic
  • Somali: Soomaaliya - Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya
  • Arabic: الصومال - جمهورية الصومال
As-Sūmāl - Jumhūriyyat aṣ-Ṣūmāl
Widely recognized member of the UN. Somalia is presently fragmented with its Transitional National Government. Somalia disputed the Yemenite sovereignty over Socotra. See Somaliland for the de facto country inside the de jure territory of Somalia.

Flag of South Africa South Africa - Republic of South Africa
  • English: South Africa - Republic of South Africa
  • Afrikaans: Suid-Afrika - Republiek van Suid-Afrika
  • Xhosa: Mzantsi Afrika - IRiphabliki yaseMzantsi Afrika
  • Zulu: Ningizimu Afrika - IRiphabliki yaseNingizimu Afrika
  • Ndbele: Sewula Afrika - IRiphabliki yeSewula Afrika
  • North Sotho: Afrika-Borwa - Rephaboliki ya Afrika-Borwa
  • Sotho: Afrika Borwa - Rephaboliki ya Afrika Borwa
  • Tswana: Aforika Borwa - Rephaboliki ya Aforika Borwa
  • Swazi: Ningizimu Afrika - IRiphabhulikhi yeNingizimu Afrika
  • Venda: Afurika Tshipembe - Riphabuḽiki ya Afurika Tshipembe
  • Tsonga: Afrika Dzonga - Riphabliki ra Afrika Dzonga
Widely recognized member of the UN.

South Korea Korea, Republic of

South Ossetia Other states

Flag of Spain Spain - Kingdom of Spain
  • Spanish: España - Reino de España
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Spain has characteristics of a federation and is divided in autonomous communities and cities, of which Andalusia, Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia have a higher degree of autonomy. The sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñón de Alhucemas is disputed by Morocco. Spain disputes the British sovereignty over Gibraltar.

Flag of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka - Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
  • Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකාව - Image:SrilankaFont.png
Sri Lanka - Sri Lankā Prajathanthrika Samajavadi Janarajaya
  • Tamil: இலங்கை - இலங்கை ஜனநாயக சமத்துவ குடியரசு
Llankai - Illankai Chananaayaka Chosalisa Kudiyarasu
Widely recognized member of the UN. Tamil Eelam has a separatist government that controls part of Sri Lanka.(see source). It strives after an independent country but has not yet declared independence.

Flag of Sudan 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 divided in states and it has one autonomous region, Southern Sudan, formed out of the Southern Sudanese states.

Flag of Suriname Suriname - Republic of Suriname
  • Dutch: Suriname - Republiek Suriname
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Swaziland Swaziland - Kingdom of Swaziland
  • English: Swaziland - Kingdom of Swaziland
  • Swazi: eSwatini - Umbuso weSwatini
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Sweden Sweden - Kingdom of Sweden
  • Swedish: Sverige - Konungariket Sverige
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Flag of Switzerland Switzerland - Swiss Confederation
  • German: Schweiz - Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft
  • French: Suisse - Confédération Suisse
  • Italian: Svizzera - Confederazione Svizzera
  • Raeto-Romance: Svizra - Confederaziun Svizra
Widely recognized member of the UN. Switzerland is a federation divided in cantons.

Flag of Syria Syria - Syrian Arab Republic
  • Arabic: سورية - الجمهوريّة العربيّة السّوريّة
Sūriyah - Al-Jumhūriyyah al-'Arabiyyah as-Sūriyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Golan is occupied by Israel. Syria disputed the Turkish sovereignty over Hatay Province.

T


Taiwan Other states

Flag of Tajikistan Tajikistan - Republic of Tajikistan
  • Tajik: Тоҷикистон - Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон
Tojikiston - Jumhurii Tojikiston
Widely recognized member of the UN. Tajikistan has an autonomous province, Gorno-Badakhshan.

Flag of Tanzania Tanzania - United Republic of Tanzania
  • Swahili: Tanzania - Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania
Widely recognized member of the UN. Tanzania is a federacy with an autonomous status for Zanzibar.

Flag of Thailand Thailand - Kingdom of Thailand
  • Thai: ประเทศไทย - ราชอาณาจักรไทย
Prathēt Thai - Rātcha Anāchak Thai
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Timor-Leste East Timor

Flag of Togo Togo - Togolese Republic
  • French: Togo - République Togolaise
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Tonga Tonga - Kingdom of Tonga
  • Tongan: Tonga - Pule'anga Fakatu'i 'o Tonga
  • English: Tonga - Kingdom of Tonga
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Transnistria Other states

Flag of Trinidad and Tobago 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 has an autonomous island, Tobago.

Flag of Tunisia Tunisia - Tunisian Republic
  • Arabic: تونس - الجمهورية التونسية
Tūnis - Al-Jumhūriyyah at-Tūnisiyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Turkey Turkey - Republic of Turkey
  • Turkish: Türkiye - Türkiye Cumhuriyeti
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Turkish sovereignty over the Hatay Province is disputed by Syria

Flag of Turkmenistan Turkmenistan
  • Turkmenian: Türkmenistan
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Tuvalu Tuvalu
  • Tuvaluan and English: Tuvalu
Widely recognized member of the UN. Tuvalu is a Commonwealth Realm.

U


Flag of Uganda Uganda - Republic of Uganda
  • English: Uganda - Republic of Uganda
  • Swahili: Uganda - Jamhuri ya Uganda
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Ukraine Ukraine
  • Ukrainian: Україна
Ukrajina
Widely recognized member of the UN. Ukraine has an autonomous republic, Flag of Crimea  Crimea.

Flag of the United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates - United Arab Emirates
  • Arabic: الإمارات العربيّة المتّحدة
Al-Imārāt Al-`Arabiyyah Al-Muttahidah
Widely recognized member of the UN. The United Arab Emirates is a federation divided into emirates.

Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • English: United Kingdom - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. The United Kingdom is a Commonwealth Realm and divided into constituent countries:

The United Kingdom has the following overseas territories:

The British Crown has sovereignty over


Flag of the United States United States of America
  • English: United States of America
Widely recognized member of the UN. The United States is a federation divided in states, a federal district, and one territory. The United States has sovereignty over the following (inhabited) territories and commonwealths

Besides these, there are uninhabited territories in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea: Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island (disputed by the Marshall Islands) as well as Navassa Island (disputed by Haiti). Of these only Palmyra Atoll is fully incorporated and considered a part of the US. The Cuban area of Guantánamo Bay is as the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base under the permanent control (with no claim of sovereignty) of the United States which pays rent under terms of treaties with Cuba.


Flag of Uruguay Uruguay - Eastern Republic of Uruguay
  • Spanish: Uruguay - República Oriental del Uruguay
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Uzbekistan Uzbekistan - Republic of Uzbekistan
  • Uzbek: O'zbekiston - O‘zbekiston Respublikasi = Ўзбекистон - Ўзбекистон Республикаси
Widely recognized member of the UN. Uzbekistan has an autonomous republic, Flag of Karakalpakstan  Karakalpakstan.

V


Flag of Vanuatu 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.

Flag of the Vatican City Vatican City - State of the Vatican City
  • Latin: Civitas Vaticana - Status Civitatis Vaticanæ
  • Italian: Città del Vaticano - Stato della Città del Vaticano
Widely recognized country, observer state in the United Nations. Vatican City is administered by a President of the Government appointed by the Pope, with the latter being the head of the Holy See and that of the Vatican City concurrently.

Flag of Venezuela Venezuela - Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
  • Spanish: Venezuela - República Bolivariana de Venezuela
Widely recognized member of the UN. Venezuela is a federation divided in states, one federal dependency and one federal district.

Flag of Vietnam 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 Islands and the Spratly Islands.

W


Western Sahara Other states

Y


Flag of Yemen Yemen - Republic of Yemen
  • Arabic: اليمن - الجمهوريّة اليمنية
Al-Yaman - Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Yamaniyyah
Widely recognized member of the UN. The Yemenite sovereignty over Socotra is disputed by Somalia.

Z


Flag of Zambia Zambia - Republic of Zambia
  • English: Zambia - Republic of Zambia
Widely recognized member of the UN.

Flag of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe - Republic of Zimbabwe
  • English: Zimbabwe - Republic of Zimbabwe
Widely recognized member of the UN.


Other states

This annex lists states that claim sovereignty and have control over (part of) its claimed territory, but due to disputes over their legitimacy, do not have normal diplomatic relations with the majority of sovereign states. Entities considered to be micronations are not included.


Flag of Abkhazia Abkhazia: Republic of Abkhazia
  • Abkhazian: Аҧсны - Аҧснытәи Республика
Apsny - Apsnytei Respublika
  • Russian: Aбхазия - Республика Абхазия
Abkhaziya - Respublika Abkhaziya
De facto independent state, inside the de jure territory of Georgia (the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia), diplomatically recognized by no UN member states.

China, Republic of Taiwan, listed below

Flag of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic  Nagorno-Karabakh - Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
  • Armenian: Լեռնային Ղարաբաղ - Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Հանրապետություն
Leṙnalin Ġarabaġ - Leṙnayin Ġarabaġi Hanrapetut‘yun
Nagorno-Karabakh is a de facto independent state inside the de jure territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, diplomatically recognized by no UN member states.

Flag of Kosovo Kosovo - Republic of Kosovo
  • Albanian: Kosovës - Republika e Kosovës
  • Serbian: Косово - Косово и Метохија
Kosovo - Kosovo i Metohija
De facto independent state recognized by 41 of 192 UN member states and not by the UN itself . Claimed in whole by the Republic of Serbia as the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. Previously administered by a United Nations mission ( UNMIK) and entered into the Central European Free Trade Agreement ( CEFTA) during this period.

Flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
  • Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs - Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti
De facto independent state, inside the de jure territory of the Republic of Cyprus, recognized by no UN member states except Turkey. Though without universal diplomatic recognition, it was accepted as an observer state of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in the name of Turkish Cypriot State since 1979. In addition, the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic regards TRNC as sovereign but Azerbaijan (the sovereign state that Nakhichevan belongs to) has not followed suit.

Palestinian flag Palestinian territories
  • Arabic: فلسطين
Filastīn
The Palestinian territories are partially occupied by Israel and partially under control of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has gained control of the Gaza Strip, but has not declared independence. Palestine has received a standing invitation to participate as observer at United Nations General Assembly and maintains a permanent observer mission at the UN Headquarters The proposed State of Palestine is recognized by 103 countries. In diplomatic relations, the proposed State of Palestine is represented by the Palestinian Authority.

Flag of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic  Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
  • Arabic: الجمهورية العربية الصحراوية الديمقراطية
Al-Jumhūrīya al-`Arabīya as-Sahrāwīya ad-Dīmuqrātīya
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a government-in-exile that declared independence and claims sovereignty over the Western Sahara. This is disputed by Morocco, which controls most of it

Flag of Somaliland  Somaliland - Republic of Somaliland
  • Somali: Soomaaliland: Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliland
  • Arabic: ارض الصومال - جمهورية ارض الصومال
Ard as-Sūmāl - Jumhūrīyat Ard as-Sūmāl
De facto independent state inside the de jure territory of the Somali Republic, diplomatically recognized by no UN member states.

Flag of South Ossetia South Ossetia - Republic of South Ossetia
  • Ossetian: Хуссар Ирыстон - Республикæ Хуссар Ирыстон
Xussar Iryston - Respublikæ Xussar Iryston
De facto independent state inside the de jure territory of Georgia (the Provisional Administrative Entity of South Ossetia), diplomatically recognized by no UN member states.

Flag of the Republic of China Taiwan - Republic of China
  • Chinese: 臺灣 / 台灣 - 中華民國
Táiwan - Jhonghuá Mínguó
De facto state independent of Mainland China; de jure the Republic of China, a polity regarded by the People's Republic of China be its defunct (and no longer legitimate) predecessor state. In addition to the island Taiwan, the Republic of China (Taiwan) also governs part of the Spratly Islands and has not formally renounced claims over the territory of the PRC and Mongolia. The territory of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is claimed in whole by the People's Republic of China. Diplomatically recognized by 23 UN member states. Most other UN member states maintain unofficial relations with Taiwan. Taiwan participates in 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.

Flag of Transnistria  Transnistria - Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (Pridnestrovie, Trans-Dniester)
  • Russian: Приднестровье: Приднестровская Молдавская Республика
Pridnestrovye - Pridnestrovskaya Moldavskaya Respublika
  • Ukrainian: Придністров'я: Придністровська Молдавська Республіка
Pridnistrov'ya - ridnistrovs'ka Moldavs'ka Respublika
  • Moldovan: Нистря: Република Молдовеняскэ Нистрянэ
Nistria - Republica Moldovenească Nistreană
De facto independent state, inside the de jure territory of the Republic of Moldova (the Territorial Unit of Transnistria), diplomatically recognized by no UN member states.

Other listings

  • Gallery of sovereign state flags
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  • international rankings
  • sovereign states by year
  • of unrecognized countries
  • of autonomous areas by country
  • of dependent territories
  • disputed or occupied areas
  • of active autonomist and secessionist movements
  • of imaginary countries
  • of micronations
  • of former countries
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Retrieved from " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states"
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