The World's Newest Countries (34 Created Since 1990) Thirteen other countries became independent through a variety of causes. March 21, 1990 - Namibia became independent of South Africa. May 22, 1990 - North and South Yemen merged to form a unified Yemen . October 3, 1990 - East Germany and West Germany merged to form a unified Germany after the fall of the Iron Curtain. September 17, 1991 - The Marshall Islands was part of the Trust Territory of Pacific Islands (administered by the United States) and gained independence as a former colony. September 17, 1991 - Micronesia , previously known as the Caroline Islands, became independent from the United States. January 1, 1993 - The Czech Republic and Slovakia became independent nations when Czechoslovakia dissolved. May 25, 1993 - Eritrea was a part of Ethiopia but seceded and gained independence.

October 1, 1994 - Palau was part of the Trust Territory of Pacific Islands (administered by the United States) and gained independence as a former colony. May 20, 2002 - East Timor (Timor-Leste) declared independence from Portugal in 1975 but did not became independent from Indonesia until 2002. June 3, 2006 - Montenegro was part of Serbia and Montenegro (also known as Yugoslavia) but gained independence after a referendum. June 5, 2006 - Serbia became its own entity after Montenegro split. Febraury 17, 2008 - Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia. July 9, 2011 - South Sudan peacefully seceded from Sudan following a January 2011 referendum. Sudan itself was the first to recognize South Sudan and did so one day early, on July 8, 2011. Member States | United Nations United Nations On 19 September 1991, the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic informed the United Nations that it had changed its name to Belarus.

UN Statistics on Bosnia and Herzegovina The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was an original Member of the United Nations, the Charter having been signed on its behalf on 26 June 1945 and ratified 19 October 1945, until its dissolution following the establishment and subsequent admission as new Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Republic of Croatia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/238 of 22 May 1992. The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/237 of 22 May 1992. The Republic of Slovenia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/236 of 22 May 1992.

By resolution A/RES/47/225 of 8 April 1993, the General Assembly decided to admit as a Member of the United Nations the State being provisionally referred to for all purposes within the United Nations as "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" pending settlement of the difference that had arisen over its name. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/55/12 of 1 November 2000. On 4 February 2003, following the adoption and promulgation of the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro by the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the official name of " Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" was changed to Serbia and Montenegro. In a letter dated 3 June 2006, the President of the Republic of Serbia informed the Secretary-General that the membership of Serbia and Montenegro was being continued by the Republic of Serbia, following Montenegro's declaration of independence. Montenegro held a 21 May 2006 referendum and declared itself independent from Serbia on 3 June.

On 28 June 2006 it was accepted as a United Nations Member State by General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/264 . The Republic of Cabo Verde changed its official name from The Republic of Cape Verde on 24 October 2013 in a request submitted to the Secretary-General by the country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. UN Statistics on Croatia The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was an original Member of the United Nations, the Charter having been signed on its behalf on 26 June 1945 and ratified 19 October 1945, until its dissolution following the establishment and subsequent admission as new Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/237 of 22 May 1992. The Republic of Croatia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/238 of 22 May 1992.

The Republic of Slovenia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/236 of 22 May 1992. By resolution A/RES/47/225 of 8 April 1993, the General Assembly decided to admit as a Member of the United Nations the State being provisionally referred to for all purposes within the United Nations as "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" pending settlement of the difference that had arisen over its name. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/55/12 of 1 November 2000. On 4 February 2003, following the adoption and promulgation of the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro by the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the official name of " Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" was changed to Serbia and Montenegro. In a letter dated 3 June 2006, the President of the Republic of Serbia informed the Secretary-General that the membership of Serbia and Montenegro was being continued by the Republic of Serbia, following Montenegro's declaration of independence.

Montenegro held a 21 May 2006 referendum and declared itself independent from Serbia on 3 June. On 28 June 2006 it was accepted as a United Nations Member State by General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/264 . UN Statistics on Czech Republic Czechoslovakia was an original Member of the United Nations from 24 October 1945. In a letter dated 10 December 1992, its Permanent Representative informed the Secretary-General that the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic would cease to exist on 31 December 1992 and that the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, as successor States, would apply for membership in the United Nations. Following the receipt of their application, the Security Council, on 8 January 1993, recommended to the General Assembly that the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic be both admitted to United Nations membership. Both the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic were thus admitted on 19 January of that year as Member States. On 17 May 2016 the Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the United Nations informed the UN that the short name to be used for the country is Czechia.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea 17-09-91 Democratic Republic of the Congo 20-09-60 Zaire joined the United Nations on 20 September 1960. On 17 May 1997, its name was changed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. UN Statistics on Egypt Egypt and Syria were original Members of the United Nations from 24 October 1945. Following a plebiscite on 21 February 1958, the United Arab Republic was established by a union of Egypt and Syria and continued as a single Member. On 13 October 1961, Syria, having resumed its status as an independent State, resumed its separate membership in the United Nations. On 2 September 1971, the United Arab Republic changed its name to the Arab Republic of Egypt. Gambia (Islamic Republic of the) 21-09-65 UN Statistics on Germany The Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic were admitted to membership in the United Nations on 18 September 1973.

Through the accession of the German Democratic Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany, effective from 3 October 1990, the two German States united to form one sovereign State. UN Statistics on Indonesia By letter of 20 January 1965, Indonesia announced its decision to withdraw from the United Nations "at this stage and under the present circumstances". By telegram of 19 September 1966, it announced its decision "to resume full cooperation with the United Nations and to resume participation in its activities". On 28 September 1966, the General Assembly took note of this decision and the President invited representatives of Indonesia to take seats in the Assembly. Lao People’s Democratic Republic 14-12-55 UN Statistics on Libya Following the adoption by the General Assembly of resolution 66/1, the Permanent Mission of Libya to the United Nations formally notified the United Nations of a Declaration by the National Transitional Council of 3 August changing the official name of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to "Libya" and changing Libya's national flag. UN Statistics on Malaysia The Federation of Malaya joined the United Nations on 17 September 1957.

On 16 September 1963, its name was changed to Malaysia, following the admission to the new federation of Singapore, Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak. Singapore became an independent State on 9 August 1965 and a Member of the United Nations on 21 September 1965. UN Statistics on Montenegro The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was an original Member of the United Nations, the Charter having been signed on its behalf on 26 June 1945 and ratified 19 October 1945, until its dissolution following the establishment and subsequent admission as new Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/237 of 22 May 1992. The Republic of Croatia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/238 of 22 May 1992.

The Republic of Slovenia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/236 of 22 May 1992. By resolution A/RES/47/225 of 8 April 1993, the General Assembly decided to admit as a Member of the United Nations the State being provisionally referred to for all purposes within the United Nations as "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" pending settlement of the difference that had arisen over its name. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/55/12 of 1 November 2000. On 4 February 2003, following the adoption and promulgation of the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro by the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the official name of " Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" was changed to Serbia and Montenegro. In a letter dated 3 June 2006, the President of the Republic of Serbia informed the Secretary-General that the membership of Serbia and Montenegro was being continued by the Republic of Serbia, following Montenegro's declaration of independence.

Montenegro held a 21 May 2006 referendum and declared itself independent from Serbia on 3 June. On 28 June 2006 it was accepted as a United Nations Member State by General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/264 . UN Statistics on Russian Federation The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was an original Member of the United Nations from 24 October 1945. In a letter dated 24 December 1991, Boris Yeltsin, the President of the Russian Federation, informed the Secretary-General that the membership of the Soviet Union in the Security Council and all other United Nations organs was being continued by the Russian Federation with the support of the 11 member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16-09-80 UN Statistics on Serbia The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was an original Member of the United Nations, the Charter having been signed on its behalf on 26 June 1945 and ratified 19 October 1945, until its dissolution following the establishment and subsequent admission as new Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/237 of 22 May 1992. The Republic of Croatia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/238 of 22 May 1992. The Republic of Slovenia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/236 of 22 May 1992.

By resolution A/RES/47/225 of 8 April 1993, the General Assembly decided to admit as a Member of the United Nations the State being provisionally referred to for all purposes within the United Nations as "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" pending settlement of the difference that had arisen over its name. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/55/12 of 1 November 2000. On 4 February 2003, following the adoption and promulgation of the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro by the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the official name of " Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" was changed to Serbia and Montenegro. In a letter dated 3 June 2006, the President of the Republic of Serbia informed the Secretary-General that the membership of Serbia and Montenegro was being continued by the Republic of Serbia, following Montenegro's declaration of independence. UN Statistics on Singapore The Federation of Malaya joined the United Nations on 17 September 1957.

On 16 September 1963, its name was changed to Malaysia, following the admission to the new federation of Singapore, Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak. Singapore became an independent State on 9 August 1965 and a Member of the United Nations on 21 September 1965. UN Statistics on Slovakia Czechoslovakia was an original Member of the United Nations from 24 October 1945. In a letter dated 10 December 1992, its Permanent Representative informed the Secretary-General that the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic would cease to exist on 31 December 1992 and that the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, as successor States, would apply for membership in the United Nations. Following the receipt of their application, the Security Council, on 8 January 1993, recommended to the General Assembly that the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic be both admitted to United Nations membership. Both the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic were thus admitted on 19 January of that year as Member States.

UN Statistics on Slovenia The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was an original Member of the United Nations, the Charter having been signed on its behalf on 26 June 1945 and ratified 19 October 1945, until its dissolution following the establishment and subsequent admission as new Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/237 of 22 May 1992. The Republic of Croatia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/238 of 22 May 1992. The Republic of Slovenia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/236 of 22 May 1992.

By resolution A/RES/47/225 of 8 April 1993, the General Assembly decided to admit as a Member of the United Nations the State being provisionally referred to for all purposes within the United Nations as "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" pending settlement of the difference that had arisen over its name. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/55/12 of 1 November 2000. On 4 February 2003, following the adoption and promulgation of the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro by the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the official name of " Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" was changed to Serbia and Montenegro. In a letter dated 3 June 2006, the President of the Republic of Serbia informed the Secretary-General that the membership of Serbia and Montenegro was being continued by the Republic of Serbia, following Montenegro's declaration of independence. Montenegro held a 21 May 2006 referendum and declared itself independent from Serbia on 3 June.

On 28 June 2006 it was accepted as a United Nations Member State by General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/264 . UN Statistics on South Sudan The Republic of South Sudan formally seceded from Sudan on 9 July 2011 as a result of an internationally monitored referendum held in January 2011, and ‎was admitted as a new Member State ‎by the United Nations General Assembly on 14 ‎July 2011. UN Statistics on Syrian Arab Republic Egypt and Syria were original Members of the United Nations from 24 October 1945. Following a plebiscite on 21 February 1958, the United Arab Republic was established by a union of Egypt and Syria and continued as a single Member. On 13 October 1961, Syria, having resumed its status as an independent State, resumed its separate membership in the United Nations. On 2 September 1971, the United Arab Republic changed its name to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 08-04-93 UN Statistics on The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was an original Member of the United Nations, the Charter having been signed on its behalf on 26 June 1945 and ratified 19 October 1945, until its dissolution following the establishment and subsequent admission as new Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Slovenia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/237 of 22 May 1992. The Republic of Croatia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/238 of 22 May 1992. The Republic of Slovenia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/46/236 of 22 May 1992.

By resolution A/RES/47/225 of 8 April 1993, the General Assembly decided to admit as a Member of the United Nations the State being provisionally referred to for all purposes within the United Nations as "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" pending settlement of the difference that had arisen over its name. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was admitted as a Member of the United Nations by General Assembly resolution A/RES/55/12 of 1 November 2000. On 4 February 2003, following the adoption and promulgation of the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro by the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the official name of " Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" was changed to Serbia and Montenegro. In a letter dated 3 June 2006, the President of the Republic of Serbia informed the Secretary-General that the membership of Serbia and Montenegro was being continued by the Republic of Serbia, following Montenegro's declaration of independence. Montenegro held a 21 May 2006 referendum and declared itself independent from Serbia on 3 June.

On 28 June 2006 it was accepted as a United Nations Member State by General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/264 .

Country independence dates Home » countries » Country independence dates Country independence dates Afghanistan: 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs) Albania: 28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire) Algeria: 5 July 1962 (from France) American Samoa: none (territory of the US) Andorra: 1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of France and the Bishop of Urgell) Angola: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal) Anguilla: none (overseas territory of the UK) Antigua and Barbuda: 1 November 1981 (from UK) Argentina: 9 July 1816 (from Spain) Armenia: 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Aruba: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Australia: 1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies) Austria: 1156 (from Bavaria) Azerbaijan: 30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Bahamas: 10 July 1973 (from UK) Bahrain: 15 August

 1971 (from UK) Bangladesh: 16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note – 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh Barbados: 30 November 1966 (from UK) Belarus: 25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Belgium: 21 July 1831 (from the Netherlands) Belize: 21 September 1981 (from UK) Benin: 1 August 1960 (from France) Bermuda: none (overseas territory of the UK) Bhutan: 8 August 1949 (from India) Bolivia: 6 August 1825 (from Spain) Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia) Botswana: 30 September 1966 (from UK) Brazil: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) British Virgin Islands: none (overseas territory of the UK) Brunei: 1

 January 1984 (from UK) Bulgaria: 3 March 1878 (from Ottoman Empire) Burkina Faso: 5 August 1960 (from France) Burma: 4 January 1948 (from UK) Burundi: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) Cambodia: 9 November 1953 (from France) Cameroon: 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) Canada: 1 July 1867 (from UK) Cape Verde: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) Cayman Islands: none (overseas territory of the UK) Central African Republic: 13 August 1960 (from France) Chad: 11 August 1960 (from France) Chile: 18 September 1810 (from Spain) China: 221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch’in Dynasty 221 BC; Qing or Ch’ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912; People’s Republic established 1 October 1949

) Christmas Island: none (territory of Australia) Cocos (Keeling) Islands: none (territory of Australia) Colombia: 20 July 1810 (from Spain) Comoros: 6 July 1975 (from France) Congo, Democratic Republic of the: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium) Congo, Republic of the: 15 August 1960 (from France) Cook Islands: none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) Costa Rica: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Cote d’Ivoire: 7 August (1960) (from France) Croatia: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) Cuba: 20 May 1902 (from US) Cyprus: 16 August 1960 (from UK); note – Turkish Cypriot area proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 Czech Republic: 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovak

ia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) Denmark: first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy Djibouti: 27 June 1977 (from France) Dominica: 3 November 1978 (from UK) Dominican Republic: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) East Timor: 20 May 2002 (from Indonesia) Ecuador: 24 May 1822 (from Spain) Egypt: 28 February 1922 (from UK) El Salvador: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Equatorial Guinea: 12 October 1968 (from Spain) Eritrea: 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia) Estonia: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Ethiopia: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world – at least 2,000 years Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas): none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Faroe Islands: none (part of the Kingdom of

 Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Fiji: 10 October 1970 (from UK) Finland: 6 December 1917 (from Russia) France: 486 (unified by Clovis) French Guiana: none (overseas department of France) French Polynesia: none (overseas territory of France) Gabon: 17 August 1960 (from France) Gambia: 18 February 1965 (from UK) Georgia: 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union) Germany: 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four powers formally

 relinquished rights 15 March 1991 Ghana: 6 March 1957 (from UK) Gibraltar : none (overseas territory of the UK) Greece: 1829 (from the Ottoman Empire) Greenland: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979) Grenada: 7 February 1974 (from UK) Guadeloupe: none (overseas department of France) Guam: none (territory of the US) Guatemala: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Guernsey: none (British crown dependency) Guinea: 2 October 1958 (from France) Guinea-Bissau: 24 September 1973 (unilaterally declared by Guinea-Bissau); 10 September 1974 (recognized by Portugal) Guyana: 26 May 1966 (from UK) Haiti: 1 January 1804 (from France) Honduras: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Hong Kong: none (special administrative region of China) Hungary: 10

01 (unification by King Stephen I) Iceland: 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) India: 15 August 1947 (from UK) Indonesia: 17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27 December 1949, Indonesia became legally independent from the Netherlands) Iran: 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) Iraq: 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Ireland: 6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty) Israel: 14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Italy: 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1870) Jamaica: 6 August 1962 (from UK) Japan: 660 BC (traditional founding by Emperor Jimmu) Jersey: none (British crown dependency) Jordan: 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Kashmir : administered by India, Pakistan and China Kazakhstan: 16 December 199

1 (from the Soviet Union) Kenya: 12 December 1963 (from UK) Kiribati: 12 July 1979 (from UK) Korea, North: 15 August 1945 (from Japan) Korea, South: 15 August 1945 (from Japan) Kosovo: 17 February 2008 (self-declared) Kuwait: 19 June 1961 (from UK) Kyrgyzstan: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Laos: 19 July 1949 (from France) Latvia: 18 November 1991 (from Soviet Union) Lebanon: 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) Lesotho: 4 October 1966 (from UK) Liberia: 26 July 1847 Libya: 24 December 1951 (from Italy) Liechtenstein: 23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman Empire Lithuania:

 11 March 1990 (independence declared from Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (Soviet Union recognizes Lithuania’s independence) Luxembourg: 1839 (from the Netherlands) Macua: none (special administrative region of China) Macedonia: 17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia) Madagascar: 26 June 1960 (from France) Malawi: 6 July 1964 (from UK) Malaysia: 31 August 1957 (from UK) Maldives: 26 July 1965 (from UK) Mali: 22 September 1960 (from France) Malta: 21 September 1964 (from UK) Man, Isle of: none (British crown dependency) Marshall Islands: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) Martinique: none (overseas department of France) Mauritania: 28 November 1960 (from France) Mauritius: 12 March 1968 (from UK) Mayotte: none (territorial collectivity of France) Mexico:

 16 September 1810 (from Spain) Micronesia, Federated States of: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) Moldova: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) Monaco: 1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi) Mongolia: 11 July 1921 (from China) Montenegro: June 2006 Montserrat: none (overseas territory of the UK) Morocco: 2 March 1956 (from France) Mozambique: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal) Namibia: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) Nauru: 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship) Nepal: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah) Netherlands: 1579 (from Spain) Netherlands Antilles: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) New Caledonia: none (overseas territory of France) New Zealand: 26

 September 1907 (from UK) Nicaragua: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Niger: 3 August 1958 (from France) Nigeria: 1 October 1960 (from UK) Niue: on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand Norfolk Island: none (territory of Australia) Northern Mariana Islands: none (commonwealth in political union with the US) Norway: 7 June 1905 Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved; 26 October 1905 Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union Oman: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) Pakistan: 14 August 1947 (from UK) Palau: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) Panama: 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821) Papua New Guinea: 16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship) Paraguay: Declared 14 May

 1811 (from Spain), celebrated annually 15 May Peru: 28 July 1821 (from Spain) Philippines: 4 July 1946 (from US) Pitcairn Islands: none (overseas territory of the UK) Poland: 11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed) Portugal: 1140 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910) Puerto Rico: none (commonwealth associated with the US) Quatar: 3 September 1971 (from UK) Reunion: none (overseas department of France) Romania: 1881 (from Turkey; republic proclaimed 30 December 1947) Russia: 24 August 1991 (when Soviet Union dissolved) Rwanda: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship) Saint Helena: none (overseas territory of the UK) Saint Kitts and Nevis: 19 September 1983 (from UK) Saint Lucia: 22 February 1979 (from UK) Saint Pierre and Miquelon: none (territ

orial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: 27 October 1979 (from UK) Samoa: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) San Marino: 3 September 301 Sao Tome and Principe: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal) Saudi Arabia: 23 September 1932 (Unification of the Kingdom) Senegal: 4 April 1960 (from France); complete independence was achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960 Serbia: 5 June 2006 (after Montenegro declared independence from Yugoslavia) Seychelles: 29 June 1976 (from UK) Sierra Leone: 27 April 1961 (from UK) Singapore: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysia) Slovakia: 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) Slovenia: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia) Solomon Islands: 7 July 

1978 (from UK) Somalia: 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic) South Africa: 31 May 1910 (from UK) South Sudan: 9 July 2011 (from Sudan) Spain: 1492 (expulsion of the Moors and unification) Sri Lanka: 4 February 1948 (from UK) Sudan: 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK) Suriname: 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands) Svalbard: none (territory of Norway) Swaziland: 6 September 1968 (from UK) Sweden: 6 June 1523 Switzerland: 1 August 1291 (Founding of the Swiss Confederation) Syria: 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) Tajikistan:

 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Tanzania: 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964 Thailand: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized) 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)Togo Tokelau: none (territory of New Zealand) Tonga: 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate) Trinidad and Tobago: 31 August 1962 (from UK) Tunisia: 20 March 1956 (from France) Turkey: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire) Turkmenistan: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union) Turks and Caicos

 Islands: none (overseas territory of the UK) Tuvalu: 1 October 1978 (from UK) Uganda: 9 October 1962 (from UK) Ukraine: 24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union) United Arab Emirates: 2 December 1971 (from UK) United Kingdom: England has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century; the union between England and Wales was enacted under the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284; in the Act of Union of 1707, England and Scotland agreed to permanent union as Great Britain; the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of Ireland; six northern Irish counties remained part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in 1927 United States: 4 July 1776 (from Great Britain) Uruguay: 25 August 1825 (from Brazil

) Uzbekistan: 1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Vanuatu: 30 July 1980 (from France and UK) Venezuela: 5 July 1811 (from Spain) Vietnam: 2 September 1945 (from France) Wallis and Futuna: none (overseas territory of France) Yemen: 22 May 1990, Republic of Yemen was established with the merger of the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the Marxist-dominated People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]; previously North Yemen had become independent on NA November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK) Zambia: 24 October 1964 (from UK) Zimbabwe: 18 April 1980 (from UK)

Question: In the 1960s, how many African countries became independent from the UK and joined the "Commonwealth of Nations"?
Answer: 13