List of sovereign states by date of formation

Below is a list of sovereign states by formation dates, sorted by continent. This list includes only the 194 sovereign states currently in existence; it does not include former sovereign states. For proposed states or various indigenous nations which consider themselves still under occupation, see list of active autonomist and secessionist movements. Micronations are not included in this list.

Nation-building is a long evolutionary process. It is therefore practically impossible to come up with a single date for a nation's "birth". However, most nations have accepted some dates in their respective histories as their symbolic starting points. This is usually done more for nationalistic propaganda than for scientific reasons. For many ancient and medieval nations these starting points are usually the dates when a nation was mentioned in a written document for the first time or simply a date from their national mythology. In Europe, this often coincides with the ruler's conversion to Christianity. For post-colonial nations, starting with the United States, the beginning of statehood is usually considered to be the date when independence was declared, granted and/or recognised.

Independence dates for widely recognised states, earlier than 1919, should be treated with caution, since prior to the founding of the League of Nations, there was no international body to recognise nationhood, and independence had no meaning beyond mutual recognition of de facto sovereigns (the role of the League of Nations was effectively taken over by the United Nations after the Second World War). See also: disputed territories.

The situation is further complicated by the confusion between two terms commonly used as synonym: nation (generally considered an ethnic or cultural grouping) and state (an independent political entity). Taking this into account a declaration of being the "oldest country" in the world is not fruitful and will inevitably be disputed. The following list contains the formation dates of countries with a short description of those events. For a more detailed description of a country's formation and history please see the main article for each country.

List

Africa

Country	Date	Birth of current form of government	Date	Date of acquisition of sovereignty	Date	Date of most recent significant territorial modification
Algeria			1962-07-03	French recognition of Algerian referendum on independence held two days earlier
Angola			1975-11-11	Independence from Portugal
Benin			1960-08-01	Independence from France	1894-01-15	Borders of French Protectorate of Dahomey set at conclusion of Second Franco-Dahomean War
Botswana			1885-03-31	Establishment of the Bechuanaland Protectorate by the United Kingdom	1894	Extended north into Ngamiland
			1966-09-30	Independence from the United Kingdom
Burkina Faso			1958-12-11	Self-government achieved and republic within Franco-African Community	1947-09-04	Restoration of colonial boundaries used from 1919–1932
			1960-08-05	Independence from France
Burundi	1966-11-28	Monarchy replaced by republic	1962-07-01	Independence from Belgium
Cameroon			1960-01-01	Independence from France	1961-10-01	Merger of part of British Cameroons with Cameroon
Cape Verde			1975-07-05	Independence from Portugal
Central African Republic	1979	Monarchy replaced by republic	1958-12-01	Central African Republic becomes autonomous territory in French Republic
			1960-08-13	Independence from France
Chad			1960-08-11	Independence from France	1994-02-03	Aouzou Strip awarded to Chad
Comoros			1975-07-06	Independence from France declared
Congo, Democratic Republic of the			1884-04-22	Congo Free State recognized as an independent state
			1960-06-30	Independence from Belgium
Congo, Republic of the			1960-08-15	Independence from France
Côte d'Ivoire			1958-12-04	Autonomous republic within French Community
			1960-08-07	Independence from France
Djibouti			1977-06-27	Independence from France
Equatorial Guinea			1968-10-12	Independence from Spain
Eritrea			1993-05-24	Independence from Ethiopia declared	2002-04-01	Badme ruled to be Eritrean by the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC after the Eritrean-Ethiopian War). Contested by Ethiopia
Ethiopia	1975-03-21	Monarchy abolished and replaced by republic	~800 B.C.	Formation of the state of D'mt	2002-04-01	Badme ruled to be Eritrean by the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC after the Eritrean-Ethiopian War). Contested by Ethiopia
Gabon			1960-08-17	Independence from France
Gambia			1965-02-18	Independence from the United Kingdom
Ghana			1957-03-06	Independence from the United Kingdom	1956-12-13	Union of British Togoland with Gold Coast
Guinea			1958-10-02	Independence from France
Guinea-Bissau			1973-09-24	Independence from Portugal declared
			1974-09-10	Independence from Portugal recognized
Kenya			1963-12-12	Independence from the United Kingdom
Lesotho			1966-10-04	Independence from the United Kingdom	1868-03-12	Area that is now present-day Lesotho placed under British rule
Liberia			1847-07-26	Independence from the United States
Libya	1969-09-01	Monarchy replaced by republic	1951-12-24	Independence from UN Trusteeship (British and French administration after Italian governance ends in 1947)	1984-02-13	Aouzou Strip awarded to Chad
Madagascar			1958-10-14	The Malagasy Republic was created as autonomous state within French Community
			1960-06-26	France recognizes Madagascar's independence
Malawi			1964-07-06	Independence from the United Kingdom
Mali			1958-11-25	French Sudan gains autonomy	1960-08-20	Senegal secedes from Mali Federation
			1960-09-22	Independence from France
Mauritania			1960-11-28	Independence from France	1979-08-11	Mauritania withdraws from Tiris al-Gharbiyya (part of Western Sahara)
Mauritius			1968-03-12	Independence from the United Kingdom	1965	Separation of Chagos Archipelago
Morocco	789	idrisid dynasty	1956-03-02	Independence from France	1969-01-04	Return of Ifni to Morocco
			1956-04-07	French protectorate formally relinquished
Mozambique			1975-06-25	Independence from Portugal
Namibia			1990-03-21	Independence from South African rule	1994-03-01	Walvis Bay integrated into Namibia
Niger			1958-12-04	Autonomy within French Community
			1960-08-03	Independence from France
Nigeria			1960-10-01	Independence from the United Kingdom	1970-01-15	Biafra re-integrated into Nigeria
					1961-06-01	Northern Cameroons integrated in Nigeria
Rwanda			1962-07-01	Independence from Belgium
São Tomé and Príncipe			1975-07-12	Independence from Portugal
Senegal			1960-08-20	Independence from France
Seychelles			1976-06-29	Independence from the United Kingdom
Sierra Leone			1961-04-27	Independence from the United Kingdom
Somalia			1960-07-01	Merger of State of Somaliland (formerly British Somaliland) and Italian Somaliland
South Africa	1910-05-31	Creation of the Union of South Africa from the previously separate colonies of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and Orange River	1931-12-11	Statute of Westminster, which establishes a status of legislative equality between the self-governing dominion of the Union of South Africa and the UK	1994-04-27	Reincorporation of the nominally independent bantustans into post-Apartheid South Africa
			1961-05-31	Republic declared (South Africa no longer a Commonwealth realm)
South Sudan			2011-07-09	Separation of Southern Sudan from Sudan
Sudan			1956-01-01	Independence from Egyptian and British joint rule	2011-07-09	South Sudan secedes from Sudan
Swaziland			1968-09-06	Independence from the United Kingdom
Tanzania			1961-12-09	Independence of Tanganyika from the United Kingdom	1964-04-26	Merger of Zanzibar with Tanganyika to form Tanzania
Togo			1958-08-30	Autonomy within French Union
			1960-04-27	Independence from France
Tunisia	1957-07-25	Declaration of Republic	1956-03-20	Independence from France
Uganda			1962-03-01	Self-government granted
			1962-10-09	Independence from the United Kingdom
Zambia			1964-10-24	Independence from the United Kingdom
Zimbabwe			1965-11-11	Unilateral declaration of independence by Southern Rhodesia	1901	BSAC separates North-Eastern Rhodesia from Southern Rhodesia
			1980-04-18	Recognized independence from the United Kingdom as Zimbabwe

The Americas

Country	Date	Birth of current form of government	Date	Date of acquisition of sovereignty	Date	Date of most recent significant territorial modification
Antigua and Barbuda			1981-11-01	Independence from the United Kingdom
Argentina			1810-05-25	May Revolution installs first local government	1884-10-18	Conquest of the Desert
			1816-07-09	Argentine Declaration of Independence
Bahamas			1964-01-07	Internal self-governance granted
			1973-07-10	Independence from the United Kingdom
Barbados			1966-11-30	Independence from the United Kingdom
Belize			1981-09-21	Independence from the United Kingdom	1859	Treaty establishes border between British Honduras and Guatemala
			1964-01-01	Self governing colony
Bolivia	1809-05-25		1825-08-06	Bolivian War of Independence	1903-11-11	Signing of the Treaty of Petrópolis with Brazil whereby Bolivia gained lands in Mato Grosso in exchange for the territory of Acre
Brazil	1889-11-15	Proclamation of the Republic	1822-09-07	Independence from Portugal declared	1903-11-11	Signing of the Treaty of Petrópolis with Bolivia whereby Brazil was given the territory of Acre in exchange for lands in Mato Grosso
			1825-08-29	Independence recognized by Portugal
Canada	1867-07-01	Canadian Confederation	1931-12-11	Statute of Westminster	1949-04-01	Dominion of Newfoundland joins as the province of Newfoundland
Chile	1810-09-18	First Government Junta declares Chile an autonomous republic within Spain	1818-02-12	Independence declared from Spain	1929-07-03	Chile awarded Arica district in Treaty of Lima
			1844-04-25	Independence recognized by Spain
Colombia			1810-07-10	Independence declared from Spain	1903-11-03	Separation of Panama from Colombia
			1819-08-07	Independence recognized by Spain
Costa Rica			1821-09-15	Costa Rica declared independence from Spain	1824-07-25	Partido de Nicoya
			1838-11-15	Independence from Federal Republic of Central America
Cuba	1959-01-01	Cuban Revolution	1868-10-10	Independence from Spain declared
			1898-12-10	Spain relinquishes all claim of sovereignty over and title to Cuba[1]
			1902-05-20	United States military occupation ends[2]
Dominica			1967-02-27	Became an associated state of the United Kingdom
			1978-11-03	Independence from the United Kingdom
Dominican Republic			1865-03-03	Independence regained from Spain following the Dominican Restoration War
Ecuador	1809-08-10		1822-05-24	Independence from Spain of Gran Colombia, of which Ecuador is a part	1942-02-26	Rio Protocol ends border dispute with Peru
			1830-05-13	Dissolution of Gran Colombia
El Salvador			1821-09-15	El Salvador becomes province in first mexican empire , which declared independence from Spain
			1823	El Salvador becomes an state of federal republic of central america
			1841	Disolution of the federal republic of central america , El slvador becomes independent
Grenada			1967-02-27	Associated state of the United Kingdom
			1974-02-07	Full independence from the United Kingdom
Guatemala			1821-09-15	Guatemala becomes state in Federal Republic of Central America, which declared independence from Spain
			1839-04-17	Independence from Federal Republic of Central America declared
Guyana			1966-05-26	Independence from the United Kingdom
Haiti	1987-03	Constitution	1804-01-01	The French colony Saint-Domingue gains independence as Haiti	1844-02-27	The Dominican Republic gains independence from Haiti
Honduras			1821-09-15	Honduras becomes state in Federal Republic of Central America, which declared independence from Spain	1972-09-01	Swan Islands returned to Honduras from United States occupation
			1838-10-26	Independence from Federal Republic of Central America
Jamaica			1962-08-06	Independence from the United Kingdom
Mexico	1917	Constitution	1810-09-16	Independence from Spain declared	1853-12-30	Gadsden Purchase
			1821-08-24	Independence recognized by Spain in Treaty of Córdoba
Nicaragua			1821-09-15	Nicaragua becomes state in Federal Republic of Central America, which declared independence from Spain
			1838-11-05	Independence from Federal Republic of Central America
Panama			1903-11-03	Separation of Panama from Colombia	1979-10-1	United States returns Panama the Panama Canal Zone
Paraguay	1992-06	Democratic Constitution	1811-05-14	Independence from Spain declared	1938	Paraguay awarded a large portion of the Gran Chaco as a result of the Chaco War
Peru			1821-07-28	Independence from Spain declared	1942-02-26	Rio Protocol ends border dispute with Ecuador
			1879	Independence from Spain recognized
Saint Kitts and Nevis			1967-02-27	Associated state of the United Kingdom	1980-12-19	Anguilla separated from Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
			1983-09-19	Independence from the United Kingdom
Saint Lucia			1967-02-27	Associated statehood
			1979-02-22	Independence from the United Kingdom
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines			1969-10-27	Associated statehood
			1979-10-27	Independence from the United Kingdom
Suriname			1954-12-15	Self government granted
			1975-11-25	Independence from Netherlands
Trinidad and Tobago			1962-08-31	Independence from the United Kingdom
United States	1787-09-17	Ratification of the United States Constitution replaced the previous Articles of Confederation creating a new system of government	1776-07-04	Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain declared	1981-09-07	The United States cedes Serrana Bank and Roncador Bank to the Republic of Colombia as a result of a treaty signed in 1972
			1783-09-03	Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain recognized
Uruguay			1825-08-25	Independence declared, joined in union with United Provinces of the Río de la Plata (current Argentina).(Independence from Brazil declared)
			1828-08-27	Treaty of Montevideo signed, recognizing Uruguay's independence
Venezuela			1811-07-05	independence from Spain declared
			1830-01-13	President José Antonio Páez declares Venezuela independent from Gran Colombia

Asia

Country	Date	Birth of current form of government	Date	Date of acquisition of sovereignty	Date	Date of most recent significant territorial modification
Afghanistan			1919-08-20	Treaty of Rawalpindi gives Afghanistan control from the United Kingdom over its own affairs
Bahrain			1971-08-15	Independence from the United Kingdom	1521-07-01	Portuguese conquest of current territory
Bangladesh			1971-03-26	Independence from Pakistan declared
Bhutan			1885	Ugyen Wangchuck ends period of civil war and unites Bhutan	1865-11-11	Treaty of Sinchula
Brunei			1984-01-01	Brunei regains its independence after an agreement with the British on 4 January 1979
Cambodia			1989-09-26	Becomes free from Vietnamese occupation; it gets back its name instead of the People's Republic of Kampuchea
China, People's Republic of	1949-10-01	Establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the Chinese Civil War nears its end	221 B.C.	Nation firstly unified by Qin Dynasty	1999-12-20	Transfer of the sovereignty of Macau from Portugal to the PRC
India	1950-01-26	Indian constitution comes into force[3]	320 B.C[4]	Foundation of Maurya Empire 320 BC	1975-05-16	Accession of Daman, Diu + Sikkim to India
Indonesia	1945-08-18	Ratification of the Constitution of Indonesia by the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence	1945-08-17	Indonesian Declaration of Independence from Netherlands	2002-05-20	Independence of East Timor, formerly administered as a province of Indonesia
			1949-12-27	Independence from the Netherlands recognized
Iran	1979-02-11	Iranian Revolution ends monarchism and establishes an Islamic Republic	3200 B.C.	Proto-Elamite in Early Bronze Age	1988-08-20	Iran-Iraq War ends with Iran liberating all lost territories
Iraq	2003-03-20	Iraq defeated and occupied. New gov. formed	1932-10-03	Kingdom of Iraq	1991-02-28	Kuwait was liberated.
Israel			1948-05-14	Reading of the Declaration of Independence of Israel before the expiration of the British Mandate of Palestine at midnight	1994-10-26	Signing of the Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace, whereby most of the disputed 400 square-kilometer area in the Arabah was handed back to Jordan
Japan	1947-05-03	Coming into force of the current Constitution of Japan, whereby the emperor was deprived of his powers and a liberal democracy was established	660BC	Unity of the country by the Imperial family, and the capital was established in Yamato	1972-05-15	Return of the Ryukyu Islands to Japan and abolition of the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands
Jordan			1946-05-25	End of the British Mandate for Palestine	1994-10-26	Signing of the Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace, whereby most of the disputed 400 square-kilometer area in the Arabah was handed back to Jordan
Kazakhstan			1991-12-16	Independence declared from the Soviet Union
Kuwait			1991-02-28	End of Iraqi occupation (Gulf War)	1969-12-18	Formal division of Saudi-Kuwaiti neutral zone
Kyrgyzstan			1991-08-31	Independence from the Soviet Union
Laos			1949-07-19	Independence from France
Lebanon	1926-05-23	Lebanese Republic formed	1941-11-26	Independence from France declared	1920-09-01	France establishes State of Greater Lebanon with current boundaries
			1943-11-22	Independence from France recognized
Malaysia	1963-07-31	The Federation of Malaya was changed to Malaysia.[5][6]	1957-08-31	Malayan Independence[7] from the United Kingdom was declared in Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square)	1965-08-09	Establishment of Singapore as an independent sovereign state[8][9][10]
			1963-09-16	Malaysia was formed after the self government of Sabah (was North Borneo), Sarawak and Singapore to federate with the existing States of the Federation of Malaya.[5][11]
Maldives			1965-07-26	Independence from the United Kingdom
Mongolia			1911-12-29	Proclamation of Mongolian independence from Qing Dynasty China
Myanmar			1948-01-04	Myanmar (Burma) declares independence from the British Empire	1956	Signing of border treaty with the People's Republic of China
Nepal	2008-05-28	Formation of Republic	1768-12-21	Nepali unification	1815-12-02	Sugauli Treaty ends the Gurkha War
North Korea			1948-09-09	Declaration of creation of North Korea	1953-07-27	Cease-fire in the Korean War creates the southern border along the Military Demarcation Line
Pakistan	1947-08-14	Independence from British India	1947 A.D.	British India Partition	1971-12-16	De facto : Province of East Pakistan dissolved following the surrender of the Pakistani Army at the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War
					1974-02-22	De jure : Recognition by Pakistan of Bangladesh as an independent country, whereby Pakistan definitely surrenders claims over the former province of East Pakistan
Philippines	1935-11-30	The Commonwealth of the Philippines was established through the provisions of the Tydings-McDuffie Act and the Jones Law.[12] The 1935 constitution remained in effect after independence in 1946.	1898-06-12	The First Philippine Republic declares itself independent from the Spanish Empire.[13][14][15]	1930[17]	Seven of the Turtle Islands were returned by the United Kingdom to the United States as the successor of the Sultanate of Sulu, becoming part of the Philippine Archipelago. The remaining three islands became the Turtle Islands National Park (Malaysia).
			1946-07-04	The United States recognizes independence on 4 July under the provisions of the Treaty of Manila (1946). The nowrap | 1935 Philippine constitution remains in effect
Qatar			1971-09-03	Independence from the United Kingdom
Saudi Arabia	1932-09-23	Regions of Al-Hasa, Qatif, Nejd and Hejaz unified to become Saudi Arabia	1927-05-20	Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz recognized as independent in Treaty of Jeddah	2000-06-12	Border with Yemen finalized by Treaty of Jeddah
Singapore	1965-08-07[8]	Singapore cease to be a state of Malaysia	1959-06-03	Self government under the United Kingdom	1966-08-09	Establishment of Singapore as an independent sovereign state[10]
			1965-08-09	separate from and independent of Malaysia[8][9]
South Korea			1948-08-15	First Republic of South Korea established	1953-07-27	Cease-fire in the Korean War creates the northern border along the Military Demarcation Line
Sri Lanka			1948-02-04	Dominion
			1972-05-22	Full independence from the United Kingdom
Syria			1961-09-28	End of the United Arab Republic
China, Republic of	1911-10-10	After the Xinhai Revolution the Republic of China formally replaced the Qing Dynasty	1949-12-07[18]	Republic of China government moved to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War[19]	1955-02-25	Withdrawal of the Republic of China from the Dachen Archipelago
Tajikistan			1991-09-09	Independence from the Soviet Union
Thailand			1776	Expulsion of Burmese and reunification of Thailand	1909-03-10	Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
Timor-Leste			1975-11-28	East Timor declares its independence but was suppressed by the Indonesian invasion
			2002-05-20	Independence was recognized by the international community following the UN-sponsored act of self-determination of 1999
Turkmenistan			1991-10-27	Independence from the Soviet Union
United Arab Emirates			1971-12-02	End of treaty relationship with the United Kingdom	1972-02-11	Ras al-Khaimah joins the UAE
Uzbekistan			1991-08-31	Independence from the Soviet Union declared
Vietnam	1945-09-02	Independence from Japan and France	2879 BC	Formation of Van Lang	1976-07-02	Reunification of North Vietnam and South Vietnam
Yemen			1990-05-22	Unification of North Yemen and South Yemen	1990-05-22	Unification of North Yemen and South Yemen

Europe & the islands

Country	Date	Birth of current form of government	Date	Date of acquisition of sovereignty	Date	Date of most recent significant territorial modification
Albania			1912-11-28	Declaration of independence from Ottoman Empire
			1944-11-28	Albanian state re-established after Italian/German occupation
Andorra			1813	Reversal of annexation of Andorra by the Napoleonic Empire, through the Peninsular war
Armenia	1918-05-28	Establishment of the Republic of Armenia	1990-08-23	Independence from the Soviet Union declared	1936-12-05	Establishment of the Armenian SSR
	1991-09-21	Independence recognized by the Soviet Union
Austria			1955-05-15	Austrian Independence Treaty re-established Austria as a sovereign state	1921-12-14	City of Sopron moved to Hungary after plebiscite
Belarus			1990-07-27	Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic	1945	Curzon Line
			1991-08-25	Independence recognized by Soviet Union
Azerbaijan	1918-05-28	Establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic	1991-10-18	Declaration of independence from the Soviet Union	1920-04-28	Establishment of the Azerbaijan SSR
Belgium	1831-07-21	King Leopold I of Belgium swears allegiance to the constitution making the country a constitutional monarchy	1830-10-04	Independence was proclaimed by the provisonial government	1919-06-28	Treaty of Versailles and annexation of the East Cantons
Bosnia and Herzegovina			1992-03-05	Independence declared	1943-11-25	Establishment of Bosnia in Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Bulgaria	1989-11-10	People's Republic of Bulgaria was replaced by the Republic of Bulgaria	681	The Byzantine Empire recognizes Bulgaria	1940-09-07	Under the Vienna Awards, Southern Dobruja was returned to Bulgaria
Croatia			1991-10-8	From SFR Yugoslavia
Cyprus			1960-08-16	Independence from United Kingdom
Czech Republic			1993-01-01	Dissolution of Czechoslovakia, creating Czech Republic and Slovakia
Denmark	1953-06-05	Constitutional Act of Denmark	958, or prior	The Jelling stones, a pair of rune stones considered to be the "birth certificate" of Denmark reads: "King Haraldr ordered this monument made ... who won for himself all of Denmark and Norway and made the Danes Christian."	1920-06-15	Sønderjylland was recovered from Germany
Estonia	1918-02-24	Estonian Declaration of Independence, whereby a republic was declared	1918-02-24	Independence declared from the Russian Empire	1920-07-01	De jure: Signing of the Estonian-Latvian Border Treaty whereby Valga proper was ceded to Estonia
			1991-08-20	Independence (from the Soviet Union) reasserted, end of occupation	1945-01-01	De facto: Eastern coast of Narva river and most of Petseri County were transferred to Russian SFSR
Finland	1809	Diet of Porvoo, birth of Finland as an autonomous state entity within Russian Empire	1917-12-06	Independence from Russian Empire declared	1956	Porkkala returned from Soviet control
			1918-01-03	Independence from Russia recognized by the highest Soviet executive body - VTsIK
France	1870-09-04	Establishment of a lasting republican form of government, considered uninterrupted in French law	486	Kingdom of the Franks becomes the first Christian State after the fall of the Roman Empire	1947-02-10	Metropolitan France: Annexation of Tende, La Brigue and other villages formerly in Italy
	1958-10-05	Establishment of the current semi-presidential system known as the Fifth Republic	843	Creation of the Kingdom of France (West Francia), Treaty of Verdun	1962-07-05	Overseas France: Loss of the French departments in Algeria following the latter's independence
Georgia	1918-05-26	Establishment of the Democratic Republic of Georgia	1991-04-09	Independence from the Soviet Union declared	1992-07-23	Abkhazia asserted its declared independence from the Soviet Union
					1991-11-28	South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia
Germany	1871-01-18	German Realm (Empire) founded	1955-05-05	Federal Republic of Germany (commonly referred to at the time as West Germany) declared fully sovereign	1990-10-03	Reunification of West Germany and East Germany
Greece	1975-06-11	Third Hellenic Republic	1821-03-25 (traditional) 1821-02-23 (actual)	Greek Revolution starts, various regional administrations established during 1821	1947-02-10	Peace treaty with Italy awards the Dodecanese to Greece
			1822-01-01	First Hellenic Republic proclaimed
			1832-03-04	Independence recognized (as Kingdom of Greece)
Hungary	1989-10-23	People's Republic of Hungary was replaced by the Republic of Hungary	1849-04-14	Independence declared from Habsburg Empire	1947-02-10	With the Paris Peace Treaty, Hungary loses all territories that were regained with the Vienna Awards and during World War II, thus it returns to the 1920 borders (except for three villages in the northwest given to Czechoslovakia).
			1991-06-19	End of 46 years long Soviet occupation.
Iceland	930	The Icelandic Commonwealth established.	1944-06-17	Secedes from a Union with Denmark formally as an independent republic.	1972-09-01	No territorial changes on land have taken place, however the expansion of the Exclusive Economic Zone was such an important change in territory for Iceland that it merits a special inclusion here.
			1946	Departure of last United States occupation troops
Ireland	1919-01-21	Elected Irish Parliament Dáil Éireann unilaterally declares Ireland's independence from the United Kingdom	1922-12-06	Irish Free State secedes from United Kingdom by agreement in accordance with the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty but remains a dominion of the British Empire	1922-12-08	Northern Ireland secedes from the Irish Free State and rejoins the United Kingdom in accordance with the Irish Free State Constitution Act 1922
			1931-12-11	Statute of Westminster confers legislative independence from the United Kingdom
			1949-04-18	Republic of Ireland Act 1948 declares the state to be a republic and thus no longer subject in any way to the British Crown
Italy	1861-03-17	Italian unification	1945-04-25	Disestablishment of the German-backed Italian Social Republic, whereby the unity and independence of the Italian state was restored	1975-11-10	Signing of the Treaty of Osimo which definitely divides the Free Territory of Trieste between Italy and Yugoslavia
Lithuania			1918-02-16	Independence declared from Germany and Russia	1939-10-27 and 1940-08-03	Eastern Vilnius Region ceded to Lithuania
			1990-03-11	Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania independence (from the Soviet Union) reasserted, end of occupation
Latvia			1918-11-18	Independence declared from Germany and Russia	1944	Abrene district ceded to Russian SFSR (modern Russia)
			1990-05-04	Independence (from Soviet Union) reasserted, end of occupation
Liechtenstein			1813-10-19	Dissolution of the Confederation of the Rhine	1719-01-23	Purchase of Vaduz
Luxembourg	1890-11-23	Separates from union with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, becomes Grand Duchy in its own right	1945	End of German occupation during World War II	1839-04-19	Partition of Luxembourg under the Treaty of London
Macedonia			1991-09-08	After a referendum, the Socialist Republic of Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia
Malta			1964-09-21	Independence from United Kingdom
Moldova			1991-08-27	Independence from Soviet Union	1940-08-02	Moldavian SSR formed
Monaco			1861	Franco-Monegasque Treaty confirms Monaco's sovereignty (formerly a protectorate of the Kingdom of Sardinia)
Montenegro			2006-06-03	Declaration of independence from Serbia and Montenegro
Netherlands	1568	Treaty of Münster signed, independence from Spain	1945-05-05	German occupying forces surrender.	1839-04-19	The United Kingdom of the Netherlands divided under the Treaty of London (1839).
Norway	872	King Harald I of Norway unifies the Petty kingdoms of Norway.	1814	Dissolution of the union between Norway and Denmark and establishment of the Constitution of Norway	1930-02-27	Jan Mayen was made part of the Kingdom of Norway.
			1905-06-07	Dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden
			1945-05-08	German occupying forces surrender.
Poland	1989-06-04	The first partially free Parliament's vote after 45-years long Soviet domination	966	adoption of Christianity by the first historically documented Polish ruler Mieszko I.	1951-02-15	Polish-Soviet border adjustment treaty
			1025	formation of the Kingdom of Poland by Mieszko's son Bolesław I Chrobry.
Portugal	1974-04-25	Carnation Revolution ends the authoritarian Estado Novo	1139-07-26	County of Portugal becomes independent from the Kingdom of León after the Battle of Ourique as part of the Reconquista. Recognized by León in 1143 and by the Pope in 1179.	1801-06-06	Spain occupies the present day border town of Olivença since the War of the Oranges.
Romania	1989-12-22	Romanian Revolution of 1989	1877-05-21	Independence declared from the Ottoman Empire	1947-02-10	Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina
			1878-07-13	Independence recognized internationally by the Treaty of Berlin
San Marino	1600	Constitution of San Marino	301-09-03	Traditional founding	1463	Added Fiorentino, Montegiardino, Serravalle, and Faetano
			1243	Formation of republican government
Serbia	2006-06-08	Republic of Serbia declared legal successor to Serbia and Montenegro, ending the process of the dissolution of Yugoslavia.	1835-02-15	Serbia proclaimed a hereditary constitutional monarchy. International recognition by the Treaty of Berlin[disambiguation needed ].	2008-02-17	Unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo from Serbia. UN Court of Justice's opinion on the issue requested by Serbia.[20]
Slovakia			1993-01-01	Dissolution of Czechoslovakia, creating Slovakia and Czech Republic
Slovenia			1991-06-25	Declaration of independence from Yugoslavia
Spain	1978	Constitution of Spain	1478	Unification of the state with the abolition of the Crown of Aragon, after the Spanish Succesion War.	1801-06-06	Spain takes in Olivenza as a result of the War of the Oranges.
Sweden	1523-06-06	Gustav Vasa elected King of Sweden and marking a definite secession from the Kalmar Union.	1905-06-07	Dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden	1809-03-29	Loss of Finland to Imperial Russia.
Switzerland	1848-11-12	Foundation of the federal state after Sonderbund war	1291	Traditional founding
			1815-08-07	Restoration of the Ancien Régime (federalism), reverting the changes imposed by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Ukraine			1991-08-24	Independence from Soviet Union declared	1954-02-19	Transfer of Crimea from Russia to Ukraine
United Kingdom	1707-05-01	The Acts of Union united the two kingdoms of Scotland and England (including Wales) to create the Kingdom of Great Britain[21][22][23]	843	Kingdom of Scotland	1922-12-06 then 1922-12-08	Irish Free State secedes from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland by agreement in accordance with the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the Irish Free State Constitution Act 1922[24]
			927-12-07	Kingdom of England
			1171 then 1542	Lordship of Ireland Kingdom of Ireland
			1216	Principality of Wales
Vatican City	1274	Birth of current form of government the Papal conclave in 1274	1929-06-07	Ratification of the Lateran Treaty, making the Vatican City a sovereign State	1929-02-11	Signing of the Lateran Treaty

Oceania

Country	Date	Birth of current form of government	Date	Date of acquisition of sovereignty	Date	Date of most recent significant territorial modification
Australia	1901-01-01	Commonwealth of Australia established as a Dominion of the British Empire.	1942-10-09	Statute of Westminster was adopted by Australia	1975-09-16	Papua New Guinea becomes formally independent of Australia
			1986-03-03	Australia Act 1986 eliminated the remaining ties between the legislature and judiciary of Australia and their counterparts in the United Kingdom.
Fiji			1970-10-10	Independence from United Kingdom
Kiribati			1979-07-12	Independence from United Kingdom	1975-10-01	Separation of Gilbert Islands (later Kiribati) and Ellice Islands (later Tuvalu)
Marshall Islands	1979-05-01	Constitution and local government established	1986-10-21	Compact of Free Association with the United States
Federated States of Micronesia	1979-05-10	Constitution ratified	1986-11-03	Compact of Free Association with the United States	1979-05-10	Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae unite to form the Federated States of Micronesia
Nauru			1968-01-31	Independence from UN Trusteeship
New Zealand	1840-02-06	Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and the indigenous Māori tribes cedes kawanatanga of New Zealand to Queen Victoria.	De facto: from 1856-05-07	Formation of first responsible ministry in 1856.	1840-02-06	Treaty of Waitangi effectively unites the New Zealand archipelago as a single territory.The Kermadec Islands were incorporated in 1887.
			De jure: 1947-12-10	New Zealand Constitution Amendment Act 1947 receives royal assent.
Palau	1981-01-01	Republic of Palau created upon adoption of constitution	1994-10-01	Emerged from United Nations trusteeship (administered by the United States).
Papua New Guinea			1973-12-01	Self governing colony
			1975-09-16	Independence from Australia
Samoa			1962-06-01	Independence from New Zealand
Solomon Islands			1976-01-02	Self government granted by United Kingdom
			1978-07-07	Independence from United Kingdom
Tonga			1970-07-04	Independence from United Kingdom	1845-12-04	Unification of what is now the islands of Tonga by George Tupou I of Tonga
Tuvalu	1975-10-01	Separation of Gilbert Islands (later Kiribati) and Ellice Islands (later Tuvalu)	1978-10-01	Independence from United Kingdom	1979-02-07	Treaty with United States recognizing Tuvaluan control over Funafuti, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, and Niulakita atolls
Vanuatu			1980-07-30	Independence from joint British-French condominium[25]

Transcontinental states

Country	Date	Birth of current form of government	Date	Date of acquisition of sovereignty	Date	Date of most recent significant territorial modification
Egypt	1952-07-23	Egyptian Revolution of 1952	1922-02-28	Unilateral recognition of independence by the United Kingdom but continued British military occupation	1982-04-25	Withdrawal of last Israeli troops and settlers from Sinai as agreed upon in the peace treaty with Israel
	1953-06-18	Republic proclaimed	1956-06-18	Withdrawal of last British troops from the Suez Canal Zone
			1961-09-28	De facto disestablishment of the United Arab Republic following a military coup in Damascus
Russia	1990-06-12	Russian SFSR declares sovereignty over its own territory	1480	Grand Duchy of Muscovy secures its independence from the Golden Horde	1954-02-19	Transfer of Crimea from Russia to Ukraine
Turkey	1923-10-29	Turkey was declared as a republic.	1923-06-24	Treaty of Lausanne recognizes the new Turkish state as the successor state of the Ottoman Empire	1939-06-29	Syrian province of Iskanderun transferred by French Mandatory Government to Turkey. Annexed by Turkey as Hatay State

Sortable list

In this list, "date of last subordination" refers to the last date of control by an external government. In some cases this is the same as the date of independence marking decolonization or dissolution of a political union. In other cases, a sovereign state submitted to foreign military occupation or political subjugation for a period of time and later regained its independence.

Dates refer to de facto rule or occupation, including partial occupation during conflicts, whether or not legitimized by international recognition.

In a union such as Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union, or the Kalmar Union, one of the constituents can be considered the dominant power - generally where the seat of government was located. The United Kingdom is a particularly complicated case. If England is viewed as the dominant member, then history can be traced from Roman conquest, Saxon invasions, 10th century unification, and 1066 Norman Conquest before the union of England and Scotland in 1707. However, if viewed from a Scottish perspective, an unbroken history of sovereignty can be traced from 843 unification through 1707 union with England (with a brief annexation by England 1657-1660). Some Scots view the 1707 union as a ceding of sovereignty to England.^[26] (See discussion archive.)

Country	First acquisition of sovereignty	Date of last subordination	Previous governing power	Notes
Afghanistan	01919-08-19 August 19, 1919	01989 1989	Soviet Union	Occupied in 2001 by US-led forces, but these were in support of the UN-recognized Islamic State of Afghanistan (the Northern Alliance); Hamid Karzai was chosen at the 2001 International Conference on Afghanistan to lead the Afghan Interim Authority, and subsequently elected President in 2004. Previously occupied by India, Persia, Bokhara, Russia and UK, until 1919 Treaty of Rawalpindi
Albania	01912 1912	01944-11 November 1944[27]	Germany	Unified 1444 under Skanderbeg. Occupied by Ottoman Empire ca 1480-1912, by Italy 1939-43, and by Germany 1943-44.
Algeria	01962-07-03 July 3, 1962[28]	01962-07-03 July 3, 1962	France
Andorra	01278-09-07 September 7, 1278[29][30]	01944-11 November 1944[31]	France	Acte de paréage 1278; occupied several times by France: 1812-13, 1870, 1914, 1936, 1939
Angola	01975-11-11 November 11, 1975[32]	01975-11-11 November 11, 1975	Portugal	Alvor Agreement
Antigua and Barbuda	01981-11-01 November 1, 1981[33]	01981-11-01 November 1, 1981	United Kingdom
Argentina	01810-05-25 May 25, 1810	01816-07-09 July 9, 1816[34]	Spain	Congress of Tucumán
Armenia	-9809 190BC	01991-09-23 September 23, 1991[35]	Soviet Union	First independent as Kingdom of Armenia 190 BC – 428 AD
Australia	01942-10-09 October 9, 1942	01942-10-09 October 9, 1942	United Kingdom	Dominion status 1902, Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942.[36]
Austria	01918-11-12 November 12, 1918[37]	01955-05-15 May 15, 1955[38]	World War II Allies	Austrian State Treaty. Previously occupied by Germany.
Azerbaijan	01991-08-30 August 30, 1991[39]	01991-08-30 August 30, 1991	Soviet Union
Bahamas	01973-07-10 July 10, 1973[40]	01973-07-10 July 10, 1973	United Kingdom
Bahrain	01971-12-16 December 16, 1971	01971-12-16 December 16, 1971	United Kingdom	Previously ruled by Portugal, by Iran, and by Oman.
Bangladesh	01971-03-26 March 26, 1971[41]	01971-12-16 December 16, 1971	Pakistan
Barbados	01966-11-30 November 30, 1966	01966-11-30 November 30, 1966	United Kingdom
Belarus	01990-07-27 July 27, 1990	01991-08-25 August 25, 1991	Soviet Union
Belgium	01830-10-04 October 4, 1830	01945 1945	Germany	Part of Netherlands before 1830
Belize	01981-09-21 September 21, 1981[42]	01981-09-21 September 21, 1981	United Kingdom
Benin	01960-08-01 August 1, 1960[43]	01960-08-01 August 1, 1960	France
Bhutan	01634 1634	01634 1634 (none)	-none-	Autonomous since at least the 10th century.[44] Unified 1634, after the Battle of Five Lamas.
Bolivia	01825-08-06 August 6, 1825	01825-08-06 August 6, 1825	Spain	1836-39 as dominant partner in Peru–Bolivian Confederation, governed from Tacna, Peru.
Bosnia and Herzegovina	01166 1166	01992-03-01 March 1, 1992	Yugoslavia
Botswana	01966-09-30 September 30, 1966[45]	01966-09-30 September 30, 1966	United Kingdom
Brazil	01822-09-07 September 7, 1822[46]	01822-09-07 September 7, 1822	Portugal
Brunei	01984-01-01 January 1, 1984	01984-01-01 January 1, 1984	United Kingdom	Previously occupied by Japan
Bulgaria	00681 681[47]	01944 1944	Soviet Union	Previously occupied by Byzantine Empire (1018–1185) and Ottoman Empire (1393-1878)
Burkina Faso	01960-08-05 August 5, 1960[48]	01960-08-05 August 5, 1960	France
Burundi	01962-07-01 July 1, 1962	01962-07-01 July 1, 1962	Belgium
Cambodia	00802 802	01989-09-26 September 26, 1989[49]	Vietnam	Khmer Empire founded 802 according to Sdok Kok Thom Inscription
Cameroon	01960-01-01 January 1, 1960	01961 1961	United Kingdom	Northern part gained independence from France in 1960
Canada	01931-12-11 December 11, 1931	01931-12-11 December 11, 1931	United Kingdom	Dominion status 1867, Statute of Westminster 1931.[50]
Cape Verde	01975-07-05 July 5, 1975	01975-07-05 July 5, 1975[51]	Portugal
Central African Republic	01960-08-13 August 13, 1960	01960 1960	France
Chad	01960-08-11 August 11, 1960	01960 1960	France
Chile	01810-09-18 September 18, 1810	01818-02-12 February 12, 1818	Spain
China, People's Republic of	-9778 221BC	01368 1368	Mongol Empire	Unified 221 BC under Qin Dynasty. Part of the Mongol Empire under the Yuan Dynasty from 1279 Battle of Yamen until 1368. Partial occupation by Japan, 1937-1945.
Colombia	01810-07-20 July 20, 1810	01819-08-07 August 7, 1819	Spain	Battle of Boyacá 1819
Comoros	01975-07-06 July 6, 1975	01975 1975	France
Congo, Democratic Republic of the	01885 1885	01960-06-30 June 30, 1960	Belgium	1885 Berlin Conference established Congo Free State as sovereign entity (private domain of King Leopold of Belgium); annexed to Belgium 1908-1960.
Congo, Republic of the	01960-08-15 August 15, 1960	01960 1960	France
Costa Rica	01821-09-15 September 15, 1821	01838 1838	Federal Republic of Central America	Previously part of Mexico 1822-23 and a colony of Spain before 1821.
Côte d'Ivoire	01960-08-07 August 7, 1960	01960 1960	France
Croatia	00879-05-21 May 21, 879[52]	01991-10-08 October 8, 1991	Yugoslavia	Croats came to Roman Dalmatia as free people from White Croatia in the early 7th century.
Cuba	01902-05-20 May 20, 1902	01902-05-20 May 20, 1902	United States	A colony of Spain until 1898, then occupied but not annexed by USA 1899-1902.
Cyprus	01960-08-16 August 16, 1960	01960 1960	United Kingdom
Czech Republic	00935 935	01968 1968	Soviet Union	Unified under Boleslaus I who acceded to the throne in 935. Successor to Czechoslovakia, previously occupied by Germany and the USSR.
Denmark	00980 980	01945 1945	Germany	Unified ca 980 by Harald Bluetooth.
Djibouti	01977-06-27 June 27, 1977	01977 1977	France
Dominica	01978-11-03 November 3, 1978	01978 1978	United Kingdom
Dominican Republic	01821 1821	01924 1924	United States	Previously occupied by Spain, France, and Haiti
Ecuador	01822-05-24 May 24, 1822	01830-05-13 May 13, 1830	Gran Colombia	Previously a colony of Spain
Egypt	-6899 3100BC	01922-02-28 February 28, 1922	United Kingdom	Unified in 3100 BC by Pharaoh Menes or probably Narmer, founder of the First Dynasty. Conquered at various times by Achaemenid, Macedonian, Roman, Arab/Islamic, Ottoman, and Napoleonic Empires.
El Salvador	01821-09-15 September 15, 1821	01898-11-21 November 21, 1898	Greater Republic of Central America	Previously a part of the Federal Republic of Central America 1823-38, Mexico 1822-23, and a colony of Spain before 1821.
Equatorial Guinea	01968-10-12 October 12, 1968	01968 1968	Spain
Eritrea	01993-05-24 May 24, 1993	01993-05-24 May 24, 1993	Ethiopia
Estonia	01918-02-24 February 24, 1918[53]	01991-08-20 August 20, 1991	Soviet Union	Previously occupied by Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Russia, and Germany.
Ethiopia	00050 50	01944-12 December 1944	United Kingdom	Aksumite Empire founded ca 50. Occupied 1936-1941 by Italy, then administered by UK until 1944 Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement.
Fiji	01970-10-10 October 10, 1970	01970 1970	United Kingdom
Finland	01917-12-06 December 6, 1917	01918 1918	Russian Empire
France	00843 843	01945 1945	Germany	843 Treaty of Verdun established West Francia.
Gabon	01960-08-17 August 17, 1960	01960-08-17 August 17, 1960	France
Gambia	01965-02-18 February 18, 1965	01965-02-18 February 18, 1965	United Kingdom
Georgia	01008 1008	01991-04-08 April 8, 1991	Soviet Union
Germany	01871-01-18 January 18, 1871	01955-05-05 May 5, 1955	World War II Allies	Unified in 1871. Occupied 1945-1955 until ratification of Bonn–Paris conventions.
Ghana	01957-03-06 March 6, 1957	01957-03-06 March 6, 1957	United Kingdom
Greece	01822 1822	01944 1944	Germany	Previously occupied jointly by Italy, Germany and Bulgaria; before 1821 by Ottoman Empire.
Grenada	01974-02-07 February 7, 1974	01974-02-07 February 7, 1974	United Kingdom
Guatemala	01821-09-15 September 15, 1821	01838 1838	Federal Republic of Central America	Previously part of Mexico 1822-23 and a colony of Spain before 1821.
Guinea	01958-10-02 October 2, 1958	01958-10-02 October 2, 1958	France
Guinea-Bissau	01973-09-24 September 24, 1973	01974-09-10 September 10, 1974	Portugal
Guyana	01966-05-26 May 26, 1966	01966-05-26 May 26, 1966	United Kingdom	Previously colonized by Dutch
Haiti	01804-01-01 January 1, 1804	01934 1934	United States	Previously a colony of France.
Honduras	01821-09-15 September 15, 1821	01925 1925	United States	Occupied several times by USA. Previously a part of the Greater Republic of Central America 1896-98, the Federal Republic of Central America 1823-38, Mexico 1822-23 and a colony of Spain before 1821.
Hungary	00895 895	01956 1956	Soviet Union	Principality of Hungary founded 895. Ruled by Austria-Hungary before 1918.
Iceland	00930 930	01946 1946	United States	Settled c. 900. Ruled by Danish monarchs from 1380 to 1944, though a Norwegian possession from 1262 to 1814. Regained sovereignty in 1918 as Kingdom of Iceland, current republic founded 1944. Previously occupied by the United Kingdom 1940-41, and the United States from 1941 until withdrawal in 1946.
India	01947-08-15 August 15, 1947	01950-01-26 January 26, 1950	United Kingdom	First Indian Empire by Chandragupta Maurya founder of Maurya Empire, then Gupta Empire 320 A.D, then Mughal Empire in 1527, then British Raj since 1857 until Independence.
Indonesia	01945-08-17 August 17, 1945	01949 1949	Netherlands	Previously occupied by Portugal, Spain, France, British Empire, and Japan.
Iran	-6799 3200BC	01501 1501	Timurid Empire Turkmen states	Proto-Elamite in Early Bronze Age (3200 B.C.). First formation of a civilized state by Cyrus the Great in Persian Empire (559 BC), then the second Persian Empire by Sassanid Dynasty. Reunification by Safavid Dynasty (1501).
Iraq	01932 1932	02004-06-28 June 28, 2004	United States	Occupied by USA 2003-2004[54]
Ireland	01919-01-21 January 21, 1919	01931-12-11 December 11, 1931	United Kingdom	Independence declared 1919, Dominion status 1922, Statute of Westminster 1931, declared a republic 1948.
Israel	01948-05-14 May 14, 1948	01948 1948	United Kingdom
Italy	01861-03-17 March 17, 1861	01945 1945	World War II Allies	Unified in 1861.
Jamaica	01962-08-06 August 6, 1962	01962-08-06 August 6, 1962	United Kingdom	Previously a Spanish colony
Japan	00400 400	01952-04-28 April 28, 1952	World War II Allies	Founded 660 BC by Emperor Jimmu according to legend. Unified state emerged during the Kofun period c. 400 AD. 1952 Treaty of San Francisco ended postwar occupation.
Jordan	01946-05-25 May 25, 1946	01958-08-02 August 2, 1958	Arab Federation	Part of Arab Federation Feb-Aug 1958 governed from Baghdad, Iraq. Previously ruled by Persian, Roman, Islamic, and Ottoman Empires; UK, etc.
Kazakhstan	01991-12-16 December 16, 1991	01991-12-16 December 16, 1991	Soviet Union
Kenya	01963-12-12 December 12, 1963	01963-12-12 December 12, 1963	United Kingdom
Kiribati	01979-07-12 July 12, 1979	01979-07-12 July 12, 1979	United Kingdom
Kuwait	01961-06-19 June 19, 1961	01991-02 February 1991	Iraq	Previously ruled by Ottoman Empire and UK.
Kyrgyzstan	01991-08-31 August 31, 1991	01991-08-31 August 31, 1991	Soviet Union
Laos	01354 1354	01953-11-09 November 9, 1953	France	Occupied by Japan during World War II
Latvia	01918-11-18 November 18, 1918[55]	01990-05-04 May 4, 1990	Soviet Union	Previously ruled by Lithuania, Sweden, and Russia
Lebanon	01943-11-08 November 8, 1943	01946-12-31 December 31, 1946	France	Previously ruled by Ottoman Empire
Lesotho	01822 1822	01966-10-04 October 4, 1966	United Kingdom
Liberia	01847-07-26 July 26, 1847	01847-07-26 July 26, 1847	American Colonization Society	Settled but not claimed by USA[56]
Libya	01951-12-24 December 24, 1951	01951-12-24 December 24, 1951	United Kingdom and France	Previously occupied by Italy and by Ottoman Empire
Liechtenstein	01806 1806	01866 1866	German Confederation	Previously subject to the Confederation of the Rhine. Formed 1719 from Vaduz and Schellenberg, but under the Holy Roman Empire.
Lithuania	01253 1253[57]	01990-03-11 March 11, 1990	Soviet Union	Kingdom of Lithuania; Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania
Luxembourg	01815 1815	01945 1945	Germany	Independent from France 1815 but in personal union with Netherlands until 1890
Macedonia	01991-09-08 September 8, 1991	01991-09-08 September 8, 1991	Yugoslavia
Madagascar	01787 1787	01960-06-26 June 26, 1960	France
Malawi	01964-07-06 July 6, 1964	01964-07-06 July 6, 1964	United Kingdom
Malaysia	01957-08-31 August 31, 1957[7]	01957-08-31 August 31, 1957	United Kingdom	The Federation of Malaya gained independence in 1957; in 1963 it added territories of Sabah and Sarawak and changed its name to Malaysia.[5]
Maldives	01140 1140	01965-07-26 July 26, 1965	United Kingdom	Unified according to legend by King Koimala (1117-1141). Independent sultanate until 1887, when it became a British protectorate.
Mali	01230 1230	01960-09-22 September 22, 1960	Mali Federation	Mali Empire ca. 1230. A colony of France 1890-1960, then part of Mali Federation governed from Dakar, Senegal.
Malta	01964-09-21 September 21, 1964	01964-09-21 September 21, 1964	United Kingdom
Marshall Islands	01986-10-21 October 21, 1986	01986-10-21 October 21, 1986	United States	Compact of Free Association
Mauritania	01960-11-28 November 28, 1960	01960-11-28 November 28, 1960	France
Mauritius	01968-03-12 March 12, 1968	01968-03-12 March 12, 1968	United Kingdom	Previously controlled by the Netherlands and France.
Mexico	01810-09-16 September 16, 1810	01863 1863	France	Parts of northern Mexico continued under control of Benito Juárez. Previously a colony of Spain
Micronesia, Federated States of	01986-11-03 November 3, 1986	01986-11-03 November 3, 1986	United States	Compact of Free Association
Moldova	01991-08-27 August 27, 1991	01991-08-27 August 27, 1991	Soviet Union
Monaco	01297 1297	01945 1945	Germany	Previously occupied by Italy and France. Subject to Sardinia 1815-1861.
Mongolia	01206 1206	01921-03-13 March 13, 1921	China	Mongol Empire formed 1206; occupied by China during Qing Dynasty (1635–1911) and Republic of China (1919–1921)
Montenegro	01042 1042	02006-05-21 May 21, 2006	Serbia and Montenegro	Duklja gained its independence from the Byzantine Empire in 1042. Independent from Ottoman Empire in 1878, union with Serbia/Yugoslavia 1918-2006. Occupied by Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Germany.
Morocco	-9889 110BC	01956 1956	France	Kingdom of Mauretania 110 BC–40 AD. Later occupations by Roman Empire, Umayyad Caliphate, Spain and France.
Mozambique	01975-06-25 June 25, 1975	01975-06-25 June 25, 1975	Portugal	Portuguese colony from 1498
Myanmar	00849 849	01948-01-04 January 4, 1948	United Kingdom	Pagan Kingdom founded 849. Occupied by Japan 1942-1945
Namibia	01990-03-21 March 21, 1990	01990-03-21 March 21, 1990	South Africa
Nauru	01968-01-31 January 31, 1968	01968-01-31 January 31, 1968	Australia/New Zealand/United Kingdom	Previously occupied by Germany 1888, Australia 1914, Japan 1942
Nepal	01768 1768	01768 1768 (none)	-none-	Autonomous throughout its recorded history, and certainly since its 1768 unification.[58]
Netherlands	01581-07-26 July 26, 1581	01945 1945	Germany	Independent from Spain in 1581; occupied by France under Napoleon.
New Zealand	01947-11-25 November 25, 1947	01947-11-25 November 25, 1947	United Kingdom	Dominion status 1907, Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947.[59]
Nicaragua	01821-09-15 September 15, 1821	01933 1933	United States	Previously a part of the Greater Republic of Central America 1896-98, the Federal Republic of Central America 1823-38, Mexico 1822-23, and a colony of Spain before 1821.
Niger	01960-08-03 August 3, 1960	01960-08-03 August 3, 1960	France
Nigeria	01960-10-01 October 1, 1960	01960-10-01 October 1, 1960	United Kingdom
North Korea	-7666 2333BC	01948-09-09 September 9, 1948	Soviet Union	Gojoseon established in 24th century BC according to legend.[60]. Modern state established 1948 after Soviet occupation since 1945. Previously occupied by Japan (1910–1945).
Norway	00872 872	01945-05 May 1945	Germany	Unified ca 872 at Battle of Hafrsfjord. For a long time in unions with Denmark and with Sweden (until 1905). Occupied by Germany 1940-45.
Oman	00751 751	01743 1743	Persia	Previously occupied by Great Seljuq Empire, Ottoman Empire, Portugal (1508–1650), etc.
Pakistan	01947-08-14 August 14, 1947	01956-03-23 March 23, 1956	United Kingdom	Previously a colony of the British Empire.
Palau	01994-10-01 October 1, 1994	01994-10-01 October 1, 1994	United States	Previously ruled by Spain, Germany, Japan.
Panama	01903-11-03 November 3, 1903	01990 1990	United States	A colony of Spain until 1821, then a dependency of Colombia until 1903. Occupied by USA 1989-90.
Papua New Guinea	01975-09-16 September 16, 1975	01975-09-16 September 16, 1975	Australia
Paraguay	01811-05-14 May 14, 1811	01876 1876	Brazil	Occupied 1870-1876 by Brazil, in Triple Alliance with Argentina and Uruguay.[61] Colony of Spain before 1811.
Peru	01821-07-28 July 28, 1821	01839-08-25 August 25, 1839	Peru–Bolivian Confederation	Independent from Spain 1821; part of Peru–Bolivian Confederation 1836-39.
Philippines	01898-06-12 June 12, 1898[62]	01946-07-04 July 4, 1946[63]	United States	Spanish colony 1565–1898; declared independence from Spain in 1898; sovereignty passed from Spain to the U.S. in 1898; waged an unsuccessful war of independence against the U.S. 1899–1902; accepted U.S. sovereignty April 19, 1901; occupied by Japan 1942–1944.
Poland	00960 960	01945 1945	Soviet Union	Unified ca 960 by Mieszko I. Partitioned several times between Germany and the USSR.
Portugal	01139-07-25 July 25, 1139	01808 1808	France	Convention of Sintra ended French occupation of Lisbon. Independent from Kingdom of León in 1139.
Qatar	01971-09-03 September 3, 1971	01971-09-03 September 3, 1971	United Kingdom
Romania	01878-07-13 July 13, 1878	01958-08 August 1958	Soviet Union	Occupied by the USSR 1944-1958.
Russia	00860 860	01480 1480	Golden Horde	Rurik Dynasty founded ca 860. Great stand on the Ugra river in 1480 marked end of Mongol/Tatar rule.
Rwanda	01962-07-01 July 1, 1962	01962-07-01 July 1, 1962	Belgium
Saint Kitts and Nevis	01983-09-19 September 19, 1983	01983-09-19 September 19, 1983	United Kingdom
Saint Lucia	01979-02-22 February 22, 1979	01979-02-22 February 22, 1979	United Kingdom
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	01979-10-27 October 27, 1979	01979-10-27 October 27, 1979	United Kingdom
Samoa	01962-01-01 January 1, 1962	01962-01-01 January 1, 1962	New Zealand	German colony 1900 to 1914; occupied by New Zealand 1914; Trust Territory first of the League of Nations, then of the United Nations and administered by New Zealand, 1920 to 1962.
San Marino	00301 301	01945 1945	World War II Allies	Previously occupied by Roman Empire, and briefly by Rimini (1503), and Papal States (1739).
São Tomé and Príncipe	02011	01975 1975	Portugal
Saudi Arabia	01744 1744	01919-01 January 1919	Ottoman Empire	First Saudi State independent 1744-1818; last Ottoman troops evicted from Medina by Kingdom of Hejaz 1919; Hejaz incorporated 1926 into Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd, precursor to Saudi Arabia
Senegal	01960-06-20 June 20, 1960	01960-06-20 June 20, 1960	France	Independent first as Mali Federation with capital in Dakar. Previously part of Ghana, Mali and Songhai Empires.
Serbia	00850 850	01945 1945	Germany	Vlastimir of Serbia established statehood for Serbia in 850; Independent from Ottoman Empire in 1817, formed the core of Yugoslavia 1918-2003
Seychelles	01976-06-29 June 29, 1976	01976-06-29 June 29, 1976	United Kingdom	Perhaps sovereign 1790-1794
Sierra Leone	02011	01961 1961	United Kingdom
Singapore	01963-08-31 August 31, 1963[64]	01965-08-09 August 9, 1965	Malaysia	British colony 1824-1963; occupied by Japan 1942-1945; declared independence, then merged with Malaysia[5][11] from 1963 until 1965.[8][10]
Slovakia	01993-01-01 January 1, 1993	01993-01-01 January 1, 1993	Czechoslovakia
Slovenia	01991-06-25 June 25, 1991	01991-06-25 June 25, 1991	Yugoslavia
Solomon Islands	01978-07-07 July 7, 1978	01978-07-07 July 7, 1978	United Kingdom
Somalia	01960-07-01 July 1, 1960	01960-07-01 July 1, 1960	United Kingdom and Italy	Union of British Somaliland and Trust Territory of Somalia
South Africa	01931-12-11 December 11, 1931	01931-12-11 December 11, 1931	United Kingdom	Dominion status 1910, Statute of Westminster 1931.
South Korea	-9699 300BC	01948-08-15 August 15, 1948	United States	Jin state established in 3rd century BC. Modern state established 1948 after US Army Military Government since 1945. Previously occupied by Japan (1910–1945).
South Sudan	02011-07-09 July 9, 2011	02011-07-09 July 9, 2011	Sudan
Spain	01479 1479	01814 1814	France	Union of Kingdom of Castile and Kingdom of Aragon in 1479. Previously occupied by Roman Empire, etc.
Sri Lanka	-9622 377BC	01972 1972	United Kingdom	Unified as Anuradhapura Kingdom 377 BC - 1017. Conquered by Indian kingdoms, Portuguese, Dutch, and British.
Sudan	-8929 1070BC	01956 1956	United Kingdom and Egypt	Kingdom of Kush 1070 BC–350 AD. Later ruled by the Ottoman Empire, Egypt, and then as Anglo-Egyptian Sudan 1899–1956.
Suriname	02011	01975 1975	Netherlands
Swaziland	02011	01968 1968	United Kingdom
Sweden	unknown[65]	01523-06-06 June 6, 1523	Denmark	No exact date for consolidation of Sweden. In Kalmar Union 1397–1523.
Switzerland	01291 1291	01815 1815	Austria	Old Swiss Confederacy formed 1291. Occupied by France 1798, then Austria 1813. 1815 Congress of Vienna restored independence.
Syria	02011	01961-09-28 September 28, 1961	United Arab Republic
Tajikistan	01991-09-09 September 9, 1991	01991-09-09 September 9, 1991	Soviet Union
Tanzania	02011	01961 1961	United Kingdom
Thailand	01238 1238	01768 1768	Burma	Independent from Khmer Empire in 1238.
Timor-Leste	01975-11-28 November 28, 1975	02002-05-20 May 20, 2002	United Nations	Occupied by Indonesia 1975-1999, administered by U.N. 1999-2002.
Togo	02011	01960 1960	France
Tonga	01845 1845	01970 1970	United Kingdom	United 1845 by George Tupou I. British protectorate 1900-1970.
Trinidad and Tobago	02011	01962 1962	United Kingdom
Tunisia	01956 1956	01956 1956	France	Occupations by Rome, Ottoman Empire and France
Turkey	01037 1037	01243 1243	Mongol Empire	Seljuq Empire founded 1037; conquered at 1243 Battle of Köse Dağ[66]
Turkmenistan	01991-10-27 October 27, 1991	01991-10-27 October 27, 1991	Soviet Union
Tuvalu	01978-10-01 October 1, 1978	01978-10-01 October 1, 1978	United Kingdom
Uganda	02011	01962 1962	United Kingdom
Ukraine	01918-01-22 January 22, 1918	01991-08-24 August 24, 1991	Soviet Union
United Arab Emirates	02011	01971 1971	United Kingdom
United Kingdom	00843 843	00843 843 (none)	Roman Empire	Kingdom of Scotland unified 843; Kingdom of England unified 927. Tender of Union 1657-1660, Acts of Union 1707, adding Kingdom of Ireland in 1801 (only Northern Ireland from 1922). Partial occupations by Normans, Vikings, Romans.
United States of America	01776-07-04 July 4, 1776	01781-10-19 October 19, 1781	United Kingdom	Independence declared 1776; British surrender 1781; U.S. recognized by Treaty of Paris 1783.
Uruguay	01815 1815	01828-08-27 August 27, 1828	Brazil	Independent 1815-1820 as Liga Federal; occupied 1820 by Portugal/Brazil until 1828 Treaty of Montevideo
Uzbekistan	01991-09-01 September 1, 1991	01991-09-01 September 1, 1991	Soviet Union
Vanuatu	01980-07-30 July 30, 1980	01980-07-30 July 30, 1980	United Kingdom and France
Vatican City	00756 756	01929-02-11 February 11, 1929	Italy	Independent as Papal States 756-1870; part of Italy until 1929 Lateran Treaty
Venezuela	01811-07-05 July 5, 1811	01830-01-13 January 13, 1830	Gran Colombia	Previously a colony of Spain
Vietnam	-7120 2879BC	01954 1954	France	Văn Lang confederacy arose 2879 BC according to legend. Later invaded and attacked by China, Mongolia, Thailand and Japan. Geneva Conference (1954) ended French occupation. While not an occupation, the USA gave military support to the South Vietnam government until the 1973 Paris Peace Accords.
Yemen	01918-11-01 November 1, 1918	01967-11-30 November 30, 1967	United Kingdom	North Yemen independent from Ottoman Empire 1918; South Yemen from UK in 1967; unified 1990
Zambia	02011	01964 1964	United Kingdom
Zimbabwe	01965-11-11 November 11, 1965	01980 1980	United Kingdom	The British colony of Southern Rhodesia unilaterally declared Independence as Rhodesia 1965; known as Zimbabwe Rhodesia in 1979; unrecognised by any other nation.
Country	First acquisition of sovereignty	Date of last subordination	Previous governing power	Notes

See also

• Declaration of independence
• List of active autonomist and secessionist movements
• List of countries by Independence Day
• List of European sovereign states by date of achieving sovereignty
• List of former European colonies
• List of former national capitals
• List of sovereign states
• Timeline of country and capital changes
• List of national constitutions

Notes

1. ^ Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Spain; December 10, 1898 The Avalon project.
2. ^ Country Profile: Cuba, September 2006, U.S. Library of Congress – Federal Research Division.
3. ^ Ranbir Vohra (2001). The Making of India: A Historical Survey (2 ed.). M.E. Sharpe. p. 192. ISBN 9780765607126. http://books.google.com/?id=kRIPIwEHXBYC. .
4. ^ Op. cit. Vohra & nowrap 2001, p. 24.
5. ^ ^{a b c d} Malaysia Act 1963
6. ^ United Nations Member States
7. ^ ^{a b} Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957
8. ^ ^{a b c d} Agreement relating to the separation of Singapore from Malaysia as an independent and sovereign state
9. ^ ^{a b} Agreement relating to the separation of Singapore from Malaysia as an independent and sovereign state/proclamation of singapore
10. ^ ^{a b c} Singapore Act 1966
11. ^ ^{a b} Agreement relating to Malaysia between United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Federation of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore
12. ^ 1935 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, CorpusJuris.com
13. ^ CIA Factbook
14. ^ COUNTRY PROFILE: PHILIPPINES. U.S. Library of Congress – Federal Research Division. March 2006. http://memory.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Philippines.pdf.  asserts, "The Philippines attained independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, and from the United States on July 4, 1946.", implying that the cession of the Philippines to the U.S. by Spain on December 10, 1898 via the Treaty of Paris was invalid. Other sources (e.g. The CIA Factbook) assert that the philippine islands were ceded to the US by Spain in 1898 following the Spanish-American War.
15. ^ Republic of the Philippines, Philippine Government website.
16. ^ Convention regarding the boundary between the Philippine Archipelago and the State of North Borneo. United Nations Treaty Collection. January 2, 1930 and July 6, 1932. http://untreaty.un.org/unts/60001_120000/17/33/00033631.pdf. 
17. ^ Bautista, Lowell B. (3 September 2009). "The Historical Context and Legal Basis of the Philippine Treaty Limits". Aegean Review of the Law of the Sea and Maritime Law 1: 21. doi:10.1007/s12180-009-0003-5. ISSN (Print) 1864-9629 (Online) 1864-9610 (Print) 1864-9629 (Online). http://www.hawaii.edu/aplpj/articles/APLPJ_10.1_bautista.pdf. "The Boundaries Treaty of 1930 clarifies those islands in the region belonging to U.S. and those to the State of North Borneo and delimits the boundary between the Philippine Archipelago (under U.S. sovereignty) and the State of North Borneo (under British protection). [...] When the Boundaries Treaty of 1930 was finalized, an exchange of notes supplemented the Treaty. Pursuant to the notes, sovereignty over these islands was transferred to the U.S., and it was agreed that Great Britain should continue to administer these islands until the U.S. gave notice to the contrary."  ^[16]
18. ^ The government of the Republic of China, which currently administers Taiwan, was the generally recognized sovereign power over Mainland China beginning in 1 January 1912 (also the first year of the Taiwanese calendar "民國"). Sovereign control of Taiwan by this government began on 25 October 1945 (Retrocession Day).
19. ^ The PRC acquired de facto control in Mainland China on 1 October 1949. The Republic of China continued to be generally recognized as the legitimate government of China until 25 October 1971, when the PRC was admitted to the United Nations. Currently, due to the PRC's One-China policy, only 25 states recognize the Republic of China, although many more retain unofficial relations.
20. ^ International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence
21. ^ "Background Note: United Kingdom". bbc.co.uk Acts of Union: The creation of the United Kingdom. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/acts_of_union_01.shtml. 
22. ^ Allan I. Macinnes (2007). Union and empire: the making of the United Kingdom in 1707. Cambridge University Press. http://books.google.com/books/about/Union_and_empire.html?id=fVdVpfTsgfAC. .
23. ^ David Armitage, Michael J. Braddick (2002). The British Atlantic world, 1500-1800. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 20. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=g7mNJC5W_gIC. .
24. ^ In order to reflect the loss of Southern Ireland, the full name of the United Kingdom was changed from United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland through the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927
25. ^ Profile: Republic of Vanuatu, U.S. Department of State
26. ^ Christopher A Whatley (2001). Bought and Sold for English Gold: The Union of 1707 (Tuckwell Press, 2001)
27. ^ An Outline of the People's Republic of Albania. 8 Nëntori. 1978. p. 47. http://books.google.com/?id=_sBOAAAAMAAJ. 
28. ^ Shillington, Kevin (2005). Encyclopedia of African history. CRC Press. p. 60. ISBN 1579584535. http://books.google.com/?id=Ftz_gtO-pngC. 
29. ^ Blaustein, Albert P.; Jay A. Sigler, Benjamin R. Beede (1977). Independence documents of the world. Brill Archive. p. 11. ISBN 0379007940. http://books.google.com/?id=feyI5kisdBcC. 
30. ^ Whittlesey, Derwent (June 1934). "Andorra's Autonomy". The Journal of Modern History 6 (2): 147–155. doi:10.1086/236113. 
31. ^ Archambault, G.H. (Nov 16, 1944). "Andorra Occupied by French Police; De Gaulle Acts Under Historic Authority to Keep Order in Pyrenees Republic". New York Times: p. 5. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0F11FB3A59147B93C4A8178AD95F408485F9. Retrieved April 25, 2009. 
32. ^ "1975: Divided Angola gets independence". BBC On This Day. 1975-11-11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/11/newsid_2539000/2539679.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-04. 
33. ^ "Background Note: Antigua and Barbuda". US Department of State. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2336.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-04. 
34. ^ "Congress of Tucumán". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/608414/Congress-of-Tucuman. Retrieved 2009-07-04. 
35. ^ "Armenia: Independence". Britannica.com. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/35178/Armenia/44276/Independence. Retrieved 2009-08-17. 
36. ^ "Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942". National Archives of Australia: Documenting a Democracy. http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=96. Retrieved April 19, 2009. 
37. ^ "Austria". Encyclopedia.com. http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Austria.aspx. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
38. ^ "Vienna". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/628062/Vienna/24446/Evolution-of-the-modern-city. Retrieved 2009-05-11. 
39. ^ "Azerbaijan". Encyclopedia.com. http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Azerbaijan.aspx. Retrieved 2009-05-11. 
40. ^ Kurian, George Thomas (1987). The Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1 (3rd ed.). Facts on File. p. 115. ISBN 0816011184. http://books.google.com/?id=iOWyAAAAIAAJ. 
41. ^ "Bangladesh". Encyclopedia.com. http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Bangladesh.aspx. 
42. ^ "Background Note: Belize". US Department of State. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1955.htm. 
43. ^ "Background Note: Benin". US Department of State. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6761.htm. 
44. ^ Rose, Leo E. (1977). The Politics of Bhutan. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. p. 24. ISBN 0-8014-0909-8. "[T]here can be no doubt that since at least the tenth century no external power has controlled Bhutan, although there have been periods when various of its neighbors have been able to exert a strong cultural and/or political influence there." 
45. ^ "Botswana". Encyclopedia.com. http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Botswana.aspx. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
46. ^ "Brazil". Encyclopedia.com. http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Brazil.aspx. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
47. ^ "Bulgaria". Encyclopedia.com. http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Bulgaria.aspx. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
48. ^ "Burkina Faso". Encyclopedia.com. http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Burkina_Faso.aspx. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
49. ^ Tucker, Spencer (1999). Vietnam. Routledge. pp. 196–197. ISBN 1857289226. http://books.google.com/?id=FEpuVkgzFJYC&dq. 
50. ^ "Statute of Westminster: Canada's Declaration of Independence". The Canadian Encyclopedia. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=ArchivedFeatures&Params=A2125. Retrieved April 19, 2009. 
51. ^ "Background Note: Cape Verde". U.S. Department of State. June 2008. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2835.htm. Retrieved 26 July 2009. 
52. ^ "1131 years since the first international recognition of Croatia". Katarina Tadić. May 14, 2010. http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9970/1/1131-years-since-the-first-international-recognition-of-Croatia.html. Retrieved January 4, 2011. 
53. ^ "Estonian Declaration of Independence, 24 February 1918". President of the Republic of Estonia. http://www.president.ee/en/estonia. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
54. ^ Campbell Robertson; Stephen Farrell (December 31, 2008), "Green Zone, Heart of U.S. Occupation, Reverts to Iraqi Control", The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/01/world/middleeast/01greenzone.html 
55. ^ "November 18, 1918 – Proclamation of Latvia's independence". LETA. http://latvija90.leta.lv/en/pagatne/november-18-1918-proclamation-of-latvias-independence. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
56. ^ "Colonization". The African-American Mosaic. Library of Congress. July 5, 2005. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam002.html. Retrieved 2009-04-25. "Liberia … was neither a sovereign power nor a bona fide colony of any sovereign nation. … the United States refused to claim sovereignty over Liberia." 
57. ^ "About Lithuania". Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to the United States of America. http://www.ltembassyus.org/index.php?-571947450. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
58. ^ Rose, Leo E.; Margaret W. Fisher (1970). The Politics of Nepal. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. p. xi. ISBN 0-8014-0574-2. "Nepal is of special interest, partly because it is an Asian country that was never reduced to colonial status." 
59. ^ "New Zealand Parliament - New Zealand sovereignty: 1857, 1907, 1947, or 1987?". New Zealand Parliament Research Papers. http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PubRes/Research/Papers/9/1/8/00PLLawRP07041-New-Zealand-sovereignty-1857-1907-1947-or-1987.htm. Retrieved April 19, 2009. 
60. ^ Donald N. Clark (2000). Culture and customs of Korea. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. xvii. ISBN 978-0-313-30456-9. http://books.google.com/books?id=1VL_4bOmv4oC. 
61. ^ "Paraguay". Britannica.com. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/442637/Paraguay/27953/War-of-the-Triple-Alliance. Retrieved 2009-06-26. 
62. ^ COUNTRY PROFILE: PHILIPPINES. U.S. Library of Congress – Federal Research Division. March 2006. http://memory.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Philippines.pdf.  asserts, "The Philippines attained independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, and from the United States on July 4, 1946.", implying that the cession of the Philippines to the U.S. by Spain on December 10, 1898 via the Treaty of Paris was invalid. Other sources (e.g. The CIA Factbook) assert that the philippine islands were ceded to the US by Spain in 1898 following the Spanish-American War.
63. ^ Independence recognized via the Treaty of Manila (1946).
64. ^ Leitch Lepoer, Barbara (1989). "Singapore as Part of Malaysia". Library of Congress Country Studies. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+sg0033). Retrieved 29 January 2011. 
65. ^ Hadenius, S; Nilsson, T and Åselius, G. (1996). Sveriges historia: vad varje svensk bör veta (Swedish history: what every Swede Should Know), p. 13: "Hur och när det svenska riket uppstod vet vi inte. Först under 1100-talet börjar skriftliga dokument produceras i Sverige i någon större omfattning […]" "How and when the Swedish kingdom appeared is not known. It is not until the 12th century that written documents begin to be produced in Sweden in any larger extent […]"
66. ^ Köprülü, Mehmet Fuat; Gary Leiser (1992). The origins of the Ottoman empire. SUNY Press. p. 33. ISBN 0-7914-0819-1. http://books.google.com/?id=D-WaKed2iNgC. "It can be said that this war had a decisive effect on the fate of the Seljuq Empire. Afterwards Anatolia fell, in effect, under Mongol rule; although the peace which was made — on condition that a heavy annual tax be paid to the Mongols — left a theoretical semi-independence to the Seljuq sultan."