Nagorno-Karabakh

  • Unrecognized states
  • Independence declared 1991
  • President Samvel Shahramanyan
  • Capital Stepanakert
  • Inhabitants 120,000
  • Area 4,400 km²

Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous and forested region in the South Caucasus. Internationally, it is recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but it is governed by an Armenian de facto government which declared independence in 1991. A war was fought from 1991-1994 and again in 2020, resulting in a major shift in the control of the territories. Since then, 2,000 Russian soldiers have been deployed as peacekeeping forces along the Lachin corridor connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. The blockade of this corridor that was launched in December 2022 has led to a humanitarian crisis for the population that remained in the area after the war. Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized by Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria.

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Somaliland

Somaliland is a self-declared state, internationally considered to be an autonomous region of Somalia. It lies in northwestern Somalia, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden. After the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barr, the former British protectorate declared independence in 1991. Somaliland is ranked as partly free by Freedom House, and maintains informal ties with some foreign governments. The de facto state issues its own money: the Somaliland shilling. However, Somaliland’s self-proclaimed independence remains unrecognized by any country or international organization.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of Spain. It is self-governing, with some responsibilities remaining with the British government. Spain also asserts a claim to Gibraltar, but the inhabitants have rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in several referendums. Gibraltar is strategically important, with half the world’s seaborne trade passing through the strait. Furthermore, it is one of the most densely populated territories in the world, with approximately 4,959 inhabitants per square kilometre. Its economy is based largely on tourism, online gambling, financial services and cargo ship refuelling. The Rock of Gibraltar is an iconic feature of the territory.

Rose Island

Rose Island was built in 1967 by Italian engineer Giorgo Rosa. It lies 11.6 kilometres off the shore of Rimini, just outside of Italy’s territorial waters. Rosa proclaimed himself president and declared the independence of ‘Respubliko de la Insulo de la Rozoj’ on 24th June, 1968. The platform hosted a restaurant, a nightclub, a bar, a souvenir shop and a post office. Self issued stamps functioned as currency on the island and were used by visiting tourists. The Italian government, who saw the platform’s activities as a form of tax-evasion, took control and destroyed the platform on 11th February, 1969.