List of countries in the 1980s

This is a list of countries in the 1980s, giving an overview of states around the world during the period between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1989. It contains 188 entries, arranged alphabetically, with information on the status and recognition of their sovereignty. It includes 171 widely-recognized sovereign states, 2 constituent republics of another sovereign state that were UN members on their own right, 2 associated states, and 13 entities which claim an effective sovereignty but are considered de facto dependencies of other powers by the general international community.

Sovereign states
Name and capital cityInformation on status and recognition of sovereignty A  →  →  Afghanistan 
 Democratic Republic of Afghanistan 
 Republic of Afghanistan 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Albania – People's Socialist Republic of Albania 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – People's Democratic Republic of Algeria 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Principality of Andorra 
Widely-recognized independent state. The President of France and Bishop of Urgell were ex officio Co-Princes of Andorra. The defense of Andorra was the responsibility of France and Spain.  Angola – People's Republic of Angola 
Widely-recognized UN member state.  
 Antigua 
 Antigua and Barbuda 
Associated state of the United Kingdom (to 31 October 1981); widely-recognized independent state (from 1 November 1981). UN member state (from 11 November 1981); Commonwealth realm. Antigua and Barbuda had two dependencies: Barbuda and Redonda. – Argentine Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Argentina was a federation of 22 provinces and two federal territories. It had a claim over Argentine Antarctica, which was suspended under the Antarctic Treaty. It also claimed the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, both of which were British overseas territories. – Commonwealth of Australia 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Australia was a federation of six states and three territories. It had sovereignty over the following external territories:
  Ashmore and Cartier Islands
  Australian Antarctic Territory (suspended under the Antarctic Treaty.)
  Christmas Island
 Cocos (Keeling) Islands
  Coral Sea Islands
  Heard Island and McDonald Islands
  – Republic of Austria 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Austria was a federation of nine states. B  – Commonwealth of the Bahamas 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Bahrain – State of Bahrain 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – People's Republic of Bangladesh 
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. – Kingdom of Belgium 
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member. After 8 August 1980, Belgium was a federation of three communities and three regions. Belize  
Widely-recognized independent state. UN member state (from 25 September 1981); Commonwealth realm. Benin – People's Republic of Benin 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Kingdom of Bhutan 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Bhutan was officially guided by India in its foreign affairs, but effectively pursued an independent foreign policy. 
 Republic of Bolivia 
 Republic of Bolivia 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Bophuthatswana 
Nominally independent South African bantustan. – Republic of Botswana 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Brazil – Federative Republic of Brazil 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Brazil was a federation of 26 states, four territories (none from 1 January 1989), and one federal district. – State of Brunei, Abode of Peace  
Widely-recognized independent state. UN member state (from 21 September 1984). Brunei claimed part of the Spratly Islands (disputed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia). Bulgaria – People's Republic of Bulgaria 
Widely-recognized UN member state.Burkina Faso  Upper Volta Burma / Myanmar 
 Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma 
 Union of Burma 
 Union of Myanmar 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Burundi 
Widely-recognized UN member state. C Cambodia, State of  Kampuchea, People's Republic of 
 United Republic of Cameroon 
 Republic of Cameroon 
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
 Dominion of Canada (to 17 April 1982)
 Canada (from 17 April 1982)
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Canada was a federation of ten provinces and two territories.  – Republic of Cape Verde 
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Chad 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Chile – Republic of Chile 
Widely-recognized UN member state. It had a claim over Chilean Antarctic Territory, which is suspended under the Antarctic Treaty. 
Widely-recognized UN member state. The People's Republic of China had five autonomous regions: Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Tibet. The People's Republic of China claimed Taiwan, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, Pratas Island and the Vereker Banks, and Itu Aba, all of which were governed by the Republic of China. It also claimed the Paracel Islands (disputed by the Republic of China and Vietnam), the Spratly Islands (disputed by the Republic of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei), and South Tibet (controlled by India). The People's Republic of China administered Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract, which were within the disputed region of Kashmir. 
Partially-recognized de facto independent state. The Republic of China claimed to be the sole legitimate government of China, but only administered Taiwan, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, Pratas Island and Itu Aba. The Republic of China had territorial claims over Mongolia; the Tuvan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic; the Sixty-Four Villages East of the River (administered by the Soviet Union); The majority of Gorno-Badakhshan (administered by the Soviet Union); The eastern tip of the Wakhan Corridor (administered by Afghanistan); a small portion of Gilgit-Baltistan (administered by Pakistan and part of the disputed Kashmir region); Aksai Chin (administered by the People's Republic of China and part of the disputed Kashmir region); eastern Bhutan; South Tibet (controlled by India); and Kachin State (administered by Myanmar). – Republic of Ciskei  
Nominally independent South African bantustan. – Republic of Colombia 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Colombia administered Bajo Nuevo Bank and Serranilla Bank (disputed by Nicaragua and the United States). – Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros 
Widely-recognized UN member state. The Comoros was a federation of three islands. Comoros claimed sovereignty over the French overseas territories of Mayotte and the Glorioso Islands. It also claimed Banc du Geyser (disputed by Madagascar and France). Congo – People's Republic of the Congo 
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
A state in free association with New Zealand. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship. – Republic of Costa Rica 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Cuba 
Widely-recognized UN member state. The Cuban area of Guantánamo Bay was under the control of the United States. – Republic of Cyprus 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Cyprus included one self-declared state which, although it did not claim independence, was de facto self-governing:
  Turkish Federated State of Cyprus (to 15 November 1983)
After 15 November 1983, The northeastern part of the island was the de facto independent state of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey. Czechoslovakia – Czechoslovak Socialist Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Czechoslovakia was a federation of two republics. D  – Kingdom of Denmark 
Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member. The Danish Realm also included two of its constituent countries:

 Derg  Ethiopia – Republic of Djibouti 
Widely-recognized UN member state. →  →  Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica 
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
Widely-recognized UN member state. E  – Republic of Ecuador 
Widely-recognized UN member state. →  – Arab Republic of Egypt 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Egypt included the Sinai Peninsula, which was occupied by Israel until 25 April 1982. – Republic of El Salvador 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Equatorial Guinea 
Widely-recognized UN member state. →  Ethiopia 
 Provisional Military Government of Socialist Ethiopia (Derg or Socialist Ethiopia) 
 People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 
Widely-recognized UN member state. F  
 Dominion of Fiji 
 Republic of Fiji 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm (to 7 October 1987). Fiji had an autonomous dependency, Rotuma. – Republic of Finland 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Finland had a neutral and demilitarised region:
  – French Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member. France included five overseas departments: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon (to 11 June 1985). It also had sovereignty over the following overseas territories:
 , with one dependency:
 Clipperton Island
 French Southern and Antarctic Lands (including a claim to Adélie Land which was suspended under the Antarctic Treaty.)

 New Caledonia
  (to 29 July 1980, jointly with the United Kingdom)
  (from 11 June 1985)
 The Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean, consisting of five uninhabited possessions:
 Bassas da India  (disputed by Madagascar)
 Europa Island (disputed by Madagascar)
 Glorioso Islands (disputed by Madagascar, Comoros, and the Seychelles)
 Juan de Nova Island (disputed by Madagascar)
 Tromelin Island (disputed by Mauritius and the Seychelles)

France also claimed Banc du Geyser (disputed by Madagascar and the Comoros). G  – Gabonese Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of the Gambia 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – German Democratic Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Federal Republic of Germany 
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member. West Germany was a federation of ten states. – Republic of Ghana 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Hellenic Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member (from 1 January 1981). Greece had sovereignty over Mount Athos, an autonomous monastic state that was jointly governed by the multi-national "Holy Community" on the mountain and the Civil Governor appointed by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and spiritually came under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. 
 People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada 
 Grenada 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Grenada had one autonomous dependency, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. – Republic of Guatemala 
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
 People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea (to April 3, 1984)
 Republic of Guinea (from April 3, 1984)
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Guinea-Bissau 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Co-operative Republic of Guyana 
Widely-recognized UN member state. H  →  – Republic of Haiti 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Haiti claimed the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa Island.Holy See  Vatican City – Republic of Honduras 
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
 People's Republic of Hungary 
 Republic of Hungary 
Widely-recognized UN member state. I  – Republic of Iceland 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of India 
Widely-recognized UN member state. India was a federation of twenty-eight states and ten union territories. Indian sovereignty over South Tibet was disputed by China. India administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir as the state of Jammu and Kashmir. – Republic of Indonesia 
Widely-recognized UN member state. →  – Islamic Republic of Iran 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Iraqi Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member. – State of Israel 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Israel occupied the Gaza Strip the Golan Heights, the Israeli Security Zone in Southern Lebanon (from 6 June 1982), the Sinai Peninsula (to 25 April 1982), and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. These areas were not recognized as being part of Israel. Italy – Italian Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member. Italy had 5 autonomous regions and they were the Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily, and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. Republic of Ivory Coast 
 Republic of Côte d'Ivoire 

Widely-recognized UN member state. J  
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Until 31 July 1988, Jordan claimed West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which were Israeli-occupied territories. K  Kampuchea, Democratic 
 Democratic Kampuchea 
 Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Kampuchea, despite being in exile. →  Kampuchea, People's Republic of / Cambodia, State of 
 People's Republic of Kampuchea 
 State of Cambodia 
Partially recognized de facto independent state. Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Kampuchea. The People's Republic of Kampuchea was occupied by Vietnam until 25 September 1989. – Republic of Kenya 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Kiribati 
Widely-recognized independent state. – Democratic People's Republic of Korea 
Widely-recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN; claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. →  
 Fourth Republic 
 Fifth Republic 
 Sixth Republic 
Widely-recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN; claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. – State of Kuwait 
Widely-recognized UN member state. L  – Lao People's Democratic Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Lebanese Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Lebanon was occupied by Syria. Some of Southern Lebanon was occupied by Israel (from 6 June 1982). →  – Kingdom of Lesotho 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Liberia 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Libya 
 Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 
 Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 
Widely-recognized UN member state. →  – Principality of Liechtenstein 
Widely-recognized independent state. The defense of Liechtenstein was the responsibility of Switzerland. – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg 
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member. M  Madagascar – Democratic Republic of Madagascar 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Madagascar claimed the French possessions of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands and Juan de Nova Island. It also claimed Banc du Geyser (disputed by Comoros and France) – Republic of Malawi 
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Malaysia was a federation of thirteen states and two federal territories. Malaysia claimed part of the Spratly Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei). – Republic of Maldives 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Mali 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Malta 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of the Marshall Islands  
Widely-recognized state under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Marshall Islands claimed the United States territory of Wake Island. – Islamic Republic of Mauritania 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Mauritius 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Mauritius had three dependencies: Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos and Rodrigues. It claimed the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French territory of Tromelin Island. – United Mexican States 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Mexico was a federation of 31 states and one federal district.  
Widely-recognized state under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The FSM was a federation of four states. – Principality of Monaco 
Widely-recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN.The defense of Monaco was the responsibility of France. Mongolia – Mongolian People's Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Kingdom of Morocco 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Morocco claimed sovereignty over and controlled most of the disputed Western Sahara, which was home to the de facto independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Morocco disputed the Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla, and Peñón de Alhucemas. →  →  Mozambique – People's Republic of Mozambique 
Widely-recognized UN member state.Myanmar  Burma N  – Republic of Nauru 
Widely-recognized independent state. The defense of Nauru was the responsibility of Australia. Nepal – Kingdom of Nepal 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Kingdom of the Netherlands 
Widely-recognized UN member state. The Kingdom of the Netherlands consisted of three autonomous countries:
  (from 1 January 1986)

  → 
The Kingdom of the Netherlands as a whole was a member of the EEC, but Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles were not. 
 Dominion of New Zealand 
 New Zealand 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. New Zealand had responsibilities for the two free associated states of:


It also had sovereignty over two dependent territories:
 Ross Dependency (suspended under the Antarctic Treaty)
 Tokelau
The government of Tokelau claimed Swains Island, part of American Samoa (a U.S. dependence). New Zealand did not recognize this claim since 25 March 1981. – Republic of Nicaragua 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Nicaragua had two autonomous regions: Región Autónoma del Atlántico Norte (from 1987) and Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur (from 1987). – Republic of Niger 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Federal Republic of Nigeria 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Nigeria was a federation of 21 states and one federal territory. 
A state in free association with New Zealand. Niue is a member of multiple UN agencies with full treaty making capacity. It had shared citizenship with New Zealand. – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus  
Partially recognized de facto independent state. Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus. – Kingdom of Norway 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Norway had two integral overseas areas: Jan Mayen and Svalbard. The latter of area had a special status due to the Spitsbergen Treaty. Norway had sovereignty over the following dependencies:
 Bouvet Island
 Peter I Island (suspended under the Antarctic Treaty)
 Queen Maud Land (suspended under the Antarctic Treaty) O  – Sultanate of Oman 
Widely-recognized UN member state. P  – Islamic Republic of Pakistan 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Pakistan was a federation of four provinces and four territories; it administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir as the territories of Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas.– State of Palestine (non-sovereign, non-UN member nation)
Disputed region consisting of two occupied territories: the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The declared State of Palestine, which claimed independence for all the Palestinian territories from 15 November 1988, was recognized by a large number of countries. In foreign relations, Palestine was represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization, which was a permanent observer at the United Nations. – Republic of Panama 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Independent State of Papua New Guinea 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. →  Paraguay – Republic of Paraguay 
Widely-recognized UN member state.  
 Peruvian Republic 
 Republic of Peru 
Widely-recognized UN member state. →  →  – Republic of the Philippines 
Widely-recognized UN member state. The Philippines had one autonomous region: Muslim Mindanao (from 1 August 1989). The Philippines administered Scarborough Shoal, which was disputed by the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China. It also claimed sovereignty over the Spratly Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia) and the Malaysian territory of Sabah. →  
 Polish People's Republic 
 Republic of Poland 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Portuguese Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member (from 1 January 1986). Portugal had two autonomous regions: the Azores and Madeira. Portugal had one Chinese territory which it administered as a dependency:
 Macau
Portugal claimed sovereignty over the former colony of Portuguese Timor, which had been annexed by Indonesia. It also claimed the Spanish municipalities of Olivenza and Táliga. Q  – State of Qatar 
Widely-recognized UN member state. R  →  
 Socialist Republic of Romania 
 Romania 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Rwandese Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Rwenzururu – Kingdom of Rwenzururu  
De facto independent state. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by Uganda. S  
Partially recognized de facto independent state. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic claimed the disputed territory of Western Sahara, most of which was under control of Morocco.  The territories under its control, the so-called Free Zone, were claimed by Morocco. Its government resided in exile in Tindouf, Algeria. →  
 Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla 
 Saint Christopher and Nevis 
 Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis 
Associated state of the United Kingdom (to 18 September 1983); widely-recognized independent state (from 19 September 1983). UN member state (from 23 September 1983); Commonwealth realm. Saint Kitts and Nevis was a federation of fourteen parishes within two islands.  Nevis (which was one of the islands) had autonomy. Saint Lucia 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. →  →  
Widely-recognized independent state. UN member state (from 16 September 1980); Commonwealth realm. – Republic of San Marino 
Widely-recognized independent state. – Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Senegal 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Seychelles 
Widely-recognized UN member state; the Seychelles claimed the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French territories of Tromelin Island and the Glorioso Islands. – Republic of Sierra Leone 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Singapore 
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Somalia – Somali Democratic Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. →  – Republic of South Africa 
Widely-recognized UN member state. South Africa had seven autonomous bantustans: Ciskei (to 4 December 1981), Gazankulu, KaNgwane (from 31 August 1984), KwaNdebele (from 1 April 1981), KwaZulu, Lebowa, and QwaQwa. There were also four bantustans which were nominally independent: Bophuthatswana, Ciskei (from 4 December 1981), Transkei, and Venda. South Africa administered one League of Nations mandate:
 South-West Africa – Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 
Widely-recognized UN member state. The Soviet Union was a federation of 15 republics, two of which (Byelorussia and Ukraine) were UN members in their own right. →  – Kingdom of Spain 
Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member (from 1 January 1986). Spain consisted of seventeen autonomous communities. Its sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla and Peñón de Alhucemas was disputed by Morocco. Its sovereignty over Olivenza and Táliga was disputed by Portugal. It claimed the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. – Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
 Democratic Republic of the Sudan 
 Republic of the Sudan 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Suriname 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Kingdom of Swaziland 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Kingdom of Sweden 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Swiss Confederation 
Widely-recognized independent state; permanent observer at the UN. Switzerland was a federation of 26 cantons. →  – Syrian Arab Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Syria included the Golan Heights, which were occupied by Israel. It disputed the Turkish sovereignty over Hatay Province. T  Tafea – Nation of Tafea  
De facto independent state. Claimed by the Anglo-French New Hebrides Condominium.  
Unrecognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Sri Lanka. – United Republic of Tanzania 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Tanzania had one autonomous region: Zanzibar. Thailand – Kingdom of Thailand 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Togolese Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Kingdom of Tonga 
Widely-recognized independent state. – Republic of Transkei 
Nominally independent South African bantustan. – Republic of Trinidad and Tobago 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Trinidad and Tobago had one autonomous island: Tobago (from 23 September 1980). – Tunisian Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Turkey 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Tuvalu 
Widely-recognized independent state; Commonwealth realm. U  
 Third Republic of Uganda (to 26 January 1986)
 Fourth Republic of Uganda (from 26 January 1986)
Widely-recognized UN member state. 
Widely-recognized UN member state; the United Arab Emirates was a federation of seven emirates. – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member. The United Kingdom was composed of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The United Kingdom had responsibilities for the following self-governing free associated states:
  Antigua (to 31 October 1981), with two dependencies
 Barbuda
 Redonda
  (from 19 December 1980 to 18 September 1983)
  (to 19 December 1980)
The United Kingdom administered the foreign affairs of the following protected states:
  (to 31 December 1983)
  (to 29 July 1980, jointly with France)
It also had sovereignty over the following crown colonies (dependent territories after 1 January 1983):
 Anguilla (from 19 December 1980)
  (to 20 September 1981)

  British Antarctic Territory (suspended under the Antarctic Treaty)
 British Indian Ocean Territory (disputed by Mauritius and the Seychelles)


  Falkland Islands (disputed by Argentina), with one dependency
 Falkland Islands Dependencies (to 3 October 1985)
  → 
  Hong Kong
  Montserrat

 , with two dependencies
 Ascension Island
 Tristan da Cunha
 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (from 3 October 1985, disputed by Argentina)
  (to 17 April 1980)
 Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia
  Turks and Caicos Islands
In addition, the British Monarch had direct sovereignty over three self-governing Crown dependencies:
  → , with three dependencies:




  →  – United States of America 
Widely-recognized UN member state; the United States was a federation of 50 states, one federal district, and one incorporated territory. It asserted sovereignty over the following inhabited insular areas:
  (including Swains Island, disputed by Tokelau)

  →  (from 4 November 1986)


In addition, the United States administered one United Nations Trust Territory:
 , consisting of four territories:
  (to 20 October 1986)
  (to 2 November 1986)
  Northern Mariana Islands (to 3 November 1986)
  (from 1 January 1981)
The United States ceded Roncador Bank and Serrana Bank to Colombia and abandoned its claim to Quita Sueño Bank on 17 September 1981, but it did not explicitly renounce its claims to Serranilla Bank or Bajo Nuevo Bank. According to some government sources, these islands are still considered to be unincorporated territories of the United States. →  Upper Volta / Burkina Faso 
 Republic of Upper Volta 
 Burkina Faso 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Eastern Republic of Uruguay 
Widely-recognized UN member state. V  – Republic of Vanuatu  
Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state (from 15 September 1981). – Vatican City State 
Widely-recognized independent state. Vatican City was administered by the Holy See, a sovereign entity recognized by a large number of countries and a Permanent observer at the United Nations. The Holy See also administered a number of extraterritorial properties in Italy. The Pope was the ex officio head of state of Vatican City. Vemerana – Republic of Vemerana  
De facto independent state. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by the Anglo-French New Hebrides Condominium. – Republic of Venda 
Nominally independent South African bantustan. Venezuela – Republic of Venezuela 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Venezuela was a federation of 20 states, two territories, one federal dependency, and one federal district. – Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Vietnam claimed sovereignty over the Paracel Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China) and Spratly Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, Brunei, the Philippines, and Malaysia). W  – Independent State of Western Samoa 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Y  – Yemen Arab Republic 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – People's Democratic Republic of Yemen 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 
Widely-recognized UN member state; Yugoslavia was a federation of six republics. Z  – Republic of Zaire 
Widely-recognized UN member state. Zambia – Republic of Zambia 
Widely-recognized UN member state. – Republic of Zimbabwe 
Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state (from 25 August 1980).

Other entities
Excluded from the list above are the following noteworthy entities which either were not fully sovereign or did not claim to be independent:
 Antarctica as a whole had no government and no permanent population. Seven states claimed portions of Antarctica and five of these had reciprocally recognised one another's claims. "Australia, New Zealand, France, Norway and the United Kingdom reciprocally recognize the validity of each other's claims." These claims, which were regulated by the Antarctic Treaty System, were neither recognised nor disputed by any other signatory state.CIA – the World Factbook – Antarctica – accessed 19 January 2008
  was occupied and administered by Indonesia as Timor Timur, but this was not recognized by the United Nations, which considered it to be Portuguese territory under Indonesian occupation.
  was effectively a part of the Soviet Union, but the legality of the annexation was not widely-recognized. The Baltic diplomatic services in the West continued to be recognised as representing the de jure state.
  was effectively a part of the Soviet Union, but the legality of the annexation was not widely-recognized. The Baltic diplomatic services in the West continued to be recognised as representing the de jure state.
  was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1940, but the legality of the annexation was not widely-recognized. The Baltic diplomatic services in the West continued to be recognised as representing the de jure state.
 The Saudi Arabian–Iraqi neutral zone was a strip of neutral territory between Iraq and Saudi Arabia (to 26 December 1981).
  The Sovereign Military Order of Malta was an entity claiming sovereignty. The order had bi-lateral diplomatic relations with a large number of states, but had no territory other than extraterritorial areas within Rome.Bilateral relations with countries , Retrieved 22 December 2009 The order's Constitution stated: "The Order is a subject of international law and exercises sovereign functions." Although the order frequently asserted its sovereignty, it did not claim to be a sovereign state. It lacked a defined territory. Since all its members were citizens of other states, almost all of them lived in their native countries, and those who resided in the order's extraterritorial properties in Rome did so only in connection with their official duties, the order lacked the characteristic of having a permanent population.
  West Berlin was a political enclave that was closely aligned with – but not actually a part of – West Germany. It consisted of three occupied sectors administered by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

Notes

References

Category:1980s
Category:Lists of countries in the 20th century