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This is a list of sovereign states and dependent territories in the geographical region of Oceania. Although it is mostly ocean and spans many tectonic plates, Oceania is occasionally listed as one of the continents.

Most of this list follows the boundaries of geopolitical Oceania, which includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The main continental landmass of Oceania is Australia.

Boundaries of Oceania

The boundary between Southeast Asia and Oceania is not clearly defined. For political reasons, the United Nations considers the boundary between the two regions to be the Indonesian–Papua New Guinean border. Papua New Guinea is occasionally considered Asian as it neighbours Indonesia, but this is rare, and it is generally accepted to be part of Oceania. Biogeographically and geologically, Papua and West Papua provinces are parts of Oceania.

Likewise, there is also no clearly defined boundary between Latin America and Oceania; the mostly uninhabited oceanic Pacific islands near Latin America have been considered by some as part of Oceania, both historically and in present-day times. Nearly all of these islands have become politically associated with the Americas, but none lie on the respective tectonic plates of those continents, nor were any inhabited by Indigenous peoples of the Americas during the pre-Columbian era. Some share strong biogeographical affinities to geopolitical Oceania. The Malay Archipelago has historically been associated with Oceania, however, very few present-day definitions include it as part of Oceania. The Malay Archipelago lies on the continental shelf of Asia; Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands (both adjacent to the Malay Archipelago) lie on the Australian tectonic plate, and are not politically associated with Asia. The Bonin Islands, which have been politically integrated into Japan, are not geologically associated with the Asian continent, and are biogeographically within Micronesia.

Sovereign states

United Nations member states

This section includes all sovereign states located predominantly in Oceania that are member states of the United Nations. All 14 states are full members of the Pacific Islands Forum.

Flag	Coat of Arms / National Emblem	Map	English short, formal names, and ISO	Domestic short and formal name(s)	Capital	Population 2021	Area
			Australia Commonwealth of Australia AUS	English: Australia — Commonwealth of Australia	Canberra	25,921,089	7,741,220 km (2,988,902 sq mi)
			Federated States of Micronesia FSM	English: Federated States of Micronesia	Palikir	113,131	702 km (271 sq mi)
			Fiji Republic of Fiji FJI	English: Fiji — Republic of Fiji Fijian: Viti — Matanitu ko Viti Fiji Hindi फीजी/Fiji - रिपब्लिक ऑफ फीजी/ Ripablik ăph Phījī	Suva	924,610	18,274 km (7,056 sq mi)
			Kiribati Republic of Kiribati KIR	English: Kiribati — Republic of Kiribati Gilbertese: Kiribati — Ribaberiki Kiribati	South Tarawa Bairiki	128,874	811 km (313 sq mi)
			Marshall Islands Republic of the Marshall Islands MHL	English: Marshall Islands — Republic of the Marshall Islands Marshallese: Aelōn̄ in M̧ajeļ - Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ	Majuro	42,050	181 km (70 sq mi)
			Nauru Republic of Nauru NRU	English: Nauru — Republic of Nauru Nauruan: Naoero - Repubrikin Naoero	No official Capital Government offices are in Yaren	10,834	21 km (8 sq mi)
			New Zealand NZL	English: New Zealand Māori: Aotearoa	Wellington	5,129,727	267,710 km (103,363 sq mi)
			Palau Republic of Palau PLW	English: Palau — Republic of Palau Palauan: Belau — Beluu er a Belau	Ngerulmud	18,024	459 km (177 sq mi)
			Papua New Guinea Independent State of Papua New Guinea PNG	English: Papua New Guinea — Independent State of Papua New Guinea Tok Pisin: Papua Niugini — Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini	Port Moresby	9,949,437	462,840 km (178,704 sq mi)
			Samoa Independent State of Samoa WSM	English: Samoa — Independent State of Samoa Samoan: Samoa — Malo Sa‘oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa	Apia	218,764	2,831 km (1,093 sq mi)
			Solomon Islands SLB	English: Solomon Islands Pijin: Solomon Aelan	Honiara	707,851	28,896 km (11,157 sq mi)
			Tonga Kingdom of Tonga TON	English: Tonga — Kingdom of Tonga Tongan: Tonga — Pule'anga Tonga	Nukuʻalofa	106,017	747 km (288 sq mi)
			Tuvalu TUV	English: Tuvalu Tuvaluan: Tuvalu	Funafuti	11,204	26 km (10 sq mi)
			Vanuatu Republic of Vanuatu VUT	Bislama: Vanuatu — Ripablik blong Vanuatu English: Vanuatu — Republic of Vanuatu French: Vanuatu — République de Vanuatu	Port Vila	319,137	12,189 km (4,706 sq mi)

Associated states

Two states, the Cook Islands and Niue, are in free association with New Zealand. While maintaining a close constitutional and political relationship with New Zealand, both states have full treaty-making capacity and are members of several United Nations specialized agencies. Both independently engage in diplomatic relations with sovereign states under their own name, and are full members of the Pacific Islands Forum. Because of these features, both act in many ways as fully independent states.

Flag	Coat of Arms / National Emblem	Map	English short and formal names	Status	Domestic short and formal names	Capital	Population	Area
			Cook Islands	Self-governing in free association with New Zealand. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship, but is independent in its internal affairs.	English: Cook Islands Cook Islands Māori: Kūki 'Āirani	Avarua	11,124	236 km (91 sq mi)
			Niue	Self-governing in free association with New Zealand. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship, but is independent in its internal affairs.	English: Niue Niuean: Niuē	Alofi	1,311	260 km (100 sq mi)

Non-sovereign territories

The following are entities considered to be within Oceania that fall into one of these categories:

1. Federal territories of sovereign states located outside these states' mainland.

2. Territories that constitute integral parts of sovereign states in some form other than as federal territories, where a significant part of the sovereign state's landmass is located outside Oceania or the territory is located outside the sovereign state's mainland. Many of these territories are often described as dependencies or autonomous areas.

3. Dependent territories of sovereign states.

Two of these territories (French Polynesia and New Caledonia) are associate members of the Pacific Islands Forum, while five others (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Tokelau, and Wallis and Futuna) hold observer status within the organization.

Flag	Coat of Arms / National Emblem	Map	English short and formal names	Status	Domestic short and formal names	Capital	Population	Area
			American Samoa Territory of American Samoa	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: American Samoa — Territory of American Samoa Samoan: Amerika Sāmoa	Pago Pago	67,242	199 km (77 sq mi)
			Ashmore and Cartier Islands Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands	External territory of Australia	English: Ashmore and Cartier Islands	None	Uninhabited	5 km (2 sq mi)
			Baker Island	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Baker Island	None	Uninhabited	129.1 km (49.8 sq mi)
			Central Papua Central Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian: Papua Tengah	Nabire Regency	1,408,981	66,130.49 km (25,533 sq mi)
			Christmas Island	External territory of Australia	English: Christmas Island – Territory of Christmas Island	Flying Fish Cove / The Settlement	1,843	135 km (52 sq mi)
			Clipperton Island	Overseas state private property	French: Île de Clipperton	None	Uninhabited	6 km (2 sq mi)
			Cocos (Keeling) Islands	External territory of Australia	English: Cocos (Keeling) Islands – Territory of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands	West Island / Bantam	544	14 km (5 sq mi)
			Coral Sea Islands Coral Sea Islands Territory	External territory of Australia	English: Coral Sea Islands — Coral Sea Islands Territory	Willis Island	Uninhabited	3 km (1 sq mi)
			Easter Island	Special territory of Chile	Spanish: Isla de Pascua Rapa Nui: Rapa Nui	Hanga Roa	6,148	163.6 km (63 sq mi)
			French Polynesia Overseas Country of French Polynesia	Overseas country of France	French: Polynésie française — Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynésie française	Papeete	294,935	4,167 km (1,609 sq mi)
			Galápagos Islands	Special territory of Ecuador	Spanish: Islas Galápagos	Puerto Baquerizo Moreno	35,000	7,880 km (3,042 sq mi)
			Guam Territory of Guam	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Guam — Territory of Guam Chamorro: Guahan	Hagåtña / Agaña	183,286	544 km (210 sq mi)
			Hawaii State of Hawaii	State of the United States	English: Hawaii — State of Hawaii Hawaiian: Hawaiʻi — Mokuʻāina o Hawaiʻi	Honolulu	1,404,054	28,311 km (10,931 sq mi)
			Highland Papua Highland Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian: Papua Pegunungan	Jayawijaya Regency	1,408,641	108,476 km (41,883 sq mi)
			Howland Island	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Howland Island	None	Uninhabited	138.6 km (53.5 sq mi)
			Jarvis Island	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Jarvis Island	None	Uninhabited	152 km (59 sq mi)
			Johnston Atoll	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Johnston Atoll	None	Uninhabited	276.6 km (106.8 sq mi)
			Juan Fernández Islands	Special territory of Chile	Spanish: Archipiélago Juan Fernández	San Juan Bautista	900	99.06 km (38.25 sq mi)
			Kingman Reef	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Kingman Reef	None	Uninhabited	1,958.01 km (755.99 sq mi)
			Midway Atoll	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Midway Islands	None	Uninhabited	2,355.2 km (909.3 sq mi)
			New Caledonia Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies	Overseas sui generis collectivity of France	French: Nouvelle-Calédonie — Territoire des Nouvelle-Calédonie et Dépendances	Nouméa	256,275	18,575 km (7,172 sq mi)
			Norfolk Island Territory of Norfolk Island	External territory of Australia	English: Norfolk Island — Territory of Norfolk Island Norfuk: Teratri of Norf'k Ailen	Kingston	2,169	36 km (14 sq mi)
			Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands	Unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States	English: Northern Mariana Islands — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Chamorro: Sankattan Siha Na Islas Mariånas Carolinian: Téél Falúw kka Efáng Ilól Marianas	Saipan	46,050	464 km (179 sq mi)
			Ogasawara Village	Part of Ogasawara Village in Tokyo, Japan	Bonin Islands: Japanese: 小笠原群島 (Ogasawara Guntō) Marcus Island: Japanese: 南鳥島 (Minamitori Shima) Parece Vela Reef: Japanese: 沖ノ鳥島 (Okinotori Shima) Rosario Island: Japanese: 西之島 (Nishino Shima) Volcano Islands: Japanese: 火山列島 (Kazan Rettō)	Ōmura (大村)	2,871	104.35 km (40 sq mi)
			Palmyra Atoll	Incorporated territory of the United States	English: Palmyra Atoll	None	Uninhabited	12 km (5 sq mi)
			Papua Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian: Papua	Jayapura	1,020,190	81,049.30 km (31,293 sq mi)
			Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Group of Islands	British overseas territory	English: Pitcairn Islands — Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands Pitkern: Pitkern Ailen	Adamstown	48	47 km (18 sq mi)
			South Papua South Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian: Papua Selatan	Merauke Regency	517,623	127,280.69 km (49,143 sq mi)
			Southwest Papua Southwest Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian: Papua Barat Daya	Sorong	603,054	39,167 km (15,122 sq mi)
			Tokelau	Dependent territory of New Zealand	Tokelauan: Tokelau English: Tokelau	Each Atoll has its own administrative centre.	1,384	12 km (5 sq mi)
			Wake Island	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Wake Island	None	Uninhabited	6.5 km (2.5 sq mi)
			Wallis and Futuna Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands	Overseas collectivity of France	French: Wallis et Futuna — Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna	Mata-Utu	15,398	142 km (55 sq mi)
			West Papua West Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian: Papua Barat	Manokwari	551,791	64,125.66 km (24,759 sq mi)

See also

Oceania-related

• List of Oceanian countries by GDP (PPP)
• List of Oceanian countries by population
• List of predecessors of sovereign states in Oceania
• List of sovereign states in Asia and Oceania by Human Development Index

Island countries

• List of Caribbean island countries by population
• List of island countries
• List of sovereign states and dependent territories in the Indian Ocean
• List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Eurasia

Notes

1. Australia has two external territory in the Antarctic, the Heard Island and McDonald Islands and the claimed Australian Antarctic Territory.
2. New Zealand has five island groups in the Subantarctic. New Zealand claims territory in the Antarctic as the Ross Dependency.

References

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3. Frank Barton, Thomas (1978). "Papua New Guinea: Tenth country of Southeast Asia?". Journal of Geography. 77 (7): 269–272. Bibcode:1978JGeog..77..269B. doi:10.1080/00221347808980139. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
4. Quan, Jinqiang; Cai, Yuan; Yang, Tianliang; Ge, Qianyun; Jiao, Ting; Zhao, Shengguo (2020). "Phylogeny and conservation priority assessment of Asian domestic chicken genetic resources". Global Ecology and Conservation. 22: e00944. Bibcode:2020GEcoC..2200944Q. doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00944. S2CID 213962014.
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6. "Oceania Bibliography" (PDF). Helictite: Journal of Australasian Cave Research. 25 (1). 1987. Retrieved 16 March 2022. This paper covers the region from Irian Jaya (Western New Guinea, a province of New Guinea) in the west to Galapagos Islands (Equador) and Easter Island (Chile) in the east.
7. Review of the Protected Areas System in Oceania (PDF). International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. 1986. Retrieved 17 January 2022. Easter Island on the east has been included on the basis of its Polynesian and biogeographic affinities even though it is politically apart. The other islands of the eastern Pacific (Galapagos, Juan Fernandez, etc.) have sometimes been included in Oceania.
8. Todd, Ian (1974). Island Realm: A Pacific Panorama. Angus & Robertson. p. 190. ISBN 9780207127618. Retrieved 2 February 2022. can further define the word culture to mean language. Thus we have the French language part of Oceania, the Spanish part and the Japanese part. The Japanese culture groups of Oceania are the Bonin Islands, the Marcus Islands and the Volcano Islands. These three clusters, lying south and south-east of Japan, are inhabited either by Japanese or by people who have now completely fused with the Japanese race. Therefore they will not be taken into account in the proposed comparison of the policies of non - Oceanic cultures towards Oceanic peoples. On the eastern side of the Pacific are a number of Spanish language culture groups of islands. Two of them, the Galapagos and Easter Island, have been dealt with as separate chapters in this volume. Only one of the dozen or so Spanish culture island groups of Oceania has an Oceanic population — the Polynesians of Easter Island. The rest are either uninhabited or have a Spanish - Latin - American population consisting of people who migrated from the mainland. Therefore, the comparisons which follow refer almost exclusively to the English and French language cultures.
9. ^ Brown, Robert (1876). "Oceania: General Characteristics". The countries of the world. Oxford University. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
10. "Oceania Military Guide". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
11. Flett, Iona; Haberle, Simon (2008). "East of Easter: Traces of human impact in the far-eastern Pacific" (PDF). In Clark, Geoffrey; Leach, Foss; O'Connor, Sue (eds.). Islands of Inquiry. ANU Press. pp. 281–300. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.593.8988. hdl:1885/38139. ISBN 978-1-921313-89-9. JSTOR j.ctt24h8gp.20.
12. Udvardy, Miklos D.F. "A Classification of the Biogeographical Provinces of the World" (PDF). UNESCO. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
13. Parley, Peter (1866). Tales about Europe, Asia, Africa, America, & Oceania. Oxford University. p. 2. Retrieved 12 March 2022. Oceania consists of Australasia, Polynesia and Malaysia. Australasia means South Asia. It comprises New Holland or Australia, Van Diemen's Land or Tasmania, Papua or New Guinea, Norfolk Island, New Zealand and some smaller islands. Polynesia is the term given to the various islands in the Pacific Ocean, which, as you may see on the map, are situated to the eastward of Australia, including the Philippine Islands. Malaysia is the name given to the islands of the Malay Archipelago, which are principally inhabited by the Malay race, comprising Borneo, the Sunday Isles, Celebes, Moluccas
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• Lists of countries in Oceania
• Lists of countries by continent
• Island countries
• Dependent territories