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All countries big and small

Afghanistan Hamid Karzai became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan.	Albania Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy.
Algeria Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962.	Andorra The Andorran government is now a parliamentary democracy.
Angola Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975.	Antigua and Barbuda The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.
Argentina Argentina's independence from Spain was attained in 1816.	Armenia Independence from the Soviet Union gained in 1991.
Aruba Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.	Australia Six British colonies were federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.
Austria A 1955 treaty recognized Austria's independence.	Azerbaijan Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Bahamas British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Attaining independence from the UK in 1973.	Bahrain In February 2001, Bahraini voters approved the National Action Charter.
Bangladesh Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan.	Barbados The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966.
Belarus After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991.	Belgium Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II.
Belize Belize (formerly British Honduras) gained independence in 1981.	Benin Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century.
Bermuda Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English headed for Virginia.	Bhutan Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947.
Bolivia Named after independence fighter Simon Bolivar, Bolivia broke from Spanish rule in 1825.	Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia came in March, 1992.
Botswana Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966.	Brazil Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822.
Brunei In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984.	Bulgaria Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent in 1908.
Burkina Faso Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960.	Burma Burma attained independence in 1948.
Burundi Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only one hundred days in office.	Cambodia Cambodia became independent within the French Union in 1949 and fully independent in 1953.
Cameroon The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country.	Canada A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown.
Cape Verde Cape Verde independence: 1975.	Central African Republic The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960.
Chad Chad was part of France's African holdings until 1960.	Chile
China	Colombia Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830.
Comoros Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975.	Congo Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo.
Cook Islands Named after Captain Cook.	Costa Rica Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development.
Cote d'Ivoire Close ties to France, the development of cocoa production, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire prosperous.	Croatia Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.
Cuba The subsequent Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence, which was granted in 1902 after a three-year transition period.	Cyprus A former British colony, Cyprus received independence in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule.
Czech Republic In 1993, Czechoslovakia split into two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.	Denmark Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power.
Djibouti The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977.	Dominica Native Caribs of Dominica were fierce resistors to foreign rule.
Dominican Republic Santo Domingo attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844.	East Timor In 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an independent state.
Ecuador The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Colombia and Venezuela).	Egypt Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II.
El Salvador El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839.	Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest countries on the African continent.
Eritrea Eritrean independence was approved in 1993.	Estonia Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Ethiopia The ancient Ethiopian monarchy more or less maintained its freedom from foreign rule.	Fiji Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony.
Finland Finland won its complete independence in 1917.	France France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations.
Gabon Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence from France in 1960.	Gambia The Gambia gained independence in 1965.
Georgia Georgia was part of the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.	Germany As Europe's largest economy and most populous nation, Germany remains a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations.
Ghana Ghana became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence.	Greece Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829.
Grenada One of the smallest independent countries in the western hemisphere, Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983.	Guatemala The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala during the first millennium A.D.
Guinea Guinea has had only two presidents since 1958.	Guinea Bissau Since independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable upheaval.
Guyana Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, but until the early 1990s it was ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments.	Haiti Haiti became the first black republic to declare its independence in 1804.
Honduras Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821.	Hungary In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow.
Iceland Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly.	India Nonviolent resistance brought about Indian independence in 1947.
Indonesia Indonesia declared its independence after Japan's surrender.	Iran Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced into exile.
Iraq Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932.	Ireland A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom.
Israel Following World War II Israel regathered as a nation.	Italy Italy became a nation-state in 1861.
Jamaica Jamaica gained full independence within the British Commonwealth in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence and a drop off in tourism.	Japan In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate brought in a long period of isolation from foreign influence.
Jordan For most of its history since independence from British administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-99).	Kazakhstan The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. Independence in 1991 caused many of these newcomers to emigrate.
Kenya Named for founding president and independence leader Jomo Kenyatta.	Kiribati The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati.
Kuwait Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961.	Kyrgyzstan A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Laos Laos was under the control of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century.	Latvia Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
Lebanon Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions since 1991 and the end of the devastating 15-year civil war.	Lesotho Basutoland became the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence in 1966.
Liberia 2003 peace agreement ended 14 years of civil war.	Libya Colonel Muammar Qadhafi's political system, is the Third Universal Theory.
Liechtenstein The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806.	Lithuania March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to shout independence.
Luxembourg Luxembourg was founded in 963.	Macedonia International recognition of Macedonia's independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols.
Madagascar Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896, but regained its independence in 1960.	Malawi Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964.
Malaysia In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957.	Maldives The Maldives became a republic in 1968, 3 years after independence.
Mali The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent in 1960 as the Mali Federation.	Malta Malta became independent in 1964.
Marshall Islands The Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986.	Mauritania Mauritania became independent in 1960.
Mauritius Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was attained in 1968.	Mexico The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early in the 19th century.
Micronesia In 1979 Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US qdministration, adopted a constitution.	Moldova Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Independence from the USSR since 1991.
Monaco Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino.	Mongolia Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing.
Morocco In 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956.	Mozambique Mozambique won independence in 1975.
Namibia In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for Namibia.	Nauru Nauru achieved independence in 1968 and joined the UN in 1999. Nauru is the world's smallest independent republic.
Nepal Nepalese reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy.	Netherlands The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815.
New Zealand The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907.	Nicaragua Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century.
Niger Not until 1993, 33 years after independence from France, did Niger hold its first free and open elections.	Nigeria Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed.
North Korea Korea was occupied by Japan in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War.	Norway A 1905 referendum granted Norway independence.
Pakistan Separated in 1947 from British India.	Palau Independence in 1978.
Panama Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903.	Papua New Guinea Independence in 1975.
Paraguay In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large important areas were won from Bolivia.	Peru Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations such as that of the Incas.
Philippines In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth.	Poland Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century.
Portugal Portugal lost its status with the destruction of Lisbon in the 1755 earthquake, Napoleonic Wars occupation, and Brazil's independence.	Qatar Qatar has been ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid 1800s.
Romania Romania gained its independence in 1878.	Russia In December 1991 the USSR broke into 15 independent republics.
Rwanda In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king.	Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983.
Saint Lucia Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979 from UK.	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979.
Samoa The islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century.	San Marino According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marino in 301 A.D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy.
Sao Tome and Principe Independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s.	Saudi Arabia In 1902, al-Rahman Al Saud captured Riyadh.
Senegal Sudan Independent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982.	Serbia and Montenegro The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918. Named Yugoslavia in 1929.
Seychelles A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976.	Sierra Leone
Singapore Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent.	Slovakia The Slovaks and the Czechs separated peacefully on 1 January 1993.
Slovenia Dissatisfied with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991	Solomon Islands Self-government was achieved from UK in 1976 and independence two years later.
Somalia In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool.	South Africa The 1990s brought an end to apartheid rule.
South Korea Korea was an independent kingdom under Chinese suzerainty for most of the past millennium.	Spain Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England.
Sri Lanka As Ceylon, it became independent from British 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972.	Suriname Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975.
Swaziland Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968.	Sweden A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries.
Switzerland The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499.	Syria Syria was administered by the French until independence in 1946.
Taiwan	Tajikistan Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union and has now completed its transition from the civil war that plagued the country from 1992 to 1997.
Tanzania Shortly after independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964.	Thailand A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century.
Togo French Togoland became Togo in 1960.	Tonga Tonga acquired its independence from British in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Trinidad and Tobago The islands came under British control in the 19th century; independence was granted in 1962.	Tunisia Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib BOURGUIBA established a strict one-party state.
Turkey Modern Turkey was founded in 1923.	Turkmenistan Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1924. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.
Tuvalu the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978.	Uganda Uganda won independence from the UK in 1962.
Ukraine Ukraine was the center of the first Slavic state. Final independence for Ukraine was achieved in 1991.	United Arab Emirates These six states came together to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1971: Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn.
United Kingdom The British Empire once stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface.	United States United States of America has been around since 1776.
Uruguay Uruguay secured its freedom in 1828.	Uzbekistan Uzbekistan has been independent since 1991.
Vanuatu The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980.	Venezuela Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830.
Vietnam Vietnam became part of French Indochina in 1887. The French were later pushed out by Communist forces under Ho Chi Minh, who took control of the North.	Yemen North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. South Yemen became known as such in 1967.
Zambia Northern Rhodesia became known as Zambia upon independence in 1964.	Zimbabwe In 1965 the government of Zimbabwe unilaterally declared its independence.