List of sovereign states in the 1960s

This is a list of sovereign states in the 1960s, giving an overview of states around the world during the period between 1 January 1960 and 31 December 1969. It contains 163 entries, arranged alphabetically, with information on the status and recognition of their sovereignty. It includes 145 widely recognized sovereign states and 9 entities which were de facto sovereign (and 1 nominally independent puppet state) but which were not widely recognized by other states.

Sovereign states

Name and capital city Information on status and recognition of sovereignty


Afghanistan Afghanistan – Kingdom of Afghanistan
Capital: Kabul
Widely recognized UN member state.

Albania Albania – People's Republic of Albania
Capital: Tirana
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Algeria
Capital: Algiers
  • Algerian State (from 5 July 1962 to 25 September 1962)[1]
  • People's Democratic Republic of Algeria (from 25 September 1962)[1]
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 8 October 1962).

 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.

Anguilla – Republic of Anguilla (from 12 July 1967 to 19 March 1969)[2]
Capital: The Valley
De facto independent state. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by the United Kingdom as part of the associated state of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla.

Antigua and Barbuda Antigua (from 27 February 1967)
Capital: St. John's
Associated state of the United Kingdom. Antigua had a dependency, Redonda.

 Argentina – Argentine Republic[3]
Capital: Buenos Aires
Widely recognized UN member state. Argentina was a federation of 22 provinces and two federal territories.[4] 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.

 Australia – Commonwealth of Australia
Capital: Canberra
Widely recognized UN member state. Commonwealth realm. Australia was a federation of six states and three territories.[5] It had sovereignty over the following external territories:

Australia administered two United Nations Trust Territories:


 Austria – Republic of Austria
Capital: Vienna
Widely recognized UN member state. Austria was a federation of nine states.[6]


 Barbados (from 30 November 1966)[7]
Capital: Bridgetown
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 9 December 1966). Commonwealth realm.

 Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium
Capital: Brussels
Widely recognized UN member state. EEC member. Belgium had sovereignty over one colony:

Belgium administered one United Nations trust territory:

  • Ruanda-Urundi (to 30 June 1962), consisting of two autonomous states:

Benin – Republic of Benin (from 19 September 1967 to 20 September 1967)[8]
Capital: Benin City
Nominally independent puppet state of Biafra. Claimed by Nigeria.

Bhutan  Bhutan – Kingdom of Bhutan
Capital: Thimphu
Widely recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN (from 1968). Bhutan was officially guided by India in its foreign affairs.

 Biafra – Republic of Biafra (from 30 May 1967)[9]
Capital: Enugu
Partially recognized de facto independent state.[10] Claimed by Nigeria.

 Bolivia – Republic of Bolivia
Capital: Sucre (official), La Paz (administrative)
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Botswana – Republic of Botswana (from 30 September 1966)[11]
Capital: Gaborone
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 17 October 1966).

Brazil Brazil
Capital: Rio de Janeiro (to 21 April 1960), Brasília (from 21 April 1960)
Widely recognized UN member state. Brazil was a federation of 22 states, five territories, and one federal district.[13]

Bulgaria Bulgaria – People's Republic of Bulgaria
Capital: Sofia
Widely recognized UN member state.

Myanmar Burma – Union of Burma
Capital: Rangoon
Widely recognized UN member state.

Burundi Burundi
Capital: Bujumbura
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 18 September 1962).


Cambodia Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia
Capital: Phnom Penh
Widely recognized UN member state.

Cameroon  Cameroun / Cameroon
Capital: Yaoundé
  • Republic of Cameroun (from 1 January 1960 to 1 October 1961)[15]
  • Federal Republic of Cameroon (from 1 October 1961)[15]
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960). After 1 October 1961, Cameroon was a federation of two regions.[16]

Canada  Canada – Dominion of Canada
Capital: Ottawa
Widely recognized UN member state. Commonwealth realm. Canada was a federation of ten provinces and two territories.[17]

 Central African Republic (from 13 August 1960)[18]
Capital: Bangui
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960).

 Ceylon – Dominion of Ceylon
Capital: Colombo
Widely recognized UN member state. Commonwealth realm.

 Chad – Republic of Chad (from 11 August 1960)[19]
Capital: N'Djamena
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960).

 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.

 China, People's Republic of
Capital: Beijing
Partially recognized de facto independent state.[20] The People's Republic of China had five autonomous regions: Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Tibet (from 9 September 1965). The People's Republic of China claimed Taiwan, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, the Pratas Islands 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, South Vietnam, and the Philippines), and South Tibet (controlled by India's North-East Frontier Agency). The People's Republic of China administered Aksai Chin (from 21 November 1962) and the Trans-Karakoram Tract (from 3 March 1963), which were within the disputed region of Kashmir.

 China, Republic of
Capital: Taipei (seat of government), Nanjing (claimed)
Widely recognized UN member state.[20] The Republic of China claimed to be the sole legitimate government of China, but only administered Taiwan, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands, the Pratas Islands 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's North-East Frontier Agency); and Kachin State (administered by Burma).

 Colombia – Republic of Colombia
Capital: Bogotá
Widely recognized UN member state. Colombia claimed Quita Sueño Bank, Roncador Bank, and Serrana Bank (disputed by the United States); Bajo Nuevo Bank (disputed by Jamaica, Nicaragua and the United States); and Serranilla Bank (disputed by Nicaragua and the United States)

 Congo (Brazzaville) / Congo, Republic of the
Capital: Brazzaville
  • Republic of the Congo (from 15 August 1960)[21]
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960).

Democratic Republic of the Congo Congo (Léopoldville) / Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Capital: Léopoldville (renamed Kinshasa in 1966)
  • Republic of the Congo (from 30 June 1960 to 1 August 1964)[22]
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo (from 1 August 1964)[22]
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960). Congo (Léopoldville) contained one self-declared state which, although it did not claim independence, was de facto self-governing:

Democratic Republic of the Congo Congo (Stanleyville) – Republic of the Congo (from 13 December 1960 to 5 August 1961)
Capital: Stanleyville
Rival state set up during the Congo Crisis. Recognized by 21 states. Claimed by Congo (Léopoldville).

Cook Islands (from 4 August 1965)
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.

 Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica
Capital: San José
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Cuba – Republic of Cuba
Capital: Havana
Widely recognized UN member state. The Cuban area of Guantánamo Bay was under the permanent control of the United States.

 Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus (from 16 August 1960)[23]
Capital: Nicosia
Widely recognized independent state.[24] UN member state (from 20 September 1960).

Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia
Capital: Prague
  • Czechoslovak Republic (to 11 July 1960)[25]
  • Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (from 11 July 1960) [25]
Widely recognized UN member state.[26] After 1 January 1969, Czechoslovakia was a federation of two republics.[27]


India Dadra and Nagar Haveli – Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli (to 11 August 1961)[28]
Capital: Silvassa
De facto independent state.[29] Claimed by Portugal.

 Dahomey – Republic of Dahomey (from 1 August 1960)[30]
Capital: Porto-Novo (official), Cotonou (seat of government)
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960).

 Denmark – Kingdom of Denmark
Capital: Copenhagen
Widely recognized UN member state. The Danish Realm also included one autonomous area:

 Dominica (from 1 March 1967)
Capital: Roseau
Associated state of the United Kingdom.

 Dominican Republic
Capital: Santo Domingo
Widely recognized UN member state.


 Ecuador – Republic of Ecuador
Capital: Quito
Widely recognized UN member state.

Egypt → United Arab Republic

 El Salvador – Republic of El Salvador
Capital: San Salvador
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Equatorial Guinea – Republic of Equatorial Guinea (from 12 October 1968)[31]
Capital: Malabo
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 12 November 1968).

Ethiopia Ethiopia – Ethiopian Empire
Capital: Addis Ababa
Widely recognized UN member state.


 Finland – Republic of Finland
Capital: Helsinki
Widely recognized UN member state. Finland had a neutral and demilitarised region:

 France – French Republic
Capital: Paris
Widely recognized UN member state. EEC member. France included 21 overseas departments: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, and seventeen departments in French Algeria (to 3 July 1962). The French Community consisted of the following autonomous republics:

France also had sovereignty over the following overseas territories:

It also co-administered one condominium:

France administered one United Nations Trust Territory:

  • Togo (to 26 April 1960)

France also claimed Banc du Geyser (disputed by the Malagasy Republic).



 Gabon – Gabonese Republic (from 17 August 1960)[32]
Capital: Libreville
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960).

The Gambia The Gambia (from 18 February 1965)[33]
Capital: Banjul
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 21 September 1965). Commonwealth realm.

 Germany, East – German Democratic Republic
Capital: East Berlin (disputed)
Widely recognized independent state.

 Germany, West – Federal Republic of Germany
Capital: Bonn
Widely recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN. EEC member. West Germany was a federation of ten states.[34]

Ghana  Ghana
Capital: Accra
  • Ghana (to 1 July 1960)[35]
  • Republic of Ghana (from 1 July 1960)[35]
Widely recognized UN member state. Commonwealth realm (to 1 July 1960).

Greece Greece – Kingdom of Greece
Capital: Athens
Widely recognized UN member state. 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.

Grenada (from 3 March 1967)
Capital: St. George's
Associated state of the United Kingdom.

 Guatemala – Republic of Guatemala
Capital: Guatemala City
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Guinea – Republic of Guinea
Capital: Conakry
Widely recognized UN member state.

Guyana Guyana (from 26 May 1966)[36]
Capital: Georgetown
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1966).


Haiti  Haiti – Republic of Haiti
Capital: Port-au-Prince
Widely recognized UN member state. Haiti claimed the uninhabited United States possession of Navassa Island.

Holy See → Vatican City

 Honduras – Republic of Honduras
Capital: Tegucigalpa
Widely recognized UN member state.

Hungary Hungary – People's Republic of Hungary
Capital: Budapest
Widely recognized UN member state.


 Iceland – Republic of Iceland
Capital: Reykjavík
Widely recognized UN member state.

 India – Republic of India
Capital: New Delhi
Widely recognized UN member state. India was a federation of seventeen states and eleven union territories.[37] India had sovereignty over one protectorate:

Indian sovereignty over South Tibet, administered as part of its North-East Frontier Agency, was disputed by the People's Republic of China. India administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir as the state of Jammu and Kashmir.


 Indonesia – Republic of Indonesia
Capital: Djakarta
Widely recognized UN member state. Indonesia withdrew from the UN from 20 January 1965 to 28 September 1966. Indonesia had three special provinces: Aceh, Jakarta (from 1966), and Yogyakarta.

Iran Iran – Imperial State of Iran
Capital: Tehran
Widely recognized UN member state.

Iraq Iraq – Republic of Iraq
Capital: Baghdad
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Ireland[38]
Capital: Dublin
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Israel – State of Israel
Capital: Jerusalem
Widely recognized UN member state.[39] Israel occupied the Gaza Strip (from 6 June 1967) the Golan Heights (from 10 June 1967), the Sinai Peninsula (from 8 June 1967), and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (from 6 June 1967). These areas were not recognized as being part of Israel.

 Italy – Italian Republic
Capital: Rome
Widely recognized UN member state. EEC member. Italy had 5 autonomous regions: Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily, and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. Italy administered one United Nations Trust Territory:

 Ivory Coast – Republic of Ivory Coast (from 7 August 1960)[40]
Capital: Abidjan
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960).


 Jamaica (from 6 August 1962)[41]
Capital: Kingston
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 18 September 1962). Commonwealth realm.

 Japan
Capital: Tokyo
Widely recognized UN member state. Japan had residual sovereignty over the Ryukyu Islands, which were occupied and administered by the United States.

 Jordan – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Capital: Amman
Widely recognized UN member state. Jordan occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, until 6 June 1967, but these areas were not generally recognized as being part of Jordan.[42] Jordan continued to claim the territories after they were occupied by Israel in 1967.


State of Katanga Katanga – State of Katanga (from 11 July 1960 to 15 January 1963)[43]
Capital: Élisabethville
De facto independent state. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by Congo (Léopoldville).

 Kenya
Capital: Nairobi
  • Kenya (from 12 December 1963 to 12 December 1964)[44]
  • Republic of Kenya (from 12 December 1964)[44]
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 16 December 1963). Commonwealth realm (to 12 December 1964).

 Korea, North – Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Capital: Pyongyang
Widely recognized independent state.[45] Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea.

 Korea, South – Republic of Korea
Capital: Seoul
Widely recognized independent state.[46] Permanent observer at the UN. Claimed to be the sole legitimate government of Korea.

 Kuwait – State of Kuwait (from 19 June 1961)[47]
Capital: Kuwait City
Widely recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN (from 1962 to 14 May 1963). UN member state (from 14 May 1963).


Laos Laos – Kingdom of Laos
Capital: Vientiane
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Lebanon – Lebanese Republic
Capital: Beirut
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Lesotho – Kingdom of Lesotho (from 4 October 1966)[48]
Capital: Maseru
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 17 October 1966).

 Liberia – Republic of Liberia
Capital: Monrovia
Widely recognized UN member state.

Libya Libya
Capital: Tripoli
Widely recognized UN member state. Until 7 October 1963, Libya was a federation of three provinces.[51]

 Liechtenstein – Principality of Liechtenstein
Capital: Vaduz
Widely recognized independent state.[26] The defense of Liechtenstein was the responsibility of Switzerland.

 Luxembourg – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Capital: Luxembourg
Widely recognized UN member state. EEC member.


Madagascar Malagasy Republic (from 26 June 1960)[52]
Capital: Antananarivo
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960). The Malagasy Republic 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 France)

 Malawi
Capital: Lilongwe
  • Malawi (from 6 July 1964 to 6 July 1966)[53][54]
  • Republic of Malawi (from 6 July 1966)[54]
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 1 December 1964). Commonwealth realm (to 6 July 1964).

 Malaya – Federation of Malaya (to 16 September 1963)[55]
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Widely recognized UN member state. Malaya was a federation of eleven states.[56]

 Malaysia (from 16 September 1963)[55]
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Widely recognized UN member state. Malaysia was a federation of fourteen states.[57]

 Maldive Islands / Maldives
Capital: Malé
  • Sultanate of the Maldive Islands (from 26 July 1965 to 11 November 1968)[58]
  • Republic of Maldives (from 11 November 1968)[58]
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 21 September 1965)

Mali → Sudanese Republic

Mali Mali Federation (from 20 June 1960 to 20 August 1960)[59]
Capital: Dakar
Widely recognized independent state. The Mali Federation was a federation of two states.[60]

Malta Malta – State of Malta (from 21 September 1964)[61]
Capital: Valletta
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 1 December 1964). Commonwealth realm.

 Mauritania – Islamic Republic of Mauritania (from 28 November 1960)[62]
Capital: Nouakchott
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 27 October 1961).

Mauritius Mauritius (from 12 March 1968)[63]
Capital: Port Louis
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 24 April 1968). 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.

Mexico  Mexico – United Mexican States
Capital: Mexico City
Widely recognized UN member state. Mexico was a federation of 31 states, two territories, and one federal district.[64]

 Monaco – Principality of Monaco
Capital: Monaco
Widely recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN. The defense of Monaco was the responsibility of France.

 Mongolia – Mongolian People's Republic
Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 27 October 1961).

 Morocco – Kingdom of Morocco
Capital: Rabat
Widely recognized UN member state. Morocco disputed the Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta, Isla de Alborán, Isla Perejil, Islas Chafarinas, Melilla, and Peñón de Alhucemas.

Muscat and Oman – Sultanate of Muscat and Oman
Capital: Muscat, Oman
Widely recognized independent state under the informal protection of the United Kingdom.


 Nauru – Republic of Nauru (from 31 January 1968)[65]
Capital: Yaren (unofficial)
Widely recognized independent state. The defense of Nauru was the responsibility of Australia.

Nepal Nepal – Kingdom of Nepal
Capital: Kathmandu
Widely recognized UN member state.

 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. The Kingdom of the Netherlands had sovereignty over one external territory:


 New Zealand – Dominion of New Zealand
Capital: Wellington
Widely recognized UN member state. Commonwealth realm. New Zealand had responsibilities for one free associated state:

It also had sovereignty over four dependent territories:

The government of Tokelau Islands claimed Swains Island, part of American Samoa (a U.S. dependence).

New Zealand administered two United Nations Trust Territories:


 Nicaragua – Republic of Nicaragua
Capital: Managua
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Niger – Republic of Niger (from 3 August 1960)[66]
Capital: Niamey
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960).

 Nigeria
Capital: Lagos
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 7 October 1960). Commonwealth realm (to 1 October 1963). Nigeria was a federation of three regions (to 27 May 1967) and twelve states (from 27 May 1967).[69]

 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 Svalbard Treaty. Norway had sovereignty over the following dependencies:


 Pakistan – Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Capital: Karachi (to 1 August 1960), Rawalpindi (from 1 August 1960 to 14 August 1967), Islamabad (from 14 August 1967)
Widely recognized UN member state. Pakistan was a federation of two provinces. It administered part of the disputed region of Kashmir.[70]

 Panama – Republic of Panama
Capital: Panama City
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Paraguay – Republic of Paraguay
Capital: Asunción
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Peru – Peruvian Republic
Capital: Lima
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Philippines – Republic of the Philippines
Capital: Quezon City (official), Baguio (summer)
Widely recognized UN member state. 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, and South Vietnam) and the Malaysian territory of Sabah.

Poland Poland – Polish People's Republic
Capital: Warsaw
Widely recognized UN member state.

Portugal Portugal – Portuguese Republic
Capital: Lisbon
Widely recognized UN member state. Portugal had sovereignty over the following overseas provinces:

It also had sovereignty over one possession:

Portugal continued to claim Portuguese India after its annexation by India on 14 January 1961. It also claimed the Spanish municipalities of Olivenza and Táliga.



Rhodesia  Rhodesia (from 11 November 1965)[71]
Capital: Salisbury
De facto independent state. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by the United Kingdom.

Romania Romania[72]
Capital: Bucharest
  • Romanian People's Republic (to 21 August 1965)[73]
  • Socialist Republic of Romania (from 21 August 1965)[73]
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Rwanda – Rwandese Republic[74] (from 1 July 1962)[75]
Capital: Kigali
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 18 September 1962).

Rwenzururu – Kingdom of Rwenzururu (from 30 June 1963)[76]
Capital: Kasese
De facto independent state. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by Uganda.


 Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (from 27 February 1967)
Capital: Basseterre
Associated state of the United Kingdom.

Saint Lucia (from 1 March 1967)
Capital: Castries
Associated state of the United Kingdom.

Saint Vincent (from 27 October 1969)
Capital: Kingstown
Associated state of the United Kingdom.

 San Marino – Republic of San Marino
Capital: San Marino
Widely recognized independent state.

 Saudi Arabia – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Capital: Riyadh
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Senegal – Republic of Senegal (from 20 August 1960)[59]
Capital: Dakar
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 28 September 1960).

Sierra Leone Sierra Leone (from 27 April 1961)[77]
Capital: Freetown
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 27 September 1961). Commonwealth realm.

 Singapore
Capital: Singapore
  • State of Singapore (from 31 August 1963 to 15 September 1963)[55][78]
  • State of Singapore (from 9 August 1965 to 22 December 1965)[79][80]
  • Republic of Singapore (from 22 December 1965)[81]
Transitional independent state (1963). Widely recognized (from 9 August 1965). UN member state (from 21 September 1965).

Somalia Somalia
Capital: Mogadishu
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960).

Somalia Somaliland – State of Somaliland (from 26 June 1960 to 30 June 1960)[84]
Capital: Hargeisa
Transitional independent state.

 South Africa
Capital: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)
Widely recognized UN member state. Commonwealth realm (to 31 May 1961). South Africa had one autonomous bantustan: Transkei (from 30 May 1963). South Africa administered one League of Nations mandate:

 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.[86]

Spain Spain – Spanish State
Capital: Madrid
Widely recognized UN member state. Spain had sovereignty over the following overseas provinces:

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 territory of Gibraltar.


Sudan Sudan
Capital: Khartoum
Widely recognized UN member state.

Mali Sudanese Republic / Mali
Capital: Bamako
  • Sudanese Republic (from 20 August 1960 to 22 September 1960)[59][88]
  • Republic of Mali (from 22 September 1960)[88]
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 28 September 1960).

 Suvadive Islands – United Suvadive Republic (to 23 September 1963)[89]
Capital: Hithadhoo
De facto independent state. Not recognized by any other state. Claimed by the United Kingdom.

 Swaziland – Kingdom of Swaziland (from 6 September 1968)[90]
Capital: Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (royal and legislative)
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 24 September 1968).

 Sweden – Kingdom of Sweden
Capital: Stockholm
Widely recognized UN member state.

  Switzerland – Swiss Confederation
Capital: Bern
Widely recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN. Switzerland was a federation of 25 cantons.[91]

Syria  Syria – Syrian Arab Republic (from 28 September 1961)[92]
Capital: Damascus
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (13 October 1961). Syria included the Golan Heights, which were occupied by Israel (from 10 June 1967). It disputed the Turkish sovereignty over Hatay Province.


Taiwan → China, Republic of

 Tanganyika
Capital: Dar es Salaam
  • Tanganyika (from 9 December 1961 to 9 December 1962)[93][94]
  • Republic of Tanganyika (from 9 December 1962 to 26 April 1964)[94][95]
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 December 1961). Commonwealth realm (to 9 December 1962).

 Tanganyika and Zanzibar / Tanzania
Capital: Dar es Salaam
  • United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar (from 26 April 1964 to 29 October 1964)[95]
  • United Republic of Tanzania (from 29 October 1964)[95]
Widely recognized UN member state. Tanzania had one autonomous region: Zanzibar.

 Thailand – Kingdom of Thailand
Capital: Bangkok
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Togo – Togolese Republic (from 27 April 1960)[96]
Capital: Lomé
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960).

Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (from 31 August 1962)[97]
Capital: Port of Spain
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 18 September 1962). Commonwealth realm.

 Tunisia – Tunisian Republic
Capital: Tunis
Widely recognized UN member state.

 Turkey – Republic of Turkey
Capital: Ankara
Widely recognized UN member state.


 Uganda
Capital: Kampala
  • Uganda (from 9 October 1962 to 8 September 1967)[98]
  • Republic of Uganda (from 8 September 1967)[98]
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 25 October 1962). Commonwealth realm (to 8 September 1967).

Egypt United Arab Republic
Capital: Cairo
Widely recognized UN member state. United Arab States member (to 1961). The United Arab Republic consisted of two states: Syria (to 28 September 1961) and Egypt. It included the Sinai Peninsula, which was occupied by Israel from 8 June 1967. The United Arab Republic occupied the Gaza Strip until 6 June 1967, but this area was not generally recognized as being part of the UAR. It continued to claim these territories after their occupation by Israel in 1967.

United Arab States (to 26 December 1961) Widely recognized UN member state. The United Arab States consisted of two states (later three): The United Arab Republic (Egypt and Syria, later, just Egypt), North Yemen, and later Syria.

 United Kingdom – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Capital: London
Widely recognized UN member state. 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:

The United Kingdom co-administered the following condominiums:

It also had sovereignty over the following crown colonies and protectorates:

In addition, the British Monarch had direct sovereignty over three self-governing Crown dependencies:

The United Kingdom administered three United Nations Trust Territories:


United States  United States – United States of America
Capital: Washington, D.C.
Widely recognized UN member state. The United States was a federation of 50 states, one federal district, and one incorporated territory.[99] It asserted sovereignty over the following inhabited unincorporated territories:

It also asserted sovereignty over fifteen uninhabited unincorporated territories:[100]

The United States co-administered the following condominium:

The United States administered two territories under the residual sovereignty of Japan:

In addition, the United States administered one United Nations Trust Territory:


 Upper Volta – Republic of Upper Volta (from 5 August 1960)[101]
Capital: Ouagadougou
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 20 September 1960).

 Uruguay – Eastern Republic of Uruguay
Capital: Montevideo
Widely recognized UN member state.


  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. Permanent observer at the UN (from 6 April 1964). The Holy See also administered a number of extraterritorial properties in Italy. The Pope was the ex officio head of state of Vatican City.

 Venezuela – Republic of Venezuela
Capital: Caracas
Widely recognized UN member state. Venezuela was a federation of 20 states, two territories, one federal dependency, and one federal district.[102]

 Vietnam, North – Democratic Republic of Vietnam
Capital: Hanoi
Widely recognized independent state.

 Vietnam, South – Republic of Vietnam
Capital: Saigon
Widely recognized independent state. Permanent observer at the UN. South 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, and the Philippines).


 Western Samoa – Independent State of Western Samoa (from 1 January 1962)[103]
Capital: Apia
Widely recognized independent state.


Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen Yemen Arab Republic Yemen / Yemen, North
Capital: Ta'izz (to 26 September 1962), Sana'a (from 26 September 1962)
  • Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen (from 26 December 1961 to 27 September 1962)[104]
  • Yemen Arab Republic (from 27 September 1962)[104]
Widely recognized UN member state. United Arab States member (to 1961).

 Yemen, South – People's Republic of South Yemen (from 30 November 1967)[105] Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 14 December 1967).

 Yugoslavia
Capital: Belgrade
  • Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia (to 7 April 1963)[106]
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (from 7 April 1963)[106]
Widely recognized UN member state. Yugoslavia was a federation of six republics.[107]


 Zambia – Republic of Zambia (from 24 October 1964)[108]
Capital: Lusaka
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 1 December 1964).

Zanzibar Zanzibar
Capital: Zanzibar City
Widely recognized independent state. UN member state (from 16 December 1963).

Other entities

Excluded from the list above are the following noteworthy entities which either were not fully sovereign or did not claim to be independent:

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Algeria became independent from France on 5 July 1962 and declared itself to be a People's Democratic Republic on 25 September 1962.
  2. Anguilla declared independence from the United Kingdom on 12 July 1967. British rule was restored on 19 March 1969.
  3. The name "Argentine Nation" was also used for the purposes of legislation.
  4. 23 Provinces: Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Córdoba, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquén, Río Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tucumán. 2 Territories: Buenos Aires, Tierra del Fuego.
  5. 6 States: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia. 3 Territories: Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, Northern Territory.
  6. 9 States: Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Upper Austria, Vorarlberg, Vienna.
  7. Barbados gained independence from the United Kingdom on 30 November 1966.
  8. Benin declared independence from Nigeria on 19 September 1967 and was overrun the following day
  9. Biafra declared independence from Nigeria on 30 May 1967
  10. Recognized by Gabon, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, and Zambia.
  11. Botswana gained independence from the United Kingdom on 30 September 1966.
  12. 1 2 Brazil was renamed the Federative Republic of Brazil on 15 March 1967
  13. 22 States: Acre (from 15 June 1960), Alagoas, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Guanabara (from 21 April 1960), Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Pará, Paraíba, Paraná, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Sergipe. 6 Territories: Acre (to 15 June 1960), Amapá, Fernando de Noronha, Rondônia, Rio Branco (renamed Roraima on 13 December 1962). 1 Federal District: Brazilian Federal District.
  14. 1 2 Burundi declared independence from Belgium on 1 July 1962 and became a republic on 28 November 1966.
  15. 1 2 Cameroun became independent from France on 1 January 1960. It united with British Cameroons on 1 October 1961.
  16. 2 Regions: East Cameroun, West Cameroun.
  17. 10 Provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan. 2 Territories: Northwest Territories, Yukon.
  18. The Central African Republic declared independence from France on 13 August 1960.
  19. Chad declared independence from France on 11 August 1960
  20. 1 2 The People's Republic of China and the Republic of China did not recognize each other, as both states claimed to be the sole legitimate government of China. The following states recognized the PRC instead of the ROC: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Burma, Burundi (from 21 December 1963 to 29 January 1965), Cambodia, Central African Republic (from 29 September 1964), Democratic Republic of Congo (from 20 February 1961), Republic of Congo (from 22 February 1964), Cuba (from 28 September 1960), Czechoslovakia, Dahomey (from 12 November 1964 to April 1966), Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France (from 27 January 1964), East Germany, Ghana (from 5 July 1960), Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya (from 14 December 1963), North Korea, Laos (from 25 April 1961), Liechtenstein, Mali (from 25 October 1960), Mauritania (from 19 July 1965), Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Somalia (from 14 December 1960), the Soviet Union, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanganyika (from 9 December 1961 to 26 April 1964), Tanzania (from 26 April 1964), Tunisia (from 10 January 1964), Uganda (from 18 October 1962), North Vietnam, North Yemen, South Yemen (from 31 January 1968), Yugoslavia, Zambia (from 29 October 1964), Zanzibar (from 11 December 1963 to 26 April 1964).
  21. Congo-Brazzaville gained independence from France on 15 August 1960
  22. 1 2 The Republic of the Congo gained independence from Belgium on 30 June 1960 and was renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo on 1 August 1964.
  23. Cyprus gained independence from the United Kingdom on 16 August 1960
  24. Cyprus was not recognized by Turkey.
  25. 1 2 Czechoslovakia adopted a new constitution on 11 July 1960
  26. 1 2 Owing to a dispute over lands seized during World War II, Liechtenstein and Czechoslovakia did not recognize each other.
  27. 2 Republics: Czech Socialist Republic, Slovak Socialist Republic.
  28. Dadra and Nagar Haveli, a former Portuguese enclave, had been effectively independent under a local administration since 1954. It was entirely surrounded by and closely allied with India, which sent an official to help administer the state. It was formally annexed by India on 11 August 1961.
  29. Dadra and Nagar Haveli was recognized only by India
  30. Dahomey declared independence from France on 1 August 1960
  31. Equatorial Guinea gained independence from Spain on 12 October 1968
  32. Gabon declared independence from France on 17 August 1960
  33. Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom on 18 February 1965
  34. 10 States: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein.
  35. 1 2 Ghana became a republic on 1 July 1960
  36. Guyana gained independence from the United Kingdom on 26 May 1966
  37. 17 States: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Bombay (to 1 May 1960), Gujarat (from 1 May 1960), Haryana (from 1 November 1966), Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Madras (renamed Tamil Nadu in August 1968), Maharashtra (from 1 May 1960), Mysore, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. 11 Union Territories: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh (from 1 November 1966), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (from 11 August 1961), National Capital Territory of Delhi, Goa, Daman and Diu (from 20 December 1961), Himachal Pradesh, Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands, Manipur, Nagaland (from 1 December 1963), Pondicherry, Tripura.
  38. Ireland also had the legal description of "Republic of Ireland", although this was not its constitutional name.
  39. Israel was not recognized by Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, North Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, North Yemen, or South Yemen.
  40. The Ivory Coast declared independence from France on 7 August 1960
  41. Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962
  42. Only the United Kingdom recognized the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as being part of Jordan.
  43. Katanga declared independence on 11 July 1960 and surrendered to Congo (Léopoldville) on 15 January 1963.
  44. 1 2 Kenya gained independence from the United Kingdom on 12 December 1963. It became a republic on 12 December 1964.
  45. North Korea was not recognized by Estonia, France, Japan, or South Korea.
  46. South Korea was not recognized by the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of China, or North Korea.
  47. Kuwait became independent from the United Kingdom on 19 June 1961
  48. Lesotho gained independence from the United Kingdom on 4 October 1966
  49. 1 2 Libya adopted a new constitution on 25 April 1963, abolishing the federal system.
  50. 1 2 The Libyan Arab Republic was established on 1 September 1969
  51. 3 Provinces: Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, and Fezzan.
  52. The Malagasy Republic gained independence from France on 26 June 1960
  53. Malawi gained independence from the United Kingdom on 6 July 1964
  54. 1 2 Malawi became a Republic on 6 July 1966
  55. 1 2 3 Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, and North Borneo united to form Malaysia on 16 September 1963.
  56. 11 States: Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Selangor, Terengganu.
  57. 14 States: Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Singapore (to 9 August 1965), Terengganu.
  58. 1 2 The Maldives gained independence from the United Kingdom on 26 July 1965 and became a republic on 11 November 1968.
  59. 1 2 3 The Mali Federation gained independence from France on 20 June 1960 and was dissolved when Senegal withdrew on 20 August 1960.
  60. 2 States: Senegal, Soudan.
  61. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1964
  62. Mauritania gained independence from France on 28 November 1960
  63. Mauritius gained independence from the United Kingdom on 12 March 1968
  64. 29 States: Aguascalientes, Baja California, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatán, Zacatecas. 2 Territories: Baja California Sur, Quintana Roo. 1 Federal District: Federal District
  65. The UN Trusteeship over Nauru (administered by Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom) came to an end on 31 January 1968.
  66. Niger declared independence from France on 3 August 1960
  67. Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960
  68. 1 2 Nigeria became a republic on
  69. 3 Regions: Eastern (to 27 May 1967), Northern, Western. 12 States: Mid-Western, Benue-Plateau, South-Eastern, East Central, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Lagos, North-Eastern State, Rivers, Sokoto, Western.
  70. 2 Provinces: East Pakistan, West Pakistan.
  71. Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965.
  72. English speakers often used the spellings "Rumania" and "Roumania" during this period.
  73. 1 2 Romania adopted a new constitution on 21 August 1965. .
  74. Rwanda's official French name was "République rwandaise". . It could be translated into English as "Rwandese Republic" s:CIA World Fact Book, 2004/Rwanda, "Rwandan Republic" , or "Republic of Rwanda" .
  75. Rwanda gained independence from Belgium on 1 July 1962
  76. Rwenzururu declared independence from Uganda in November 1962
  77. Sierra Leone gained independence from the United Kingdom on 27 April 1961.
  78. Lee Kuan Yew declares de facto independence for Singapore
  79. Singapore gained independence from the United Kingdom on 31 August 1963.
  80. Singapore gained independence from Malaysia on 9 August 1965
  81. Constitution of the Republic of Singapore is adopted
  82. Somalia gained independence from Italy on 1 July 1960
  83. 1 2 The Somali Democratic Republic was established on 21 October 1969
  84. Somaliland gained independence from the United Kingdom on 2 June 1960. It joined Somalia when it became independent on 1 July 1960.
  85. 1 2 South Africa became a republic on 31 May 1961
  86. 15 Republics: Armenian SSR, Azerbaijan SSR, Byelorussian SSR, Estonian SSR, Georgian SSR, Kazakh SSR, Kirghiz SSR, Latvian SSR, Lithuanian SSR, Moldavian SSR, Russian SFSR, Tajik SSR, Turkmen SSR, Ukrainian SSR, Uzbek SSR.
  87. 1 2 Sudan became a Democratic Republic on 25 May 1969
  88. 1 2 The Sudanese Republic declared itself the Republic of Mali on 22 September 1960
  89. The United Suvadive Republic gave up its self-declared independence on 23 September 1963.
  90. Swaziland gained independence from the United Kingdom on 6 September 1968.
  91. 25 Cantons: Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Glarus, Graubünden, Lucerne, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zürich
  92. Syria seceded from the United Arab Republic on 28 September 1961
  93. Tanganyika gained independence from the United Kingdom on 9 December 1961.
  94. 1 2 Tanganyika became a republic on 9 December 1962
  95. 1 2 3 4 Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar on 26 April 1964. It was renamed the Republic of Tanzania on 29 October 1964.
  96. Togo gained independence from a French-administered UN Trusteeship on 27 April 1960.
  97. Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from the United Kingdom on 31 August 1962.
  98. 1 2 Uganda gained independence from the United Kingdom on 9 October 1962 and became a republic on 8 September 1967.
  99. 50 States: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. 1 Federal District: District of Columbia. 1 Incorporated Territory: Palmyra Atoll.
  100. These islands were sometimes designated for statistical purposes as the United States Miscellaneous Caribbean Islands and the United States Miscellaneous Pacific Islands.
  101. Burkina Faso declared independence from France on 5 August 1960
  102. 20 States: Anzoátegui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolívar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Falcón, Guárico, Lara, Mérida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Táchira, Trujillo, Yaracuy, Zulia. 2 Territories: Amazonas, Delta Amacuro. 1 Federal District: Federal District. 1 Federal Dependency: Federal Dependencies.
  103. Western Samoa gained independence from a New Zealand-administered UN Trusteeship on 1 January 1962.
  104. 1 2 The Yemen Arab Republic was established on 27 September 1962
  105. South Yemen gained independence from the United Kingdom on 30 November 1967.
  106. 1 2
  107. 6 Republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia.
  108. Zambia became independent from the United Kingdom on 24 October 1964
  109. Zanzibar gained independence from the United Kingdom on 10 December 1963.
  110. 1 2 The Sultan of Zanzibar was overthrown on 12 January 1964.
  111. Rogan-Finnemore, Michelle (2005), "What Bioprospecting Means for Antarctica and the Southern Ocean", in Von Tigerstrom, Barbara, International Law Issues in the South Pacific, Ashgate Publishing, p. 204, ISBN 0-7546-4419-7 "Australia, New Zealand, France, Norway and the United Kingdom reciprocally recognize the validity of each other's claims."
  112. CIA – the World Factbook – Antarctica – accessed 19 January 2008
  113. Bilateral relations with countries, Retrieved 2009-12-22
  114. Chapter General of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta (1998-01-12). Constitutional Charter and Code of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta, promulgated 27 June 1961, revised by the Extraordinary Chapter General 28–30 April 1997, Article 3 "Sovereignty," Paragraph 1. (PDF). Rome: Tipografia Arte della Stampa. p. 11.
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