Several countries in the world have no general international recognition, but are de facto independent. Most are subnational regions that broke off from their home country.
Unrecognized states with de facto control over their territory
Abkhazia 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. The USSR forcefully merged Abkhazia with Georgia in 1931. The Abkhazian Soviets proclaimed independence from Georgia in 1990, and a short war ensued from 1992 through 1994. A June 1994 ceasefire has largely held, leaving Abkhazia outside the control of Georgia's government.
Kosovo or Kosova although not recognized as an independent entity has functioned under the UN administration independently of Serbia and Montenegro since 1999. Legally it is a Serbian autonomous province.
Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan is 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 overwhelmingly ethnic Armenian majority.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was set up in northern Cyprus after an invasion by Turkish forces, and has declared independence. It is a functioning state, but recognized only by Turkey.
South Ossetia in Georgia is a self-declared and more or less functioning independent state with no international recognition from any other nation. It is recognized as a part of northern Georgia. It had found itself merged with Georgia as a result of the Russian Civil War of 1918-1920. It proclaimed independence from Georgia in 1991, and a ceasefire was declared in 1992.
The civil war in Somalia has left no centralized organization governing the entire country. Somaliland in Somalia is a self-declared and more or less functioning independent state with no international recognition from any other nation.
Transnistria is the part of Moldova east of the river Dniestr and 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.
Partially recognized states largely under occupation
Western Sahara is a territory that has been occupied by Morocco since the 1970s. The United Nations has attempted to oversee an independence referendum, but has so far had little success. However, Western Sahara is still recognized by a number of countries, and is a member of the African Union.
Historic unrecognized states with de facto control over their territory
The heads of parliaments of the unrecognized republics of Abkhazia, Pridnestrovie and South Ossetia, as well as the Inter-parliamentary Assembly, participated in the meeting.
In order to be considered a sovereign state under international law it is necessary for a country to have a permanent population, a defined territory and a government.
Unrecognizedcountries appeal to international law which is independent although Moldavia considers it part of Moldova and a Moldovan breakaway region or separatist republic of Moldova.
Feeds |
Contact