Other Unrecognized States

1.Palestine

Demographic information:

the State of Palestine had population of 4,420,549 people in 2013. Within an area of 6,220 square
kilometres (2,400 sq ​m​i​), there is a population density of 731 people per square kilometre. 93% of
Palestinians are Muslim, the vast majority of whom are followers of the Sunni branch of Islam, with a
small minority of Ahmadiyya, and 15% being non denominational Muslims.​ ​Palestinian Christians
represent a significant minority of 6%, followed by much smaller religious communities, including Druze
and Samaritans.

History of the region:

Palestine is a small region of land—roughly 2,400 square miles—that has played a prominent role in the
ancient and modern history of the Middle East. Violent attempts to control land have defined much of the
history of Palestine, making it the site of constant political conflict. Arab people who call this territory home
are known as Palestinians, and the people of Palestine have a strong desire to create a free and
independent state in a contested region of the world that’s considered sacred by many groups.

Current situation:
Palestinians are still fighting for an official state that’s formally recognized by all countries. Although
Palestinians occupy key areas of land, including the West Bank and the Gaza strip, large populations of
Israelis continue to settle in these locations. Many international rights groups consider these settlements
illegal, the borders aren’t clearly defined, and persistent conflict continues to be the norm. In May 2017,
leaders of Hamas presented a document that proposed the formation of a Palestinian state using the
1967 defined borders, with Jerusalem as its capital. However, the group refused to recognize Israel as a
state, and the Israeli government promptly rejected the plan.

2. Kosovo

Demographic information:

According to the Statistical Office of Kosovo, the country's population is estimated to be between 1.9
and 2.2 million with the following ethnic composition, 92% Albanian people, 4% Serb people, 2%
Bosniak people and Gorani people, 1% Turkish people and Romani people. According to the 2011
Census, 95.6% of the population of Kosovo are Muslims. 3.69% of the population are Catholic and
an equal number or up to 5% Orthodox ​History of the region.
Current situation:

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008.​ ​As of 17 February 2018, 113 UN
states recognise its independence, including all of its immediate neighbours, with the exception of
Serbia. Since declaring independence, it has become a member of the international institutions such
as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, though not of the United Nations.

3. Taiwan

Demographic information:

Taiwan's population is about 23.4 million

History of the region:

In 1945, following the end of World War II, the Republic of China (ROC), led by the Kuomintang (KMT),
took control of Taiwan. In 1949, after losing control of mainland China in the Chinese Civil War, the ROC
government under the KMT withdrew to Taiwan and Chiang Kai-shek declared martial law. The KMT
ruled Taiwan (along with Kinmen, Wuqiu and the Matsu Islands on the opposite side of the Taiwan Strait)
as a single-party state for forty years, until democratic reforms in the 1980s, which led to the first-ever
direct presidential election in 1996. During the post-war period, Taiwan experienced rapid industrialization
and economic growth, and was known as one of the "Four Asian Tigers".

Current situation:
Taiwan is the most populous state and largest economy that is not a member of the United Nations.

4. N. Korea/S. Korea

Demographic information:

The combined population of the Koreans is about 76 million (North Korea: 25 million, South Korea:
51 million). Korea is chiefly populated by a highly homogeneous ethnic group, the Koreans, who
speak the Korean language. Worldwide, there are up to 80 million speakers of the Korean language.
South Korea has around 50 million speakers while North Korea around 25 million.

History of the region:

In 1945, the Soviet Union and the United States agreed on the surrender of Japanese forces in
Korea in the aftermath of World War II, leaving Korea partitioned along the 38th parallel. The North
was under Soviet occupation and the South under U.S. occupation. These circumstances soon
became the basis for the division of Korea by the two superpowers, exacerbated by their incapability
to agree on the terms of Korean independence.

Current situation:
Tensions between the two resulted in the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. With involvement by
foreign troops, the war ended in a stalemate in 1953, but without a formalized peace treaty. This
status contributes to the high tensions that continue to divide the peninsula.
To date, each country contends that it is the sole legitimate government of all of Korea; they refuse
to recognize the other as legitimate.

5. Cyprus

Demographic information:

Cyprus had a total population of 573,566; of whom 442,138 (77.1%) were Greeks, 104,320 (18.2%)
Turkish, and 27,108 (4.7%) others. 94.8% of the population are Eastern Orthodox, 0.9% Armenians
and Maronites, 1.5% Roman Catholics, 1.0% Church of England, and 0.6% Muslims. There is also a
Jewish community on Cyprus. The remaining 1.3% adhere to other religious denominations or did
not state their religion.

History of the region:

In 1960 Cyprus became independent of Britain (it had been a crown colony since 1925) as the 
Republic of Cyprus. The long-standing conflict between the Greek Cypriot majority and the 
Turkish Cypriot minority and an invasion of the island by Turkish troops in 1974 produced an 
actual—although internationally unrecognized—partition of the island and led to the 
establishment in 1975 of a de facto Turkish Cypriot state in the northern third of the country. 
The Turkish Cypriot state made a unilateral declaration of independence in 1983 and adopted 
the name Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Its independence was recognized only by 
Turkey.

Current situation:

6. Somaliland

Demographic information:

99% islamic, 3.5 million inhabitants

History of the region:

A breakaway, semi-desert territory on the coast of the Gulf of Aden, Somaliland declared independence
after the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barre in 1991.​ ​The move followed a secessionist
struggle during which Siad Barre's forces pursued rebel guerrillas in the territory. Tens of thousands of
people were killed and towns were flattened.Though not internationally recognised, Somaliland has a
working political system, government institutions, a police force and its own currency.

Current situation:

recently, although somaliland isn't officially recognized it has its own govwith police force and all erment

7. Western Sahara

Demographic information: typically muslim. Population (603,253)

History of the region: annexexed by morroco in 1975, typically

Current situation: currently still in conlict.