This is a list of sovereign states in the 1870s, giving an overview of states around the world during the period between 1 January 1870 and 31 December 1879. It contains entries, arranged alphabetically, with information on the status and recognition of their sovereignty. It includes widely recognized sovereign states, entities which were de facto sovereign but which were not widely recognized by other states.
| Name and capital city | Information on status and recognition of sovereignty | |
|---|---|---|
| ---- | ||
A | ||
| ---- | ||
| Abuja - Abuja Emirate Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Afghanistan - Emirate of Afghanistan Widely recognized independent state to 24 May 1879. De-jure British protected state from 24 May 1879. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Agadez - Tenere Sultanate of Aïr[1] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Andorra - Principality of Andorra[2] Widely recognized independent state. The President of France and Bishop of Urgell were ex officio Co-Princes of Andorra. The defense of Andorra was the responsibility of France and Spain. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Angoche - Angoche Sultanate[3] | ||
| ---- | ||
| Ankole - Kingdom of Ankole[4] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Annam - Empire of Annam Widely recognized state. Internal imperial system within Chinese tributary. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Anziku - Anziku Kingdom Widely recognized state to 1875. Annexed by France in 1875. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Argentine Republic[5] | ||
| ---- | ||
| Aro - Aro Confederacy Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Asante Union[6] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Aussa - Sultanate of Aussa[7] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Austro-Hungarian Empire[8] Capital: Vienna (Cisleithania), Budapest (Transleithania)Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
B | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Grand Duchy of Baden Widely recognized state to 18 January 1871. State of the North German Confederation to 18 January 1871. Became part of the German Empire on 18 January 1871. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Baguirmi - Kingdom of Baguirmi[9] Tributary state of the Bornu Empire. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bali - Kingdom of Bali Widely recognized state. Bali was a series of kingdoms that ruled the island of Bali. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Baol - Kingdom of Baol[10] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of Barotseland[11] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of Bavaria Widely recognized state to 18 January 1871. State of the North German Confederation to 18 January 1871. Became part of the German Empire on 18 January 1871. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of Belgium[12] Widely recognized state. Belgium has sovereignty over 1 condominium: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Beni Abbas - Kingdom of Beni Abbas Widely recognized state to 1872. Annexed by France in 1872. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of Benin[13] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bhutan - Kingdom of Bhutan Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Biu - Biu Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bolivia - Republic of Bolivia Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bora Bora - Kingdom of Bora Bora[14] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bornu - Bornu Empire[15] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Brakna - Brakna Emirate Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Brazil - Empire of Brazil Brazil was a federation of 20 states and one federal district. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Brunei - Sultanate of Brunei Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Buganda - Kingdom of Buganda Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bulgaria - Principality of Bulgaria [16] De facto independent, and de jure vassal state under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bukhara - Emirate of Bukhara[17] Widely recognized state to 1873. Annexed by Russia in 1873. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bulungan - Sultanate of Bulungan Widely recognized state. Vassal state of Sulu. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Bunyoro - Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Burma - Kingdom of Burma[18] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Burundi - Kingdom of Burundi Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Busoga - Kingdom of Busoga Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
C | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Dominion of CanadaWidely recognized state. Commonwealth realm. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Cayor - Kingdom of Cayor Widely recognized state to 1879. Incorporated to French West Africa in 1879. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Champasak - Kingdom of Champasak[19] Widely recognized state. Vassal state of Siam. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Chile - Liberal Republic of Chile[20] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Chokwe - Chokwe Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| → - Great Qing EmpireWidely recognized state. China had sovereignty over the following territories: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Colombia - United States of ColombiaWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Costa Rica - Republic of Costa Rica Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
D | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dagbon - Kingdom of DagbonWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dahomey - Kingdom of Dahomey[21] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dai Nam - Dai Nam Realm Widely recognized state. Tributary state of China. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Damagaram - Sultanate of Damagaram Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dar al Kuti - Sultanate of Dar Al Kuti[22] Widely recognized state. Vassal state of Dar Runga. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Darfur - Sultanate of Darfur Widely recognized state to 1874. Conquered by Mahdist Sudan in 1874 | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of Denmark Widely recognized state. Denmark had sovereignty over the following overseas territories: | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Emirate of Dhala Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dominican Republic - Second Republic Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Dosso - Dosso Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
E | ||
| ---- | ||
 Ecuador - Republic of Ecuador Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| → → El Salvador - Republic of El Salvador Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Ethiopia - Ethiopian EmpireWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
F | ||
| ---- | ||
| Fadhli - Fadhli Sultanate[23] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Fante - Fante Confederacy Widely recognized state to 1874. Incorporated into the Gold Coast in 1874. | ||
| ---- | ||
| France Widely recognized independent state. France had sovereignty over the following overseas territories:
| ||
| ---- | ||
| Futa Jallon - Imamate of Futa Jallon Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
G | ||
| ---- | ||
| Garo - Kingdom of Garo Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gaza - Gaza Empire[24] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Geledi - Sultanate of the Geledi Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gera - Kingdom of Gera Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| – German Empire Widely recognized state from 18 January 1871. The German Empire consisted of 25 constituent states and an imperial territory. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gomma - Kingdom of Gomma Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gowa - Sultanate of Gowa Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Greece - Kingdom of Greece Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| → Guatemala - Republic of GuatemalaWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gumma - Kingdom of Gumma Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Gyaaman - State of Gyaaman Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
H | ||
| ---- | ||
| Ha'il - Emirate of Jabal ShammarWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Haiti - Republic of Haiti[25] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Harar - Emirate of Harar Widely recognized state to 1875. Client state of the Khedivate of Egypt from 1875. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Hawaii - Kingdom of Hawaii Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Hesse-Darmstadt - Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine Widely recognized state to 18 January 1871. State of the North German Confederation to 18 January 1871. Became part of the German Empire on 18 January 1871. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Hobyo - Sultanate of Hobyo Widely recognized state from 1878. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Republic of Honduras Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Huahine - Kingdom of Huahine Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Hunza - State of Hunza Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
I | ||
| ---- | ||
| Igala - Igala Kingdom[26] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Igara - Kingdom of Igara Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Ilé-Ifẹ̀ - Ilé-Ifẹ̀ Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Isaaq - Isaaq Sultanate Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of ItalyWidely recognized independent state. | ||
| ---- | ||
J | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Empire of Japan Widely recognized state. Japan had sovereignty over the following overseas territories: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Jimma - Kingdom of Jimma Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Jolof Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
K | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kaarta - Kingdom of Kaarta Capital: Diangounté, Nioros Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kabulistan - Kingdom of Kabul Widely recognized state to 12 October 1879. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kaffa - Kingdom of Kaffa Capital: Bonga, Anderaccha Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kajara – Kajara Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kakongo - Kingdom of Kakongo Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kalat - Khanate of Kalat Widely recognized state to 1875. Incorporated to British India in 1875. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kano - Emirate of Kano Widely recognized state. Vassal of the Sokoto Caliphate | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kasanje - Jaga Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kathiri - Hadhrami Kathiri Dynasty in Seiyun Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kebbi - Kebbi Emirate Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kénédougou - Kénédougou Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Khasso - Kingdom of Khasso Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Khiva - Khanate of Khiva Widely recognized state to 12 August 1873. Annexed by Russia in 12 August 1873. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kokand - Khanate of Kokand Widely recognized state to 19 February 1876. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kong - Kong Empire Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kongo - Kingdom of Kongo Vassal of the Kingdom of Portugal. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Korea - Kingdom of Great Joseon Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Koya Temne - Kingdom of Koya Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Kuba - Kingdom of Kuba Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
L | ||
| ---- | ||
| Lafia Beri-Beri - Lafia Beri-Beri Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Republic of Liberia Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Principality of Liechtenstein Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Limmu-Ennarea - Kingdom of Limmu-Ennarea Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Loango - Kingdom of Loango Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Lower Yafa - Sultanate of Lower Yafa Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Luba - Luba Empire Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Lunda - Luba Empire Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
M | ||
| ---- | ||
| Maguindanao - Sultanate of Maguindanao Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mahra - Sultanate of Mahra Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Majeerteen Sultanate - Majeerteen Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Maldives - Sultanate of Maldive Islands Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mangareva - Kingdom of Mangareva Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Manipur - Kingdom of Manipur Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Maravi - Kingdom of Maravi Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Matabeleland - Matabele Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mbunda - Mbunda Kingdom Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Merina - Kingdom of Imerina Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mexico Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Principality of Monaco Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Principality of MontenegroWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
 Morocco - Sultanate of Morocco Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mossi Kingdoms – Mossi Empire Widely recognized independent state. The following are a number of different kingdoms that make up the Mossi Empire: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mthwakazi - Kingdom of Mthwakazi Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Sultanate of Muscat and Oman De jure independent state. De facto a British protectorate. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Mutayr - Emirate of Mutayr Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
N | ||
| ---- | ||
| Negeri Sembilan Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Nejd – Emirate of Nejd Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Nepal - Kingdom of Nepal Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Kingdom of The Netherlands Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Nicaragua - Republic of Nicaragua Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Niue - Kingdom of Niue-Fekai Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | North German Confederation Widely recognized state to 18 January 1871. Incorporated to the German Empire on 18 January 1871. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Nri - Kingdom of Nri Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Nshenyi - Nshenyi Kingdom Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
O | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Obwera - Obwera Kingdom Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Onitsha - Onitsha Kingdom Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Oron - Oron Nation Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Orungu - Kingdom of Orungu [27] Widely recognized state to 1873. Annexed by France in 1873. | |
| ---- | ||
| - Sublime Ottoman StateWidely recognized state. The following are autonomous territories of the Ottoman Empire: | ||
| ---- | ||
| Oyo - Oyo Empire Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
P | ||
| ---- | ||
| Pahang - Sultanate of Pahang Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Papal States - State of the Church Widely recognized state. Annexed by the Kingdom of Italy on 20 September 1870. | ||
| ---- | ||
| - Republic of Paraguay Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Pate - Pate Sultanate Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Patani - Sultanate of Patani[28] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Perak - Sultanate of Perak Widely recognized state. Annexed by the United Kingdom on 20 January 1874. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Persia - Sublime State of Persia Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
Widely recognized state to 2 November 1879. De facto independent state from 2 November 1879. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Portugal - Kingdom of PortugalWidely recognized state. The following are colonies, vassal state and possession of Portugal: | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Potiskum - Potiskum Emirate Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
Q | ||
| ---- | ||
| Qu'aiti - Qu'aiti Sultanate of Shihr and Mukalla[29] Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
R | ||
| ---- | ||
| Raiatea - Kingdom of Raiatea Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Rapa Nui - Kingdom of Rapa Nui Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Rarotonga - Kingdom of Rarotonga Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Romania - Romanian United Principalities Widely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Rujumbura - Rujumbura Kingdom Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Rukiga - Rukiga Kingdom Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| Russia - Russian EmpireWidely recognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Rwanda - Kingdom of Rwanda Widely recognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
States claiming sovereignty | ||
| Aceh - Sultanate of Aceh Protectorate of the Ottoman Empire. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Assiniboia – Provisional Government of Assiniboia Unrecognized state, Provisional Government. Claimed by the Dominion of Canada. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Cartagena – Canton of Cartagena Unrecognized state. Claimed by the First Spanish Republic. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Cuba - Republic of Cuba Unrecognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Fiji - Kingdom of Fiji Unrecognized state. Claimed by the United Kingdom on 10 October 1874. | ||
| ---- | ||
| valign=top | Goust – Republic of Goust Unrecognized state. | |
| ---- | ||
| Málaga – Canton of Málaga Unrecognized state. Claimed by the First Spanish Republic. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Paris – Paris Commune Unrecognized state. Claimed by the French Republic. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Tamrash – Republic of Tamrash Unrecognized state. Self-governing administrative structure of the Pomaks. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Valencia – Canton of Valencia Unrecognized state. Claimed by the First Spanish Republic. | ||
| ---- | ||
| Xibei San Ma Unrecognized state. | ||
| ---- | ||
| → Yettishar - Kingdom of Kashgaria Unrecognized state. Vassal of the Ottoman Empire from 1873 to 18 December 1877. | ||
| ---- | ||
South African Republic Transvaal