List of sovereign states by date of formation

Below is a list of sovereign states and their formation dates, sorted by continent. This list includes only the 195 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			July 3, 1962	French recognition of Algerian referendum on independence held two days earlier
Angola			November 11, 1975	Independence from Portugal
Benin			August 1, 1960	Independence from France	January 15, 1894	Borders of French Protectorate of Dahomey set at conclusion of Second Franco-Dahomean War
Botswana			March 31, 1885	Establishment of the Bechuanaland Protectorate by the United Kingdom	1894	Extended north into Ngamiland
			September 30, 1966	Independence from the United Kingdom
Burkina Faso			December 11, 1958	Self-government achieved and republic within Franco-African Community	September 4, 1947	Restoration of colonial boundaries used from 1919–1932
			August 5, 1960	Independence from France
Burundi	November 28, 1966	Monarchy replaced by republic	July 1, 1962	Independence from Belgium
Cameroon			January 1, 1960	Independence from France	October 1, 1961	Merger of part of British Cameroons with Cameroon
Cape Verde			July 5, 1975	Independence from Portugal
Central African Republic	September 21, 1979	Monarchy replaced by republic	December 1, 1958	Central African Republic becomes autonomous territory in French Republic
			August 13, 1960	Independence from France
Chad			August 11, 1960	Independence from France	February 3, 1994	Aouzou Strip awarded to Chad
Comoros			July 6, 1975	Independence from France declared
Congo, Democratic Republic of the			April 22, 1884	Congo Free State recognized as an independent state
			June 30, 1960	Independence from Belgium
Congo, Republic of the			August 15, 1960	Independence from France
Côte d'Ivoire			December 4, 1958	Autonomous republic within French Community
			August 7, 1960	Independence from France
Djibouti			June 27, 1977	Independence from France
Equatorial Guinea			October 12, 1968	Independence from Spain
Eritrea			May 24, 1993	Independence from Ethiopia declared	April 1, 2002	Badme ruled to be Eritrean by the Eritrea–Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC after the Eritrean–Ethiopian War). Contested by Ethiopia
Ethiopia	March 21, 1975	Monarchy abolished and replaced by republic	800 BC	Formation of the state of D'mt	April 1, 2002	Badme ruled to be Eritrean by the Eritrea–Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC after the Eritrean–Ethiopian War). Contested by Ethiopia
Gabon			August 17, 1960	Independence from France
Gambia			February 18, 1965	Independence from the United Kingdom
Ghana			March 6, 1957	Independence from the United Kingdom	December 13, 1956	Union of British Togoland with Gold Coast
Guinea			October 2, 1958	Independence from France
Guinea-Bissau			September 24, 1973	Independence from Portugal declared
			September 10, 1974	Independence from Portugal recognized
Kenya			December 12, 1963	Independence from the United Kingdom
Lesotho			October 4, 1966	Independence from the United Kingdom	March 12, 1868	Area that is now present-day Lesotho placed under British rule
Liberia			July 26, 1847
Libya	September 1, 1969	Monarchy replaced by republic	December 24, 1951	Independence from UN Trusteeship (British and French administration after Italian governance ends in 1947)	February 13, 1984	Aouzou Strip awarded to Chad
Madagascar			October 14, 1958	The Malagasy Republic was created as autonomous state within French Community
			June 26, 1960	France recognizes Madagascar's independence
Malawi			July 6, 1964	Independence from the United Kingdom
Mali			November 25, 1958	French Sudan gains autonomy	August 20, 1960	Senegal secedes from Mali Federation
			September 22, 1960	Independence from France
Mauritania			November 28, 1960	Independence from France	August 11, 1979	Mauritania withdraws from Tiris al-Gharbiyya (part of Western Sahara)
Mauritius			March 12, 1968	Independence from the United Kingdom	1965	Separation of Chagos Archipelago
Morocco	February 5, 789	Enthronement of Idris I in Volubilis	March 2, 1956	Independence from France	January 4, 1969	Internationally recognized : Return of Ifni to Morocco
	October 22, 1664	Enthronement of Al-Rashid ibn Sharif in Fez	April 7, 1956	French protectorate formally relinquished	April 1987	Disputed, de facto under Moroccan control : Completion of the Moroccan Wall in Western Sahara
Mozambique			June 25, 1975	Independence from Portugal
Namibia			March 21, 1990	Independence from South African rule	March 1, 1994	Walvis Bay integrated into Namibia
Niger			December 4, 1958	Autonomy within French Community
			August 3, 1960	Independence from France
Nigeria			October 1, 1960	Independence from the United Kingdom	January 15, 1970	Biafra re-integrated into Nigeria
					June 1, 1961	Northern Cameroons integrated in Nigeria
Rwanda			July 1, 1962	Independence from Belgium
São Tomé and Príncipe			July 12, 1975	Independence from Portugal
Senegal			August 20, 1960	Independence from France
Seychelles			June 29, 1976	Independence from the United Kingdom
Sierra Leone			April 27, 1961	Independence from the United Kingdom
Somalia			July 1, 1960	Merger of State of Somaliland (formerly British Somaliland) and Italian Somaliland
South Africa	May 31, 1910	Creation of the Union of South Africa from the previously separate colonies of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and Orange River	December 11, 1931	Statute of Westminster, which establishes a status of legislative equality between the self-governing dominion of the Union of South Africa and the UK	April 27, 1994	Reincorporation of the nominally independent bantustans into post-apartheid South Africa
			May 31, 1961	Republic declared (South Africa no longer a Commonwealth realm)
South Sudan			July 9, 2011	Separation of Southern Sudan from Sudan
Sudan			January 1, 1956	Independence from Egyptian and British joint rule	July 9, 2011	South Sudan secedes from Sudan
Swaziland			September 6, 1968	Independence from the United Kingdom
Tanzania			December 9, 1961	Independence of Tanganyika from the United Kingdom	April 26, 1964	Merger of Zanzibar with Tanganyika to form Tanzania
Togo			August 30, 1958	Autonomy within French Union
			April 27, 1960	Independence from France
Tunisia	July 25, 1957	Declaration of Republic	March 20, 1956	Independence from France
Uganda			March 1, 1962	Self-government granted
			October 9, 1962	Independence from the United Kingdom
Zambia			October 24, 1964	Independence from the United Kingdom
Zimbabwe			November 11, 1965	Unilateral declaration of independence by Southern Rhodesia	1901	BSAC separates North-Eastern Rhodesia from Southern Rhodesia
			April 18, 1980	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			November 1, 1981	Independence from the United Kingdom
Argentina	February 8, 1826	First presidential government	May 25, 1810	May Revolution installs first local government	October 18, 1884	Conquest of the Desert
			July 9, 1816	Argentine Declaration of Independence
Bahamas			January 7, 1964	Internal self-governance granted
			July 10, 1973	Independence from the United Kingdom
Barbados			November 30, 1966	Independence from the United Kingdom
Belize			September 21, 1981	Independence from the United Kingdom	1859	Treaty establishes border between British Honduras and Guatemala
			January 1, 1964	Self-governing colony
Bolivia	May 25, 1809		August 6, 1825	Bolivian War of Independence	November 11, 1903	Signing of the Treaty of Petrópolis with Brazil whereby Bolivia gained lands in Mato Grosso in exchange for the territory of Acre
Brazil	November 15, 1889	Proclamation of the Republic	September 7, 1822	Independence from Portugal declared	November 11, 1903	Signing of the Treaty of Petrópolis with Bolivia whereby Brazil was given the territory of Acre in exchange for lands in Mato Grosso
			August 29, 1825	Independence recognized by Portugal
Canada	July 1, 1867	Canadian Confederation	December 11, 1931	Statute of Westminster	April 1, 1949	Dominion of Newfoundland joins as the province of Newfoundland
Chile	September 18, 1810	First Government Junta declares Chile an autonomous republic within Spain	February 12, 1818	Independence declared from Spain	July 3, 1929	Chile awarded Arica district in Treaty of Lima
			April 25, 1844	Independence recognized by Spain
Colombia			July 10, 1810	Independence declared from Spain	November 3, 1903	Separation of Panama from Colombia
			August 7, 1819	Independence recognized by Spain
Costa Rica			September 15, 1821	Costa Rica declared independence from Spain	July 25, 1824	Partido de Nicoya
			November 15, 1838	Independence from Federal Republic of Central America
Cuba	January 1, 1959	Cuban Revolution	October 10, 1868	Independence from Spain declared
			December 10, 1898	Spain relinquishes all claim of sovereignty over and title to Cuba
			May 20, 1902	United States military occupation ends
Dominica			February 27, 1967	Became an associated state of the United Kingdom
			November 3, 1978	Independence from the United Kingdom
Dominican Republic			March 3, 1865	Independence regained from Spain following the Dominican Restoration War
Ecuador	August 10, 1809		May 24, 1822	Independence from Spain of Gran Colombia, of which Ecuador is a part	February 26, 1942	Rio Protocol ends border dispute with Peru
			May 13, 1830	Dissolution of Gran Colombia
El Salvador			September 15, 1821	El Salvador becomes province in first mexican empire, which declared independence from Spain
			1823	El Salvador becomes a state of Federal Republic of Central America
			1841	Dissolution of the Federal Republic of Central America, El Salvador becomes independent
Grenada			February 27, 1967	Associated state of the United Kingdom
			February 7, 1974	Full independence from the United Kingdom
Guatemala			September 15, 1821	Guatemala becomes state in Federal Republic of Central America, which declared independence from Spain
			April 17, 1839	Independence from Federal Republic of Central America declared
Guyana			May 26, 1966	Independence from the United Kingdom
Haiti	March 1987	Constitution	January 1, 1804	The French colony Saint-Domingue gains independence as Haiti	February 27, 1844	The Dominican Republic gains independence from Haiti
Honduras			September 15, 1821	Honduras becomes state in Federal Republic of Central America, which declared independence from Spain	September 1, 1972	Swan Islands returned to Honduras from United States occupation
			October 26, 1838	Independence from Federal Republic of Central America
Jamaica			August 6, 1962	Independence from the United Kingdom
Mexico	1917	Constitution	September 16, 1810	Independence from Spain declared	December 30, 1853	Gadsden Purchase
			August 24, 1821	Independence recognized by Spain in Treaty of Córdoba
Nicaragua			September 15, 1821	Nicaragua becomes state in Federal Republic of Central America, which declared independence from Spain
			November 5, 1838	Independence from Federal Republic of Central America
Panama			November 3, 1903	Separation of Panama from Colombia	October 1, 1979	United States returns Panama the Panama Canal Zone
Paraguay	June 1992	Democratic Constitution	May 14, 1811	Independence from Spain declared	1938	Paraguay awarded a large portion of the Gran Chaco as a result of the Chaco War
Peru			July 28, 1821	Independence from Spain declared	February 26, 1942	Rio Protocol ends border dispute with Ecuador
			1879	Independence from Spain recognized
Saint Kitts and Nevis			February 27, 1967	Associated state of the United Kingdom	December 19, 1980	Anguilla separated from Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
			September 19, 1983	Independence from the United Kingdom
Saint Lucia			February 27, 1967	Associated statehood
			February 22, 1979	Independence from the United Kingdom
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines			October 27, 1969	Associated statehood
			October 27, 1979	Independence from the United Kingdom
Suriname			December 15, 1954	Self-government granted
			November 25, 1975	Independence from Netherlands
Trinidad and Tobago			August 31, 1962	Independence from the United Kingdom
United States	September 17, 1787	Ratification of the United States Constitution replaced the previous Articles of Confederation creating a new system of government	July 4, 1776	Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain declared	August 21, 1959	United States territory: Territory of Hawaii joins as the state of Hawaii
			September 3, 1783	Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain recognized	September 7, 1981	Insular area: The United States cedes Serrana Bank and Roncador Bank to the Republic of Colombia as a result of a treaty signed in 1972
Uruguay			August 25, 1825	Independence declared, joined in union with United Provinces of the Río de la Plata (current Argentina).(Independence from Brazil declared)
			August 27, 1828	Treaty of Montevideo signed, recognizing Uruguay's independence
Venezuela			April 10, 1810	independence from Spain declared
			January 13, 1830	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 Iran	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	-4221 BC	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	-31947-08-15	Independence from British Raj	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	678 BC	Unification Under Median Empire	1988-08-20	Anglo-Persian War leads to loss of Herat to the Emirate of Afghanistan
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	2005-09-12	Completion of Israel's unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip
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	-2660 BCE (Traditional)	Victory of Emperor Jimmu, and the capital 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
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	1936-12-05	Establishment of the Kirghiz SSR
Laos	1975-12-02	Lao PDR formed	1953-10-22	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	1963-09-16	Formation of Malaysia	1957-08-31	Malayan Independence from the United Kingdom was declared in Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square)	1965-08-09	Establishment of Singapore as an independent sovereign state
			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.
Maldives	1968-11-11	Declaration of Republic	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
Oman	2003-10-04	universal suffrage	1650-01-26	Expulsion of the Portuguese
Pakistan	1947-08-14	Independence from British India	1947	Partition of India	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. The 1935 constitution remained in effect after independence in 1946.	1898-06-12	The First Philippine Republic declares itself independent from the Spanish Empire.	1930	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 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	1965-08-09	Singapore cease to be a state of Malaysia	1959-06-03	Self government under the United Kingdom	1965-08-09	Establishment of Singapore as an independent sovereign state
			1965-08-09	separate from and independent of Malaysia
South Korea	1948-08-15	First Republic of Korea established	-4 676 AD	Three kingdoms ruling the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria first united by Shilla	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	Republic of China government moved to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War	1955-02-25	Withdrawal of the Republic of China from the Dachen Archipelago
Tajikistan			1991-09-09	Independence from the Soviet Union	1929-12-05	Establishment of the Tajik SSR
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	1921-08-07	Establishment of the Turkmen SSR
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	1924-10-24	Establishment of the Uzbek SSR
Vietnam	1945-09-02	Independence from Japan and France	-12879 BC	Formation of Van Lang, traditionally regarded as the first nation of the Vietnamese people	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

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
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
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			1992-03-03	Independence declared	1943-11-25	Establishment of SR 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
			1878-07-13	Independence from Ottoman Empire recognized internationally by the Treaty of Berlin.
Croatia			1991-10-08	Independence from SFR Yugoslavia	1947-02-10	Annexation of most of Istria to SR Croatia as a result of signing the 1947 Paris Peace Treaties
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 Estonia–Latvia 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 Western 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
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	895	Principality of Hungary formed	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).
			1849-04-14	Independence declared from Habsburg Empire
			1991-06-19	End of 46 years of 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
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
Lithuania	1990-03-11	Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania independence (from the Soviet Union) reasserted, end of occupation	1253	Coronation of King Mindaugas (state established some time earlier, perhaps in the 1230s)	1939-10-27 and 1940-08-03	Western part (approximately half) of Vilnius Region ceded to Lithuania
			1918-02-16	Independence declared from Germany and Russia
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	1944-08-02	Establishment of SR Macedonia
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			1878-07-13	Independence from Ottoman Empire recognized internationally by the Treaty of Berlin.	1943-11-25	Establishment of SR 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-year 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	International recognition 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 1878 Treaty of Berlin.	2008-02-17	Unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo from Serbia. UN Court of Justice's opinion on the issue requested by Serbia.
Slovakia			1993-01-01	Dissolution of Czechoslovakia, creating Slovakia and Czech Republic
Slovenia			1991-06-25	Declaration of independence from Yugoslavia
Spain	1978	Spanish Constitution of 1978	718	Kingdom of Asturias
			1479	Unification of the Crown of Castile and the Crown of Aragon by the Catholic Monarchs.			1492-1512	Unification of the Kingdom of Granada and the Kingdom of Navarra by the Spanish Empire.
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 England (including Wales) and Scotland to create the Kingdom of Great Britain	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
			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

Transcontinental states

Country	Date	Birth of current form of government	Date	Date of acquisition of sovereignty	Date	Date of most recent significant territorial modification
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
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
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
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
Kazakhstan			1991-12-16	Independence declared from the Soviet Union	1936-12-05	Establishment of the Kazakh SSR
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 of the major territory, 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.

Country	First acquisition of sovereignty	Date of last subordination	Previous governing power	Notes
Afghanistan	Aug 19, 1919	Feb 15, 1989	Soviet Union	2001-present: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan 1992-2001: Islamic State of Afghanistan (UN-supported occupation by United States in 2001) 1978-92: Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (occupied by Soviet Union 1979-89) 1973-78: Republic of Afghanistan 1926-29; 1929-73: Kingdom of Afghanistan 1823-1926; 1929: Emirate of Afghanistan (Treaty of Rawalpindi granted sovereignty from United Kingdom in 1919) 1747-1826: Part of Durrani Empire 1736-1796: Part of Afsharid Kingdom. 1708-1736: Part of Hotaki Empire 1526-1708: Part of Mughal Empire. 1370-1526: Part of Timurid Kingdom. 1256-1335: Part of Ilkhanate. 1294-1370: Part of Chagatai Khanate. 1219-1294 Part of Mongol Empire. 1077-1219: Part of Khwarazemid Empire 1037-1077: Part of the Great Seljuq Empire. 963-1187: Part of Ghaznavid Empire. 861-963: Part of Saffarid Emirate. 821-861: Part of various territories governed by the Tahirids. 750-821: Part of the Abbasid Caliphate. 661-750: Part of the Umayyad Caliphate. 632-661: Part of the Rashidun Caliphate. 224-632; Part of the Sassanid Empire. 227 BCE-224: Part of the Parthian Empire. 312 BCE-227 BCE: Part of the Seleucid Empire. 336 BCE-312 BCE: Part of the Macedonian Empire. 549 BCE-336 BCE: Part of the Achaemenid Empire. 678 BCE-545 BCE: Part of the Median Empire. Before 678 BCE various Indo-Iranian tribes and early Iranian city-states.
Albania	Nov 28, 1912	Nov 1944	Germany	1992-present: Republic of Albania 1944-92: People's Socialist Republic of Albania 1928-44: Albanian Kingdom (de facto protectorate of Italy 1928-1939; occupied by Italy 1939-43; occupied by Germany 1943-44) 1925-28: Albanian Republic (de facto protectorate of Italy) 1914-25: Principality of Albania (via Albanian Declaration of Independence) 1912-14: Provisional Government of Albania 1479-1912: Part of Ottoman Empire 1444-79: League of Lezhë 1190-1444: Various Albanian principalities Before 1190: Part of Byzantine Empire
Algeria	Jul 3, 1962	Jul 3, 1962	France	1962-present: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria (via Évian Accords) 1830-1962: French Algeria (colony of France) Before 1830: Part of Ottoman Empire
Andorra	Sep 7, 1278	Nov 1944	France	1278-present: Principality of Andorra (via Paréage of Andorra; occupied by France 1812-13, 1870, 1914, 1936, 1939, 1944)
Angola	Nov 11, 1975	Nov 11, 1975	Portugal	1992-present: Republic of Angola 1975-1992: People's Republic of Angola (via the Alvor Agreement) 1575-1975: Portuguese Angola (colony of Portugal)
Antigua and Barbuda	Nov 1, 1981	Nov 1, 1981	United Kingdom	1981-present: Antigua and Barbuda 1632-1981: Colony of England/Great Britain/United Kingdom (ruled by France in 1666) Before 1632: Inhabited by indigenous peoples of the Americas
Argentina	May 25, 1810	July 9, 1816	Spain	1861-present: Argentine Republic 1831-1861: Argentine Confederation 1810-1831: Part of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata (via the May Revolution; on 9 July 1816, the Congress of Tucumán issued formal Declaration of Independence) 1776-1810: Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata (colony of Spain) 1542–1824: Part of Viceroyalty of Peru (colony of Spain) 1528-1542: Part of Spanish colony Before 1528: Inhabited by indigenous peoples of the Americas, including the Inca Empire
Armenia	190 BC	Sep 23, 1991	Soviet Union	1991-present: Republic of Armenia 1920-1991: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic 1918-1920: Democratic Republic of Armenia 1829-1918: Part of Russian empire Before 1829: Part of Ottoman Empire 190 BC-AD 428: First independent as Kingdom of Armenia
Australia	Oct 9, 1942	Oct 9, 1942	United Kingdom	1942-present: Commonwealth of Australia (via Statute of Westminster Adoption Act, 1942) 1901-1942: Commonwealth of Australia (Dominion of United Kingdom; via federation) 1788-1901: Part of British empire Before 1788: Inhabited by Indigenous Australians
Austria	Nov 12, 1918	May 15, 1955	World War II Allies	1955-present: Republic of Austria (via Austrian State Treaty) 1945-55: Allied-occupied Austria 1938-45: Occupied by Nazi Germany 1934-38: Federal State of Austria (client state of Italy) 1919-34: First Republic of Austria (via Treaty of Saint Germain) 1918-19: Republic of German-Austria (via Proclamation of Charles I) 1867-1918: Austria-Hungary (via Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867) 1804-67: Austrian Empire 1457-1804: Archduchy of Austria (state of the Holy Roman Empire) 1156-1457: Duchy of Austria (state of the Holy Roman Empire)
Azerbaijan	Aug 30, 1991	Aug 30, 1991	Soviet Union	1995-present: Republic of Azerbaijan (independence from Soviet Union declared 1991; constitution adopted 1995) 1920-1995: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic 1918-1920: Azerbaijan Democratic Republic Before 1918: Part of Russian Empire
Bahamas	July 10, 1973	July 10, 1973	United Kingdom	1973-present: Commonwealth of the Bahamas(Self-government gained from the United Kingdom in 1964; independence gained on 10 July 1973) 1718-1973:Part of the British West Indies 1492-1718: Part of the Spanish Empire 500to 800-1492: Inhabited by the Lucayans
Bahrain	Dec 16, 1971	Dec 16, 1971	United Kingdom	1971-present Kingdom of Bahrain 1861-1971:Protectorate of the British Empire by way of the Perpetual Truce of Peace and Freedom 1783-1861:Ruled by the Bani Utbah 1717-1783:Ruled by Oman after a successful invasion 1602-1717:Part of Persia under the Safavid dynasty 1521-1602: Part of the Portuguese Empire Mid-1400s-1521: Ruled by the Jabrid dynasty 1253-mid-1400s:Ruled by the usfurid dynasty 1076-1235:Ruled by the Uyunid dynasty 976-1076: Ruled as part of the Abbasid Caliphate 899-976: Ruled by the Qarmatians 3rd Century CE-899:Ruled by the Sassanids of Persia 130 BCE-3rd Century BCE: Ruled by the Parthians6th Century BCE-3rd Century BCE- Part of the Persian Empire under the Achaemenids
Bangladesh	Mar 26, 1971	Dec 16, 1971	Pakistan	1971-present: People's Republic of Bangladesh 1971:Provisional Government of of the People's Republic of Bangladesh 1955-1971:East Pakistan (Part of Pakistan) 1947-1955:East Bengal (Part of Pakistan 1858-1947: Part of the British Raj 1717-1880:Ruled by the Nawabs (Lost ruling power after the Battle of Plassey) 1576-1717:Part of the Mughal Empire 1556-1576:Ruled by the Karrani Dynasty 1540-1556:Ruled by the Sur dynasty 1538-1540:Part of the Mughal Empire 1494-1538:Ruled by the [[Hussain Shahi Dynasty]} 1414-1494: Ruled by the Ganesha Dynasty 1342-1487:Shamsuddin lliyas Shah ruled an independent city-state within modern Bangladesh
Barbados	Nov 30, 1966	Nov 30, 1966	United Kingdom
Belarus	Jul 27, 1990	Aug 25, 1991	Soviet Union
Belgium	Oct 4, 1830	1945	Germany	Part of Netherlands before 1830
Belize	Sep 21, 1981	Sep 21, 1981	United Kingdom
Benin	Aug 1, 1960	Aug 1, 1960	France
Bhutan	1634	Template:Dtsh(none)	(none)	Autonomous since at least the 10th century. Unified 1634, after the Battle of Five Lamas. Early history is sketchy, but may have been part of Kamarupa kingdom, and may have been occupied by Tibetan-Mongol forces ca. 10th century.
Bolivia	Aug 6, 1825	Aug 6, 1825	Spain	1836–39 as dominant partner in Peru–Bolivian Confederation, governed from Tacna, Peru.
Bosnia and Herzegovina	1377	Mar 3, 1992	Yugoslavia	Subject to Kingdom of Hungary 1154-1377 as a Banate of Bosnia, then independent as Kingdom of Bosnia 1377–1463. Later under Ottoman Empire until 1908, Austria-Hungary until 1918, and Yugoslavia until 1992.
Botswana	Sep 30, 1966	Sep 30, 1966	United Kingdom
Brazil	Sep 7, 1822	Sep 7, 1822	Portugal
Brunei	Jan 1, 1984	Jan 1, 1984	United Kingdom	Previously occupied by Japan
Bulgaria	681	Sep 22, 1908	Ottoman Empire	Previously occupied by Byzantine Empire (1018–1185) and Ottoman Empire (1393–1878)
Burkina Faso	Aug 5, 1960	Aug 5, 1960	France
Burundi	July 1, 1962	July 1, 1962	Belgium
Cambodia	802	Sep 26, 1989	Vietnam	Khmer Empire founded 802 according to Sdok Kok Thom Inscription
Cameroon	Jan 1, 1960	Oct 1, 1961	United Kingdom	French Cameroons gained independence in 1960; added British Southern Cameroons in 1961.
Canada	Dec 11, 1931	Dec 11, 1931	United Kingdom	Dominion status 1867, Statute of Westminster 1931.
Cape Verde	July 5, 1975	July 5, 1975	Portugal
Central African Republic	Aug 13, 1960	Aug 13, 1960	France
Chad	Aug 11, 1960	Aug 11, 1960	France
Chile	Sep 18, 1810	Feb 12, 1818	Spain
China, People's Republic of	221 BC	Feb 12, 1912	Qing (Manchu) Empire	Unified 221 BC under Qin Dynasty. Previously part of the Mongol Empire under the Yuan Dynasty from 1279 Battle of Yamen until 1368. Partial occupation by Japan, 1937–1945. Note: Although the Mongol's Yuan Dynasty and the Manchu's Qing Dynasty were considered foreign by the Han Chinese in their times, current Chinese official position considers these two dynasties as Chinese, as they were established by Chinese ethnic minorities and had their capitals in present-day Beijing. The PRC government considers itself the successor of the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China.
Colombia	Jul 20, 1810	Aug 7, 1819	Spain	Battle of Boyacá 1819
Comoros	Jul 6, 1975	Jul 6, 1975	France
Congo, Democratic Republic of the	1885	Jun 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	Aug 15, 1960	Aug 15, 1960	France
Costa Rica	Sep 15, 1821	1838	Federal Republic of Central America	Previously part of Mexico 1822–23 and a colony of Spain before 1821.
Côte d'Ivoire	Aug 7, 1960	Aug 7, 1960	France
Croatia	May 21, 879	Oct 8, 1991	Yugoslavia	Croats came to Roman Dalmatia as free people from White Croatia in the early 7th century.
Cuba	May 20, 1902	May 20, 1902	United States	A colony of Spain until 1898, then occupied but not annexed by United States 1899–1902.
Cyprus	Aug 16, 1960	Aug 16, 1960	United Kingdom
Czech Republic	935	Sep 20, 1968	Warsaw Pact	Unified under Boleslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, who acceded to the throne in 935. Later part of Austria-Hungary until 1918 independence as Czechoslovakia. Occupied by Germany in 1938, by WWII Allies in 1945, and by Warsaw Pact armies in 1968.
Denmark	980	May 5, 1945	Germany	Unified ca 980 by Harald Bluetooth.
Djibouti	Jun 27, 1977	Jun 27, 1977	France
Dominica	Nov 3, 1978	Nov 3, 1978	United Kingdom
Dominican Republic	1821	July 13, 1924	United States	Previously occupied by Spain, France, and Haiti
Ecuador	May 24, 1822	May 13, 1830	Gran Colombia	Previously a colony of Spain
Egypt	3100 BC	Feb 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	Sep 15, 1821	Nov 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	Oct 12, 1968	Oct 12, 1968	Spain
Eritrea	May 24, 1993	May 24, 1993	Ethiopia
Estonia	Feb 24, 1918	Aug 20, 1991	Soviet Union	Previously occupied by Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Russia, and Germany.
Ethiopia	50	Dec 1944	United Kingdom	Aksumite Empire founded ca 50. Occupied 1936–1941 by Italy, then administered by UK until 1944 Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement.
Fiji	Oct 10, 1970	Oct 10, 1970	United Kingdom
Finland	Dec 6, 1917	Jan 4, 1918	Russian Empire	Previously ruled by Sweden.
France	843	1945	Germany	843 Treaty of Verdun established West Francia.
Gabon	Aug 17, 1960	Aug 17, 1960	France
Gambia	Feb 18, 1965	Feb 18, 1965	United Kingdom
Georgia	1001	Apr 8, 1991	Soviet Union
Germany	Jan 18, 1871	March 15, 1991	World War II Allies	Unified in 1871. Occupied 1945–1955 until ratification of Bonn–Paris conventions. Become fully sovereign on 15 March 1991 after the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany came into effect.
Ghana	Mar 6, 1957	Mar 6, 1957	United Kingdom
Greece	1822	1944	Germany	Previously occupied jointly by Italy, Germany and Bulgaria; before 1821 by Ottoman Empire.
Grenada	Feb 7, 1974	Feb 7, 1974	United Kingdom
Guatemala	Sep 15, 1821	1838	Federal Republic of Central America	Previously part of Mexico 1822–23 and a colony of Spain before 1821.
Guinea	Oct 2, 1958	Oct 2, 1958	France
Guinea-Bissau	Sep 24, 1973	Sep 10, 1974	Portugal
Guyana	May 26, 1966	May 26, 1966	United Kingdom	Previously colonized by Dutch
Haiti	Jan 1, 1804	Aug 1, 1934	United States	Previously a colony of France.
Honduras	Sep 15, 1821	1925	United States	Occupied several times by 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.
Hungary	895	1956	Soviet Union	Principality of Hungary founded 895. Ruled by Austria-Hungary before 1918.
Iceland	930	1946	United States	Icelandic Commonwealth formed 930. Ceded to Norway 1262; ruled by Danish monarchs 1380-1944 (de facto to 1940). Regained home rule in 1918 as Kingdom of Iceland, fully independent Republic of Iceland founded 1944. Occupied by the United Kingdom 1940–41 and the United States 1941–1946.
India	322 BC	Aug 15, 1947	United Kingdom	First Indian Empire by Chandragupta Maurya founder of Maurya Empire 322 BC, then Gupta Empire 320 AD, then Mughal Empire in 1527, then British Raj from 1857 until Independence.
Indonesia	Aug 17, 1945	Dec 27, 1949	Netherlands	Previously occupied by Portugal, Spain, France, British Empire, and Japan.
Iran	559 BC	(none)	(none)	First Persian Empire formed by Cyrus the Great in 559 BC. Conquered by Alexander the Great 330 BC, ruled by Timurid Empire c. 1400-1501
Iraq	4000 BC	Jun 28, 2004	United States	founded in 4000 BC by Sumer Civilization (the first Civilization on the world), and then unified under Sargon of Akkad the founder of Akkadian Empire. see History of Iraq. Occupied by United States 2003–2004
Ireland	Jan 21, 1919	Dec 11, 1931	United Kingdom	Independence declared 1919, Dominion status 1922, Statute of Westminster 1931, declared a republic 1948.
Israel	1020 BC	May 14, 1948	United Kingdom	Kingdom of Israel unified under King Saul, c. 1020 BC, divided into separate kingdoms of Israel and Judea, which fall to Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian empires in 722 and 586 BC, respectively. In 2nd century BC, Judea re-gains independence as Hasmonean kingdom after revolt against the Hellenist Seleucid Empire. Conquered by Pompey of the Roman Empire in 63 BC, and subsequently falls to Byzantine, Umayyad, Abbasid, Crusader, Mamluk, Ottoman Turkish, and British rule, before regaining independence as the State of Israel in 1948.
Italy	Mar 17, 1861	Apr 25, 1945	World War II Allies	Unified in 1861.
Jamaica	Aug 6, 1962	Aug 6, 1962	United Kingdom	Previously a Spanish colony
Japan	400	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	May 25, 1946	Aug 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	Dec 16, 1991	Dec 16, 1991	Soviet Union
Kenya	Dec 12, 1963	Dec 12, 1963	United Kingdom
Kiribati	Jul 12, 1979	Jul 12, 1979	United Kingdom
Kosovo	Feb 17, 2008	Feb 17, 2008	Serbia	Declared independence from Serbia in accordance with international law
Kuwait	Jun 19, 1961	Feb 1991	Iraq	Previously ruled by Ottoman Empire and UK.
Kyrgyzstan	Aug 31, 1991	Aug 31, 1991	Soviet Union
Laos	1354	Nov 9, 1953	France	Occupied by Japan during World War II
Latvia	Nov 18, 1918	May 4, 1990	Soviet Union	Previously ruled by Lithuania, Sweden, and Russia
Lebanon	Nov 8, 1943	Dec 31, 1946	France	Previously ruled by Ottoman Empire
Lesotho	1822	Oct 4, 1966	United Kingdom
Liberia	Jul 26, 1847	Jul 26, 1847	American Colonization Society	Settled but not claimed by United States
Libya	Dec 24, 1951	Dec 24, 1951	United Kingdom and France	Previously occupied by Italy and by Ottoman Empire
Liechtenstein	Jul 12, 1806	Aug 24, 1866	German Confederation	Previously subject to the Confederation of the Rhine. Formed 1719 from Vaduz and Schellenberg, but under the Holy Roman Empire.
Lithuania	1253	Mar 11, 1990	Soviet Union	Kingdom of Lithuania; Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania
Luxembourg	1815	1945	Germany	Independent from France 1815 but in personal union with Netherlands until 1890
Macedonia	Sep 8, 1991	Sep 8, 1991	Yugoslavia
Madagascar	1787	Jun 26, 1960	France
Malawi	Jul 6, 1964	Jul 6, 1964	United Kingdom
Malaysia	Aug 31, 1957	Aug 31, 1957	United Kingdom	The Federation of Malaya gained independence in 1957; in 1963 it added territories of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore, and changed its name to Malaysia. Singapore became independent in 1965.
Maldives	1140	Jul 26, 1965	United Kingdom	Unified according to legend by King Koimala (1117–1141). Independent sultanate until 1887, when it became a British protectorate.
Mali	1230	Sep 22, 1960	Mali Federation	Mali Empire ca. 1230. A colony of France 1890–1960, then part of Mali Federation governed from Dakar, Senegal.
Malta	Sep 21, 1964	Sep 21, 1964	United Kingdom
Marshall Islands	Oct 21, 1986	Oct 21, 1986	United States	Compact of Free Association
Mauritania	Nov 28, 1960	Nov 28, 1960	France
Mauritius	Mar 12, 1968	Mar 12, 1968	United Kingdom	Previously controlled by the Netherlands and France.
Mexico	Sep 16, 1810	1863	France	Parts of northern Mexico continued under control of Benito Juárez. Previously a colony of Spain
Micronesia, Federated States of	Nov 3, 1986	Nov 3, 1986	United States	Compact of Free Association
Moldova	Aug 27, 1991	Aug 27, 1991	Soviet Union
Monaco	1297	1945	Germany	Previously occupied by Italy and France. Subject to Sardinia 1815–1861.
Mongolia	1206	Mar 13, 1921	China	Mongol Empire formed 1206; occupied by China during Qing Dynasty (1635–1911) and Republic of China (1919–1921)
Montenegro	1042	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	February 5, 789	Apr 7, 1956	France/Spain	February 5, 789 : Induction of Idris I 789-974 : Idrisid dynasty 974-1060 : Disputed between the Fatimid Caliphate and the Caliphate of Córdoba, divided into several Zenata principalities 1061-1147 : Almoravid dynasty 1147-1244 : Almohad dynasty 1244-1465 : Marinid dynasty 1465-1472 : Idrisid dynasty, Joutey branch 1472-1554 : Wattasid dynasty 1554-1659 : Saadi dynasty 1664-present : Alaouite dynasty Under French and Spanish protectorate (1912–1956).
Mozambique	Jun 25, 1975	Jun 25, 1975	Portugal	Portuguese colony from 1498
Myanmar	849	Jan 4, 1948	United Kingdom	Pagan Kingdom founded 849. Occupied by Japan 1942–1945
Namibia	Mar 21, 1990	Mar 21, 1990	South Africa	German colony from 1884; governed by South Africa 1915-1990
Nauru	Jan 31, 1968	Jan 31, 1968	Australia/ New Zealand/ United Kingdom	Previously occupied by Germany 1888, Australia 1914, Japan 1942-45
Nepal	1768	Template:Dtsh (none)	(none)	Autonomous throughout its recorded history, and certainly since its 1768 unification.The ancient Maurya Empire occupied southern Nepal, but not the core Kathmandu valley.
Netherlands	Jul 26, 1581	1945	Germany	Independent from Spain in 1581; occupied by France under Napoleon.
New Zealand	Nov 25, 1947	Nov 25, 1947	United Kingdom	Dominion status 1907, Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947.
Nicaragua	Sep 15, 1821	Jan 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	Aug 3, 1960	Aug 3, 1960	France
Nigeria	Oct 1, 1960	Oct 1, 1960	United Kingdom
North Korea	2333 BC	Sep 9, 1948	Soviet Union	Gojoseon established in 24th century BC according to legend. Modern state established 1948 after Soviet occupation since 1945. Previously occupied by Japan (1910–1945).
Norway	872	May 9, 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	751	1743	Persia	Previously occupied by Great Seljuq Empire, Ottoman Empire, Portugal (1508–1650), etc.
Pakistan	Aug 14, 1947	Mar 23, 1956	United Kingdom	Previously a colony of the British Empire.
Palau	Oct 1, 1994	Oct 1, 1994	United States	Previously ruled by Spain, Germany, Japan.
Panama	Nov 3, 1903	Jan 12, 1990	United States	A colony of Spain until 1821, then a dependency of Colombia until 1903. Occupied by United States 1989–90.
Papua New Guinea	Sep 16, 1975	Sep 16, 1975	Australia
Paraguay	May 14, 1811	1876	Brazil	Occupied 1870–1876 by Brazil, in Triple Alliance with Argentina and Uruguay. Colony of Spain before 1811.
Peru	July 28, 1821	Aug 25, 1839	Peru–Bolivian Confederation	Independent from Spain 1821; part of Peru–Bolivian Confederation 1836-39.
Philippines	July 4, 1946	July 4, 1946	United States	Spanish colony 1565–1898; insurgents declared independence from Spain in 1898; sovereignty passed from Spain to the U.S. in 1898; insurgent Philippine Republic 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	960	1945	Soviet Union	Unified ca 960 by Mieszko I. Partitioned several times between Germany and the USSR.
Portugal	July 25, 1139	1808	France	Convention of Sintra ended French occupation of Lisbon. Independent from Kingdom of León in 1139.
Qatar	Sep 3, 1971	Sep 3, 1971	United Kingdom
Romania	Jul 13, 1878	Aug 1958	Soviet Union	Occupied by the USSR 1944–1958.
Russia	860	Oct 8, 1480	Golden Horde	Rurik Dynasty founded ca 860. Great stand on the Ugra river in 1480 marked end of Mongol/Tatar rule.
Rwanda	July 1, 1962	July 1, 1962	Belgium
Saint Kitts and Nevis	Sep 19, 1983	Sep 19, 1983	United Kingdom
Saint Lucia	Feb 22, 1979	Feb 22, 1979	United Kingdom
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Oct 27, 1979	Oct 27, 1979	United Kingdom
Samoa	Jan 1, 1962	Jan 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	301	1945	World War II Allies	Previously occupied by Roman Empire, and briefly by Rimini (1503), and Papal States (1739).
São Tomé and Príncipe	Jul 12, 1975	Jul 12, 1975	Portugal
Saudi Arabia	1744	Jan 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	Jun 20, 1960	Jun 20, 1960	France	Independent first as Mali Federation with capital in Dakar. Previously part of Ghana, Mali and Songhai Empires.
Serbia	850	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	Jun 29, 1976	Jun 29, 1976	United Kingdom	Perhaps sovereign 1790–1794
Sierra Leone	Apr 27, 1961	Apr 27, 1961	United Kingdom
Singapore	Aug 31, 1963	Aug 9, 1965	Malaysia	British colony 1824–1963; occupied by Japan 1942–1945; declared independence, then merged with Malaysia from 1963 until 1965.
Slovakia	Jan 1, 1993	Jan 1, 1993	Czechoslovakia
Slovenia	Jun 25, 1991	Jun 25, 1991	Yugoslavia
Solomon Islands	Jul 7, 1978	Jul 7, 1978	United Kingdom
Somalia	Jul 1, 1960	Jul 1, 1960	United Kingdom and Italy	Union of British Somaliland and Trust Territory of Somalia
South Africa	Dec 11, 1931	Dec 11, 1931	United Kingdom	Dominion status 1910, Statute of Westminster 1931.
South Korea	300 BC	Aug 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	Jul 9, 2011	Jul 9, 2011	Sudan
Spain	1479	1814	France	Union of Kingdom of Castile and Kingdom of Aragon in 1479. Previously occupied by Roman Empire, etc.
Sri Lanka	377 BC	Feb 4, 1948	United Kingdom	Unified as Anuradhapura Kingdom 377 BC – 1017. Conquered by Indian kingdoms, Portuguese, Dutch, and British.
Sudan	1070 BC	Jan 1, 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	Nov 25, 1975	Nov 25, 1975	Netherlands
Swaziland	Sep 6, 1968	Sep 6, 1968	United Kingdom
Sweden	unknown	Jun 6, 1523	Denmark	No exact date for consolidation of Sweden. In Kalmar Union 1397–1523.
Switzerland	1291	1815	Austria	Old Swiss Confederacy formed 1291. Occupied by France 1798, then Austria 1813. 1815 Congress of Vienna restored independence.
Syria	Apr 17, 1946	Sep 28, 1961	United Arab Republic
Tajikistan	Sep 9, 1991	Sep 9, 1991	Soviet Union
Tanzania	Dec 9, 1961	Dec 9, 1961	United Kingdom	Independent in 1961 as Tanganyika, added Zanzibar in 1963.
Thailand	1238	1945	Japan	Independent from Khmer Empire in 1238. Previously conquered by Burma until 1768. Occupied by Japan 1941–1945.
Timor-Leste	Nov 28, 1975	May 20, 2002	United Nations	Ruled by Portugal 1515–1975, occupied by Indonesia 1975–1999, administered by U.N. 1999–2002.
Togo	Apr 27, 1960	Apr 27, 1960	France
Tonga	1845	Jun 4, 1970	United Kingdom	United 1845 by George Tupou I. British protectorate 1900–1970.
Trinidad and Tobago	Aug 31, 1962	Aug 31, 1962	United Kingdom
Tunisia	Mar 20, 1956	Mar 20, 1956	France	Occupations by Rome, Ottoman Empire and France
Turkey	1037	June 26, 1243	Mongol Empire	Seljuq Empire founded 1037; conquered at 1243 Battle of Köse Dağ
Turkmenistan	Oct 27, 1991	Oct 27, 1991	Soviet Union
Tuvalu	Oct 1, 1978	Oct 1, 1978	United Kingdom
Uganda	Oct 9, 1962	Oct 9, 1962	United Kingdom
Ukraine	Jan 22, 1918	Aug 24, 1991	Soviet Union
United Arab Emirates	Dec 2, 1971	Dec 2, 1971	United Kingdom
United Kingdom	843	Template:Dtsh (none)	(none)	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	Jul 4, 1776	Oct 19, 1781	United Kingdom	Independence declared 1776; British surrender 1781; U.S. recognized by Treaty of Paris 1783.
Uruguay	1815	Aug 27, 1828	Brazil	Independent 1815–1820 as Liga Federal; occupied 1820 by Portugal/Brazil until 1828 Treaty of Montevideo.
Uzbekistan	Sep 1, 1991	Sep 1, 1991	Soviet Union
Vanuatu	July 30, 1980	July 30, 1980	United Kingdom and France	Governed 1906–1980 as the New Hebrides condominium.
Vatican City	756	Feb 11, 1929	Italy	Independent as Papal States 756–1870; part of Italy until 1929 Lateran Treaty
Venezuela	Jul 5, 1811	Jan 13, 1830	Gran Colombia	Previously a colony of Spain
Vietnam	2879 BC	1954	France	Văn Lang confederacy arose 2879 BC according to legend. Several periods of Chinese domination. French occupation from 1887 until Geneva Conference (1954), interrupted by Japanese occupation (1940–1945). While not an occupation, the United States gave military support to the South Vietnam government until the 1973 Paris Peace Accords.
Yemen	Nov 1, 1918	Nov 30, 1967	United Kingdom	North Yemen independent from Ottoman Empire 1918; South Yemen from UK in 1967; unified 1990
Zambia	Oct 24, 1964	Oct 24, 1964	United Kingdom
Zimbabwe	Nov 11, 1965	Apr 18, 1980	United Kingdom	The British colony of Southern Rhodesia unilaterally declared Independence as Rhodesia 1965; known as Zimbabwe Rhodesia in 1979; unrecognised until 1980.
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 former European colonies
• List of former national capitals
• List of sovereign states
• Timeline of country and capital changes
• List of national constitutions
• Succession of states