W RLD
STATESMEN.org
|
About World Statesmen.org
| Welcome to World Statesmen.org
World Statesmen.org is an encyclopedia
of the heads of state and heads of government and, in certain cases,
de facto leaders occupying neither of those formal positions, of all countries
and territories of the world. Subdivisions of some countries are
presented including traditional polities, provinces, and states. This site
also includes lists of the leaders of international, religious, and United
States governmental organizations.
This site would not be possible without
the help of Bob Hilkens, author of States
and Regents of the World, Alexander Kunde, Juan Jorge Schaffer,
Dr. John DaGraca (author of Heads of State and Government), Jaume
Olle, and Daniel Trigaux in addition to the many contributors cited in
the contributors page. I would
like to thank everyone very much for their help and commitment to making
this site more complete and accurate.
World Statesmen.org will be updated frequently
and the editor welcomes and appreciates comments, corrections and additions.
This site will always be a work in progress, there will always be more
information to collect, new countries and provinces to add, and leaders
to include. Items are that still needed on the Data
Needed page, please have a look and contribute if you have access to
any of this data. If you would like to use any material on this site
for any reason or link to this site contact me to obtain permission. Finally,
any financial contributions, via secure PayPal,
will help to maintain this site,
pay for internet access and research materials.
This site is dedicated to my step-brother,
Carl Dye II (b. 1976 - d. 2004), U.S.M.C.
Below is explanation of the abbreviations,
conventions, noble titles as well as a visual explanation of layout of
a typical country page.
Thank you for visiting, return often
and tell a colleague.
-Ben
Cahoon |
Conventions
DATES: All dates since 1700 are given in the Gregorian calendar ("new
style") as opposed to Julian ("old style") dates or other calendar systems,
unless otherwise noted. The introduction of the Gregorian calendar, proclaimed
by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, was not universally accepted and took time
for many nations to pass legislative acts for switching to New Style. Transfers
occurred after 1582 in: Austria (1584), Transylvania (1590), Duchy of Prussia
(1612), Denmark-Norway, Brandenburg (1700), Switzerland (1701), Tuscany
(1750), Great Britain and colonies (1752), Sweden (1753), Japan (1873),
China (1912 confirmed 1929), Albania (1913), Bulgaria (1916), Russia (1918),
Yugoslavia (1919), Greece (1923), Romania (1924), and Turkey (1927) (click here for more on this topic).
(?) The question mark is used where an exact year of the
beginning or end of a term is approximately known, The question mark is
also used to indicate dates at which the person is known to have been in
office, e.g., "1924? - 1925?" means the term began in 1924 or earlier and
ended in 1925 or later or if the identity of the person is in question
"Ralph Dryer?".
(f) Indicates a female ruler when a title is non-gender
specific. Therefore, (f) would follow a female President "Tarja Halonen
(f)", of Finland or former after British Prime minister "Margaret Thatcher
(f)". This abbreviation does not follow the names of Queen Elizabeth
II, Empress Catherine II, Grand Duchess Charlotte, or Abbess Maria von
Retchburg for example, because these titles explicitly convey the holders
gender.
c. = Circa, i.e. the approximate year. This is used when
historical records are uncertain or in conflict.
bf. = Before, af. = After. These are used where
slightly more than an approximate date is indicated.
b. = year Born, d. = year Died;
s.a. = See
Above, s. b.
= See Below. Please note that some given
birth years may be questionable, as different sources often give contradictory
information. In cases where birth or death year are unclear, the date is
followed by a question mark (i.e., "1923?"), however, this does not
mean that the year is guaranteed to be 100% correct when there is no question
mark. When only a birth year is given, it should not be taken for granted
that the person is indeed still alive, i.e. (b. 1898) with no death date.
est. = Estimate(d).
a.k.a = Also Known As
(....) = When
date(s) or name(s) are unknown the ellipsis is used.
N/A = data Not Available or unknown.
Abbreviations for the Months: Jan =
January; Feb = February;
Mar = March; Apr = April;
May;
Jun = June; Jul = July; Aug
= August; Sep = September; Oct = October; Nov = November;
Dec = December
Abbreviations of International
Organizations and Agreements
| Abbreviation |
Organization or Agreement |
| ABEDA |
Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa; Banque Arabe de Developpement
Economique en Afrique (BADEA), est. 18 Feb 1974 |
| AC |
Arctic Council, est. 18 Sep 1996 |
| ACC |
Arab Cooperation Council, est. Feb 1989, inactive from 1991, dissolved 1994 (North Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt) |
| ACCT |
Agency for
the French-Speaking Community; est. 1970, from Dec 1998 OIF. |
| ACP |
African, Caribbean,
and Pacific Group of States, est. 1975 |
ACTO
|
Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization; Organización del Tratado de Cooperación Amazónica (OTCA), est. 1995.
|
| ADB |
Asian Development Bank, est. 1966 |
| AfDB |
African
Development Bank; Banque Africaine de Developpement (BAD), est. 1964 |
| AFESD |
Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, est. 16 May 1968 |
| AG |
Australia Group, est. Jun 1985 (also abbreviation Andean Group 1969-1992) |
| AL |
Arab League,
also known as League of Arab States (LAS), est. 1945 |
ALADI
|
see Latin American Integration Association (LAIA)
|
| AMF |
Arab Monetary Fund, est. 2 Feb 1977 |
| AMU |
Arab Maghreb
Union, est. 1989 |
| ANT |
Antarctic Treaty, est. 1961 |
| ANZUS |
Australia-New Zealand-United States Security Treaty, est.1951
(US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 Aug 1986)
|
| APEC |
Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation, est 1989 |
| APM |
(Anti-Personnel Mine Convention/Mine-Ban Convention) Convention on
the Prohibition
of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on Their Destruction, est. 1 Mar 1999. |
| ARF |
ASEAN Regional Forum, est. 25 Jul 1994 |
AsDB
|
see: ADB (Asian Development Bank)
|
| ASEAN |
Association of Southeast
Asian Nations, est 1967 |
| AU |
African Union, est. 2001, formerly OAU 1963-2001 |
| BA |
Baltic Assembly, est. 12 May 1990 |
BAFTA
|
Baltic Free Trade Area, 1 Apr 1994 - 1 May 2004 (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania).
|
| BCIE |
Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI);
Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico, est. 31 May 1961 |
| BDEAC |
Central African States Development Bank; Banque de Developpement
des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale, est. 3 Dec 1975. |
| Benelux |
Benelux Economic Union, (Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands), est. 1958 |
| BIMSTEC |
Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation,
est. Jun 1997. |
| BIS |
Bank for International Settlements, est. 17 Mar 1930 |
| BSEC |
Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, est. 25 Jun 1992 |
| BTWC |
Biological (Biologic) and Toxin Weapons Convention, est. 26 Mar 1975. |
| C |
The Commonwealth,
formerly the known as the British Commonwealth, est. 1931 |
| CACM |
Central American Common Market, est. 13 Dec 1960, collapsed 1969, reinstated in 1991. |
| CAEU |
Council of Arab Economic Unity, est. 3 Jun 1957; effective 30 May 1964.
|
CAFTA
|
Central American Free Trade Agreement, est. 25 Aug 2005.
|
| CAN |
Andean Community
of Nations, Comunidad Andina de Naciones (CAN), formerly
known as the Andean Group (AG) est. 1969 and Andean Common Market (Ancom), as CAN from 1992. |
| CAP |
Central
American Parliament; Parlamento Centroamericano (a.k.a. Parlacen), est. 1991 |
| Caricom |
Caribbean Community
and Common Market, est. 1973 |
| CBSS |
Council of the Baltic Sea States, est. 6 Mar 1992 |
| CCC |
Customs Cooperation Council, est. 15 Dec 1950, from 1994 WCO. |
| CDB |
Caribbean Development Bank, est. 2 Jan 1970 |
| CE |
Council of Europe, est. 1949 |
| CEEAC |
Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS); Communaute
Economique des Etats d’Afrique Centrale (CEEAC) est.18 Oct 1983, inactive
1992-1999. |
CEFTA
|
Central European Free Trade Agreement, est. Jul 1994, re-founded 1 May 2007
|
| CEI |
Central European Initiative, est. 11 Nov 1989 (Quadrilateral Initiative
1989-91, 27 July 1991 became the Hexagonal Initiative, Jul 1992 present
name was adopted) |
| CEMAC |
Monetary and Economic Community of Central Africa; formerly 1 Jan 1966 -16 Mar 1994
Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC). |
| CENTO |
Central Treaty Organization,
also know as Middle East Treaty Organization or MENTO
1955-1979. |
| CEPGL |
Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries; Communaute Economique
des Pays des Grands Lacs (CEPGL), est. 20 Sep 1976, collapsed 1998, reactivated in 2006. |
| CIS |
Commonwealth of Independent
States, est. 1991 |
CMA
|
Common Monetary Area or Common Monetary Area, est.1986, replaced the
(South African) Rand Monetary Area.
|
| CMEA |
Council for Mutual
Economic Assistance; also known as Comecon
1949-1 Jan 1991, members: Afghanistan (observer), Albania,
Angola (observer), Bulgaria, Cuba,
Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia (observer), East Germany, Hungary,
Laos (observer), Mongolia, Mozambique
(observer), Nicaragua (observer), Poland, Romania, USSR,
Vietnam, South Yemen (observer),
Yugoslavia (associate) |
| COCOM |
Coordinating Committee on Export Controls; 1949-31 Mar 1994 (members:
Australia,
Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, West Germany, Greece, Italy,
Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, U.K., U.S.) COCOM
members established a new organization, the Wassenaar Arrangement, with expanded
membership on 12 Jul 1996 that focuses on non-proliferation export controls
as opposed to East-West control of advanced technology |
| COMESA |
Common Market for
Eastern and Southern Africa, est. 8 Dec 1994; formerly PTA |
| CP |
Colombo Plan, est. 1951 |
| CPLP |
Community of Portuguese
Language Countries; Comunidade dos Países de Língua
Portuguesa (CPLP), est. 1996 |
| CSCE |
Conference on Security
and Cooperation in Europe; from 1 Jan 1995 OSCE |
| CSN |
South American Community of Nations; Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones/
Comunidade Sul-Americana de Nações (CSN),
est. 8 Dec 2004, name changed
16 Apr 2007 to Union of South American Nations (Unión de Naciones Suramericanas/União Sul-Americana de Nações).
|
CSTO
|
Collective Security Treaty Organization, est. 7 Oct 2002; formerly CIS Collective
Security Treaty
|
| CTBT |
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, opened for signature 24 Sep 1996
(not yet in force).
|
CTBTO
|
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization, preparatory commission for CTBT established 17 Mar 1997 in Vienna, Austria.
|
CWC
|
Chemical Weapons Convention, est. 29 Apr 1997.
|
| D-8 |
Developing Eight (Muslim states), est.15 Jun 1997. |
DBSA
|
Development Bank of Southern Africa, est. 30 Jun 1983, reconstituted 1997.
|
| DC |
Danube Commission
est.18 Aug 1948. |
| EAC |
East African
Community, est. 1967, dissolved 1977, reactivated 1996. |
| EADB |
East African Development Bank, est. 1 Dec 1967 |
EAEC
|
Eurasian
Economic Community, est. 2001
|
| EAPC |
Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council; began as the North Atlantic Cooperation
Council (NACC), est. 8 Nov 1991 |
| EAS |
East Asia Summit, est.14 Dec 2005 |
| EBRD |
European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development, est. 1991 |
| ECO |
Economic Cooperation Organization, est. Jan 1985 |
| ECOWAS |
Economic Community
of West African States, est. 1975 |
ECOSA
|
Economic Community of Southern Africa 21 Nov 1988 - 26 Apr 1994
(Bophuthaswana, Ciskei, South Africa, Transkei and Venda).
|
| EFTA |
European Free Trade
Association, est. 1960 |
| EIB |
European Investment Bank, est .1 Jan 1958 |
| ENMOD |
Convention on the Prohibition of
Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques (Environmental Modification Treaty), est. 5 Oct 1978. |
EMU
|
Economic and Monetary Union (also called European Economic and Monetary Union,
or European Monetary Union)
|
| EU |
European Union,
evolved from the European Community (EC), est. 1958, EU from 1993. |
| EURASEC |
see Eurasian
Economic Community (EAEC) |
| FAO |
Food and Agriculture
Organization, est. 1945 |
| G-3 |
Group of 3, est. Sep 1990 |
G-5
|
Group of 5, est. 22 Sep 1985
|
| G-6 |
Group of 6, also known as Groupe des Six Sur le Desarmement, est. 22 May 1984 |
| G-8 |
Group of 8, est. Oct 1975 |
| G-9 |
Group of 9 |
| G-10 |
Group of 10, also known as the Paris Club, est. Oct 1962 |
| G-11 |
Group of 11, also known as the Cartagena Group, est. Jun 1984 |
| G-15 |
Group of 15, est. Sep 1989 |
| G-19 |
Group of 19 (held several sessions 1975-1977) |
G-20
|
Group of 20, G-20 of industrial
nations, which superseded the Group of 33, which had itself superseded the
G22, est. 26 Sep 1999; and also known as the G-20 of developing nations;
est. Sep 2003 also variously called G-21.
|
| G-24 |
Group of 24, est. 1 Aug 1989 |
| G-30 |
Group of 30, est. 1978 |
| G-33 |
Group of 33, superseded the Group of 22 in 11 Mar 1999. |
| G-77 |
Group of 77, est. 15 Jun 1964 |
| GATT |
General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade; est. 1948, from 1 Jan 1995 WTO |
| GCC |
Gulf Cooperation Council,
also known as the Cooperation Council for the
Arab States of the Gulf, est. 1981 |
GCTU
|
General Confederation of Trade Unions, est. 16 Apr 1992
|
| GUAM |
Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova group
of states GUUAM est. 10 Oct 1997; Uzbekistan withdrew in 5 May 2005,
from then named GUAM.; from 22 May 2006 renamed GUAM Organization for Democracy
and Economic Development |
| IADB |
Inter-American
Development Bank; Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo
(BID), est. 1959 |
| IAEA |
International Atomic
Energy Agency, est. 1957 |
| IBEC |
International Bank for Economic Cooperation, Oct 1963-1992;
(members: Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, East Germany,
Hungary, Mongolia,
Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam) |
| IBRD |
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, also known as
the World Bank, est. 1945 |
| ICAO |
International Civil
Aviation Organization, est. 1947 |
| ICC |
International Chamber of Commerce, est. 1919 |
| ICCt |
International
Criminal Court, est. 2002 |
| ICFTU |
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 7 Dec 1949-31 Oct 2006; from 3 Nov 2006, ITUC. |
| ICJ |
International Court
of Justice also called the World Court; formerly PCIJ (1922-1946) |
| ICPC |
International Criminal Police Commission; from 1956
International Criminal
Police Organization (Interpol) |
| ICRC |
International
Committee of the Red Cross |
| ICRM |
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, began in 1863, formally from 1928 |
| IDA |
International Development Association, est. 1960 |
| IDB |
Islamic
Development Bank, est. 1976 |
| IEA |
International Energy Agency, est. 15 Nov 1974 |
| IFAD |
International Fund
for Agricultural Development, est. 1974 |
| IFC |
International Finance Corporation, est. 24 Jul 1956 |
| IFCTU |
International Federation of Christian Trade Unions (1920-1968), from
4 Oct 1968 WCL |
IFRCS
|
International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; 1919-1991 LORCS
|
IGAD
|
Inter-Governmental
Authority on Development, formerly
Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), est. 1986.
|
IHO
|
International Hydrographic Organization; 1921 - 22 Sep1970 International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB), est.1921.
|
IIB
|
International Investment Bank, 1970-1992;
(members: Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, East Germany,
Hungary, Mongolia, Poland, Romania,
USSR, Vietnam).
|
ILO
|
International Labor
Organization, est. 1919
|
IMF
|
International Monetary
Fund, est. 1945
|
IMO
|
International Maritime
Organization (from 1982), 1958-1982 Intergovernmental
Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO).
|
IMO
|
International Meteorological Organization. est. 1873, renamed 1947 World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
|
IMSO
|
International Mobile Satellite Organization; abbreviated as Inmarsat to 15 Apr 1999.
|
Inmarsat
|
International Mobile Satellite Organization, est. 16 Jul 1979;
IMSO from 15 Apr 1999 (Inmarsat continues as a private company).
|
InOC
|
Indian Ocean
Commission; Commission de l'Océan Indien (COI), est. 1982
|
Intelsat
|
International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, est. 20 Aug 1964;
ITSO from 18 Jul 2001 (Intelsat continues as a private company).
|
Interpol
|
International Criminal
Police Organization; formerly
International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC) (1923-1956)
|
Intersputnik
|
International
Organization of Space Communications, est.15 Nov 1971. formerly named International
Organization and System of Space Communications 1971-20 Sep 1976.
|
IOC
|
International Olympic
Committee
|
IOM
|
International Organization
for Migration; 1952-1980 Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration
(ICEM); 1980-1989 Intergovernmental Committee for
Migration (ICM).
|
IPU
|
Inter-Parliamentary
Union; formerly named Inter-Parliamentary Bureau for
Permanent Arbitration 1892-1922.
|
IsDB
|
see: IDB (Islamic
Development Bank)
|
ISESCO
|
Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, est. May 1982.
|
ISO
|
International Standards Organization or International Organization
for Standardization
(members, subscribers and correspondents), est. Feb 1947; formerly the
International Federation of the National Standardizing Associations (ISA) 1926-1942.
|
ITSO
|
International Telecommunications Satellite Organization;
abbreviated as Intelsat until 18 Jul 2001.
|
ITU
|
International Telecommunication
Union, est. 1865
|
ITUC
|
International Trade Union Confederation, est. 3 Nov 2006, formerly ICFTU and WCL.
(representing 305 member unions in 153 countries)
|
KP
|
Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCC), est. 11 Dec 1997
|
LAES
|
Latin American and Caribbean Economic System; Sistema Economico Latinoamericano y del Caribe (SELA), est. 17 Oct 1975
|
LAIA
|
Latin American Integration Association; Asociacion Latinoamericana
de
Integracion (ALADI), est. 18 Mar 1981
|
LORCS
|
League
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (1919-1991); from 1991 IFRCS
|
LU
|
Latin Union; Unión Latina; Union Latine; Unione Latina; União
Latina;
Uniunea Latin; Unió Llatina; est. 15 May 1954.
|
Mercosur
|
Southern
Cone Common Market; Mercado Comun del Cono Sur, est. 1991
|
MIGA
|
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency; est.12 Apr 1988
|
MTCR
|
Missile Technology Control Regime, est. 16 Apr 1987
|
NAFTA
|
North American Free Trade Agreement; est. 17 Dec 1992
|
NAM
|
Non-Aligned Movement, est. 1961
|
NATO
|
North Atlantic Treaty
Organization, est. 1949
|
NC
|
Nordic Council, est. 1953
|
NEA
|
Nuclear Energy Agency, also known as OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, est. 1 Feb 1958
|
NIB
|
Nordic Investment Bank, est. 1 Jun 1976
|
NPT
|
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, est. 5 Mar 1970
|
NSG
|
Nuclear Suppliers Group, also known as the London Suppliers Group, est. 1975
|
NTBT
|
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; in full the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon
Tests
in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water, also called the
Limited
Test Ban Treaty (LTBT), est. 10 Oct 1963.
|
OAPEC
|
Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, est. 9 Jan 1968
|
OAS
|
Organization of American
States; 1910-1948 as Pan-American Union.
|
OAU
|
Organization
of African Unity; est. 1963, from 9 Jul 2002 African Union (AU)
|
OCAM
|
Organisation
Commune Africaine et Mauricienne; 1960-1965 as
Organisation Africain et Malagache de Coopération Economique
(OAMCE)
(dissolved 1985).
|
ODECA
|
Organization of Central American States, 1951-1973; Organización de Estados
Centroamericanos (ODECA)
|
OECD
|
Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development, 1948-1961 named
Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC)
|
OECS
|
Organization of Eastern
Caribbean States, est. 1981
|
OIC
|
Organization of the
Islamic Conference, est. 1969
|
OIF
|
International
Organization of the Francophonie; Organisation Internationale
du Francophonie (OIF); 1970 - Dec 1998 as ACCT.
|
OPANAL
|
Organization for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America
and
the Caribbean; Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares
en la America Latina y el Caribe (OPANAL), est. 25 Apr 1969.
|
OPCW
|
Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, est. 1997
|
OPEC
|
Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries, est. 1960
|
OSCE
|
Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe; 1973-1 Jan 1995 CSCE
|
OTCA
|
see ACTO
|
Parlacen
|
Central American Parliament: see under CAP.
|
PC
|
Pacific Community, to 6 Feb1997 SPC
|
PCA
|
Permanent Court of Arbitration, est. 29 Jul 1899
|
PCIJ
|
Permanent Court of International
Justice (1922-1946), from 1946 ICJ
|
PFP
|
NATO Partnership for Peace, est. 10 Jan 1994
|
PIF
|
Pacific
Islands Forum, to 27 Oct 2000 SPF
|
PTA
|
Preferential Trade Area for Eastern and Southern Africa (1981-1994),
from 8 Dec 1994 COMESA.
|
RCD
|
Regional Cooperation for Development, 1962-1979 (Iran, Pakistan, Turkey), from 1985
suceeded by ECO.
|
RG
|
Rio Group, formerly known as Grupo de los Ocho, est. 1988
|
SAARC
|
South Asian Association
for Regional Cooperation, est. 1985
|
SACEP
|
South Asia Co-operative Environment Program, est. 1983
|
SACU
|
Southern African Customs Union, est. 11 Dec 1969
|
SADC
|
Southern African Development
Community, est. 1992, founded as Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) in 1980.
|
SCO
|
Shanghai
Cooperation Organization, est. 2001
|
SEATO
|
South East Asia Treaty
Organization, 1955-1977
|
SECI
|
Southeast European Cooperative Initiative, est. 6 Dec 1996
|
SECOSAF
|
Secretariat for Multilateral Cooperation in Southern Africa, Nov 1982 - 1994
(Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, South Africa, Transkei and Venda).
|
SECP
|
Southeast European Cooperation Process, est. 6 Jul 1996
|
SEGIB
|
Ibero-American
Cooperation
Secretariat; Secretaría de Cooperación
Iberoamericana (SEGIB), est. 2005
|
SELA
|
see: Latin American Economic System (LAES)
|
SICA
|
Central American Integration System (CAIS); Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SICA), est. 13 Dec 1991.
|
signatory
|
indicates that country has signed agreement or treaty, but has not ratified
it.
|
SPC
|
South Pacific Commission; from 6 Feb 1997 Pacific Community
|
SPF
|
South Pacific
Forum; from 27 Oct 2000 Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
|
UDEAC
|
Central African Customs and Economic Union; Union Douaniere et Economique
de l'Afrique Centrale; est. 1 Jan1966, from 16 Mar 1994 CEMAC.
|
UIBPIP
|
United International Bureau for the Protection of Intellectual Property
(1892-1953), also known by French abbreviation "BIRPI"; from 1970 WIPO.
|
UN
|
United Nations, est. 1945
|
UNCLOS
|
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, est. 10 Dec 1982, entered into
force 16 Nov 1994.
|
UNCTAD
|
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, est. 30 Dec 1964
|
UNDP
|
United Nations Development Program, est. 22 Nov 1965; from 1965 - 1985 United Nations Industrial Development Program (UNIDP).
|
UNEP
|
United Nations Environment Program, est. 15 Dec 1972
|
UNESCO
|
United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization, est. 1946
|
UNFCC
|
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, est. 21 Mar 1994
|
UNFPA
|
United Nations Population Fund, (36 members selected on a rotating basis from all regions), est. Jul 1967
|
UNHCR
|
United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees; signatories to 28 Jul 1951 Convention
on the Status of Refugees
|
UNICEF
|
United Nations Children's
Fund, est. 1946
|
UNIDO
|
United Nations Industrial
Development Organization, est. 1967
|
UNIDP
|
United Nations Industrial Development Program, 1966 - 1985; from 1985 UNDP.
|
UNRWA
|
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East,
est. 8 Dec 1949
|
UNWTO
|
World
Tourism Organization, est. 1975, to1 Dec 2005 abbreviated WToO
|
UN
Security
Council
|
United Nations Security Council permanent members, est. 24 Oct 1945
|
UPU
|
Universal Postal Union, est. 9 Oct 1874
|
WADB
|
West African Development Bank; Banque Ouest-Africaine de Developpement
(BOAD), est. 14 Dec 1973
|
WAEMU
|
West African Economic and Monetary Union; Union Economique et Monetaire
Ouest Africaine (UEMOA), est. 1 Aug 1994
|
WCL
|
World Confederation of Labor; until 4 Oct 1968 International Federation of
Christian
Trade Unions (IFCTU), 9 Jun 1920-31 Oct 2006; from 3 Nov 2006, ITUC
|
WCO
|
World Customs Organization, est. 15 Dec 1950 as CCO, renamed WCO 1994.
|
WEU
|
Western European Union, est. 1955
|
WFC
|
World Food Council, est. Dec 1974
|
WFP
|
World
Food Program (36 members selected on a rotating basis from all regions), est. 1961
|
WFTU
|
World Federation of Trade Unions, est. 3 Oct 1945
|
WHO
|
World Health Organization, est. 1948
|
WIPO
|
World Intellectual
Property Organization, est. 1970
|
WMO
|
World Meteorological
Organization, est. 1947; formerly 1873-1947 as International Meteorological Organization (IMO).
|
WP
|
Warsaw Pact,
also known as Warsaw Treaty Organization (WTO), 1955-1991.
|
WTO
|
World Trade Organization (abbreviation of Warsaw Treaty Organization 1955-1991)
|
WToO
|
World
Tourism Organization, est. 1975, from 1 Dec 2005 abbreviated UNWTO.
|
ZC
|
Zangger Committee, created to establish guidelines for the export control provisions of
the Nuclear Weapons Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), est. 1971/74
|
|
National and Local Holidays
|
Country
|
National Holidays
|
|
Afghanistan
|
Independence Day, 19 August (1919)
|
|
Albania
|
Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
|
|
Algeria
|
Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)
|
|
American Samoa
|
Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
|
|
Andorra
|
Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
|
|
Angola
|
Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
|
|
Anguilla
|
Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)
|
|
Antigua and Barbuda
|
Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)
|
|
Argentina
|
Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)
|
|
Armenia
|
Independence Day, 21 September (1991)
|
|
Aruba
|
Flag Day, 18 March (1976)
|
|
Australia
|
Australia Day, 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day 25 April (1915) |
|
Austria
|
National Day, 26 October (1955)
|
|
Azerbaijan
|
Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918)
|
|
Bahamas, The
|
Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
|
|
Bahrain
|
National Day, 16 December (1971) |
|
Bangladesh
|
Independence Day, 26 March (1971); |
|
Barbados
|
Independence Day, 30 November (1966)
|
|
Belarus
|
Independence Day, 3 July (1944); |
|
Belgium
|
21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I
|
|
Belize
|
Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
|
|
Benin
|
National Day, 1 August (1960)
|
|
Bermuda
|
Bermuda Day, 24 May
|
|
Bhutan
|
National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
|
|
Bolivia
|
Independence Day, 6 August (1825)
|
|
Bosnia and Hercegovina
|
National Day, 25 November (1943)
|
|
Botswana
|
Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)
|
|
Brazil
|
Independence Day, 7 September (1822)
|
British Antarctic Territory
|
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
|
British Indian Ocean Territory
|
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
|
|
British Virgin Islands
|
Territory Day, 1 July (1956)
|
|
Brunei Darussalam
|
National Day, 23 February (1984) |
|
Bulgaria
|
Liberation Day, 3 March (1878)
|
|
Burkina Faso
|
Republic Day, 11 December (1958)
|
|
Burma
|
Independence Day, 4 January (1948);
Union Day, 12 February (1947)
|
|
Burundi
|
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
|
|
Cambodia
|
Independence Day, 9 November (1953)
|
|
Cameroon
|
Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)
|
|
Canada
|
Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
|
|
Cape Verde
|
Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
|
|
Cayman Islands
|
Constitution Day, first Monday in July (1959)
|
|
Central African Republic
|
Republic Day, 1 December (1958)
|
|
Chad
|
Independence Day, 11 August (1960)
|
|
Chile
|
Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
|
|
China
|
Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949)
|
|
Christmas Island
|
Territory Day, first Monday in October (1958)
|
|
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
|
Act of Self-Determination Day, 6 April (1984)
|
|
Colombia
|
Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
|
|
Comoros
|
Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
|
|
Congo (Kinshasa)
|
Independence Day, 30 June (1960)
|
|
Congo (Brazzaville)
|
Independence Day, 15 August (1960)
|
|
Cook Islands
|
Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
|
|
Costa Rica
|
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
|
|
Cote d'Ivoire
|
Independence Day, 7 August (1960)
|
|
Croatia
|
Independence Day, 8 October (1991) |
|
Cuba
|
Triumph of the Revolution, 1 January (1959)
|
|
Cyprus
|
Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as Independence Day
|
|
Czech Republic
|
Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918)
|
|
Denmark
|
Constitution Day, 5 June (1849)
|
|
Djibouti
|
Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
|
|
Dominica
|
Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
|
|
Dominican Republic
|
Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
|
|
East Timor
|
Independence Day, 28 November (1975)
|
|
Ecuador
|
Independence Day, 10 August (1809)
|
|
Egypt
|
Revolution Day, 23 July (1952)
|
|
El Salvador
|
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
|
|
Equatorial Guinea
|
Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
|
|
Eritrea
|
Independence Day, 24 May (1993)
|
|
Estonia
|
Independence Day, 24 February (1918) |
|
Ethiopia
|
National Day, 28 May (1991)
|
|
European Union
|
Europe Day 9 May (1950) |
|
Falkland Islands
|
Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
|
|
Faeroe Islands
|
Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July (1030)
|
|
Fiji
|
Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)
|
|
Finland
|
Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
|
|
France
|
Fete de la Federation (Bastille Day), 14 July (1790) |
French Guiana
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); Slavery Abolition Day, 10 June (1848)
|
|
French Polynesia
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); Internal Autonomy Day, 29 June (1984)
|
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
|
|
Gabon
|
Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968)
|
|
The Gambia
|
Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
|
|
Georgia
|
Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 23 July (1992) in Abkhazia; 12 December (1990) in South Ossetia |
|
Germany
|
Unity Day, 3 October (1990)
|
|
Ghana
|
Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
|
|
Gibraltar
|
National Day, 10 September (1967) |
|
Greece
|
Independence Day, 25 March (1821)
|
|
Greenland
|
June 21 (longest day), also Greenland Flag Day (1985)
|
|
Grenada
|
Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
|
Guadeloupe
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); Slavery Abolition Day, 27 May (1848)
|
|
Guam
|
Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
|
|
Guatemala
|
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
|
|
Guernsey
|
Liberation Day, 9 May (1945); 10 May (1945) in Sark; Homecoming Day, 15 December (1945) in Alderney
|
|
Guinea
|
Independence Day, 2 October (1958)
|
|
Guinea-Bissau
|
Independence Day, 24 September (1973)
|
|
Guyana
|
Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
|
|
Haiti
|
Independence Day, 1 January (1804)
|
|
Honduras
|
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
|
|
Hong Kong
|
National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of
China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region Establishment Day |
|
Hungary
|
Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August
|
|
Iceland
|
Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
|
|
India
|
Republic Day, 26 January (1950)
|
|
Indonesia
|
Independence Day, 17 August (1945)
|
|
Iran
|
Republic Day, 1 April (1979)
note:
additional holidays celebrated widely in Iran include Revolution Day, 11
February (1979); Noruz (New Year's Day), 21 March; Constitutional Monarchy
Day, 5 August (1925); and various Islamic observances that change in accordance
with the lunar-based hejira calendar |
|
Iraq
|
Revolution Day, 17 July (1968); note - this holiday was celebrated under
the Sadam Hussein regime; the Government of Iraq has yet to declare a new
national holiday |
|
Ireland
|
Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March (461)
|
|
Isle of Man
|
Tynwald Day, 5 July
|
|
Israel
|
Independence Day, 14 May (1948); |
|
Italy
|
Republic Day, 2 June (1946)
|
|
Jamaica
|
Independence Day, 6 August (1962)
|
|
Japan
|
Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)
|
|
Jersey
|
Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
|
|
Jordan
|
Independence Day, 25 May (1946)
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
Independence Day, 16 December (1991)
|
|
Kenya
|
Independence Day, 12 December (1963)
|
|
Kiribati
|
Independence Day, 12 July (1979)
|
|
Korea, North
|
Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)
|
|
Korea, South
|
Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)
|
|
Kuwait
|
National Day, 25 February (1950)
|
|
Kyrgyzstan
|
Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
|
|
Laos
|
Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
|
|
Latvia
|
Independence Day, 18 November (1918) |
|
Lebanon
|
Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
|
|
Lesotho
|
Independence Day, 4 October (1966)
|
|
Liberia
|
Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
|
|
Libya
|
Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
Assumption Day, 15 August
|
|
Lithuania
|
Independence Day, 16 February (1918) |
|
Luxembourg
|
National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June
|
|
Macau
|
National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of
China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau
Special Administrative Region Establishment Day |
|
Macedonia
|
Ilinden Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah's Day
|
|
Madagascar
|
Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
|
|
Malawi
|
Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)
|
|
Malaysia
|
Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957)
|
|
Maldives
|
Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
|
|
Mali
|
Independence Day, 22 September (1960)
|
|
Malta
|
Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
|
|
Marshall Islands
|
Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
|
Martinique
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); Slavery Abolition Day, 22 May (1848)
|
|
Mauritania
|
Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
|
|
Mauritius
|
Independence Day, 12 March (1968)
|
|
Mayotte
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
|
|
Mexico
|
Independence Day, 16 September (1810)
|
|
Micronesia, Federated States of
|
Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
|
|
Moldova
|
Independence Day, 27 August (1991); note - Day of the Republic, 2 September (1990) in Transdniester
|
|
Monaco
|
National Day, 19 November
|
|
Mongolia
|
Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)
|
|
Montenegro
|
National Day, 13 July (1878)
|
|
Montserrat
|
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
|
|
Morocco
|
Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)
|
|
Mozambique
|
Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
|
|
Namibia
|
Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
|
|
Nauru
|
Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
|
|
Nepal
|
note - in 2006 Parliament abolished the birthday of King GYANENDRA (7
July) and Constitution Day (9 November) as national holidays |
|
The Netherlands
|
Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession to
the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 April |
|
Netherlands Antilles
|
Queen's Day, 30 April; Antilles (Antillean) Day, 21 October |
|
New Caledonia
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); New Caledonia Day, 24 September (1853)
|
|
New Zealand
|
Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) |
|
Nicaragua
|
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
|
|
Niger
|
Republic Day, 18 December (1958)
|
|
Nigeria
|
Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)
|
|
Niue
|
Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840); Constitution Day, 19 October (1974)
|
|
Norfolk Island
|
Bounty Day, 8 June (1856)
|
|
Northern Mariana Islands
|
Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
|
|
Norway
|
Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
|
|
Oman
|
Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
|
|
Pakistan
|
Republic Day, 23 March (1956)
|
|
Palau
|
Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
|
Palestinian Authority
|
National Day, 15 November (1988)
|
|
Panama
|
Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
|
|
Papua New Guinea
|
Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
|
|
Paraguay
|
Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May annually)
|
|
Peru
|
Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
|
|
Philippines
|
Independence Day, 12 June (1898);
|
|
Pitcairn Islands
|
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926); Bounty Day, 23 January (1790)
|
|
Poland
|
Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)
|
|
Portugal
|
Portugal Day (Day of Portugal), 10 June (1580) |
|
Puerto Rico
|
US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)
|
|
Qatar
|
Independence Day, 3 September (1971)
|
Reunion
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); Slavery Abolition Day, 22 December (1848)
|
|
Romania
|
Unification Day, 1 December (1918)
|
|
Russia
|
Russia Day, 12 June (1990)
|
|
Rwanda
|
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
|
Saint Barthelemy
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); Saint Barthelemy Day, 24 August
|
|
Saint Helena
|
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926); Saint Helena Day, 21 May (1502)
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
Independence Day, 19 September (1983)
|
|
Saint Lucia
|
Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
|
Saint Martin (French)
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); Schoelcher (Slavery Abolition) Day, 12 July (1848)
|
|
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); Assumption Day, 15 August
|
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|
Independence Day, 27 October (1979)
|
|
Samoa
|
Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); |
|
San Marino
|
Founding of the Republic, 3 September (AD 301)
|
|
São Tome and Principe
|
Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
|
|
Saudi Arabia
|
Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
|
|
Senegal
|
Independence Day, 4 April (1960)
|
|
Serbia
|
National Day, 15 February (1804)
|
|
Seychelles
|
Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
Independence Day, 27 April (1961)
|
|
Singapore
|
National Day, 9 August (1965)
|
|
Slovakia
|
Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
|
|
Slovenia
|
Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
|
|
Solomon Islands
|
Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
|
|
Somalia
|
Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland
|
|
South Africa
|
Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)
|
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
|
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926); Possession Day, 17 January (1775)
|
|
Spain
|
National Day, 12 October (1492)
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
Independence Day, 4 February (1948)
|
|
The Sudan
|
Independence Day, 1 January (1956)
|
|
Suriname
|
Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
|
|
Swaziland
|
Independence Day, 6 September (1968)
|
|
Sweden
|
National Day (Flag Day), 6 June (1523)
|
|
Switzerland
|
Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)
|
|
Syria
|
Independence Day, 17 April (1946)
|
|
Taiwan
|
Republic Day, 10 October (1911)
|
|
Tajikistan
|
Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991)
|
|
Tanzania
|
Union Day, 26 April (1964)
|
|
Thailand
|
Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December (1927)
|
|
Togo
|
Independence Day, 27 April (1960)
|
|
Tokelau
|
Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840)
|
|
Tonga
|
Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
Independence Day, 31 August (1962)
|
|
Tunisia
|
Independence Day, 20 March (1956)
|
|
Turkey
|
Republic Day, 29 October (1923)
|
|
Turkmenistan
|
Independence Day, 27 October (1991)
|
|
Turks and Caicos Islands
|
Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)
|
|
Tuvalu
|
Independence Day, 1 October (1978)
|
|
Uganda
|
Independence Day, 9 October (1962)
|
|
Ukraine
|
Independence Day, 24 August (1991); 22 January (1918), the Unity Day |
|
United Arab Emirates
|
Independence Day, 2 December (1971)
|
|
United Kingdom
|
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
|
|
United States
|
Independence Day, 4 July (1776)
|
|
Uruguay
|
Independence Day, 25 August (1825)
|
|
Uzbekistan
|
Independence Day, 1 September (1991)
|
|
Vanuatu
|
Independence Day, 30 July (1980)
|
Vatican City
|
Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24 April (2005)
|
|
Venezuela
|
Independence Day, 5 July (1811)
|
|
Vietnam
|
Independence Day, 2 September (1945)
|
|
Virgin Islands
|
Transfer Day, 27 March (1917)
|
|
Wallis and Futuna
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); Territory Day, 29 July (1961)
|
Western Sahara
|
Independence Day, 29 February (1976)
|
|
Yemen
|
Unification Day, 22 May (1990)
|
|
Zambia
|
Independence Day, 24 October (1964)
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
Independence Day, 18 April (1980)
|
|
Page
Layout Explanation
|
![[Afghanistan Flag 1987-1992]](af-1987-92.gif)
![[Afghanistan Flag Apr - Dec 1992]](af-Apr1992-Dec92.gif)
![[Afghanistan flag 1992-2002]](afSince_1992.gif)
![[Afghanistan (Transitional Authority)]](af.gif)