List of sovereign states - wikipedia List of sovereign states `` List of nations '' and `` List of countries '' redirect here. For other country lists, see Lists of countries and territories. For non-sovereign dependencies, see Dependent territory. Wikimedia list article The following is a list providing an overview of sovereign states around the world, with information on their status and recognition of their sovereignty. Membership within the United Nations system divides the 206 listed states into three categories : 193 member states, 2 observer states, and 11 other states. The sovereignty dispute column indicates states whose sovereignty is undisputed ( 191 states ) and states whose sovereignty is disputed ( 15 states, out of which there are 5 member states, 1 observer state and 9 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. The list is intended to include entities that have been recognized to have de facto status as sovereign states, and inclusion should not be seen as an endorsement of any specific claim to statehood in legal terms. Contents 1 List of states 2 Criteria for inclusion 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References 6 Bibliography List of states Common and formal names Membership within the UN System Sovereignty dispute Further information on status and recognition of sovereignty A AAA A AAA A AAA ZZZ ↓ UN member states and observer states ↓ A AAA ZZZ ZZZ Abkhazia → Abkhazia A UN member state A None Afghanistan -- Islamic Republic of Afghanistan A UN member state A None Albania -- Republic of Albania A UN member state A None Algeria -- People 's Democratic Republic of Algeria A UN member state A None Andorra -- Principality of Andorra A UN member state A None Andorra is a co-principality in which the office of head of state is jointly held ex officio by the French president and the bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Urgell, who himself is appointed by the Holy See. Angola -- Republic of Angola A UN member state A None Antigua and Barbuda A UN member state A None Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth realm with 1 autonomous region, Barbuda. Argentina -- Argentine Republic A UN member state A None Member of the UNASUL. Argentina is a federation of 23 provinces and 1 autonomous city. Armenia -- Republic of Armenia A UN member state A None Not recognized by Pakistan. See Armenia -- Pakistan relations and Nagorno - Karabakh conflict. ZZZ Artsakh → Artsakh A UN member state A None Australia -- Commonwealth of Australia A UN member state A None Australia is a Commonwealth realm and a federation of six 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 A UN member state A None Member of the European Union. Austria is a federation of nine states ( Bundesländer ). Azerbaijan -- Republic of Azerbaijan A UN member state A None Azerbaijan contains two autonomous regions, Nakhchivan and Nagorno - Karabakh ( Dağlıq Qarabağ ). The Republic of Artsakh, a de facto state, has been established in the latter. Bahamas, The -- Commonwealth of The Bahamas A UN member state A None The Bahamas is a Commonwealth realm. Bahrain -- Kingdom of Bahrain A UN member state A None Bangladesh -- People 's Republic of Bangladesh A UN member state A None Barbados A UN member state A None Barbados is a Commonwealth realm. Belarus -- Republic of Belarus A UN member state A None Belarus forms the Union State jointly with Russia. Belgium -- Kingdom of Belgium A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Belgium is a federation divided into linguistic communities and regions. Belize A UN member state A None Belize is a Commonwealth realm. Benin -- Republic of Benin A UN member state A None Bhutan -- Kingdom of Bhutan A UN member state A None Bolivia -- Plurinational State of Bolivia A UN member state A None Member of the UNASUL. Bosnia and Herzegovina A UN member state A None Bosnia and Herzegovina is a federation of two constituent units : Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Republika Srpska and Brčko District, a self - governing administrative unit. Botswana -- Republic of Botswana A UN member state A None Brazil -- Federative Republic of Brazil A UN member state A None Member of UNASUL. Brazil is a federation of 26 states and 1 federal district. Brunei -- Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace A UN member state A None Bulgaria -- Republic of Bulgaria A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Burkina Faso A UN member state A None Burma → Myanmar A UN member state A None Burundi -- Republic of Burundi A UN member state A None Cambodia -- Kingdom of Cambodia A UN member state A None Cameroon -- Republic of Cameroon A UN member state A None Canada A UN member state A None Canada is a Commonwealth realm and a federation of 10 provinces and 3 territories. Cape Verde -- Republic of Cabo Verde A UN member state A None Central African Republic A UN member state A None Chad -- Republic of Chad A UN member state A None Chile -- Republic of Chile A UN member state A None Member of the UNASUL. Chile has two `` special territories '' in the Valparaíso Region : Easter Island and Juan Fernández Islands China -- People 's Republic of China A UN member state Partially unrecognized. B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain The People 's Republic of China ( PRC ) contains five autonomous regions : Guangxi Inner Mongolia Ningxia Xinjiang Tibet Additionally, it has sovereignty over the Special Administrative Regions of : Hong Kong Macau China claims, but does not control Taiwan, which is governed by a rival administration ( the Republic of China ) that claims all of China as its territory. China is not recognised by 19 UN member states and the Holy See, which, with the exception of Bhutan, recognise Taiwan instead. China controls part of the territory of Kashmir, which is disputed by India and Pakistan. China, Republic of → Taiwan A UN member state A None Colombia -- Republic of Colombia A UN member state A None Member of the UNASUL. Comoros -- Union of the Comoros A UN member state A None Comoros is a federation of 3 islands. Congo, Democratic Republic of the A UN member state A None Congo, Republic of the A UN member state A None ZZZ Cook Islands → Cook Islands A UN member state A None Costa Rica -- Republic of Costa Rica A UN member state A None Côte d'Ivoire → Ivory Coast A UN member state A None Croatia -- Republic of Croatia A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Cuba -- Republic of Cuba A UN member state A None Cyprus -- Republic of Cyprus A UN member state Not recognized by Turkey Member of the EU. The northeastern part of the island is the de facto state of Northern Cyprus. See Foreign relations of Cyprus and Cyprus dispute. Turkey refers to the Republic of Cyprus government as `` The Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus ''. Czech Republic A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Democratic People 's Republic of Korea → Korea, North A UN member state A None Democratic Republic of the Congo → Congo, Democratic Republic of the A UN member state A None Denmark -- Kingdom of Denmark A UN member state A None Member of the EU. The Kingdom of Denmark includes 2 self - governing territories : Faroe Islands Greenland The continental territory of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland form the three constituent countries of the Kingdom. The designation `` Denmark '' can refer either to continental Denmark or to the short name for the entire Kingdom ( e.g. in international organizations ). The Kingdom of Denmark as a whole is a member of the EU, but EU law does not apply to the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Also see Greenland Treaty. Djibouti -- Republic of Djibouti A UN member state A None Dominica -- Commonwealth of Dominica A UN member state A None Dominican Republic A UN member state A None East Timor -- Democratic Republic of Timor - Leste A UN member state A None Ecuador -- Republic of Ecuador A UN member state A None Member of the UNASUL. Egypt -- Arab Republic of Egypt A UN member state A None El Salvador -- Republic of El Salvador A UN member state A None Equatorial Guinea -- Republic of Equatorial Guinea A UN member state A None Eritrea -- State of Eritrea A UN member state A None Estonia -- Republic of Estonia A UN member state A None Member of the EU. eSwatini -- Kingdom of Eswatini A UN member state A None Ethiopia -- Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia A UN member state A None Ethiopia is a federation of nine regions and two chartered cities. Fiji -- Republic of Fiji A UN member state A None Fiji contains 1 autonomous region, Rotuma. Finland -- Republic of Finland A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Åland is a neutral and demilitarised autonomous region of Finland. France -- French Republic A UN member state A None Member of the EU. France contains five overseas regions / departments : French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Réunion. France 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 Gabon -- Gabonese Republic A UN member state A None Gambia Gambia, The -- Republic of The Gambia A UN member state A None Georgia A UN member state A None Georgia contains two autonomous republics, Adjara and Abkhazia. In Abkhazia and South Ossetia, de facto states have been formed. Germany -- Federal Republic of Germany A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Germany is a federation of 16 federated states ( Länder ). Ghana -- Republic of Ghana A UN member state A None Greece -- Hellenic Republic A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Mount Athos is an autonomous part of Greece that is jointly governed by the multinational `` Holy Community '' on the mountain and a civil governor appointed by the Greek government. Grenada A UN member state A None Grenada is a Commonwealth realm. Guatemala -- Republic of Guatemala A UN member state A None Guinea -- Republic of Guinea A UN member state A None Guinea - Bissau -- Republic of Guinea - Bissau A UN member state A None Guyana -- Co-operative Republic of Guyana A UN member state A None Member of the UNASUL. Haiti -- Republic of Haiti A UN member state A None Holy See → Vatican City A UN member state A None Honduras -- Republic of Honduras A UN member state A None Hungary A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Iceland A UN member state A None India -- Republic of India A UN member state A None India is a federation of 29 states and seven union territories. India claims the entire territory of Kashmir as one of its states, but only exercises control over part of it, while the rest is controlled by the People 's Republic of China and Pakistan. Indonesia -- Republic of Indonesia A UN member state A None Indonesia has five provinces with official special autonomy status : Aceh, Jakarta SCR, Yogyakarta SR, Papua, and West Papua. Iran -- Islamic Republic of Iran A UN member state A None Iraq -- Republic of Iraq A UN member state A None Iraq is a federation of 19 governorates, five of which make up the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan. Ireland A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Israel -- State of Israel A UN member state Partially unrecognized Israel exerts strong control over the territory claimed by Palestine. Israel annexed East Jerusalem, an annexation not recognised by the international community. Israel maintains varying levels of control over the rest of the West Bank, and although Israel no longer has a permanent civilian or military presence in the Gaza Strip, following its unilateral disengagement, it is still considered by some to be the occupying power under international law. Israel is not recognised as a state by 32 UN members ( including most Arab states ) nor by the SADR. Italy -- Italian Republic A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Italy has 5 autonomous regions, with varying levels of autonomy from the central government of Italy, and known officially as `` special status regions '' : Aosta Valley Friuli - Venezia Giulia Sardinia Sicily Trentino - Alto Adige / Südtirol Ivory Coast -- Republic of Côte d'Ivoire A UN member state A None Jamaica A UN member state A None Jamaica is a Commonwealth realm. Japan A UN member state A None Jordan -- Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan A UN member state A None Kazakhstan -- Republic of Kazakhstan A UN member state A None Kenya -- Republic of Kenya A UN member state A None Kiribati -- Republic of Kiribati A UN member state A None Korea, North -- Democratic People 's Republic of Korea A UN member state B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain North Korea is not recognised by three UN members : France, Japan and South Korea. Korea, South -- Republic of Korea A UN member state B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain South Korea has 1 autonomous region : Jejudo South Korea is not recognised by one UN member : North Korea. ZZZ Kosovo → Kosovo A UN member state A None Kuwait -- State of Kuwait A UN member state A None Kyrgyzstan -- Kyrgyz Republic A UN member state A None Laos -- Lao People 's Democratic Republic A UN member state A None Latvia -- Republic of Latvia A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Lebanon -- Lebanese Republic A UN member state A None Lesotho -- Kingdom of Lesotho A UN member state A None Liberia -- Republic of Liberia A UN member state A None Libya A UN member state A None Liechtenstein -- Principality of Liechtenstein A UN member state A None Lithuania -- Republic of Lithuania A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Luxembourg -- Grand Duchy of Luxembourg A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Macedonia -- Republic of Macedonia A UN member state A None Because of the Macedonia naming dispute, the country is referred to by the UN and a number of states and international organizations as `` the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ''. Madagascar -- Republic of Madagascar A UN member state A None Malawi -- Republic of Malawi A UN member state A None Malaysia A UN member state A None Malaysia is a federation of 13 states and three federal territories. Maldives -- Republic of Maldives A UN member state A None Mali -- Republic of Mali A UN member state A None Malta -- Republic of Malta A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Marshall Islands -- Republic of the Marshall Islands A UN member state A None Under Compact of Free Association with the United States. Mauritania -- Islamic Republic of Mauritania A UN member state A None Mauritius -- Republic of Mauritius A UN member state A None Mauritius has an autonomous island, Rodrigues. Mexico -- United Mexican States A UN member state A None Mexico is a federation of 31 states and one autonomous city. Micronesia -- Federated States of Micronesia A UN member state A None Under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Federated States of Micronesia is a federation of four states. Moldova -- Republic of Moldova A UN member state A None Moldova has the autonomous regions of Gagauzia and Transnistria, the latter of which has established a de facto state. Monaco -- Principality of Monaco A UN member state A None Mongolia A UN member state A None Montenegro A UN member state A None Morocco -- Kingdom of Morocco A UN member state A None Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara and controls most of it, which is disputed by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Mozambique -- Republic of Mozambique A UN member state A None Myanmar -- Republic of the Union of Myanmar A UN member state A None ZZZ Nagorno - Karabakh → Artsakh A UN member state A None Namibia -- Republic of Namibia A UN member state A None Nauru -- Republic of Nauru A UN member state A None Nepal -- Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal A UN member state A None Nepal is a federation composed of 14 zones. Netherlands -- Kingdom of the Netherlands A UN member state A None Member of the EU. The Kingdom of the Netherlands includes four areas with substantial autonomy : Aruba Curaçao Netherlands Sint Maarten The continental part of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten form the four constituent countries of the Kingdom. Three other territories ( Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius ) are special municipalities of the continental Netherlands. The designation `` Netherlands '' can refer either to the continental Netherlands or to the short name for the entire 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 parts within Europe. New Zealand A UN member state A None New Zealand is a Commonwealth realm, and has the dependent territories of : Ross Dependency Tokelau New Zealand has responsibilities for ( but no rights of control over ) two freely associated states : Cook Islands Niue The Cook Islands and Niue have diplomatic relations with 46 and 18 UN members respectively. They have full treaty - making capacity in the UN, and are members of some UN specialized agencies. Nicaragua -- Republic of Nicaragua A UN member state A None Nicaragua contains two autonomous regions, Atlántico Sur and Atlántico Norte. Niger -- Republic of Niger A UN member state A None Nigeria -- Federal Republic of Nigeria A UN member state A None Nigeria is a federation of 36 states and 1 federal territory. ZZZ Niue → Niue A UN member state A None ZZZ Northern Cyprus → Northern Cyprus A UN member state A None North Korea → Korea, North A UN member state A None Norway -- Kingdom of Norway A UN member state A None Svalbard is an integral part of Norway, but has a special status due to the Svalbard Treaty. Jan Mayen is an island that is an integral part of Norway, although unincorporated. Norway has the dependent territories of : Bouvet Island Peter I Island Queen Maud Land Oman -- Sultanate of Oman A UN member state A None Pakistan -- Islamic Republic of Pakistan A UN member state A None Pakistan is a federation of four provinces, 1 capital territory, and tribal regions. Pakistan disputes the entire territory of Kashmir with India, and part of it with the People 's Republic of China. It exercises control over certain portions of Kashmir, but has not officially annexed any of it, instead regarding it as a disputed territory. The portions that it controls are divided into two territories, administered separately from Pakistan proper : Azad Kashmir Gilgit Baltistan Azad Kashmir describes itself as a `` self - governing state under Pakistani control '', while Gilgit - Baltistan is described in its governance order as a group of `` areas '' with self - government. These territories are not usually regarded as sovereign, as they do not fulfill the criteria set out by the declarative theory of statehood ( for example, their current laws do not allow them to engage independently in relations with other states ). Several state functions of these territories ( such as foreign affairs and defence ) are performed by Pakistan. Palau -- Republic of Palau A UN member state A None Under Compact of Free Association with the United States. Palestine -- State of Palestine A UN observer state ; member of 1 UN specialized agency Partially unrecognized. B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain The declared State of Palestine has received diplomatic recognition from 137 states. The proclaimed state has no agreed territorial borders, or effective control on much of the territory that it proclaimed. The Palestinian National Authority is an interim administrative body formed as a result of the Oslo Accords that exercises limited autonomous jurisdiction within the Palestinian territories. In foreign relations, Palestine is represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization. The State of Palestine is a member state of UNESCO, and an observer state in the UN. Panama -- Republic of Panama A UN member state A None Papua New Guinea -- Independent State of Papua New Guinea A UN member state A None Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth realm with 1 autonomous region, Bougainville. Paraguay -- Republic of Paraguay A UN member state A None Member of the UNASUL. Peru -- Republic of Peru A UN member state A None Member of the UNASUL. Philippines -- Republic of the Philippines A UN member state A None The Philippines contains one autonomous region, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Poland -- Republic of Poland A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Portugal -- Portuguese Republic A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Portugal contains two autonomous regions, Azores and Madeira. Pridnestrovie → Transnistria A UN member state A None Qatar -- State of Qatar A UN member state A None Republic of Korea → Korea, South A UN member state A None Republic of the Congo → Congo, Republic of the A UN member state A None Romania A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Russia -- Russian Federation A UN member state A None Russia is officially a federation of 85 federal subjects ( republics, oblasts, krais, autonomous okrugs, federal cities, and an autonomous oblast ). Several of the federal subjects are ethnic republics. Russia also forms the Union State jointly with Belarus. Rwanda -- Republic of Rwanda A UN member state A None ZZZ Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic → Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic A UN member state A None Saint Kitts and Nevis -- Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis A UN member state A None Saint Kitts and Nevis is a Commonwealth realm and is a federation of two islands, St. Kitts and Nevis. Saint Lucia A UN member state A None Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth realm. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines A UN member state A None Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a Commonwealth realm. Samoa -- Independent State of Samoa A UN member state A None San Marino -- Republic of San Marino A UN member state A None São Tomé and Príncipe -- Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe A UN member state A None São Tomé and Príncipe contains 1 autonomous province, Príncipe. Saudi Arabia -- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia A UN member state A None Senegal -- Republic of Senegal A UN member state A None Serbia -- Republic of Serbia A UN member state A None Serbia contains two autonomous regions, Vojvodina and Kosovo and Metohija. The latter is under the de facto control of the Republic of Kosovo. Seychelles -- Republic of Seychelles A UN member state A None Sierra Leone -- Republic of Sierra Leone A UN member state A None Singapore -- Republic of Singapore A UN member state A None Slovakia -- Slovak Republic A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Slovenia -- Republic of Slovenia A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Solomon Islands A UN member state A None The Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm. Somalia -- Federal Republic of Somalia A UN member state A None Somalia has two self - declared autonomous regions : Puntland and Galmudug, while the territory of Somaliland has formed an unrecognised de facto state. ZZZ Somaliland → Somaliland A UN member state A None South Africa -- Republic of South Africa A UN member state A None South Korea → Korea, South A UN member state A None ZZZ South Ossetia → South Ossetia A UN member state A None South Sudan -- Republic of South Sudan A UN member state A None South Sudan is a federation of 28 states. The Abyei Area is a zone with `` special administrative status '' established by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005. It is de-jure a condominium of South Sudan and Sudan, but de facto administered by South Sudan. Spain -- Kingdom of Spain A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities and 2 special autonomous cities. Sri Lanka -- Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka A UN member state A None Sudan -- Republic of the Sudan A UN member state A None Sudan is a federation of 18 states. Sudan claims the Abyei Area, which is currently under UN protection and governed by South Sudan. ZZZ Sudan, South → South Sudan A UN member state A None Suriname -- Republic of Suriname A UN member state A None Member of the UNASUL. Swaziland → eSwatini A UN member state A None Sweden -- Kingdom of Sweden A UN member state A None Member of the EU. Switzerland -- Swiss Confederation A UN member state A None Switzerland is a federation of 26 cantons. Syria -- Syrian Arab Republic A UN member state A None The Syrian National Coalition, which is recognized as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people by 20 UN members, has established an interim government to rule rebel controlled territory during the Syrian civil war. Syria has one self - declared autonomous region : Rojava. ZZZ Taiwan ( Republic of China ) → Taiwan A UN member state A None Tajikistan -- Republic of Tajikistan A UN member state A None Tajikistan contains 1 autonomous region, Gorno - Badakhshan Autonomous Province. Tanzania -- United Republic of Tanzania A UN member state A None Tanzania contains 1 autonomous region, Zanzibar. Thailand -- Kingdom of Thailand A UN member state A None The Bahamas → Bahamas, The A UN member state A None The Gambia → Gambia, The A UN member state A None Timor - Leste → East Timor A UN member state A None Togo -- Togolese Republic A UN member state A None Tonga -- Kingdom of Tonga A UN member state A None ZZZ Transnistria → Transnistria A UN member state A None Trinidad and Tobago -- Republic of Trinidad and Tobago A UN member state A None Trinidad and Tobago contains 1 autonomous region, Tobago. Tunisia -- Tunisian Republic A UN member state A None Turkey -- Republic of Turkey A UN member state A None Turkmenistan A UN member state A None Tuvalu A UN member state A None Tuvalu is a Commonwealth realm. Uganda -- Republic of Uganda A UN member state A None Ukraine A UN member state A None Ukraine contains an autonomous republic, Crimea. In 2014 Russia annexed the region along with Sevastopol turning them in one of its federal subjects as Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol. United Arab Emirates A UN member state A None The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates. United Kingdom -- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland A UN member state A None Member of the EU. The United Kingdom is a Commonwealth realm consisting of four constituent countries : England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The United Kingdom has the following overseas territories : Akrotiri and Dhekelia Anguilla Bermuda British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Falkland Islands Gibraltar Montserrat Pitcairn Islands Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Turks and Caicos Islands British Antarctic Territory The British monarch has direct sovereignty over three self - governing Crown dependencies : Bailiwick of Guernsey Isle of Man Bailiwick of Jersey United States -- United States of America A UN member state A None The United States is a federation of 50 states and 1 federal district with shared sovereignty. The Federal government of the United States has sovereignty over the following inhabited possessions and commonwealths : American Samoa Guam Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands It also has sovereignty over several uninhabited territories : Baker Island Howland Island Jarvis Island Johnston Atoll Kingman Reef Midway Atoll Navassa Island Wake Island It also has sovereignty over the following incorporated territories : Palmyra Atoll Three sovereign states have become associated states of the United States under the Compact of Free Association : Marshall Islands -- Republic of the Marshall Islands Micronesia -- Federated States of Micronesia Palau -- Republic of Palau It also disputes sovereignty over the following territories : Bajo Nuevo Bank Serranilla Bank Uruguay -- Oriental Republic of Uruguay A UN member state A None Member of the UNASUL. Uzbekistan -- Republic of Uzbekistan A UN member state A None Uzbekistan contains 1 autonomous region, Karakalpakstan. Vanuatu -- Republic of Vanuatu A UN member state A None Vatican City -- Vatican City State A UN observer state under the designation of `` Holy See '' ; member of three UN specialized agencies and the IAEA A None Administered by the Holy See, a sovereign entity with diplomatic ties to 183 states -- 180 UN member states, one UN observer state ( Palestine ), the Cook Islands and the Republic of China ( Taiwan ). The Holy See is a member of the IAEA, ITU, UPU, and WIPO and a permanent observer of the UN ( in the category of `` Non-member State '' ) and multiple other UN System organizations. The Vatican City is governed by officials appointed by the Pope, who is the Bishop of the Diocese of Rome and ex officio sovereign of Vatican City. Venezuela -- Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela A UN member state A None Member of the UNASUL. Venezuela is a federation of 23 states, 1 capital district, and federal dependencies. Vietnam -- Socialist Republic of Vietnam A UN member state A None Yemen -- Republic of Yemen A UN member state A None Zambia -- Republic of Zambia A UN member state A None Zimbabwe -- Republic of Zimbabwe A UN member state A None ZZZ ↑ UN member states and observer states ↑ A ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ AB ZZZ ↓ Other states ↓ D AAA ZZZ Abkhazia -- Republic of Abkhazia D No membership B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain Recognised by Russia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Artsakh, South Ossetia and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. Artsakh -- Republic of Artsakh D No membership B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain A de facto independent state, recognized only by Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Azerbaijan. Cook Islands D Member of eight UN specialized agencies A None ( See political status ) A state in free association with New Zealand, the Cook Islands maintains diplomatic relations with 49 states. The Cook Islands is a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty making capacity. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship. Kosovo -- Republic of Kosovo D Member of two UN specialized agencies B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain Pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, Kosovo was placed under the administration of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo in 1999. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, and it has received diplomatic recognition from 113 UN member states and the Republic of China. Serbia continues to maintain its sovereignty claim over Kosovo. Other UN member states and non UN member states continue to recognise Serbian sovereignty or have taken no position on the question. Kosovo is a member of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group. The Republic of Kosovo has de facto control over most of the territory, with limited control in North Kosovo. Niue D Member of five UN specialized agencies A None ( See political status ) A state in free association with New Zealand, Niue maintains diplomatic relations with 20 states. Niue is a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty making capacity. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship. Northern Cyprus -- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus D No membership B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain Recognised only by Turkey. Under the name `` Turkish Cypriot State '', it is an observer state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organization. Northern Cyprus is claimed in whole by the Republic of Cyprus. Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic D No membership B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain Recognised at some stage by 84 UN member states, 38 of which have since withdrawn or frozen their recognition. 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 Western Sahara to the west of the Moroccan Wall controlled by Morocco. Its government resides in exile in Tindouf, Algeria. Somaliland -- Republic of Somaliland D No membership B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain A de facto independent state, not diplomatically recognised by any other state, claimed in whole by the Federal Republic of Somalia. South Ossetia -- Republic of South Ossetia -- the State of Alania D No membership B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain A de facto independent state, recognised by Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Syria, Venezuela, Abkhazia, Artsakh and Transnistria. Claimed in whole by Georgia as the Provisional Administrative Entity of South Ossetia. Taiwan -- Republic of China DFormer UN member ( as Republic of China, 1945 -- 1971 ) Observer in one UN specialized agency under the name `` Chinese Taipei '' B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain A state competing ( nominally ) for recognition with the People 's Republic of China ( PRC ) as the government of China since 1949. The Republic of China ( ROC ) 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 ROC is recognised by 16 UN member states and the Holy See as of 21 August 2018. All these states do not recognise the PRC either. Additionally, one UN member ( Bhutan ) has refrained from recognising either the ROC or the PRC. The territory of the ROC is claimed in whole by the PRC. The ROC participates in international organizations under a variety of pseudonyms, most commonly `` Chinese Taipei '' and in the WTO it has full membership. The ROC was a founding member of the UN and enjoyed membership from 1945 to 1971, with veto power in the UN Security Council. See China and the United Nations. Transnistria -- Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic D No membership B Claimed by Georgia Claimed by North Korea Claimed by Serbia Claimed by Somalia Claimed by the People 's Republic of China Claimed by the Republic of China Claimed by South Korea Claimed by Azerbaijan Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus Disputed by Israel Claimed by Mauritius Claimed by Morocco Claimed by Moldova Claimed by Mali Claimed by Spain A de facto independent state, recognised only by Abkhazia, Artsakh and South Ossetia. Claimed in whole by Moldova as the Transnistria autonomous territorial unit. ZZZ ↑ Other states ↑ D ZZZ ZZZ ZZZZ ZZZZ ZZZZ Legend `` Membership within the UN System '' column UN Member states UN Observer states Member of a UN Specialized Agency Observer in a UN Specialized Agency No membership in the UN System Legend `` Sovereignty dispute '' column Undisputed sovereignty Sovereignty disputed Criteria for inclusion The dominant customary international law standard of statehood is the declarative theory of statehood, which was codified by the Montevideo Convention of 1933. The Convention defines the state as a person of international law if it `` possess ( es ) the following qualifications : ( a ) a permanent population ; ( b ) a defined territory ; ( c ) government ; and ( d ) a capacity to enter into relations with the other states '' so long as it was not `` obtained by force whether this consists in the employment of arms, in threatening diplomatic representations, or in any other effective coercive measure ''. Debate exists on the degree to which recognition should be included as a criterion of statehood. The declarative theory of statehood 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 recognised as sovereign by other states. For the purposes of this list, included are all states that either : ( a ) consider themselves sovereign ( through a declaration of independence or some other means ) and are often regarded as satisfying the declarative theory of statehood, or ( b ) are recognised as a sovereign state by at least one UN member 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. Unique political entities which fail to meet the classification of a sovereign state are considered proto - states. On the basis of the above criteria, this list includes the following 206 entities : 203 states recognised by at least one UN member state Two states that satisfy the declarative theory of statehood and are recognised only by non-UN member states : Artsakh, Transnistria One state that satisfies the declarative theory of statehood and is not recognised by any other state : Somaliland The table includes bullets representing entities which are either not sovereign states or have a close association to another sovereign state. It also includes subnational areas where the sovereignty of the titular state is limited by an international agreement. Taken together, these include : States in a free association relationship to another state Two entities controlled by Pakistan which are neither sovereign states, dependent territories, or part of another state : Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Dependent territories of another state, as well as areas that exhibit many characteristics of dependent territories according to the dependent territory page Subnational entities created by international agreements See also countries portal geography portal international relations portal lists portal ISO 3166 - 1 Adjectivals and demonyms for countries and nations Gallery of country coats of arms Gallery of sovereign state flags List of countries and capitals in native languages List of national capitals in alphabetical order List of country - name etymologies List of dependent territories List of international rankings List of ISO 3166 country codes List of micronations List of rebel groups that control territory List of states with limited recognition List of territorial disputes Sovereign state List of sovereign states and dependent territories by continent List of shortest - lived sovereign states List of sovereign states by date of formation Lists of sovereign states by year List of administrative divisions by country Template : Clickable world map Terra nullius Notes ^ This column indicates whether or not a state is a member of the United Nations. It also indicates which non-member states participate in the United Nations System through membership in the International Atomic Energy Agency or one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations. All United Nations members belong to at least one specialized agency and are parties to the statute of the International Court of Justice. ^ This column indicates whether or not a state is the subject of a major sovereignty dispute. Only states whose entire sovereignty is disputed by another state are listed. ^ The member states of the European Union have transferred part of their sovereignty in the form of legislative, executive, and judicial powers to the institutions of the EU, which is an example of supranational union. The EU has 28 member states. ^ Information is included on : The extent to which a state 's sovereignty is recognised internationally. More information can be found at List of states with limited recognition, Membership in the European Union, where applicable, Any dependencies, if applicable, which are generally not part of the territory of the sovereign state, federal structure of the state, where applicable. More information can be found at Federated state, Any autonomous areas inside the territory of the sovereign state, Any situations where one person is the Head of State of more than one state, Any governments in exile recognised by at least one state. ^ Commonwealth realms are members of the Commonwealth of Nations in which the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. The realms are sovereign states ; see Relationship of the realms. ^ For more information on divisions with a high degree of autonomy, see the List of autonomous areas by country. ^ The Argentine Constitution ( Art. 35 ) recognises the following denominations for Argentina : `` United Provinces of the Río de la Plata '', `` Argentine Republic '' and `` Argentine Confederation '' ; furthermore, it establishes the usage of `` Argentine Nation '' for purposes of legislation. ^ The member states of the Union of South American Nations have transferred part of their sovereignty in the form of legislative, executive, and judicial powers to the institutions of the UNASUL, which is an example of supranational union. The UNASUL has 12 member states. ^ The legal name for Canada is the sole word ; an officially sanctioned, though disused, name is Dominion of Canada ( which includes its legal title ) ; see : Name of Canada, Dominion. ^ The government of Cape Verde uses `` Cabo Verde '' as the English translation since 2013 ^ The People 's Republic of China ( PRC ) is commonly referred to as `` China '', while the Republic of China ( ROC ) is commonly referred to as `` Taiwan ''. The ROC is also occasionally known diplomatically as Chinese Taipei, along with other names. ^ In 1949, the Republic of China government led by the Kuomintang ( KMT ) lost the Chinese Civil War to the Communist Party of China ( CPC ) and set up a provisional capital in Taipei. The CPC established the PRC. As such, the political status of the ROC and legal status of Taiwan ( alongside the territories under ROC jurisdiction ) are in dispute. In 1971, the United Nations gave the China seat to the PRC and the ROC withdrew from the UN. Most states recognise the PRC to be the sole legitimate representative of all China, and the UN classifies Taiwan as `` Taiwan, Province of China ''. The ROC has de facto relations with most sovereign states. A significant political movement within Taiwan advocates Taiwan independence. ^ See also Dates of establishment of diplomatic relations with the People 's Republic of China and Foreign relations of China. ^ More information on more or less federal structures can be found at a List of federations. ^ Also known as Congo - Kinshasa. Formerly referred to as Zaire, its official name from 1971 to 1997. ^ Also known as Congo - Brazzaville. ^ A simpler official short name has been encouraged by the Czech government, `` Czechia ''. By 2017, this variant remains uncommon. Nevertheless, this term has been adopted by several companies and organisations, including Google Maps, instead of the term `` Czech Republic ''. See Name of the Czech Republic ^ The government of East Timor uses `` Timor - Leste '' as the English translation. ^ Formerly referred to as the Kingdom of Swaziland, its official name until 2018. ^ Åland was demilitarised by the Treaty of Paris in 1856, which was later affirmed by the League of Nations in 1921, and in a somewhat different context reaffirmed in the treaty on Finland 's admission to the European Union in 1995. ^ Also known as Guinea - Conakry. ^ While sometimes referred to as the `` Republic of Iceland '' and sometimes its counterpart Lýðveldið Ísland in Icelandic, the official name of the country is simply Iceland. One example of the former is the name of the Constitution of Iceland, which in Icelandic is Stjórnarskrá lýðveldisins Íslands and literally means `` the Constitution of the republic of Iceland '', but note that `` republic '' is not capitalized. ^ `` Ireland '' is the official name in English. `` Republic of Ireland '' ( the official description in English ) and `` Éire '' ( the official name in Irish ) have sometimes been used unofficially to distinguish the state from the larger island of Ireland ; this is officially deprecated. See names of the Irish state. ^ The government of Ivory Coast uses `` Côte d'Ivoire '' as the English translation ^ Both North Korea and South Korea claim to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. See also Foreign relations of North Korea and Foreign relations of South Korea. ^ The country 's official name of Myanmar, adopted in 1989, has been mixed and controversial, with the former name Burma sometimes being used. See Names of Myanmar. ^ Sovereignty over Kashmir is disputed between India and Pakistan ; smaller parts are disputed by the People 's Republic of China and the Republic of China. Kashmir is divided between India, Pakistan and the PRC. See the List of territorial disputes. ^ Formerly known as Ceylon until 1972. ^ Formerly known as the Nagorno - Karabakh Republic, its official name from 1991 to 2017 ^ The sovereignty over the Spratly Islands is disputed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and in part by Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Except for Brunei, each of these countries occupies part of the islands ( see List of territorial disputes ). ^ The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is not included, as despite being a sovereign entity it lacks territory and does not claim statehood. Entities considered to be micronations are not included. It is often up to debate whether a micronation truly controls its claimed territory. Also omitted from this list are all uncontacted peoples, either who live in societies that can not be defined as states or whose statuses as such are not definitively known. References ^ Press Release ORG / 1469 ( 3 July 2006 ). `` United Nations Member States ''. United Nations. Retrieved 28 February 2011. ^ `` Andorra country profile ''. BBC News. Retrieved 8 November 2011. ^ Government of Antigua and Barbuda. `` Chapter 44 : The Barbuda Local Government Act '' ( PDF ). Laws of Antigua and Barbuda. Retrieved 10 November 2010. ^ `` Pakistan Worldview, Report 21, Visit to Azerbaijan '' ( PDF ). Senate of Pakistan Foreign Relations Committee. 2008. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 19 February 2009. ^ Nilufer Bakhtiyar : `` For Azerbaijan Pakistan does not recognise Armenia as a country '' 13 September 2006 ( 14 : 03 ) -- Today.Az ^ `` Pakistan the only country not recognizing Armenia -- envoy ''. News.Az. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014. We are the only country not recognizing Armenia as a state. ^ Europa, retrieved 28 February 2011 ^ `` Bahamas, The The Commonwealth ''. thecommonwealth.org. Retrieved 12 March 2018. ^ Stjepanović, Dejan ( 2015 ). `` Dual Substate Citizenship as Institutional Innovation : The Case of Bosnia 's Brčko District ''. Nationalism and Ethnic Politics. 21 ( 4 ) : 382 -- 383. doi : 10.1080 / 13537113.2015. 1095043. eISSN 1557 - 2986. ISSN 1353 - 7113. OCLC 5927465455. ^ UNASUR : El camino hacia la integración sudamericana, retrieved 12 August 2018 ^ Tanya Basu ( 14 December 2013 ). `` Cape Verde Gets New Name : 5 Things to Know About How Maps Change ''. National Geographic. Retrieved 8 October 2018. ^ Constitution of Comoros, Art. 1. ^ Andreas S. Kakouris ( 9 July 2010 ). `` Cyprus is not at peace with Turkey ''. CNN. Retrieved 17 May 2014. Turkey stands alone in violation of the will of the international community. It is the only country to recognize the `` TRNC '' and is the only country that does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus and its government. ^ `` Greek Administration of Southern Cyprus ''. Republic of Turkey : Ministry of EU Affairs. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2018. ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2015. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) ^ `` Rotuma Act ''. Laws of Fiji ( 1978 ed. ). Suva, Fiji : Government of Fiji. 1927. Archived from the original on 21 June 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010. ^ Government of Fiji, Office of the Prime Minister ( 1978 ). `` Chapter 122 : Rotuma Act ''. Laws of Fiji. University of the South Pacific. Retrieved 10 November 2010. ^ `` The Gambia profile ''. BBC News. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018. ^ Constitution of Greece, Art. 105. ^ `` Iceland - Culture, History, & People ''. ^ http://unstats.un.org/unsd/geoinfo/ungegn/docs/26th-gegn-docs/WP/WP54_UNGEGN%20WG%20Country%20Names%20Document%202011.pdf ^ `` Hvert er formlegt heiti landsins okkar ? ''. ^ Iraqi constitution Archived 18 May 2016 at the Portuguese Web Archive ^ Daly, Mary E. ( January 2007 ). `` The Irish Free State / Éire / Republic of Ireland / Ireland : `` A Country by Any Other Name '' ? ``. Journal of British Studies. Cambridge University Press on behalf of The North American Conference on British Studies. 46 ( 1 ) : 72 -- 90. doi : 10.1086 / 508399. JSTOR 10.1086 / 508399. ^ `` Basic Law : Jerusalem, Capital of Israel ''. www.knesset.gov.il. ^ `` Disputes : International ''. CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 8 November 2011. ^ Gold, Dore ; Institute for Contemporary Affairs ( 26 August 2005 ). `` Legal Acrobatics : The Palestinian Claim that Gaza is Still `` Occupied '' Even After Israel Withdraws ``. Jerusalem Issue Brief, Vol. 5, No. 3. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 16 July 2010. ^ Bell, Abraham ( 28 January 2008 ). `` International Law and Gaza : The Assault on Israel 's Right to Self - Defense ''. Jerusalem Issue Brief, Vol. 7, No. 29. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 16 July 2010. ^ `` Address by Foreign Minister Livni to the 8th Herzliya Conference '' ( Press release ). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. 22 January 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2010. ^ Salih, Zak M. ( 17 November 2005 ). `` Panelists Disagree Over Gaza 's Occupation Status ''. University of Virginia School of Law. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2010. ^ `` Israel : ' Disengagement ' Will Not End Gaza Occupation ''. Human Rights Watch. 29 October 2004. Retrieved 16 July 2010. ^ `` Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea ''. Retrieved 27 October 2008. ^ Keun Min. `` Greetings ''. Jeju Special Self - Governing Province. Retrieved 10 November 2010. ^ `` A / RES / 47 / 225 ''. UN.org. 8 April 1993. Retrieved 9 April 2018. ^ Federal Foreign Office of Germany ( November 2009 ). `` Beziehungen zu Deutschland ''. Government of Germany. Retrieved 16 July 2010. For more information, see Foreign relations of the Cook Islands. ^ China Internet Information Centre ( 13 December 2007 ). `` Full text of joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Niue ''. Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved 16 July 2010. ^ Republic of Nauru Permanent Mission to the United Nations. `` Foreign Affairs ''. United Nations. Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2010. ^ `` Archived copy '' ( PDF ). Archived from the original ( PDF ) on April 3, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2011. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) ^ Constitution of Pakistan, Art. 1. ^ Aslam, Tasnim ( 11 December 2006 ). `` ' Pakistan Does Not Claim Kashmir As An Integral Part... ' ''. Outlook India. The Outlook Group. ^ Williams, Kristen P. ( 2001 ). Despite nationalist conflicts : theory and practice of maintaining world peace. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 154 -- 155. ISBN 978 - 0 - 275 - 96934 - 9. ^ Pruthi, R.K. ( 2001 ). An Encyclopaedic Survey Of Global Terrorism In 21St Century. Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 120 -- 121. ISBN 978 - 81 - 261 - 1091 - 9. ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) ^ http://gbtribune.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/self-governance-order-2009.pdf ^ `` AJ&K History ''. Retrieved 6 January 2018. ^ Lansford, Tom ( 2014 - 04 - 08 ). Political Handbook of the World 2014. ISBN 9781483333281. Retrieved 5 October 2014. ^ http://www.ajkassembly.gok.pk/AJK_Interim_Constitution_Act_1974.pdf ^ Palestine Liberation Organization. `` Road For Palestinian Statehood : Recognition and Admission ''. Negotiations Affairs Department. Archived from the original on August 18, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2011. ^ See the following on statehood criteria : Mendes, Errol ( 30 March 2010 ). `` Statehood and Palestine for the purposes of Article 12 ( 3 ) of the ICC Statute '' ( PDF ). 30 March 2010 : 28, 33. Retrieved 17 April 2011 : ``... the Palestinian State also meets the traditional criteria under the Montevideo Convention... '' ; ``... the fact that a majority of states have recognised Palestine as a State should easily fulfill the requisite state practice ''. McKinney, Kathryn M. ( 1994 ). `` The Legal Effects of the Israeli - PLO Declaration ofPrinciples : Steps Toward Statehood for Palestine ''. Seattle University Law Review. Seattle University. 18 ( 93 ) : 97. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011 : `` It is possible, however, to argue for Palestinian statehood based on the constitutive theory ''. McDonald, Avril ( Spring 2009 ). `` Operation Cast Lead : Drawing the Battle Lines of the Legal Dispute ''. Human Rights Brief. Washington College of Law, Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. 25. Retrieved 17 April 2011 : `` Whether one applies the criteria of statehood set out in the Montevideo Convention or the more widely accepted constitutive theory of statehood, Palestine might be considered a state. '' ^ `` Non-member States and Entities ''. United Nations. 29 February 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2010. ^ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. `` Arab States : Palestine ''. United Nations. Retrieved 3 December 2011. ^ `` Statement from UNISFA on the recent spate of attacks in Abyei ''. UNmissions.org. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2018. ^ `` Abyei Administration Area Changes Name ''. Gurtong.net. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2018. ^ `` Bilateral relations of the Holy See ''. Holy See website. Retrieved 5 June 2012. ^ Абхазия, Южная Осетия и Приднестровье признали независимость друг друга и призвали всех к этому же ( in Russian ). newsru.com. 17 November 2006. Retrieved 5 June 2011. ^ Ker - Lindsay, James ( 2012 ). The Foreign Policy of Counter Secession : Preventing the Recognition of Contested States. Oxford University Press. p. 53. Retrieved 24 September 2013. In addition to the four cases of contested statehood described above, there are three other territories that have unilaterally declared independence and are generally regarded as having met the Montevideo criteria for statehood but have not been recognized by any states : Transnistria, Nagorny Karabakh, and Somaliland. ^ Krüger, Heiko ( 2010 ). The Nagorno - Karabakh Conflict : A Legal Analysis. Springer. p. 55. ISBN 978 - 3 - 642 - 11787 - 9. ^ Nikoghosyan, Hovhannes ( August 2010 ). `` Kosovo ruling implications for Armenia and Azerbaijan ''. HULIQ.com. Hareyan Publishing, LLC. Retrieved 17 April 2011. ^ Вице - спикер парламента Абхазии : Выборы в НКР соответствуют всем международным стандартам : `` Абхазия, Южная Осетия, НКР и Приднестровье уже давно признали независимость друг друга и очень тесно сотрудничают между собой '', -- сказал вице - спикер парламента Абхазии... ``... Абхазия признала независимость Нагорно - Карабахской Республики... '' -- сказал он. '' ^ `` In detail : The foreign policy of Pridnestrovie ''. Pridnestrovie. 26 May 2010. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2010. ^ Regions and territories : Nagorno - Karabakh ( 17 January 2006 ). BBC News. Retrieved 17 January 2006. ^ `` United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo ''. UN. Retrieved 8 January 2015. ^ The World Factbook Cyprus ( 10 January 2006 ). Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 17 January 2006. ^ Kreuter, Aaron ( 2010 ). `` Self - Determination, Sovereignty, and the Failure of States : Somaliland and the Case for Justified Secession '' ( PDF ). Minnesota Journal of International Law. University of Minnesota Law School. 19 : 2 : 380 -- 381. Retrieved 24 September 2013. Considering each of these factors, Somaliland has a colorable argument that it meets the theoretical requirements of statehood... On these bases, Somaliland appears to have a strong claim to statehood. ^ International Crisis Group ( 23 May 2006 ). `` Somaliland : Time for African Union leadership '' ( PDF ). The Africa Report. Groupe Jeune Afrique ( 110 ) : 10 -- 13. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011. ^ Mesfin, Berouk ( September 2009 ). `` The political development of Somaliland and its conflict with Puntland '' ( PDF ). ISS Paper. Institute for Security Studies ( 200 ) : 8. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 23 November 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011. ^ Arieff, Alexis. `` De Facto Statehood ? The Strange Case of Somaliland '' ( PDF ). Yale Journal of International Affairs. International Affairs Council at Yale ( Spring / Summer 2008 ) : 1 -- 79. Retrieved 17 April 2011. ^ `` Somaliland profile ''. BBC News. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2018. ^ Jansen, Dinah ( 2009 ). `` The Conflict between Self - Determination and Territorial Integrity : the South Ossetian Paradigm ''. Geopolitics Vs. Global Governance : Reinterpreting International Security. Centre for Foreign Policy Studies, University of Dalhousie : 222 -- 242. ISBN 978 - 1 - 896440 - 61 - 3 ^ `` Russia condemned for recognizing rebel regions ''. CNN.com. Cable News Network. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2008. ^ `` Ma refers to China as ROC territory in magazine interview ''. Taipei Times. 8 October 2008. ^ Regions and territories : Trans - Dniester ( 13 December 2005 ). BBC News. Retrieved 17 January 2006. ^ Hersch Lauterpacht ( 2012 ). Recognition in International Law. Cambridge University Press. p. 419. ISBN 9781107609433. ^ Hahn, Gordon ( 2002 ). Russia 's Revolution from Above, 1985 -- 2000 : Reform, Transition, and Revolution in the Fall of the Soviet Communist Regime. New Brunswick : Transaction Publishers. p. 527. ISBN 978 - 0765800497. ^ Griffiths, Ryan ( 2016 ). Age of Secession : The International and Domestic Determinants of State Birth. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. pp. 85, 213 -- 242. ISBN 978 - 1107161627. ^ The following bullets are grouped according to the availability of sources for the two criteria ( ( a ) and / or ( b ) ). This arrangement is not intended to reflect the relative importance of the two theories. Additional details are discussed in the state 's individual entries. Bibliography Bissio, Roberto Remo, ed. ( 1995 ). The World : A Third World Guide : 1995 / 96. Montevideo : Instituto del Tercer Mundo. ISBN 978 - 0 - 85598 - 291 - 1. OCLC 476299738. `` Countries or areas, codes and abbreviations ''. Statistics Division, United Nations. 1 April 2010. Davis, Tim ( 19 February 2009 ). `` World Countries and States List ''. Timdavis.com.au. `` Geographic Names '' ( PDF ). Department of Public Information, Cartographic Section, United Nations. 7 September 2000. `` ISO 3166 - 1 Country names and code elements ''. International Organization for Standardization. 2010. `` List of countries, territories and currencies ''. Publications Office of the European Union. 4 May 2010. `` The World Factbook ''. United States : Central Intelligence Agency. 2010. World of Information ( Firm ), and International Chamber of Commerce ( 2003 ). Middle East Review 2003 / 04 : The Economic and Business Report ( 27th ed. ). London : Kogan Page. p. 161. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7494 - 4066 - 4. OCLC 51992589. Lists of sovereign states and dependent territories by continent Continents Africa Antarctica Asia Europe North America Oceania South America Supercontinents Americas Eurasia Islands List of island countries Lists of sovereign states by year AD ( CE ) Current list of sovereign states Centuries 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 19th Years 2nd century 220 6th century 501 502 503 12th century 1143 15th century 1400 1494 1496 16th century 1500 1528 17th century 1620 1648 1660 1661 1662 18th century 1768 1769 1776 1777 1778 1799 1800 19th century 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 20th century 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 21st century 2017 2018 Decades 1800s 1810s 1820s 1830s 1840s 1850s 1860s 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Ages Classical Late Antiquity Middle BC ( BCE ) Centuries 35th BC 21st BC 20th BC 19th BC 18th BC 17th BC 16th BC 15th BC 14th BC 13th BC 12th BC 11th BC 10th BC 9th BC 8th BC 7th BC 6th BC 5th BC 4th BC 3rd BC 2nd BC 1st BC Ages Copper Bronze Iron Classical States with limited recognition Details concerning international recognition and foreign relations provided by the articles linked in parenthesis UN member states Partially unrecognised Armenia relations China relations Cyprus relations Israel recognition relations North Korea relations South Korea relations UN observer states Partially unrecognised Palestine recognition relations Non-UN member states Recognised by at least one UN member Abkhazia recognition relations Kosovo recognition relations Northern Cyprus relations Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic recognition relations South Ossetia recognition relations Taiwan relations Recognised only by non-UN members Artsakh recognition relations Transnistria recognition relations Unrecognised Somaliland relations Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_sovereign_states&oldid=865912445 '' Categories : Lists of countries Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Archived copy as title Webarchive template other archives CS1 uses Russian - language script ( ru ) CS1 Russian - language sources ( ru ) Articles with inconsistent citation formats Articles with short description Use dmy dates from December 2017 Articles that may contain original research from December 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Адыгабзэ Afrikaans Alemannisch አማርኛ Ænglisc Аҧсшәа Aragonés ܐܪܡܝܐ Armãneashti Arpetan অসমীয়া Asturianu Avañe'ẽ Azərbaycanca تۆرکجه বাংলা Bahasa Banjar Bân - lâm - gú Basa Banyumasan Башҡортса Беларуская Беларуская ( тарашкевіца ) ‎ भोजपुरी Bikol Central Български Boarisch བོད ་ ཡིག Brezhoneg Буряад Català Cebuano Čeština Chavacano de Zamboanga Cymraeg Dansk Davvisámegiella Deitsch Deutsch Dolnoserbski ཇོང ་ ཁ Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Føroyskt Français Frysk Fulfulde Furlan Gaeilge Gaelg Gagauz Gàidhlig Galego Хальмг 한국어 Hausa Hawaiʻi Հայերեն हिन्दी Hornjoserbsce Hrvatski Ido Igbo Ilokano বিষ্ণুপ্রিয়া মণিপুরী Bahasa Indonesia Interlingua Interlingue Ирон Íslenska Italiano עברית Basa Jawa Kalaallisut ಕನ್ನಡ Kapampangan ქართული Қазақша Kernowek Kiswahili Kongo Kreyòl ayisyen Kurdî Кыргызча Ladino Latgaļu Latina Latviešu Lëtzebuergesch Lietuvių Limburgs Lingála Livvinkarjala La. lojban. 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Question: how many countries are there in the world un
Answer: 206