List of states with limited recognition

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Several geo-political entities in the world have no general international recognition, but they are de facto sovereign states.

Most are subnational regions with an ethno-national identity of its own that have "broken off" (i.e. separated themselves) from their original parent state, and hence they are commonly referred to as "break-away" states. Some of these entities are in effect internally self-governing protectorates that enjoy military protection and informal diplomatic representation abroad through another state to prevent its forced reincorporation into its original state.

Partially recognized states with de facto control over their territory

United Nations member states that are only partially recognized by the totality of the other UN members are not listed here. (For example, 39 countries do not recognize Israel.)

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was set up in northern Cyprus after the Turkish Peace Action on Cyprus in 1974 due to a Greek coup d'etat to unify the island with Greece. It was proclaimed the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus in 1975. This state later declared independence under the current name in 1983. It is recognized by Turkey, and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, an exclave of Azerbaijan. TRNC was accepted as "Turkish Cypriot State" by the Organization of Islamic Conference.
The Republic of China, which controls only Taiwan and some other small islands since losing the Chinese Civil War in 1949, lost most of its diplomatic recognition and UN seat to the People's Republic of China in the 1970s and is currently officially recognized by only 25 states. It conducts de facto (all but in name) relations with most countries through institutions such as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Offices. (See political status of Taiwan).
Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan is (since 1991) a self-declared and more or less functioning independent state without international recognition. It is internationally recognized as being part of Azerbaijan, but has an ethnic-Armenian majority; the only state that recognises it is Armenia.

Unrecognized states with de facto control over their territory

Abkhazia in Georgia is a self-declared and more or less functioning independent state with no international recognition from any other nation. It is situated between the Caucasus and the Black Sea, recognized as a part of northwestern Georgia. After occupation of independent Georgia by Bolshevist Russia in 1921 Abkhazia was briefly formally separated from Georgia and during the Soviet period Abkhazia was merged back with Georgia in 1931 as an autonomous republic within Soviet Georgia. The Abkhazian Soviets proclaimed independence from Georgia in 1992, and a short war ensued from 1992 through 1994. A June 1994 ceasefire has largely held, leaving Abkhazia outside the control of Georgia's central government.
Somaliland (since 1991) . Located in northwest Somalia. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes five of the eighteen administrative regions of Somalia, corresponding to British Somaliland which is located between Ethiopia, Djibouti, Puntland and the Gulf of Aden.
South Ossetia in Georgia is a self-declared and more or less functioning independent state with no international recognition from any other nation. After occupation of independent Georgia by Bolshevist Russia in 1921 it became the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within Soviet Georgia. It proclaimed independence from Georgia in 1991, and a ceasefire was declared in 1992.
Transnistria is the part of Moldova east of the river Dniestr and (since 1990) a self-declared and more or less functioning independent state with no international recognition from any other nation. It has a majority Slavic population, as opposed to majority Romanian which Moldova has.

Entities not claiming sovereignty with de facto control over their territory

Puntland (since 1998) . A region in northeastern Somalia, centered around Garowe (Nugaal region), whose leaders in 1998 declared it to be an autonomous state.
Southwestern Somalia (since 2002) .

The civil war in Somalia has left no centralized organization governing the entire country. Somaliland in north-western Somalia is a self-declared and more or less functioning independent state with no international recognition from any other nation. Puntland and Southwestern Somalia have much less political and economic cohesion, and have not declared themselves to be sovereign states.

Partially recognized states largely under military occupation

The State of Palestine was declared in 1988 and recognized by a series of Arab and Muslim countries. (See also proposals for a Palestinian state, Palestinian territories, Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel all of which include articles about areas in the Palestine region.)
Western Sahara is a territory claimed and largely administered by Morocco since Spain abandoned the territory in 1976. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic controls the remainder of Western Sahara; it was proclaimed by the Front Polisario in 1976, is recognized by 48 states, and a full member of the African Union. Sovereignty is unresolved and the United Nations is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue through the mission MINURSO. The UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991. Western Sahara is on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

Internationally administered territory

Kosovo although not recognized as an independent entity has functioned under the UN administration independently of Serbia and Montenegro since 1999 (on the basis of Security Council resolution 1244). Legally it is a Serbian autonomous province.

Historic unrecognized or partially recognized states with de facto control over their territory

Europe

Banat Republic (proclaimed in 1918). Now part of Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, and Hungary.
Baranya-Baja Republic (proclaimed in 1921). Now part of Hungary and Croatia.
Carpatho-Ukraine (1939). Now part of Ukraine.
Chechnya (1996-1999). Now part of Russia. See also Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945). Between 1945 and 1991, Croatia was a people's/socialist republic within Yugoslavia. Since 1991, Croatia is an independent country. Recognized since 1992.
Irish Republic (1919-1922). Now it is part of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Southern Ireland (1922). Now it is part of the Republic of Ireland.
Finnish Socialist Workers' Republic (1918)
Gagauzia (1990-1994). Now part of Moldova.
Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia (1992-1994). Now part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Lajtabansag State (1921). Now part of Austria.
Limerick Soviet (1919). Now part of Republic of Ireland.
Montenegro (1941-1944). Now in union with Republic of Serbia in Serbia and Montenegro.
Serbia (1941-1944). Now in union with Republic of Montenegro in Serbia and Montenegro.
Republic of Serbian Frontier (1991-1995). Now part of Croatia.
Slovakia (1939-1945). Between 1945 and 1993, Slovakia was part of Czechoslovakia. Since 1993, Slovakia is an independent country.
Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995). Now one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs (1918). Now part of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro.
Republic of Užice (1941). Now part of Serbia and Montenegro.
Republic of West Bosnia (1993-1995). Now part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Asia

Ajaria (1991-2005). Now reintegrated into Georgia.
Kachin State is the northernmost state of Myanmar, controlled since 1962 by the Kachin Independence Organization but not diplomatically recognized by any country. In 1994, KIO and the Union of Myanmar agreed to formalize the status quo by creating the "Kachin State Special Region #1", officially still a part of the Union of Myanmar but de facto controlled by KIO.
Kurdish Autonomous Region (1991-2003). A de facto independent state in Northern Iraq. Now part of Iraq.
Manchukuo (1932-1945). Only six nations recognized this entity. Now part of the People's Republic of China.
Tuva (1921-1944). Now part of Russia
Nakhichevan (1990). Now part of Azerbaijan.
Talysh-Mugan Republic (proclaimed in 1993). Now part of Azerbaijan.

Africa

Anjouan (1997-2002). Now part of Comoros.
Biafra controlled territory in eastern Nigeria between the time of its secession in May 1967 until its final military collapse in January 1970. It was recognized by 12 nations.
Bophuthatswana (1977-1994). Former Thuisland formed and only recognized by South Africa, Transkei, Ciskei, and Venda. Now part of South Africa.
Ciskei (1981-1994). Former Thuisland formed and only recognized by South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Transkei, and Venda. Now part of South Africa.
Jubaland (1998-2001). Now part of Southwestern Somalia.
Katanga controlled the state of the same name within the former Belgian Congo after decolonisation, between 1960 and 1964.
Mohéli (1997-1998). Now part of Comoros.
Rhodesia. British Colony that unilaterally declared independence in 1965. This action was not legally recognized by any other nation, nor the declaration of Rhodesia as a republic in 1970. This entity remained until 1979, when it became Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.
Transkei (1976-1994). Former Thuisland formed and only recognized by South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, and Venda. Now part of South Africa.
Venda (1979-1994). Former Thuisland formed and only recognized by South Africa, Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, and Transkei. Now part of South Africa.
Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. Formed in 1979 after negotiations between white minority government and moderate black leaders. Unrecognized until 1980 when it became the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Americas

Independent State of Acre (1899-1903). Now part of Brazil.
California Republic (1846-1848). Now part of the United States of America.
Confederate States of America (1861-1865). Originally formed on February 4, 1861 by seven Southern slave states (South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana) after confirmation of the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States. Jefferson Davis was selected as its first President the next day. After the American Civil War began, the states of Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina joined. Recognized internationally only by Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, though recognized by some nations as a "belligerent power". Now part of the United States of America.
Kingdom of Hawaii (Est. 1810). A unification of the smaller independent chiefdoms of O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i, Lāna'i and the Big Island of Hawai'i. Now part of the United States of America.
Republic of Hawaii (1894 - 1898). Now part of the United States of America.
Republic of Texas (1836-1845). Five nations recognized this entity. Now part of the United States of America.
Vermont Republic (1771-1791). Now part of the United States of America.
Piratini Republic (1836 - 1845). Today's Rio Grande do Sul, part of Brazil.

Oceania

Template:Bougainville Bougainville (Republic of North Solomons) (1990-1997). Signed a peace deal with Papua New Guinea giving the island autonomy pending an independence referendum within a decade.
Rotuma (1987-1988). This Polynesian-inhabited island which is administered by (Melanesian) Fiji declared its independence from Fiji by separatists after the military coups in Fiji in 1987. It did not have any substantive support.
New Caledonia (Kanaky). The Nouméa Accords of 1998 postponed a referendum on independence until after 2014.

Historic unrecognized or partially recognized governments with de facto control over their territory

These regimes had control over the territory of a country for which most other states recognized a different government as being the legitimate government:

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996-2001). Only three states recognized this entity while the Taliban controlled it. See: History of Afghanistan.
People's Republic of Kampuchea (1979-1989). Set up by the Vietnamese after their invasion and rout of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Only a few Soviet-Bloc nations recognized this entity, while the UN, China, and most other nations recognized the Khmer Rouge's Democratic Kampuchea government. Succeeded by the State of Cambodia, then the Kingdom of Cambodia.

External links

Tamil Eelam - De Facto State

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