List of sovereign states

Published on Wednesday, August 9th 2006

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, © 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:

193 sovereign states with general international recognition:
- 192 member states of the United Nations
- One state with general international recognition but not UN membership, governed by the Holy See (a UN permanent observer): Vatican City
10 sovereign states lacking general international recognition:
- Four entities lacking general international recognition, none of which are UN members, that may be defined as states in the body of customary international law: the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Kosovo, and the Palestinian territories.
- Six entities lacking general international recognition, none of which are UN members, that have declared independence and have limited or no international recognition: the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (only recognized by Turkey), Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Transnistria, Somaliland, and South Ossetia.

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

Afghanistan – Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Persian: افغانستان – جمهوری اسلامی افغانستان

Afġānestān – Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Afġānistān Widely recognized member of the UN.

Albania – Republic of Albania

Albanian: Shqiperia – Republika e Shqiperise

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.

Angola – Republic of Angola

Portuguese: Angola – Republica de Angola

Widely recognized member of the UN. A separatist government in exile claims independence for Cabinda

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.

Argentina – Argentine Republic

Spanish: Argentina – Republica 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

Armenia – Republic of Armenia

Armenian: Հայաստան – Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն

Hayastan – Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun Widely recognized member of the UN.

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:

Austria – Republic of Austria

German: Österreich – Republik Österreich

Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Austria is a federation divided in states (Bundeslander).

Azerbaijan – Republic of Azerbaijan

Azeri: Azərbaycan – Azərbaycan Respublikası

Widely recognized member of the UN. Azerbaijan has one autonomous republic, 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

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.

Bahrain – Kingdom of Bahrain

Arabic: البحرين – مملكة البحرين

al-Baḥrayn – Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn Widely recognized member of the UN.

Bangladesh – People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Bengali: বাংলাদেশ – গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ

Banglādeś – Gonoprojatontri Banglādeś 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

Bjelaruś – Respublika Bjelaruś

Russian: Белоруссия – Республика Беларусь

Belorussiya – Respublika Belarus Widely recognized member of the UN.

Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium

Dutch: Belgie – Koninkrijk Belgie
French: Belgique – Royaume de Belgique
German: Belgien – Konigreich Belgien

Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Belgium is a federation divided in linguistic communities and regions.

Belize

English: Belize

Widely recognized member of the UN. Belize is a Commonwealth Realm.

Benin – Republic of Benin

French: Benin – Republique du Benin

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan

Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ – འབྲུག་ རྒྱལ་ཁབ་

Druk Yul – Druk Gyal-khab Widely recognized member of the UN.

Bolivia – Republic of Bolivia

Spanish: Bolivia – Republica de Bolivia
Quechua: Bulibiya – Bulibiya Mama Llaqta
Aymara: Wuliwya – Wuliwya Suyu

Widely recognized member of the UN.

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 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 – Republica Federativa do Brasil

Widely recognized member of the UN. Brasil is a federation divided in states and one federal district.

Brunei – Negara Brunei Darussalam

Malay: Brunei – Negara Brunei Darussalam

Widely recognized member of the UN. Brunei claims sovereignty over part of the Spratly Islands.

Bulgaria – Republic of Bulgaria

Bulgarian: България – Република България

Bălgarija – Republika Bălgarija Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Burkina Faso – Burkina Faso

French: Burkina Faso

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Burma – Union of Myanmar (Burma)

Burmese: ဴမန္မာ —

Myan-ma – Pyi-daung-zu Myan-ma Naing-ngan-daw Widely recognized member of the UN.

Burundi – Republic of Burundi

Kirundi: Uburundi – Republika y'Uburundi
French: Burundi – Republique du Burundi

Widely recognized member of the UN.

C

Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia

Cambodian: កម្ពុជា – ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រ កម្ពុជា

Kampuchea – Preah Reachea Nachakr Kampuchea Widely recognized member of the UN.

Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon

French: Cameroun – Republique 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 divided into provinces and territories.

Cape Verde – Republic of Cape Verde

Portuguese: Cabo Verde – Republica de Cabo Verde

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Central African Republic

French: Republique Centrafricaine
Sangho: Kodorosese ti Beafrika

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Chad – Republic of Chad

French: Tchad – Republique du Tchad
Arabic: تشاد – جمهوريّة تشاد

Tašād – Jumhūriyyat Tašād Widely recognized member of the UN.

Chile – Republic of Chile

Spanish: Chile – Republica de Chile

Widely recognized member of the UN. Easter Island is an integral part of Chile.

China – People’s Republic of China

Chinese: 中国 – 中华人民共和国

Zhōngguo – Zhōnghua Renmin Gongheguo 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

Hong Kong (Xianggang)
Macau (Aomen)

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

Colombia – Republic of Colombia

Spanish: Colombia – Republica de Colombia

Widely recognized member of the UN.

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.

Congo – Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa)

French: Congo – Republique Democratique du Congo

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Congo – Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)

French: Congo – Republique du Congo

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Cook Islands New Zealand

Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica

Spanish: Costa Rica – Republica de Costa Rica

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Cote d'Ivoire – Republic of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

French: Cote d'Ivoire – Republique de Cote 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 – Republica de Cuba

Widely recognized member of the UN. The Cuban area of Guantanamo 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.

Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus

Greek: Κυπρος – Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Kypros – Kipriaki Dimokratia

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.

Czech Republic

Czech: Česko – Česka 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 includes also two autonomous provinces. For more information, see Rigsfaellesskabet.

Faroe Islands (Føroyar/Faerøerne)
Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat/Grønland)

Djibouti – Republic of Djibouti

French: Djibouti – Republique 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: Republica Dominicana

Widely recognized member of the UN.

E

East Timor – Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Tetum: Timor Lorosa'e – Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e
Portuguese: Timor-Leste – Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador

Spanish: Ecuador – Republica del Ecuador

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Egypt – Arab Republic of Egypt

Arabic: مصر – جمهوريّة مصرالعربيّة

Mişr – Jumhūriyyat Mişr al-`Arabiyyah Widely recognized member of the UN.

El Salvador – Republic of El Salvador

Spanish: El Salvador – Republica de El Salvador

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Equatorial Guinea – Republic of Equatorial Guinea

Spanish: Guinea Ecuatorial – Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Eritrea – State of Eritrea

Tigrinya: ኤርትራ – ሃግሬ ኤርትራ

Ertra – Hagere Ertra

Arabic: إرتريا – دولة إرتريا

Iritriyā – Dawlat Iritriyā 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 Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik Widely recognized member of the UN. Ethiopia is a federation divided in regions and chartered cities.

F

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.

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 – Republique française

Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. The French overseas regions/departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Reunion) are legally part of France and France possesses the uninhabited Clipperton Island. The French sovereignty includes also the overseas territories of

French Polynesia (Polynesie française)
Mayotte (disputed by Comoros)
New Caledonia (Nouvelle-Caledonie)
Saint-Barthelemy
Saint Martin (Saint-Martin)
Saint Pierre and Miquelon (Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon)
Wallis and Futuna (Wallis-et-Futuna)
French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises, uninhabited). It includes the disputed Antarctic claim of Adelie Land. The French sovereignty over Bassas da India, Europa Island and Juan de Nova is disputed by Madagascar, over Glorioso Islands by Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Comoros and Tromelin disputed by Mauritius and the Seychelles.

G

Gabon – Gabonese Republic

French: Gabon – Republique 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 has three divisions with an autonomous status, Adjara, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Both in Abkhazia and South Ossetia de facto states inside the de jure territory of Georgia have been formed.

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 (Lander).

Ghana – Republic of Ghana

English: Ghana – Republic of Ghana

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Greece – Hellenic Republic

Greek: Ελλάδα – Ελληνική Δημοκρατία

Ellada – Elliniki Dimokratia Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Grenada

English: Grenada

Widely recognized member of the UN. Grenada is a Commonwealth Realm.

Guatemala – Republic of Guatemala

Spanish: Guatemala – Republica de Guatemala

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Guinea – Republic of Guinea

French: Guinee – Republique de Guinee

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Guinea-Bissau – Republic of Guinea-Bissau

Portuguese: Guine-Bissau – Republica da Guine-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.

H

Haiti – Republic of Haiti

French: Haiti – Republique d'Haiti
Haitian Creole: Ayiti – Repiblik dAyiti

Widely recognized member of the UN. Haiti claims the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa.

Honduras – Republic of Honduras

Spanish: Honduras – Republica de Honduras

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Hungary – Republic of Hungary

Hungarian: Magyarorszag – Magyar Koztarsasag

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 – 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.

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

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

Iraq – Republic of Iraq

Arabic: العراق – جمهورية العراق

Al-ʿIrāq – Jumhūrīyat Al-`Irāq

Kurdish: عێراق – كۆماری عێراق

ʿÎraq – Komara `Îraqe 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.

Ireland – Ireland

Irish: Éire
English: Ireland

Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

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.

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/Sudtirol.

Ivory Coast Cote d'Ivoire

J

Jamaica

English: Jamaica

Widely recognized member of the UN. Jamaica is a Commonwealth Realm.

Japan – State of Japan

Japanese: 日本 – 日本国

Nihon/Nippon – Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku Widely recognized member of the UN.

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

Kazakhstan – Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakh: Қазақстан – Қазақстан Республикасы

Qazaqstan – Qazaqstan Respūblīkasy 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 – Ribaberikin Kiribati
English: Kiribati – Republic of Kiribati

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Korea, North – Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Korean: 조선 – 조선민주주의인민공화국

Chosŏn – Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Widely recognized member of the UN.

Korea, South – Republic of Korea (South Korea)

Korean: 한국 – 대한민국

Hanguk – Daehan Minguk Widely recognized member of the UN.

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

Laotian: ນລາວ – ສາທາລະນະລັດປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ

Lao – Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon 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 – Republic of Lebanon

Arabic: لبنان – الجمهوريّة البنانيّة

Lubnān – Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Lubnāniyyah 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 الإشتراكية العظمى

Lībiyā – al-Jamāhīrīyah al-‘Arabīyah al-Lībīyah ash-Sha'bīyah al-Ishtirākīyah al-`Uzmā Widely recognized member of the UN.

Liechtenstein – Principality of Liechtenstein

German: Liechtenstein – Furstentum 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

Luxembourgian: Letzebuerg – Groussherzogdem Letzebuerg
French: Luxembourg – Grand-Duche du Luxembourg
German: Luxemburg – Großherzogtum Luxemburg

Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

M

FYR Macedonia – (Former Yugoslav) Republic of Macedonia

Macedonian: Македонија – Република Македонија

Makedonija – Republika Makedonija Widely recognized member of the UN.

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.

Malawi – Republic of Malawi

English: Malawi – Republic of Malawi
Chewa: Malaŵi – Mfuko la Malaŵi

Widely recognized member of the UN.

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.

Maldives – Republic of Maldives

Divehi: ގުޖޭއްރާ ޔާއްރިހޫމްޖު – ހިވެދި ގުޖޭއްރާ ޔާއްރިހޫމްޖ

Divehi Rājje – Divehi Rājje ge Jumhuriyyā Widely recognized member of the UN.

Mali – Republic of Mali

French: Mali – Republique 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: 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.

Mauritania – Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Arabic: موريتانيا – الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية

Mūrītāniyā – l-Jumhūriyyah al-Islāmiyyah al-Mūrītāniyyah

French: Mauritanie – Republique Islamique de la Mauritanie

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius

English: Mauritius – Republic of Mauritius
French: Maurice – Republique 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.

Mexico – United Mexican States

Spanish: Mexico – Estados Unidos Mexicanos

Widely recognized member of the UN. Mexico is a federation divided in states and one federal district.

Micronesia – Federated States of Micronesia

English: Micronesia – Federated States of Micronesia

Widely recognized member of the UN. Micronesia is a federation divided in states.

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.

Monaco – Principality of Monaco

French: Monaco – Principaute de Monaco

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Mongolia

Mongolian: Монгол Улс

Mongol Uls Widely recognized member of the UN.

Montenegro – Republic of Montenegro

Montenegrin: Црна Гора – Република Црна Гора

Crna Gora – Republika Crna Gora Widely recognized member of the UN.

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 Alboran, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñon de Alhucemas.

Mozambique – Republic of Mozambique

Portuguese: Moçambique – Republica 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 – Republik Naoero
English: Nauru – Republic of Nauru

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Nepal – Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

Nepali: नेपाल

Nepāl Widely recognized member of the UN.

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:

Netherlands

and the two overseas (associated) countries:

Aruba
Netherlands Antilles (Nederlandse Antillen)

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

Cook Islands. The Cook Islands have received some diplomatic recognition
Niue. Niue only has diplomatic relations with New Zealand.
Tokelau

Nicaragua – Republic of Nicaragua

Spanish: Nicaragua – Republica de Nicaragua

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Niger – Republic of Niger

French: Niger – Republique du Niger

Widely recognized member of the UN.

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

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

Oman – Sultanate of Oman

Arabic: عُمان – سلطنة عُمان

ʿUmān – Saltanat ʿUmān Widely recognized member of the UN.

P

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.

Palau – Republic of Palau

Paluan: Belau – Beluu er a Belau
English: Palau – Republic of Palau

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Palestine Other states

Panama – Republic of Panama

Spanish: Panama – Republica de Panama

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: 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.

Paraguay – Republic of Paraguay

Spanish: Paraguay – Republica del Paraguay
Guarani: Paraguai – Teta Paraguai

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Peru – Republic of Peru

Spanish: Peru – Republica del Peru
Quechua: Piruw – Piruw Mama Llaqta
Aymara: Piruw – Piruw Suyu

Widely recognized member of the UN.

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.

Poland – Republic of Poland

Polish: Polska – Rzeczpospolita Polska

Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Portugal – Portuguese Republic

Portuguese: Portugal – Republica Portuguesa

Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU. Portugal has two autonomous regions, Azores and Madeira.

Pridnestrovie Other states, Transnistria

Q

Qatar – State of Qatar

Arabic: قطر – دولة قطر

Qatar – Dawlat Qatar Widely recognized member of the UN.

R

Romania

Romanian: Romania

Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

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:

Adygea
Altai Republic
Bashkortostan
Buryatia
Chechnya
Chuvashia
Dagestan
Ingushetia
Kabardino-Balkaria
Kalmykia
Karachay-Cherkessia
Karelia
Khakassia
Komi
Mari El
Mordovia
North Ossetia-Alania
Sakha Republic
Tatarstan
Tuva
Udmurtia

Rwanda – Republic of Rwanda

KinyaRwanda: Rwanda – Repubulika y'u Rwanda
French: Rwanda – Republique du Rwanda
English: Rwanda – Republic of Rwanda

Widely recognized member of the UN.

S

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.

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 – Mālo Tuto'atasi o Sāmoa
English: Samoa – Independent State of Samoa

Widely recognized member of the UN.

San Marino – Most Serene Republic of San Marino

Italian: San Marino – Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino

Widely recognized member of the UN.

Sao Tome and Principe – Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

Portuguese: Sao Tome e Principe – Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe

Widely recognized member of the UN. Sao Tome and Principe has an autonomous province, Principe.

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.

Senegal – Republic of Senegal

French: Senegal – Republique du Senegal

Widely recognized member of the UN.

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.

Seychelles – Republic of Seychelles

English: Seychelles – Republic of Seychelles
French: Seychelles – Republique 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.

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

Xīnjīapō – Xīnjīapō Gongheguo

Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர் – சிங்கப்பூர் குடியரசு

Ciŋkappūr – Ciŋkappūr Kudiyarasu Widely recognized member of the UN.

Slovakia – Slovak Republic

Slovak: Slovensko – Slovenska republika

Widely recognized member of the UN and the EU.

Slovenia – Republic of Slovenia

Slovenian: Slovenija – Republika Slovenija

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

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.

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

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 Alboran, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñon de Alhucemas is disputed by Morocco. Spain disputes the British sovereignty over Gibraltar.

Sri Lanka – Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකාව –

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.

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.

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 – Confederation Suisse
Italian: Svizzera – Confederazione Svizzera
Raeto-Romance: Svizra – Confederaziun Svizra

Widely recognized member of the UN. Switzerland is a federation divided in cantons.

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.