This is a list of sovereign states 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.
| Name and capital city | Information on status and recognition of sovereignty | |
|---|---|---|
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A | ||
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 →  →  Afghanistan Capital: Kabul
|
Widely-recognized UN member state. Afghanistan was occupied by the Soviet Union (to 15 February 1989). | |
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 Albania – People's Socialist Republic of Albania Capital: Tirana |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Algeria – People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Capital: Algiers |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Andorra – Principality of Andorra Capital: Andorra la Vella |
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. | |
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 Angola – People's Republic of Angola Capital: Luanda |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Antigua and Barbuda Capital: St. John's |
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. | |
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 Argentina [c] Capital: Buenos Aires
|
Widely-recognized UN member state. Argentina was a federationof22 provinces and two federal territories.[d] 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. | |
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 Australia – Commonwealth of Australia Capital: Canberra |
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Australia was a federationofsix states and three territories.[e] It had sovereignty over the following external territories: | |
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 Austria – Republic of Austria Capital: Vienna |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Austria was a federationofnine states.[f] | |
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B | ||
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 The Bahamas – Commonwealth of the Bahamas Capital: Nassau |
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | |
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 Bahrain – State of Bahrain Capital: Manama |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Bangladesh – People's Republic of Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Barbados Capital: Bridgetown |
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | |
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 Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium Capital: Brussels |
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member. After 8 August 1980, Belgium was a federationofthree communities and three regions.[g] | |
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 Belize (from 21 September 1981)[h] Capital: Belmopan |
Widely-recognized independent state.[i] UN member state (from 25 September 1981); Commonwealth realm. | |
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 Benin – People's Republic of Benin Capital: Porto-Novo (official), Cotonou (seat of government) |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan Capital: Thimphu |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Bhutan was officially guided by India in its foreign affairs, but effectively pursued an independent foreign policy. | |
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 Bolivia Capital: Sucre (official), La Paz (administrative)
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Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Bophuthatswana – Republic of Bophuthatswana Capital: Mmabatho |
Nominally independent South African bantustan.[j] | |
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 Botswana – Republic of Botswana Capital: Gaborone |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Brazil – Federative Republic of Brazil Capital: Brasília
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Widely-recognized UN member state. Brazil was a federationof26 states, four territories (none from 1 January 1989), and one federal district.[k] | |
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 Brunei – State of Brunei, Abode of Peace (from 1 January 1984)[l] Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan |
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). | |
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 Bulgaria – People's Republic of Bulgaria Capital: Sofia |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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| Burkina Faso → Upper Volta | ||
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 Burma / Myanmar Capital: Rangoon (renamed Yangon in 1989) |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Burundi – Republic of Burundi Capital: Bujumbura |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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C | ||
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| Cambodia, State of → Kampuchea, People's Republic of | ||
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 Cameroon Capital: Yaoundé |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Canada Capital: Ottawa
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Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Canada was a federationoften provinces and two territories.[p] | |
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 Cape Verde – Republic of Cape Verde Capital: Praia |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Central African Republic Capital: Bangui |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Chad – Republic of Chad Capital: N'Djamena |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Chile – Republic of Chile Capital: Santiago |
Widely-recognized UN member state. It had a claim over Chilean Antarctic Territory, which is suspended under the Antarctic Treaty. | |
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 China, People's Republic of Capital: Beijing
|
Widely-recognized UN member state.[q] 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. | |
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 China, Republic of Capital: Taipei (seat of government), Nanjing (claimed) |
Partially-recognized de facto independent state.[q] 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). | |
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 Ciskei – Republic of Ciskei (from 4 December 1981)[r] Capital: Bisho |
Nominally independent South African bantustan.[j] | |
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 Colombia – Republic of Colombia Capital: Bogotá |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Colombia administered Bajo Nuevo Bank and Serranilla Bank (disputed by Nicaragua and the United States). | |
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 Comoros – Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros Capital: Moroni |
Widely-recognized UN member state. The Comoros was a federation of three islands.[s] Comoros claimed sovereignty over the French overseas territoriesofMayotte and the Glorioso Islands. It also claimed Banc du Geyser (disputed by Madagascar and France). | |
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 Congo – People's Republic of the Congo Capital: Brazzaville |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Cook Islands Capital: Avarua |
A state in free association with New Zealand. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship. | |
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 Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica Capital: San José |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Cuba – Republic of Cuba Capital: Havana |
Widely-recognized UN member state. The Cuban area of Guantánamo Bay was under the control of the United States. | |
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 Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus Capital: Nicosia |
Widely-recognized UN member state.[t] Cyprus included one self-declared state which, although it did not claim independence, was de facto self-governing:
After 15 November 1983, The northeastern part of the island was the de facto independent state of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey. | |
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 Czechoslovakia – Czechoslovak Socialist Republic Capital: Prague |
Widely-recognized UN member state.[u] Czechoslovakia was a federation of two republics.[v] | |
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D | ||
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 Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark Capital: Copenhagen |
Widely-recognized UN member state; EEC member. The Danish Realm also included two of its constituent countries: | |
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| Derg → Ethiopia | ||
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 Djibouti – Republic of Djibouti Capital: Djibouti |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 →  →  Dominica – Commonwealth of Dominica Capital: Roseau |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Dominican Republic Capital: Santo Domingo |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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E | ||
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 Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador Capital: Quito |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 →  Egypt – Arab Republic of Egypt Capital: Cairo |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Egypt included the Sinai Peninsula, which was occupied by Israel until 25 April 1982. | |
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 El Salvador Capital: San Salvador
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Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Equatorial Guinea – Republic of Equatorial Guinea Capital: Malabo |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 →  Ethiopia Capital: Addis Ababa
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Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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F | ||
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 Fiji Capital: Suva
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Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm (to 7 October 1987). Fiji had an autonomous dependency, Rotuma. | |
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 Finland – Republic of Finland Capital: Helsinki |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Finland had a neutral and demilitarised region: | |
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 France – French Republic Capital: Paris |
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:
France also claimed Banc du Geyser (disputed by Madagascar and the Comoros). | |
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G | ||
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 Gabon – Gabonese Republic Capital: Libreville |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 The Gambia – Republic of the Gambia Capital: Banjul |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Germany, East – German Democratic Republic Capital: East Berlin (disputed) |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Germany, West – Federal Republic of Germany Capital: Bonn |
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member. West Germany was a federationoften states.[y] | |
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 Ghana – Republic of Ghana Capital: Accra |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Greece – Hellenic Republic Capital: Athens |
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. | |
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 Grenada Capital: St. George's
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Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. Grenada had one autonomous dependency, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. | |
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 Guatemala – Republic of Guatemala Capital: Guatemala City |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Guinea Capital: Conakry
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Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Guinea-Bissau – Republic of Guinea-Bissau Capital: Bissau |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Guyana – Co-operative Republic of Guyana Capital: Georgetown |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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H | ||
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 →  Haiti Capital: Port-au-Prince
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Widely-recognized UN member state. Haiti claimed the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa Island. | |
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| Holy See → Vatican City | ||
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 Honduras Capital: Tegucigalpa
|
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Hungary Capital: Budapest
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Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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I | ||
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 Iceland – Republic of Iceland Capital: Reykjavík |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 India – Republic of India Capital: New Delhi |
Widely-recognized UN member state. India was a federationoftwenty-eight states and ten union territories.[ab] 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. | |
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 Indonesia – Republic of Indonesia Capital: Jakarta |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 →  Iran – Islamic Republic of Iran Capital: Tehran |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Iraq – Iraqi Republic Capital: Baghdad |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Ireland[ac] Capital: Dublin |
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member. | |
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 Israel – State of Israel Capital: Jerusalem |
Widely-recognized UN member state.[ad] 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. | |
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 Italy – Italian Republic Capital: Rome |
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. | |
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 Ivory CoastCapital: Yamoussoukro (official, from 21 March 1983), Abidjan (seat of government) |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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J | ||
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 Jamaica Capital: Kingston |
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | |
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 Japan Capital: Tokyo |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Jordan – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Capital: Amman |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Until 31 July 1988, Jordan claimed West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which were Israeli-occupied territories. | |
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K | ||
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 Kampuchea, Democratic Capital: Phnom Penh
|
Widely-recognized UN member state.[ag] Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Kampuchea, despite being in exile. | |
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 →  Kampuchea, People's Republic of / Cambodia, State of Capital: Phnom Penh |
Partially recognized de facto independent state.[ag] Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Kampuchea. The People's Republic of Kampuchea was occupied by Vietnam until 25 September 1989. | |
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 Kenya – Republic of Kenya Capital: Nairobi |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Kiribati – Republic of Kiribati Capital: South Tarawa |
Widely-recognized independent state. | |
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 Korea, North – Democratic People's Republic of Korea Capital: Pyongyang |
Widely-recognized independent state.[ai] Permanent observer at the UN; claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. | |
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 →  Korea, South Capital: Seoul
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Widely-recognized independent state.[aj] Permanent observer at the UN; claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. | |
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 Kuwait – State of Kuwait Capital: Kuwait City |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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L | ||
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 Laos – Lao People's Democratic Republic Capital: Vientiane |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Lebanon – Lebanese Republic Capital: Beirut |
Widely-recognized UN member state; Lebanon was occupied by Syria. Some of Southern Lebanon was occupied by Israel (from 6 June 1982). | |
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 →  Lesotho – Kingdom of Lesotho Capital: Maseru |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Liberia – Republic of Liberia Capital: Monrovia |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Libya Capital: Tripoli, Libya |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 →  Liechtenstein – Principality of Liechtenstein Capital: Vaduz |
Widely-recognized independent state.[u] The defense of Liechtenstein was the responsibility of Switzerland. | |
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 Luxembourg – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Capital: Luxembourg |
Widely-recognized UN member state. EEC member. | |
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M | ||
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 Madagascar – Democratic Republic of Madagascar Capital: Antananarivo |
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) | |
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 Malawi – Republic of Malawi Capital: Lilongwe |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Malaysia Capital: Kuala Lumpur |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Malaysia was a federationofthirteen states and two federal territories.[al] Malaysia claimed part of the Spratly Islands (disputed by the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei). | |
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 Maldives – Republic of Maldives Capital: Malé |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Mali – Republic of Mali Capital: Bamako |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Malta – Republic of Malta Capital: Valletta |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Marshall Islands – Republic of the Marshall Islands (from 21 October 1986)[am] Capital: Majuro |
Widely-recognized state under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Marshall Islands claimed the United States territory of Wake Island. | |
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 Mauritania Capital: Nouakchott |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Mauritius Capital: Port Louis |
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. | |
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 Mexico – United Mexican States Capital: Mexico City |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Mexico was a federationof31 states and one federal district.[an] | |
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 Federated States of Micronesia (from 3 November 1986)[ao] Capital: Kolonia (to 1989) Palikir (from 1989) |
Widely-recognized state under Compact of Free Association with the United States. The FSM was a federationoffour states.[ap] | |
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 Monaco – Principality of Monaco Capital: Monaco |
Widely-recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN.The defense of Monaco was the responsibility of France. | |
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 Mongolia – Mongolian People's Republic Capital: Ulaanbaatar |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Morocco – Kingdom of Morocco Capital: Rabat |
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. | |
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 →  →  Mozambique – People's Republic of Mozambique Capital: Maputo |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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| Myanmar → Burma | ||
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N | ||
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 Nauru – Republic of Nauru Capital: Yaren (unofficial) |
Widely-recognized independent state. The defense of Nauru was the responsibility of Australia. | |
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 Nepal – Kingdom of Nepal Capital: Kathmandu |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Netherlands – Kingdom of the Netherlands Capital: Amsterdam (official), The Hague (seat of government) |
Widely-recognized UN member state. The Kingdom of the Netherlands consisted of three autonomous countries:
The Kingdom of the Netherlands as a whole was a member of the EEC, but Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles were not. | |
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 New Zealand Capital: Wellington |
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:
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. | |
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 Nicaragua – Republic of Nicaragua Capital: Managua |
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). | |
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 Niger – Republic of Niger Capital: Niamey |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Nigeria Capital: Lagos
|
Widely-recognized UN member state. Nigeria was a federationof21 states and one federal territory.[ar] | |
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 Niue Capital: Alofi |
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. | |
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 Northern Cyprus – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (from 15 November 1983)[as] Capital: Lefkoşa |
Partially recognized de facto independent state.[at] Claimed by the Republic of Cyprus. | |
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 Norway – Kingdom of Norway Capital: Oslo |
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:
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O | ||
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 Oman – Sultanate of Oman Capital: Muscat |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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P | ||
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 Pakistan – Islamic Republic of Pakistan Capital: Islamabad |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Pakistan was a federationoffour provinces and four territories; it administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir as the territories of Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas.[au] | |
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 Palestine[dubious – discuss][citation needed] – State of Palestine (from 15 November 1988)[av][aw][ax](non-sovereign, non-UN member nation) Capital: Ramallah (administrative), Gaza City (administrative), Jerusalem (claimed) |
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. | |
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 Panama – Republic of Panama Capital: Panama City |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Papua New Guinea – Independent State of Papua New Guinea Capital: Port Moresby |
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | |
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 →  Paraguay – Republic of Paraguay Capital: Asunción |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Peru Capital: Lima |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 →  → Philippines Capital: Manila
|
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. | |
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 →  Poland Capital: Warsaw
|
Widely-recognized UN member state. Poland's government was still in exile Eastern European Country | |
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 Portugal – Portuguese Republic Capital: Lisbon |
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:
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. | |
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Q | ||
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 Qatar – State of Qatar Capital: Doha |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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R | ||
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 →  Romania Capital: Bucharest
|
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Rwanda – Rwandese Republic[ba] Capital: Kigali |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Rwenzururu – Kingdom of Rwenzururu (to 15 August 1982)[bb] Capital: Kasese |
De facto independent state. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by Uganda. | |
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S | ||
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 Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Capital: Bir Lehlou (official), Rabouni (seat of government-in-exile), El Aaiún (claimed) |
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. | |
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 →  Saint Kitts and Nevis Capital: Basseterre
|
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 federationoffourteen parishes within two islands.[bd] Nevis (which was one of the islands) had autonomy. | |
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 Saint Lucia Capital: Castries |
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | |
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 →  →  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Capital: Kingstown |
Widely-recognized independent state. UN member state (from 16 September 1980); Commonwealth realm. | |
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 San Marino – Republic of San Marino Capital: San Marino |
Widely-recognized independent state. | |
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 São Tomé and Príncipe – Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe Capital: São Tomé |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Saudi Arabia – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Capital: Riyadh |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Senegal – Republic of Senegal Capital: Dakar |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Seychelles – Republic of Seychelles Capital: Victoria |
Widely-recognized UN member state; the Seychelles claimed the British Indian Ocean Territory and the French territories of Tromelin Island and the Glorioso Islands. | |
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 Sierra Leone – Republic of Sierra Leone Capital: Freetown |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Singapore – Republic of Singapore Capital: Singapore |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Solomon Islands Capital: Honiara |
Widely-recognized UN member state; Commonwealth realm. | |
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 Somalia – Somali Democratic Republic Capital: Mogadishu |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 →  South Africa – Republic of South Africa Capital: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial) |
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: | |
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 Soviet Union – Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Capital: Moscow |
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.[be] | |
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 →  Spain Capital: Madrid
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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 territoryofGibraltar. | |
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 Sri Lanka – Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Capital: Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Sudan Capital: Khartoum
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Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Suriname – Republic of Suriname Capital: Paramaribo |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Swaziland – Kingdom of Swaziland Capital: Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (royal and legislative) |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Sweden – Kingdom of Sweden Capital: Stockholm |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Switzerland – Swiss Confederation Capital: Bern |
Widely-recognized independent state; permanent observer at the UN. Switzerland was a federationof26 cantons.[bg] | |
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 →  Syria – Syrian Arab Republic Capital: Damascus |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Syria included the Golan Heights, which were occupied by Israel. It disputed the Turkish sovereignty over Hatay Province. | |
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T | ||
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 Tafea – Nation of Tafea (15 February 1980 to 26 May 1980)[bh] Capital: Isangel |
De facto independent state. Claimed by the Anglo-French New Hebrides Condominium. | |
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 Tamil Eelam (from 23 July 1983) Capital: Trincomalee |
Unrecognized de facto self-governing entity. Claimed by Sri Lanka. | |
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 Tanzania – United Republic of Tanzania Capital: Dar es Salaam |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Tanzania had one autonomous region: Zanzibar. | |
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 Thailand – Kingdom of Thailand Capital: Bangkok |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Togo – Togolese Republic Capital: Lomé |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Tonga – Kingdom of Tonga Capital: Nukuʻalofa |
Widely-recognized independent state. | |
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 Transkei – Republic of Transkei Capital: Umtata |
Nominally independent South African bantustan. | |
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 Trinidad and Tobago – Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Capital: Port of Spain |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Trinidad and Tobago had one autonomous island: Tobago (from 23 September 1980). | |
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 Tunisia – Tunisian Republic Capital: Tunis |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Turkey – Republic of Turkey Capital: Ankara |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Tuvalu Capital: Funafuti |
Widely-recognized independent state; Commonwealth realm. | |
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U | ||
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 Uganda Capital: Kampala
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Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 United Arab Emirates Capital: Abu Dhabi |
Widely-recognized UN member state; the United Arab Emirates was a federation of seven emirates.[bi] | |
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 United Kingdom – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Capital: London |
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:
The United Kingdom administered the foreign affairs of the following protected states:
It also had sovereignty over the following crown colonies (dependent territories after 1 January 1983):
In addition, the British Monarch had direct sovereignty over three self-governing Crown dependencies: | |
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 United States – United States of America Capital: Washington, D.C. |
Widely-recognized UN member state; the United States was a federationof50 states, one federal district, and one incorporated territory.[bj] It asserted sovereignty over the following inhabited insular areas:
In addition, the United States administered one United Nations Trust Territory:
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 BankorBajo Nuevo Bank. According to some government sources, these islands are still considered to be unincorporated territories of the United States. | |
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 →  Upper Volta / Burkina Faso Capital: Ouagadougou
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Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Uruguay Capital: Montevideo
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Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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V | ||
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 Vanuatu – Republic of Vanuatu (from 30 July 1980)[bl] Capital: Port Vila |
Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state (from 15 September 1981). | |
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 Vatican City – Vatican City State Capital: Vatican City |
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 propertiesinItaly. The Pope was the ex officio head of state of Vatican City. | |
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 Vemerana – Republic of Vemerana (from 27 May 1980 to 24 July 1980)[bm] Capital: Luganville |
De facto independent state. Not recognized by any other state.[bn] Claimed by the Anglo-French New Hebrides Condominium. | |
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 Venda – Republic of Venda Capital: Thohoyandou |
Nominally independent South African bantustan.[j] | |
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 Venezuela – Republic of Venezuela Capital: Caracas |
Widely-recognized UN member state. Venezuela was a federationof20 states, two territories, one federal dependency, and one federal district.[bo] | |
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 Vietnam – Socialist Republic of Vietnam Capital: Hanoi |
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). | |
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W | ||
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 Western Samoa – Independent State of Western Samoa Capital: Apia |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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Y | ||
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 Yemen, North – Yemen Arab Republic Capital: Sana'a |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Yemen, South – People's Democratic Republic of Yemen Capital: Aden |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Yugoslavia – Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Capital: Belgrade |
Widely-recognized UN member state; Yugoslavia was a federation of six republics.[bp] | |
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Z | ||
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 Zaire – Republic of Zaire Capital: Kinshasa |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Zambia – Republic of Zambia Capital: Lusaka |
Widely-recognized UN member state. | |
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 Zimbabwe – Republic of Zimbabwe (from 18 April 1980)[bq]Capital: Salisbury (renamed Harare in 1982) |
Widely-recognized independent state; UN member state (from 25 August 1980). | |
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Excluded from the list above are the following noteworthy entities which either were not fully sovereign or did not claim to be independent:
East Timor 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.
Estonia 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.
The Federal Republic of Mindanao was a short-lived, self-proclaimed, unrecognized breakaway state encompassing Mindanao, Palawan and the Sulu Archipelago of the Philippines. The independence of the republic was to be proclaimed at a convention in Cagayan de Oro on April 25, 1986 by the Mindanao People's Democratic Movement led by Reuben Canoy but original plans to proclaim the proposed republic's independence were changed to avert arrest by the Corazon Aquino administration due to violation against sedition law.
Latvia 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.
Lithuania 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 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.[40] The order's Constitution stated: "The Order is a subject of international law and exercises sovereign functions."[41] 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.
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28 December 1989: The name of the country was changed by decree to Romania.
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