or (semi-)autonomous jurisdictions that are 20,000 square kilometers or smaller.
For comparison's sake, here are the surface areas of these states.
Also provided is a list of Amateur Radio Prefixes used by these states.
Some sites may or not be the official government websites,
and may be only tourist information sites.
Nearly all these nations/states have listings on the CIA World Factbook.
If you know of any official websites of any countries and territories that are presently represented by commercial or unofficial informational websites, or if any of these links do not work (or have changed), please contact me via e-mail . Thank you.
Thanks to Charles Ballantyne, "Aaron D.", Carlos Desperdicio, Michael T. Farnworth, Stanton McCandlish,
Allan Poindexter, Spencer Pryor, John R. Scharff, Charles Sherrouse, Jason Stainer, DD Ting, James Wong,
and an un-named person at Pridnestrovie.net for their help and suggestions.
Newer links may not have flags displayed. These will be added in coming days.
Last Update: Wednesday, 4 June 2014
Unless listed, all flag images are from Flags of the World.
For an excellent resource on enclaves,
(that is, parts of countries that are in other countries)
visit Rolf Pomberg's Enclaves of the World.
Detailed information on South Pacific islands can be
read at South Pacific Organizer.
A website of links to Official Government Websites
can be found here on the Political Science Resource webpage,
as well as at Worldwide Governments on the WWW.
AALAND
ANTILLES
AOMEN Tebie Xingzhengqu
ASCENSION Island [Dependency of St. Helena]
ATAFU Island
BAARLE-HERTOG
BARBUDA
CAICOS Island
CHANNEL Islands
"The Chausey Islands south of Jersey are not generally included in the geographical definition of the Channel Islands but occasionally described as 'French Channel Islands' in English in view of their French jurisdiction. They were historically linked to the Duchy of Normandy, but they are part of the French territory along with continental Normandy, and not part of the British Isles or of the Channel Islands in a political sense. They are an incorporated part of the commune of Granville (Manche), and although popular with visitors from France, they are rarely visited by Channel Islanders, as there are no direct transport links from the other islands."
CHUUK Island
Turkish Republic of Northern CYPRUS
DNIESTER REPUBLIC
DUCIE Island
FAKAOFO Island
FUTUNA Island
GOUGH Island
The GRENADINES
HENDERSON Island
HOLY SEE
INACCESSABLE Island
KEELING Islands
KIBRIS
KYPROS
LEBANESE REPUBLIC
LUBNAN
See also Order of SAINT JOHN OF JERUSALEM, KNIGHTS HOSPITALER
Islas MALVINAS
MIQUELON
NIGHTINGALE Island
The following is edited from a report by the Press and Information Office from the the Official Website of the Republic of Cyprus:
Note: Turkey is presently the only nation that recognizes the TRNC. All mail sent to the TRNC must be addressed to:
NUKUNONU Island
OENO Island
PRIDNESTROV'E
PRINCIPE
POHNPEI Islands
PONAPE Islands
PROPINSI TIMOR TIMUR
RED CRESCENT
SANKT VALENTIN
TAHITI
TIMOR-LESTE
TOBAGO
TRANSNISTRIA
TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
WESTERN SAMOA
XIANGGANG Tebie Xingzhengqu
The following are small nations, but are too large in area to be considered officially for this list.
New E-Mail Address:
ÅLAND [Autonomous region of Finland}
Officially part of Finland, it is autonomous, demilitarized, and unilingually Swedish.
See ÅLAND
ALDERNY [British Crown Dependency]
Self-ruling principal island of the Bailiwick of Guernsey [British Channel Islands] with its own flag and parliament.
See also GUERNSEY
Territory of AMERICAN SAMOA
[Unincorporated, unorganized territory of the United States]
Located between France and Spain, this principality is a mere 468 square kilometers. Much of the nation's defense budget is spent on blank ammunition, which is fired off on national holidays.
ANGUILLA [Territory of the United Kingdom]
[Another Anguillan site]
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
See also Antigua Guide and Geographica.
See NETHERLAND ANTILLES
See MACAU Special Administrative Region
ARUBA [Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands]
See TOKELAU Islands
AZORES (Azore Islands) [Autonomous region of Portugal]
BAARLE [Semi-autonomous regions in both Belgium and the Netherlands]
(The flag on the left is of Baarle-Hertog, Belgium.
The flag on the right is of Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands.)
Wikipedia: Baarle-Hertog (Belgium)
Wikipedia: Baarle-Nassau (Netherlands)
How did a little village become part of Belgium in the Netherlands and part of the Netherlands in Belgium? Read these articles and find out!
BAARLE-NASSAU
See BAARLE
See ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
BERMUDA [Overseas territory of the United Kingdom]
"BRITISH WEST INDIES"
There is no such country, and anyone who tries to convince you that there is, especially if he's trying to sell you something that's supposed to be an "official" BWI document, is a fraud.
Please see the Warnings and Notices page.
(Flag shown is of the United Kingdom.)
Sultanate of BRUNEI DERUSSALAM
See TURKS AND CAICOS Islands
CAMPIONE D'ITALIA [Italian enclave in Switzerland]
This is officially a section of Italy that is located within the Swiss canton of Ticino. The links below are commercial informational sites.
Retirementhavens.com
Utenti.worldonline.it
Campione Report
Private website about Campione license plates
CANARY ISLANDS [Autonomous region of Spain]
Sovereign Barony of CAUX [Restored Ancestral Sovereignty]
Listing moved to Self-Proclaimed States
CAYMAN ISLANDS [United Kingdom Territory]
CEUTA [Spanish enclave on Morocco's northern coast]
Until I complete a proper listing, here's the break down of the Channel Islands from Wikipedia:
"The inhabited islands of the Channel Islands are Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm (the main islands); Jethou, Brecqhou (Brechou), and Lihou. All of these except Jersey are in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, but the Minquiers, �cr�hous, Les Dirouilles and Les Pierres de Lecq (the Paternosters), uninhabited groups of islets, are part of the Bailiwick of Jersey. Burhou and the Casquets lie off Alderney."
Territory of CHRISTMAS ISLAND [Australian Dependency]
[Christmas Island Domain Site]
This tiny Australian dependency now has a casino and its own internet domain (.cx).
The flag pictured is used unofficially.
See Federated States of MICRONESIA
Territory of COCOS (KEELING) Islands [Territory of Australia]
Union of the COMOROS
Fomerly the Federal Islamic Republic of the COMOROS
COOK ISLANDS [Self-governing in free association with New Zealand]
Republic of CYPRUS
[Kibris (Cumhuriyet), Kypros (Dimokratia)]
See NORTHERN CYPRUS
DNISTR
See TRANS-DNIESTER
See PITCAIRN Islands
Democratic Republic of EAST TIMOR (Official Government Web Gateway)
(Propinsi TIMOR TIMUR, TIMOR-LESTE, TIMOR LOROSA'E)
Website maintained by the Transitional Government of East Timor
East Timor Action Network (ETAN)
United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET)
(Thanks to Charles Sherrouse and DD Ting for these links!)
Kingdom of ENENKIO (EnenKio Atoll)
The link to this website from this page has been removed.
Please go to the Warnings and Notices Page for full information.
See TOKELAU Islands
Colony of the FALKLAND Islands [Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom]
These islands, also claimed by Argentina (which calls them Islas Malvinas) was the site of a war in 1982 where Argentina attempted to invade and reclaim the two islands. There is another forum site that tries to establish a neutral space for those who want to express their views.
FAROE ISLANDS [Self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark]
FORBIDDEN CITY [Fomer Royal Enclave]
(Imperial palace of Ming and Qing Dynasties of China from 15th century to early 20th century)
The following is from fellow micropartiologist DD Ting [Revisions in brackets are mine]:
"The last emperor of the Qing Dynasty of China, Emperor Henry Puyi, succeeded the throne in 1909. In 1911, revolution [broke] out and the Qing army was defeated. The revolutionaries set up a provisional [government] and founded the Republic of China (ROC). According to the treaty signed between the Qing court and the ROC Gov't, Puyi perserved the emperor title, recieved annual payment from the ROC Gov't, and had rights to live in the Forbidden City, be protected by an imperial troop, grant noble and honorary titles, maintain certain gov't organs in the Forbidden City mainly for management of the Forbidden City and other palaces, management of imperial familes, etc.
"Inside the Forbidden City...still flew the Dragon Flag of the Qing Dynasty [pictured above] while the republican flag was flown outside. People in the Forbidden City still wore the Qing official suits and used the Qing calender system. Even in 1922 when the emperor got married, his wife was called empress. It was not until 1924 that the emperor was forced to leave the Forbidden City by a faction of the ROC army.
"The treaty signed in 1911 was revised unilaterially by the ROC Gov't that abolished the emperor title of Puyi, his right to live in the Forbidden City and other related arrangements. Puyi didn't recognize the revised treaty and set up an 'office-in-exile' in his residence in the Japanese settlement (leased territory) in Tianjin municipality. Finaly in 1932, he set up the Manchuko (State of Manchuria) Gov't in northeast China under the support of Japan and soon became [a] Japanese puppet state. Details can be found in the book Twilight in the Forbidden City, written by Sir Reginald F. Johnson who had been Puyi's teacher from 1919 to 1924. [The book is the basis for the film The Last Emperor.] Although historical and not micronation-related, since I cannot find a smiliar case like this, I think is is worth to note."
The Forbidden City is 720,000 square meters in area.
Wikipedia Listings:
Forbidden City
Aisin-Gioro Puyi (aka Aixinjuelo Puyi or Henry Pu Yi, The Last Emperor of China)
See Territory of the WALLIS AND FUTUNA Islands
GIBRALTAR [British Overseas Territory]
A shipping, offshore banking and international conference center, with a rich history and tourist attractions, all in a tiny enclave of 6.5 sq. km attached to Spain.
Flag icon, designed by Jim Watt, appears courtesy of Gibnet.com.
See TRISTAN DE CUHNA
GRENADA [British Protectoriate]
See SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Bailiwick of GUERNSEY [British Crown Dependency}
Also known as the Guernsey Channel Islands.
Guernsey is the last remnant of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The largest of these islands are Alderny, Herm and Sark.
See also ALDERNY, HERM, SARK
National Trust of Guernsey
Guernsey Tourism Board
Island Life (Commercial information site)
Department of GUADELOUPE [French Overseas Territory]
(Actual flag unknown.)
See PITCAIRN Islands
Island of HERM [British Crown Dependency]
A small island of the Guernsey Bailiwick (approx 2.5 km long and 0.8 km wide). This is a tourism site run by the island's residents (All 50 of them).
See also GUERNSEY
See VATICAN CITY
HONG KONG Special Administrative Region (of the People's Republic of China)
(XIANGGANG Tebie Xingzhengqu)
A former British Crown Colony in China, it reverted to the P.R.C. in 1997, but is granted a limited form of self-government.
See TRISTAN DE CUHNA
Bailiwick of JERSEY [British Crown Dependency]
Officially part of Channel Islands (but not the Guernsey Chanel Islands), this is only British territory ever captured by Germany in World War 2.
According to Spencer Pryor (who holds a Bailiwick of Jersey passport), concerning the differences between the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey:
"Both sets of islands are entirely self governing (Each of Guernsey's offshore islands, Alderney and Sark have their own parliaments and governments) with the exception of defense and foreign representation. Even then Jersey funds and maintains a TA battalion of the British Army - Royal Jersey Militia. OK most of the wealth comes from tax haven activities but it's (reasonably) well regulated. There is an excellent health service and a good quality of life."
See COCOS (KEELING) Islands
See CYPRUS
Formerly the Gilbert Islands, these 33 coral atolls (of which 21 are inhabited) comprise 811 square kilometers.
KOSRAE Island
See Federated States of MICRONESIA
See CYPRUS
See Republic of LEBANON
Republic of LEBANON (Lebanese Republic)
[Al-Jumhuriyya al-LUBNANIYYA, LUBNAN]
At 10,400 sq. km., about 70% the size of Connecticut, this secular constitutional republic, bordered by Syria and Israel is one of the larger "small" states.
A group calling itself the "Lebanese Foundation for Peace" claims to be an exile government.
Al-Jumhuriyya al-LUBNANIYYA
See Republic of LEBANON
The only aristocratic grand duchy (a territory ruled by a Grand Duke, instead of Prince or King) still functioning as a sovereign nation.
MACAU Special Administrative Region (of the People's Republic of China)
(AOMEN Tebie Xingzhengqu, Regiao Administrativa Especial de MACAU)
A former Portuguese colony in China, it reverted to the P.R.C. in 1999, but is granted a limited form of self-government.
Sovereign Military Order of MALTA (Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta, S.M.O.M.) [Ecclesiatical Sovereign Entity]
Federal Association USA of the S.M.O.M.
Full Official name:
Del Sovrano Militare Ordine Ospedaliero di San Giovanni di Gerusalemme di Rodi e di Malta
(The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta)
The S.M.O.M. is an ancient organization founded under the aegis of the Roman Catholic church during the Crusades to protect pligrims on their way to the Holy Land. It now functions as a Catholic charitable organization (running a number of hospitals throughout the world), and enjoys limited diplomatic status as a "sovereign entity", complete with passports, coinage (via the world's smallest national mint), license plates (via a special contract with the Italian government), an (unofficial) amateur radio license prefix (1A0) and a post office (Postage stamps are a major source of income). The S.M.O.M. headquarters, consisting of a building and courtyard in Rome, Italy, is officially the world's smallest self-governing sovereign territory (roughly twice the size of a standard tennis court, small enough to have a mailing address*), and exchanges ambassadors and diplomatic representatives with over 80 countries.
To quote the website: "After the loss of the island of Malta, the Order settled permanently in Rome, Italy, in 1834. Its two headquarters, granted with extraterritoriality, are the Palazzo Malta in Via dei Condotti 68 - where the Grand Master resides and Government Bodies meet - and the Villa Malta on the Aventine. The latter hosts the Grand Priory of Rome, the Embassy of the Order to the Holy See and the Embassy of the Order to the Italian Republic."
On August 24, 1994, the S.M.O.M was granted Permenant Observer Status in the United Nations, allowing them to participate in the discussions of the U.N. General Assembly.
*Mailing Address:
Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta
Palazzo Malta
Via dei Condotti 68
Rome 00165
ITALY
See FALKLAND Islands
Isle of MAN [MANNIN](Self-governing British Crown territory)
Isle of Man Guide (Commercial site)
While under the British Crown, Man is officially not part of the United Kingdom. Because of this, Man enjoys a unique tax system that welcomes high-technology businesses and offshore banking.
See also:
Celtic Congress
Celtic League
Celtic League - American Branch [CLAB]
Republic of the MARSHALL ISLANDS
Territorial Collectivity of MAYOTTE [French Territory]
CIA Database Listing
(Mayotte has no flag of it's own, and officially uses the French tri-color.)
Autonomous City of MELILLA
[Spanish enclave on Morocco's north coast]
Website is in Spanish.
Federated States of MICRONESIA (Chuuk [Truk], Kosrae, Pohnpei [Ponape] & Yap Islands)
[Self-governing state in free association with the USA]
(Formerly the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
(Commercial Micronesian Site)
(Flag from CIA World Factbook)
See Federated Collectivity of SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON
Principality of MONACO (Monte Carlo)
This is the most densly populated country in the world, and despite being better known as a gambling resort and tax-haven for the wealthy (as well as being smaller than New York City's Central Park), is rich in history and heritage. The late Princess Grace (mother of His Serene Highness, Prince Albert) was originally known as Hollywood actress Grace Kelly.
MONTSERRAT
This small island nation has been beset by disasters brought on by volcanic activity.
At 21 sq. km. (about 1/10th the size of Washington, DC), this is the smallest independent republic in the world. However, the country has been environmentally and economically devastated by decades of unchecked phosphate mining, and now faces total collapse. In 2001, Nauru agreed to accept asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries who had been travelling by boat to Australia. In exchange, Nauru receives US$10,600.000 in annual aid from Australia.
On 9 March 2003, President Bernard Dowiyogo, who had served 6 terms, died in Washington, DC, of complications from a heart operation (He was in the USA on official business). He was 57, and like many of his fellow Nauruians, was diabetic.
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES [Netherlands Dependency]
NEVIS
See Federation of SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
See TRISTAN DE CUHNA
NIUE [Self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand]
NOTICE: On 7 January 2004, Cyclone Heta (registered at Force 5, the strongest a cyclone can reach) struck the island nation, devistaing the country's infrastructure. Many of the island's residents have chosen to emigrate to New Zealand. An article can be read here. Articles from the BBC can be read here.
Territory of NORFOLK ISLAND [Australian Dependency]
Turkish Republic of NORTHERN CYPRUS [Turkish-Claimed Territory in the Republic of Cyprus]
[Kibris (Türk Cumhuriyet)]
"The 1959-1960 Agreements of Zurich and London, which gave rise to the establishment of the binational Republic of Cyprus of 1960, as well as the Treaty of Guarantee of the same date signed by Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom and the two parties in Cyprus, specifically forbade the membership of Cyprus in international conglomerations. These include the European Union, of which Greece is a member, but Turkey is not.
"This was established to maintain the Greco-Turkish balance over the island and preserve stability. The impending unilateral membership of the Greek Cypriot administration in the European Union 'before a political settlement in Cyprus has been reached' threatens to destroy these regional checks and balances and divide Cyprus permanently."
Osman Ertug, Representative
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
"The Turkish army invaded Cyprus on 20 July 1974.
"Turkey announced that the invasion was a "peace-keeping operation" to restore the constitutional order disrupted when a Greek military coup overthrew the Cyprus government. Turkey claimed she was acting in compliance with the terms of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.
"The invading forces landed off the northern coast of the island around Kyrenia. By the time a cease fire was agreed three days later, Turkish troops held 3% of the territory of Cyprus. Five thousand Greek Cypriots had fled their homes.
"Following the invasion, the junta which was in power in Greece at the time, collapsed and Mr Constantine Karamanlis was recalled from self-imposed exile in Paris to form a new government. In Cyprus, Nicos Samson, the man whom the junta had set up as President, surrendered power to the President of the House of Representatives, Mr Glafcos Clerides, pending the return of the island's constitutionally elected President, Archbishop Makarios, who had fled abroad to save his life during the coup.
"On 14 August and despite the fact that talks were still being held in Geneva and just as agreement seemed about to be reached, the Turkish army mounted a second full-scale offensive, thereby belying Turkey's original pretext that it was invading in order to restore constitutional order, in view of the fact that constitutional order had already been restored.
"By the end of the offensive, Turkey increased its hold to include the booming tourist resort of Famagusta and the rich citrus-growing area of Morphou. All in all almost 36% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus came under Turkish military occupation, an area Turkey still holds today, despite international condemnation.
"The advance halted on a line which was almost precisely the one proposed by Turkey as the demarcation of partition in 1965. This line has come to be known as the Attila line, named after the military codename 'Attila' which Turkey gave to the invasion operation, thereby identifying it with the chieftain of the Huns known as 'the scourge of God'.
"As a result, 28% of the Greek Cypriots were turned into refugees in their own country and 70% of the economic potential of Cyprus came under military occupation. Moreover, thousands of people, including civilians, were killed or ill-treated by the Turkish invaders.
"There are still 1493 Greek Cypriots missing as a result of the Turkish invasion, many of whom were held in Turkish custody. Following the invasion the Turkish government embarked on a policy of bringing in large numbers of Anatolian settlers into the occupied area, while at the same time systematically expelling the lawful Greek Cypriot inhabitants from their homes. Currently 546 mostly elderly people remain enclaved in the occupied area.
"On 1 November 1974, the UN General Assembly unanimously passed the first of many resolutions calling all states to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus. It urged the speedy withdrawal of all foreign troops, the continuation of intercommunal talks and that urgent efforts be taken to ensure the safe return of refugees to their homes.
"Intercommunal talks resumed in 1975. In December, of the same year, the UN Security Council adopted a new resolution on Cyprus extending, once more, its peace-keeping force's (UNFICYP) mandate. At the fifth round of talks, held in Vienna in February 1976, it was agreed that an exchange of written proposals on the territorial and constitutional aspects of the problem should be presented to the then UN Special Representative in Cyprus, Mr Javier Perez de Cuellar. The Greek Cypriot side submitted detailed proposals, demanding the return of the Turkish occupied area to its lawful inhabitants.
"The Turkish Cypriot proposals, however, envisaged the continued division of Cyprus. A new recourse to the United Nations General Assembly was made by the Cyprus Government in November 1976. This resulted in the General Assembly calling on the Security Council to initiate steps for the implementations of previous UN resolutions on Cyprus."
(Thanks to "Hussan" for bringing this to my attention.)
"Mersin 10, TURKEY"
Mersin is the neighboring province to the north in Turkey, and "10" implies that the TRNC is its tenth county. (Thanks to Frank de Cruz.)
See TOKELAU Islands
See PITCIARN Islands
PITCAIRN ISLANDS (Ducie, Henderson, Oeno & Pictairn Islands) [British Overseas Territory]
One of the most remote territories in the world, these islands are populated mostly by decendents of the 1789 mutineers of the HMS Bounty and their Tahitian and Tubuan wives. With only 50 inhabitants, it recently registered it's own internet domain (.pn).
Pitcairn Islands Philatelic Bureau
Pitcairn Island Tourism
See TRANS-DNIESTER
See Democratic Republic of SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
See Federated States of Micronesia
See Federated States of Micronesia
See East Timor
Commonwealth of PUERTO RICO [Commonwealth of the United States]
(Flag from Mooney's Mini Flags)
While Puerto Rico is self-governing and represents itself as a sovereign entity in the Olympic Games, it is officially part of the United States.
Official Government Website (In Spanish)
Puerto Rico Herald (On-Line Newspaper)
Puerto Rico On-Line Resource Center
Puerto Rico Statehood Website
Puerto Rico-USA Citizenship Foundation
U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico
Presently, I have found two sites dealing with Puerto Rican independence, but only one is in English.
Puerto Rico Indepenedence FAQ's (English & Spanish)
Puerto Rican Independence Party (Spanish only)
(AltaVista Online Translator)
RED CRYSTAL
See International Committee of the RED CROSS
International Committee of the RED CROSS [International Humanitarian Organization with Limited Diplomatic Status]
"The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Movement in situations of conflict. It also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement." - from the website
In 1990, the ICRC was granted observer status in the United Nations. The flag is a reversal of the color pattern of the flag of Switzerland, the country where the ICRC is based.
The Red Crescent symbol and flag are used in Moslem countries. A third, culturally neutral symbol, the Third Protocol Emblem, also known as the Red Crystal, was adopted on 8 December 2005. This is to be used in addition to the existing flags, but not as a replacement for them.
SAINT HELENA [Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom]
Order of SAINT JOHN OF JERUSALEM, KNIGHTS HOSPITALER [Ecclesiatical Sovereign Entity]
(Alternative Website)
This organization is different from that of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
The following text comes from an e-mail by Dr. Marshall Voris of the OSJ, who explains the differences better than I could.
"The real distinction occurred in 1798 when the Hospitallers lost Malta to Napoleon. Russia had been negotiating a treaty with the Hospitallers for a warm water port and when the knights left Malta a large group went to Russia where they were received by Emperor Paul I. The Grand Master who surrendered the Island of Malta was voted out of the role and the knights elected Paul I as Grand Master, much to the chagrin of the Vatican. The Vatican eventually accepted him after the previous Grand Master resigned, and Paul made overtures to the Pope to help him against Napoleon."
"Prior to Paul's assassination, he established under his authority as Grand Master a Russian Grand Priory for non-Catholics. In Russia for period of time there was a Catholic Russian Grand Priory and an Orthodox Russian Grand Priory. Rome then began demanding money from the Russian Orthodox Priory and they refused. Rome got incensed that someone would challenge their authority and threatened the Russian Orthodox Priory. The response of the Russians was to outlaw the Catholic Russian Grand Priory and left the Orthodox Grand Priory in place."
"For almost 75 years the Roman and Orthodox branches of the Hospitallers existed in a family feud. In 1875, the Pope installed a Catholic as the Grand Master. At that time the Russians asked to unite the two branches. Rome refused, saying only Catholics could be in the Roman Grand Priory."
"The Russian Grand Priory continued in a comfortable existence until 1917 when the Revolutions drove the knights into exile under threat of death. In 1928, the remaining knights gathered in Paris and rewrote their constitution to accommodate the new circumstances in which they existed."
"The Russian Grand Priory has been in existence since 1798 and is engaged in works around the world on the model of the SMOM's. However, lacking the Vatican support and dealing with the hostility of the SMOM's, the Russian Grand Priory has kept a low profile, even though its Sovereignty is recognized and affirmed beginning with Czar Paul I and continuing today with its permanent observer status at the UN."
"It is a sovereign entity that chooses at the present not to exercise its Sovereignty in the modern context, such as claiming diplomatic status, but it defends its sovereignty vigorously when attacked."
Federation of SAINT KITTS and NEVIS
Federated Collectivity of SAINT PIERRE and MIQUELON [Territorial Holdings of France]
These two islands off the eastern coast of Canada are France's last territorial holdings in North America.
The flag on the right is used unofficially.
Independent Principality of SAINT VALENTINE
The link to this website from this page has been removed.
Please go to the Warnings and Notices Page for full information.
See SAINT VALENTINE
SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES [British Protectoriate]
Independent State of SAMOA
(Formerly Western Samoa)
A fully sovereign, self-governing enclave within Italian borders.
Other related websites:
Guida Servizi Repubblica di San Marino
Omniway
NOTE: All these sites are in Italian.
Democratic Republic of SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE (CIA Database Listing)
Isle of SARK [British Crown Dependency]
This small island (5.45 sq km/2.1 sq mi) is a self-governing British crown dependency, with its own set of laws based on Norman law and its own parliament, although for some administrative purposes it is considered a part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Until the 2008 Chief Pleas Reformation it was Europe's last feudal government. Sark has no airport and the entire island is a car-free zone.
See also GUERNSEY
Sark Tourism
Sue Daly's wildlife film "Wild Sark" (25 minutes)
Republic of SAUGEAIS
Listing has been moved to Self-Proclaimed States.
Principality of SEALAND
Because of the number of related links, this country has been given its own page.
Republic of SOUTH OSSETIA (Former Soviet Georgia)
South Ossetia is a disputed region and partly recognized state in the South Caucasus, located in the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Wikipedia listing
See FRENCH POLYNESIA
TIMOR LOROSA'E
See EAST TIMOR
See Republic of TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
TOKELAU Islands (Islands of Atafu, Fakaofo & Nukunonu)
[Self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand]
(CIA Database Listing)
Informational Website (South Pacific Organizer)
(According to Flags of the World, the flag on the right is used unofficially.)
(Thanks to David Stanley.)
The only pacific island that was never colonized by a foreign power. This is where all those ".to" domains are from.
TRANS-DNIESTER [Self-Proclaimed Sovereignty/Disputed Territory]
(Dniester Republic, Dnitstr, Pridnestrov'e, Transnistria, Transdniester Moldavian Republic)
Self-proclaimed republic, founded by ethnic Russians on the shores of the Dniester river, that has broken off from Moldova (Trans-Dniester's capital city is Tiraspol). The sedition was brought about when ethnic Russians opposed the use of Moldavian (Romanian) as the official language.
No nation has recognized Trans-Dniester as of yet, but it does have a notable history, a national currency, and a number of related websites:
Trans-Dniester Republican Bank (English language page)
Article on east-west-wg.org
Pridnestrovie.net
VisitPMR (Tourist Information Website)
Flags of the World listing
More websites can be found on the Links page at Pridnestrovie.Net.
Thanks to John R. Scharff for the tip.
TRANSDNIESTER MOLDAVIAN REPUBLIC
See TRANS-DNIESTER
TRISTAN DE CUHNA (Gough, Inaccessable, Nightingale and Tristan de Cuhna Islands)
[Administration of Saint Helena]
This is a private, informational website run by Brian Baldwin, Administrator, Tristan da Cunha.
(Actual flag is unknown.)
" The main island, Tristan da Cunha, is the remotest inhabited island in the world. Its nearest neighbour is St. Helena 2,334 kms to the North while Cape Town is 2,778 kms to the East. ... There is only one inhabited area. This is Edinburgh of the Seven Seas on Tristan. It is a small village of just under 300 people, the total population of Tristan da Cunha. It was named in 1867 after Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (second son of Queen Victoria) who visited in August that year as commander of the
frigate 'Galatea'." - from the website
TRUK Island
See Federated States of MICRONESIA
See Federated States of Micronesia
Republic of TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
TURKS AND CAICOS Islands [Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom]
TUVALU [British protectoriate]
This island nation earns considerable money with the revenues from its internet domain of ".TV".
(CIA Database Listing)
UNITED NATIONS [Inter-Governmental Organization with Limited Diplomatic Status]
While not a "country" per se, the U.N. does have diplomatic status, issues
postage stamps* (but not its own currency), license plates and passports (a "Laissez-Passer" chiefly for official business, and a "U.N. Certificate" chiefly for refugees), and its offices, especially their international headquarters in New York City, are diplomatically recognized as international zones, including their college in Santa Ana, Costa Rica, the University for Peace, where a shortwave radio station, Radio For Peace International (RFPI), operated until recently.
(*Via special arrangements with the postal authorities of Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.)
See Virgin Islands of the United States
Republic of VANUATU
(Tourist Information Site)
VATICAN CITY (Holy See, The Vatican, Vatican State) [Theocratic City-State]
The headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, and a sovereign nation (a mere 108.5 acres, or 0.439 square kilometers) within borders the City of Rome, complete with a post office and shortwave radio station. It issues license plates, mints its own coins (as of 2002, it uses the Euro), and is also the smallest country to have an internet domain registration (".va").
The following is from fellow micropatriologist, DD Ting [revisions in brackets are mine]:
"The sovereignty of the Holy See and that of [the] State of Vatican City are in fact two different concepts. Sovereignty of the Holy See does not derive from the State of Vatican City established in 1929 under the Treaty of Lateran but from its unique status and history.
"Even without any land and population between 1870 and 1929, the Holy See could maintain its status as a sovereign entity and diplomatic relations with other states. This is like the situation of the [Sovereign Military] Order of Malta (SMOM) since 1812. Even in [the] UN, it is the Holy See that assures the status of observer buut not the State of Vatican City. In a book, Inside the Vatican by George Bull (Hutchison, 1st published 1982), he said according to provisions in revelent international law and international treaties, [the] Vatican serves mainly as a Pontifical sovereignty. However, the State of Vatican City [does] not have Ministry of Foreign Affairs or organs with equivilent status. Diplomats of [the] Vatican hold passports issued by the Holy See but not by the State of Vatican City, although passports of the latter do exist and [are issued] to certain people (chapter 5). Organizations of the Holy See and the administration of [the] State of Vatican City are independant to each other and are responsible to the Pope respectively (chapter 2)."
DD Ting also suggests these links:
Holy See Mission
Website of permamant Observer of the Holy See to [the] UN, clarifying the usual confusion of the concept of Holy See and the City State
U.S. Department of State Background Notes on the Holy See, providing information on the Holy See and that on the City State respectively.
A privately issued report: "The Questionable Status of the Holy See at the United Nations: A Church Disguised as a Nation"
VIRGIN ISLANDS of the United States [Unincorporated, organized territory of the United States]
Territory of the WALLIS AND FUTUNA Islands [French Overseas Territory]
See Independant State of SAMOA
See HONG KONG Special Administrative Region
YAP Islands
See Federated States of MICRONESIA
Republic of ICELAND (Lydhveldidh ISLAND)
At 103,000 sq km (total land and water), it is too large for "micronation" status, but its population of 280,798 (2003 est.) is less than that of many major US cities.
This is a 30,355 sq km land-locked enclave within the Republic of South Africa.
A former British protectoriate in the South Pacific Ocean, consisting of 27,540 sq km (total land and water).
Graphic courtesy of AdBusters
Icon generated via NHacks.
