List of sovereign states

Palais des Nations unies, à Genève

List of Sovereign States

A sovereign state is a political entity that is represented by one centralized government that has sovereignty over a geographic area. International law defines sovereign states as having a permanent population, defined territory, one government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also important to note that not all territories that claim independence are recognized as sovereign states by the international community. This article provides a list of entities that are recognized as sovereign states, including both member and observer states of the United Nations, as well as entities that are not universally recognized.

Recognized Sovereign States

Member States of the United Nations

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 member states. These states are recognized by the international community and have equal representation in the UN General Assembly. A list of UN member states includes, but is not limited to, countries such as the United States, China, France, Russia, and United Kingdom.

Observer States

There are entities that have received observer status in the United Nations. These entities are recognized to a certain extent by the international community but are not full members of the UN. The most notable observer states are the Holy See and State of Palestine.

Partially Recognized and Unrecognized States

There are territories that have declared independence and consider themselves sovereign states but have limited or no recognition by the international community. These include:

• Republic of Artsakh
• Cook Islands
• Kosovo
• Niue
• Northern Cyprus
• Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
• Somaliland
• Taiwan (Republic of China)

These entities often have their own governments and control their territory to a varying degree but lack widespread international recognition.

Criteria for Sovereignty

The criteria for being considered a sovereign state are often debated, but the most widely accepted standards include:

• A permanent population.
• A defined territory.
• Government.
• Capacity to enter into relations with other states.

These criteria are derived from the Montevideo Convention of 1933, which has been accepted as part of customary international law.

Challenges to Sovereignty

The concept of sovereignty faces challenges such as the emergence of non-state actors, the increasing importance of international organizations, and the impact of globalization on state power. Additionally, issues such as territorial disputes, recognition of states, and the principle of self-determination continue to pose challenges to the traditional notion of sovereignty.

See Also

• List of former sovereign states
• List of micronations
• List of territorial disputes