List of unrecognized countries

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Present geopolitical entities by level of recognition

No recognition by any state

Name	Disputed since	UN recognition	Further information	References
	1991	Nagorno-Karabakh is not independent from Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan , is the largest and most populous country in the South Caucasus, located partially in Eastern Europe and partially in Western Asia.... , according to the UN.	Foreign relations of Nagorno-Karabakh
	1991	Somaliland is not independent from Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Republic of Somalia and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is a country located in the Horn of Africa.... , according to the UN.	Foreign relations of Somaliland Foreign relations of Somaliland Due to its non-recognized nations, The Republic of Somaliland has no official contacts with any other nation. The current foreign policy of Somaliland is to try to secure international recognition as a sovereign, stable country, so that international aid can be more readily secured....

Recognized by non-UN members only

Name	Disputed since	UN Recognition	Further information	References
	1990	Transnistria is not independent from Moldova Moldova Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east and south.... , according to the UN; its sovereignty is recognized by Abkhazia Abkhazia Abkhazia is a disputed region on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. Since its declaration of independence from Georgia in 1991 during the Georgian?Abkhaz conflict, it is governed by the International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Republic of Abkhazia....  and South Ossetia South Ossetia South Ossetia is a disputed region in the South Caucasus. Since its declaration of independence from Georgia in 1991 during the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, it is governed by the International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Republic of South Ossetia, which claims the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within t... .	Foreign relations of Transnistria Disputed status of Transnistria The disputed status of Transnistria arose because of the Transnistrian unilateral declaration of independence on September 2, 1990 from the Moldavian SSR, while still part of the Soviet Union....

Recognized by at least one UN member

Name	Disputed since	UN Recognition	Further information	References
	1992	According to the UN, Abkhazia is not independent from Georgia Georgia (country) Georgia is a transcontinental country in the Caucasus region, located at the dividing line between Europe and Asia. It is bordered by the Russia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, Armenia to the south, and Turkey to the southwest.... . Its sovereignty is recognized by Russia Russia Russia , or the Russian Federation , is a list of countries spanning more than one continent country extending over much of northern Eurasia.... , Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua officially the Republic of Nicaragua , is a representative democracy republic. It is the largest state in Central America with an area of 130,000 km2, about the size of the state of New York.... ; two non-UN member states, South Ossetia and Transnistria; and the Hamas government in Gaza.	Foreign relations of Abkhazia Foreign relations of Abkhazia File:Flag of Abkhazia.svgThe Republic of Abkhazia is a self-proclaimed independent state which is recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, South Ossetia, and Transnistria.... , International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Abkhazia and South Ossetia are List of unrecognized countries, which georgia considers as parts of Georgia's sovereign territory.Abkhazia declared its independence after the war with Georgia in 1992?1993....
	2008	According to the UN, Kosovo is not independent from Serbia Serbia Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a country in Central Europe and Balkans Europe, covering the southern part of the Pannonian Plain and the central part of the Balkans.... . Its sovereignty is recognized by UN members and one former UN member, Republic of China (Taiwan). According to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 authorized an international civil and military presence in Kosovo, then part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, placing it under interim UN administration.... , Kosovo is de jure part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Federal Republic of Yugoslavia The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or FRY was a federal state consisting of the republics of Republic of Serbia and Republic of Montenegro from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia , created after the other four republics broke away from Yugoslavia amid rising ethnic tensions.... , to which Serbia Serbia Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a country in Central Europe and Balkans Europe, covering the southern part of the Pannonian Plain and the central part of the Balkans....  is the successor state.	Foreign relations of Kosovo Foreign relations of Kosovo On 17 February 2008, the Assembly of Kosovo, a body of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government under the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo , 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence.... , International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Kosovo's 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a quorum of the Assembly of Kosovo, with 109 in favour and with no opposition, with all 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotting the proceedings....
	1983	According to the UN, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not independent from Cyprus Cyprus Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is an island country situated in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, east of Greece, west of Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, south of Turkey and north of Egypt.... . Its sovereignty is recognized by Turkey Turkey Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in southwest Asia and Thrace in the Balkans region of Southern Europe.... , the supranational Islamic Conference Islamic Conference #REDIRECT Organisation of the Islamic Conference...  and Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan , is the largest and most populous country in the South Caucasus, located partially in Eastern Europe and partially in Western Asia.... 's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, a subunit of that republic.	Foreign relations of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(Taiwan Taiwan Taiwan is an island in East Asia. "Taiwan" is also commonly used to refer to the country governed by the Republic of China and to the ROC itself, which governs the island of Taiwan, Orchid Island and Green Island, Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean off the Taiwan coast, the Penghu islands in the Taiwan Strait, and Kinmen and the Matsu Islands... )	1949	According to the UN, the area currently controlled by the Republic of China (commonly known as "Taiwan") is part of China and the People's Republic of China People's Republic of China The People's Republic of China , commonly known as China, is the largest country in East Asia and the List of countries by population in the world with over 1.3 billion people, approximately a fifth of the world's population....  is the sole legitimate government of China. The sovereignty of the ROC as sole legitimate government of China is recognized by UN members, including the Holy See Holy See The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, commonly known as the Pope, and is the preeminent episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church.... , an observer state United Nations General Assembly observers In addition to the current United Nations member states, the United Nations welcomes many international agencies, entities, and one non-member state as observers....  of the UN. The ROC is a former member of the UN, representing China. Besides the area the ROC currently controls, the ROC claims areas controlled by Afghanistan Afghanistan Afghanistan , officially the Islamic republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country that is located approximately in the center of Asia.... , Bhutan Bhutan The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked nation in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalaya Mountains and is bordered to the south, east and west by India and to the north by the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.... , India India India, officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and outlying territories by total area country by geographical area, the List of countries by population country, and the most populous liberal democracy in the world.... , Japan Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.... , Mongolia Mongolia Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia and Central Asia. It borders Russia to the north and People's Republic of China to the south, east and west.... , Myanmar Myanmar Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar, is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia, or Indochina. The country is bordered by the People's Republic of China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest with... , Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia and borders Central Asia and the Middle East. It has a 1,046 kilometre coastline along the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman in the south, and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and People's Republic of China in th... , Russia Russia Russia , or the Russian Federation , is a list of countries spanning more than one continent country extending over much of northern Eurasia.... , Tajikistan Tajikistan Tajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and People's Republic of China to the east....  and the PRC. Many nations have unofficial relations with the ROC.	Political status of Taiwan Political status of Taiwan The controversy regarding the political status of Taiwan hinges on whether Taiwan, including Penghu, should remain effectively independent as territory of the Republic of China , become Chinese reunification with the territories now governed by the People's Republic of China , or formally declare independence and become the Republic of Taiwa... , Foreign relations of the Republic of China Foreign relations of the Republic of China The Republic of China, whose jurisdiction is now constituted by the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands and some other minor islands, is currently recognized by states, including the Holy See of Vatican City as sole and legitimate representative of China....
(SADR)	1976	Western Sahara is on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories The United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories documents countries that, according to the United Nations, are non-Decolonization. The list was initially prepared in 1946 pursuant to Article XI of the United Nations Charter, and has been updated by the United Nations General Assembly on recommendation of the Special Committee on Dec... . Its sovereignty as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is recognized by 49 UN members and the African Union African Union The African Union is an intergovernmental organisation consisting of 53 African states. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity .... , but not by Morocco Morocco Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa with a population of nearly 34 million and an area just under 447,000 km2.... , which claims the entirety of its territory. De facto sovereignty is limited to the Free Zone Free Zone (region) The Free Zone is a term used by the Polisario Front to describe the part of Western Sahara that lies to the east of the Moroccan Border Wall and west and north of the borders with Algeria and Mauritania, respectively.... , the remainder is under Moroccan military occupation Military occupation Belligerent military occupation occurs when the control and authority over a territory passes to a belligerent.... . The SADR also controls a number of refugee camps in southwestern Algeria Algeria Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country located in North Africa. It is the largest country of the Mediterranean sea, second largest in the Arab World, and the second largest on the African continent and the eleventh-largest country in the world in terms of land area.... .	Foreign relations of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Foreign relations of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a government in exile, meaning it does not effectively control its claimed territory, the former Spain colony of Western Sahara....
	1991	According to the UN, South Ossetia is not independent from Georgia Georgia (country) Georgia is a transcontinental country in the Caucasus region, located at the dividing line between Europe and Asia. It is bordered by the Russia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, Armenia to the south, and Turkey to the southwest.... . Its sovereignty is recognized by Russia Russia Russia , or the Russian Federation , is a list of countries spanning more than one continent country extending over much of northern Eurasia.... , Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua officially the Republic of Nicaragua , is a representative democracy republic. It is the largest state in Central America with an area of 130,000 km2, about the size of the state of New York.... ; two non-UN states, Abkhazia and Transnistria; and the Hamas government in Gaza.	Foreign relations of South Ossetia Foreign relations of South Ossetia File:Flag of South Ossetia.svgThe Republic of South Ossetia is a self-proclaimed independent state which is recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, Abkhazia, and Transnistria.... , International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Abkhazia and South Ossetia are List of unrecognized countries, which georgia considers as parts of Georgia's sovereign territory.Abkhazia declared its independence after the war with Georgia in 1992?1993....

Substantial recognition, but no UN recognition

UN member state, not recognized by a limited number of states

Name	Disputed since	Recognition	Further information	References
	1974	Cyprus is not recognized by Turkey Turkey Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in southwest Asia and Thrace in the Balkans region of Southern Europe....  and Northern Cyprus. Turkey Turkey Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in southwest Asia and Thrace in the Balkans region of Southern Europe....  and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , commonly called Northern Cyprus , is a de facto independent republic located in the north of Cyprus....  refer to it as "Güney Kibris Rum Kesimi", Greek Part of Southern Cyprus.	Foreign relations of Cyprus Foreign relations of Cyprus Cyprus is a member of the United Nations along with most of its agencies as well as the Commonwealth of Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Council of Europe....
	1993	The Czech Republic is not recognized by Liechtenstein Liechtenstein The Principality of Liechtenstein is a Landlocked country#Doubly landlocked country alpine country microstate in Western Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and by Austria to the east....  due to a dispute over the applicability of the Beneš decrees Beneš decrees The Bene? decrees is a current popular term for a series of laws enacted by the Czechoslovak Government-in-Exile during World War II in the absence of the Czechoslovak parliament .... .	Foreign relations of the Czech Republic Foreign relations of the Czech Republic Until the Velvet Revolution of 1989, the foreign policy of Czechoslovakia had followed that of the Soviet Union. Since the revolution and the subsequent mutually-agreed Dissolution of Czechoslovakia of Czechoslovakia the Czechs have made integration with Western institutions their chief foreign policy objective....
	1948	Israel has no diplomatic relations with 34 countries. It is not recognized by 26 countries and the partially recognized Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a Legal status of Western Sahara which claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara, a former Spain colony.... .	Foreign relations of Israel Foreign relations of Israel The foreign relations of Israel refers to diplomatic relations and international agreements between the State of Israel and other countries around the world....
	1993	Liechtenstein Liechtenstein The Principality of Liechtenstein is a Landlocked country#Doubly landlocked country alpine country microstate in Western Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and by Austria to the east....  is recognized by neither the Czech Republic Czech Republic The Czech Republic , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country borders Poland to the northeast, Germany to the west, Austria to the south and Slovakia to the east....  nor Slovakia Slovakia Slovakia . It was amended in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president and again in February 2001 due to EU admission requirements....  due to Liechtenstein's refusal to recognize them.	Foreign relations of Liechtenstein Foreign relations of Liechtenstein Liechtenstein's foreign economic policy has been dominated by its customs union with Switzerland . This union also led to its independent membership in EFTA in 1991....
	1948	The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is not recognized by Estonia Estonia Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Finland across the Gulf of Finland, to the west by Sweden across the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by the Russia .... , France France France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose Metropolitan France is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various Overseas departments and territories of France.... , Japan Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.... , and the Republic of Korea.	Foreign relations of North Korea Foreign relations of North Korea The foreign relations of North Korea are often tense and unpredictable. Since the ceasefire of the Korean War in 1953, the North Korean government has been largely isolationist, becoming one of the world's most authoritarian societies....
	1948	The Republic of Korea is not recognized by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.	Foreign relations of South Korea Foreign relations of South Korea The foreign relations of South Korea are dominated by its relationships with North Korea, Japan, People's Republic of China and United States....
(PRC)	1949	The People's Republic of China is not recognized by the Republic of China Republic of China The Republic of China , also known as Nationalist China is a country in East Asia that has evolved from a single-party state with full global recognition into a multi-party democratic state with Political status of Taiwan.... . Because of the One-China policy One-China policy The One-China policy is a principle that there is one China and that mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are all part of that China. The acceptance or rejection of this principle is a major factor in cross-strait relations between the People's Republic of China controlling mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau and the Republic of Chin... , the PRC is not recognized by the UN member states that recognize the ROC.	PRC's diplomatic relations Dates of establishment of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China Since its founding in 1949, the People's Republic of China has had a diplomatic tug-of-war with its rival in Taiwan, the Republic of China . Throughout the Cold War, both governments claimed to be the sole legitimate government of all China and allowed countries to recognize either one or the other.... , Foreign relations of the PRC Foreign relations of the People's Republic of China The foreign relations of the People's Republic of China draw upon traditions extending back to imperial China in the Qing Dynasty and the Opium Wars, despite Chinese society having undergone many radical upheavals over the past two and a half centuries....
	1993	Slovakia is not recognized by Liechtenstein Liechtenstein The Principality of Liechtenstein is a Landlocked country#Doubly landlocked country alpine country microstate in Western Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and by Austria to the east....  due to a dispute over the applicability of the Beneš decrees Beneš decrees The Bene? decrees is a current popular term for a series of laws enacted by the Czechoslovak Government-in-Exile during World War II in the absence of the Czechoslovak parliament .... .	Foreign relations of Slovakia Foreign relations of Slovakia Slovakia has been a member of European Union since 2004. Slovakia has been an active participant in U.S.- and NATO-led military actions. There is a joint Czech-Slovak peacekeeping force in Kosovo....

See also

• Micronation
  Micronation
  
  Micronations — sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects — are entities that resemble independent nations or states but which are unrecognized by world governments or major international organisations....
  
• List of historical unrecognized countries
  List of historical unrecognized countries
  
  These lists of historic unrecognized or partially recognized states or governments give an overview of extinct Geopolitics entities, that wished to be recognized as sovereign states, but did not enjoy worldwide diplomatic recognition....
  
• List of active autonomist and secessionist movements
  List of active autonomist and secessionist movements
  
  This is a list of currently active Autonomous entity and secessionist movements around the world.Entries on this list meet two criteria: they are active movements with living, active members, and they are seeking greater autonomy or self-determination for a geographic region ....
  
• List of historical autonomist and secessionist movements
  List of historical autonomist and secessionist movements
  
  This is a list of historical Autonomous entity and secessionist movements around the world. They may or may not have succeeded in their goal.For currently active movements, please see: List of active autonomist and secessionist movements....
  
• Government in exile
  Government in exile
  
  A government in exile is a political group that claims to be a country's legitimate government, but for various reasons is unable to exercise its legal power, and instead resides in a foreign country....
  
• List of territorial disputes
  List of territorial disputes
  
  This is a list of extant territorial disputes around the world. Bold indicates one claimant's full control; italics, one or more claimants' partial control....
  
• Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization
  Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization
  
  File:Worldmap_UNPO.pngThe Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization , formed in 1991, is a democratic, international organization. Its members are indigenous peoples, List of disputed or occupied territories nations, Minority and Independence states or territories which lack representation internationally....
  
• United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories
  United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories
  
  The United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories documents countries that, according to the United Nations, are non-Decolonization. The list was initially prepared in 1946 pursuant to Article XI of the United Nations Charter, and has been updated by the United Nations General Assembly on recommendation of the Special Committee on Dec...
  
• Flags of unrecognized and partially recognized states

Footnotes

External links