The CIA World Factbook Edition 2003 Government

Country name In 35 editions of 36.

Country name was published in 35 editions of the CIA World Factbook, from 1990 to 2025. The 2003 edition carries it in 262 entries, in its Government section. Every entry is shown as that edition published it.

entries in the 2003 edition
262
the first edition with it
1990
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Country name” (1997 to 2025), “Long-form name” (1990 to 1992), “Names” (1993 to 1995) and “Name of country” (1996).

the entry has the field in that editionnot in that editionthe open editionEach entry below ends in its editions with Country name, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down; choose one in a row to read that edition’s text there.

Entries with Country name in each edition

19902000201020202025

Select a bar to open that edition.

Africa

62 entries

Algeria

conventional long form:
People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
conventional short form:
Algeria
local short form:
Al Jaza'ir
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah

Angola

conventional long form:
Republic of Angola
conventional short form:
Angola
local short form:
Angola
former:
People's Republic of Angola
local long form:
Republica de Angola

Bassas da India

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Bassas da India

Benin

conventional long form:
Republic of Benin
conventional short form:
Benin
local short form:
Benin
former:
Dahomey
local long form:
Republique du Benin

Botswana

conventional long form:
Republic of Botswana
conventional short form:
Botswana
former:
Bechuanaland

Burkina Faso

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Burkina Faso
former:
Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta

Burundi

conventional long form:
Republic of Burundi
conventional short form:
Burundi
local short form:
Burundi
local long form:
Republika y'u Burundi
former:
Urundi

Cape Verde now Cabo Verde

conventional long form:
Republic of Cape Verde
conventional short form:
Cape Verde
local short form:
Cabo Verde
local long form:
Republica de Cabo Verde

Cameroon

conventional long form:
Republic of Cameroon
conventional short form:
Cameroon
former:
French Cameroon

Central African Republic

conventional long form:
Central African Republic
conventional short form:
none
local short form:
none
local long form:
Republique Centrafricaine
former:
Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire
abbreviation:
CAR

Chad

conventional long form:
Republic of Chad
conventional short form:
Chad
local long form:
Republique du Tchad
local short form:
Tchad

Comoros

conventional long form:
Union of the Comoros
conventional short form:
Comoros
local short form:
Comores
local long form:
Union des Comores

Congo, Democratic Republic of the now Democratic Republic of the Congo

conventional long form:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
conventional short form:
none
local short form:
none
former:
  • Congo Free State,
  • Belgian Congo,
  • Congo/Leopoldville,
  • Congo/Kinshasa,
  • Zaire
local long form:
Republique Democratique du Congo
abbreviation:
DROC

Congo, Republic of the now Republic of the Congo

conventional long form:
Republic of the Congo
conventional short form:
Congo (Brazzaville)
local short form:
none
former:
  • Middle Congo,
  • Congo/Brazzaville,
  • Congo
local long form:
Republique du Congo

Cote d'Ivoire

conventional long form:
Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
conventional short form:
Cote d'Ivoire
local short form:
Cote d'Ivoire
former:
Ivory Coast
local long form:
Republique de Cote d'Ivoire

Djibouti

conventional long form:
Republic of Djibouti
conventional short form:
Djibouti
former:
French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland

Egypt

conventional long form:
Arab Republic of Egypt
conventional short form:
Egypt
local short form:
Misr
former:
United Arab Republic (with Syria)
local long form:
Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah

Equatorial Guinea

conventional long form:
Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form:
Equatorial Guinea
local short form:
Guinea Ecuatorial
local long form:
Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial
former:
Spanish Guinea

Eritrea

conventional long form:
State of Eritrea
conventional short form:
Eritrea
local long form:
Hagere Ertra
former:
Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia
local short form:
Ertra

Swaziland now Eswatini

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Swaziland
conventional short form:
Swaziland

Ethiopia

conventional long form:
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
conventional short form:
Ethiopia
local short form:
Ityop'iya
former:
Abyssinia, Italian East Africa
local long form:
Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik
abbreviation:
FDRE

Europa Island

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Europa Island
local short form:
Ile Europa
local long form:
none

Gabon

conventional long form:
Gabonese Republic
conventional short form:
Gabon
local short form:
Gabon
local long form:
Republique Gabonaise

Gambia, The now The Gambia

conventional long form:
Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form:
The Gambia

Ghana

conventional long form:
Republic of Ghana
conventional short form:
Ghana
former:
Gold Coast

Glorioso Islands

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Glorioso Islands
local short form:
Iles Glorieuses
local long form:
none

Guinea

conventional long form:
Republic of Guinea
conventional short form:
Guinea
local short form:
Guinee
former:
French Guinea
local long form:
Republique de Guinee

Guinea-Bissau

conventional long form:
Republic of Guinea-Bissau
conventional short form:
Guinea-Bissau
local short form:
Guine-Bissau
local long form:
Republica da Guine-Bissau
former:
Portuguese Guinea

Juan de Nova Island

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Juan de Nova Island
local short form:
Ile Juan de Nova
local long form:
none

Kenya

conventional long form:
Republic of Kenya
conventional short form:
Kenya
former:
British East Africa

Lesotho

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Lesotho
conventional short form:
Lesotho
former:
Basutoland

Liberia

conventional long form:
Republic of Liberia
conventional short form:
Liberia

Libya

conventional long form:
Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
conventional short form:
Libya
local short form:
none
local long form:
Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uzma

Madagascar

conventional long form:
Republic of Madagascar
conventional short form:
Madagascar
local short form:
Madagascar
former:
Malagasy Republic
local long form:
Republique de Madagascar

Malawi

conventional long form:
Republic of Malawi
conventional short form:
Malawi
former:
  • British Central African Protectorate,
  • Nyasaland Protectorate,
  • Nyasaland

Mali

conventional long form:
Republic of Mali
conventional short form:
Mali
local short form:
Mali
former:
French Sudan and Sudanese Republic
local long form:
Republique de Mali

Mauritania

conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
conventional short form:
Mauritania
local short form:
Muritaniyah
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah

Mauritius

conventional long form:
Republic of Mauritius
conventional short form:
Mauritius

Mayotte

conventional long form:
Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte
conventional short form:
Mayotte

Morocco

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form:
Morocco
local short form:
Al Maghrib
local long form:
Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah

Mozambique

conventional long form:
Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form:
Mozambique
local short form:
Mocambique
former:
Portuguese East Africa
local long form:
Republica de Mocambique

Namibia

conventional long form:
Republic of Namibia
conventional short form:
Namibia
former:
German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa

Niger

conventional long form:
Republic of Niger
conventional short form:
Niger
local short form:
Niger
local long form:
Republique du Niger

Nigeria

conventional long form:
Federal Republic of Nigeria
conventional short form:
Nigeria

Reunion

conventional long form:
Department of Reunion
conventional short form:
Reunion
local short form:
Ile de la Reunion
local long form:
none
former:
Bourbon Island

Rwanda

conventional long form:
Rwandese Republic
conventional short form:
Rwanda
local short form:
Rwanda
former:
Ruanda
local long form:
Republika y'u Rwanda

Saint Helena now Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Saint Helena

Sao Tome and Principe

conventional long form:
Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
conventional short form:
Sao Tome and Principe
local short form:
Sao Tome e Principe
local long form:
Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe

Senegal

conventional long form:
Republic of Senegal
conventional short form:
Senegal
local short form:
Senegal
local long form:
Republique du Senegal

Seychelles

conventional long form:
Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form:
Seychelles

Sierra Leone

conventional long form:
Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form:
Sierra Leone

Somalia

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Somalia
former:
Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic

South Africa

conventional long form:
Republic of South Africa
conventional short form:
South Africa
former:
Union of South Africa
abbreviation:
RSA

Sudan

conventional long form:
Republic of the Sudan
conventional short form:
Sudan
local short form:
As-Sudan
local long form:
Jumhuriyat as-Sudan
former:
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

Tanzania

conventional long form:
United Republic of Tanzania
conventional short form:
Tanzania
former:
United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

Togo

conventional long form:
Togolese Republic
conventional short form:
Togo
local short form:
none
former:
French Togoland
local long form:
Republique Togolaise

Tromelin Island

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Tromelin Island
local short form:
Ile Tromelin
local long form:
none

Tunisia

conventional long form:
Tunisian Republic
conventional short form:
Tunisia
local short form:
Tunis
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah

Uganda

conventional long form:
Republic of Uganda
conventional short form:
Uganda

Western Sahara

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Western Sahara
former:
Spanish Sahara

Zambia

conventional long form:
Republic of Zambia
conventional short form:
Zambia
former:
Northern Rhodesia

Zimbabwe

conventional long form:
Republic of Zimbabwe
conventional short form:
Zimbabwe
former:
Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia

Antarctic Region

5 entries

Antarctica

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Antarctica

Bouvet Island

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Bouvet Island

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

conventional long form:
Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
conventional short form:
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
local long form:
Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
local short form:
Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

conventional long form:
Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form:
Heard Island and McDonald Islands

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

conventional long form:
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
conventional short form:
none

Arctic Region

4 entries

Greenland

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Greenland
local short form:
Kalaallit Nunaat
local long form:
none

Iceland

conventional long form:
Republic of Iceland
conventional short form:
Iceland
local short form:
Island
local long form:
Lydhveldidh Island

Jan Mayen

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Jan Mayen

Svalbard

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Svalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitzbergen)

Asia

23 entries

Afghanistan

conventional long form:
Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan
conventional short form:
Afghanistan
local short form:
Afghanestan
former:
Republic of Afghanistan
local long form:
Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan

Armenia

conventional long form:
Republic of Armenia
conventional short form:
Armenia
local short form:
Hayastan
former:
Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic
local long form:
Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun

Azerbaijan

conventional long form:
Republic of Azerbaijan
conventional short form:
Azerbaijan
local short form:
none
former:
Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
local long form:
Azarbaycan Respublikasi

Bangladesh

conventional long form:
People's Republic of Bangladesh
conventional short form:
Bangladesh
former:
East Pakistan

Bhutan

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Bhutan
conventional short form:
Bhutan

British Indian Ocean Territory

conventional long form:
British Indian Ocean Territory
conventional short form:
none
abbreviation:
BIOT

China

conventional long form:
People's Republic of China
conventional short form:
China
local short form:
Zhong Guo
abbreviation:
PRC
local long form:
Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo

Georgia

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Georgia
local short form:
Sak'art'velo
former:
Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic
local long form:
none

India

conventional long form:
Republic of India
conventional short form:
India

Japan

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Japan

Kazakhstan

conventional long form:
Republic of Kazakhstan
conventional short form:
Kazakhstan
local long form:
Qazaqstan Respublikasy
former:
Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic
local short form:
none

Korea, North now North Korea

conventional long form:
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
conventional short form:
North Korea
local short form:
none
local long form:
Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk

note: the North Koreans generally use the term "Choson" to refer to their country

abbreviation:
DPRK

Korea, South now South Korea

conventional long form:
Republic of Korea
conventional short form:
South Korea
local short form:
none

note: the South Koreans generally use the term "Han'guk" to refer to their country

local long form:
Taehan-min'guk
abbreviation:
ROK

Kyrgyzstan

conventional long form:
Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form:
Kyrgyzstan
local short form:
none
former:
Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
local long form:
Kyrgyz Respublikasy

Maldives

conventional long form:
Republic of Maldives
conventional short form:
Maldives
local short form:
Dhivehi Raajje
local long form:
Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa

Mongolia

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Mongolia
local short form:
Mongol Uls
former:
Outer Mongolia
local long form:
none

Nepal

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Nepal
conventional short form:
Nepal

Pakistan

conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form:
Pakistan
former:
West Pakistan

Russia

conventional long form:
Russian Federation
conventional short form:
Russia
local long form:
Rossiyskaya Federatsiya
former:
Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
local short form:
Rossiya

Sri Lanka

conventional long form:
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form:
Sri Lanka
former:
Serendib, Ceylon

Tajikistan

conventional long form:
Republic of Tajikistan
conventional short form:
Tajikistan
local short form:
Tojikiston
former:
Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic
local long form:
Jumhurii Tojikiston

Turkmenistan

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Turkmenistan
local long form:
none
former:
Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic
local short form:
Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan

conventional long form:
Republic of Uzbekistan
conventional short form:
Uzbekistan
local short form:
Ozbekiston
former:
Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic
local long form:
Ozbekiston Respublikasi

Central America and the Caribbean

32 entries

Anguilla

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Anguilla

Antigua and Barbuda

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Antigua and Barbuda

Aruba

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Aruba

Bahamas, The now The Bahamas

conventional long form:
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
conventional short form:
The Bahamas

Barbados

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Barbados

Belize

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Belize
former:
British Honduras

British Virgin Islands

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
British Virgin Islands
abbreviation:
BVI

Cayman Islands

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Cayman Islands

Costa Rica

conventional long form:
Republic of Costa Rica
conventional short form:
Costa Rica
local short form:
Costa Rica
local long form:
Republica de Costa Rica

Cuba

conventional long form:
Republic of Cuba
conventional short form:
Cuba
local short form:
Cuba
local long form:
Republica de Cuba

Dominica

conventional long form:
Commonwealth of Dominica
conventional short form:
Dominica

Dominican Republic

conventional long form:
Dominican Republic
conventional short form:
none
local long form:
Republica Dominicana
local short form:
none

El Salvador

conventional long form:
Republic of El Salvador
conventional short form:
El Salvador
local short form:
El Salvador
local long form:
Republica de El Salvador

Grenada

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Grenada

Guadeloupe

conventional long form:
Department of Guadeloupe
conventional short form:
Guadeloupe
local short form:
Guadeloupe
local long form:
Departement de la Guadeloupe

Guatemala

conventional long form:
Republic of Guatemala
conventional short form:
Guatemala
local short form:
Guatemala
local long form:
Republica de Guatemala

Haiti

conventional long form:
Republic of Haiti
conventional short form:
Haiti
local short form:
Haiti
local long form:
Republique d'Haiti

Honduras

conventional long form:
Republic of Honduras
conventional short form:
Honduras
local short form:
Honduras
local long form:
Republica de Honduras

Jamaica

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Jamaica

Martinique

conventional long form:
Department of Martinique
conventional short form:
Martinique
local short form:
Martinique
local long form:
Departement de la Martinique

Montserrat

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Montserrat

Navassa Island

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Navassa Island

Netherlands Antilles

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Netherlands Antilles
local long form:
none
former:
Curacao and Dependencies
local short form:
Nederlandse Antillen

Nicaragua

conventional long form:
Republic of Nicaragua
conventional short form:
Nicaragua
local short form:
Nicaragua
local long form:
Republica de Nicaragua

Panama

conventional long form:
Republic of Panama
conventional short form:
Panama
local short form:
Panama
local long form:
Republica de Panama

Puerto Rico

conventional long form:
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
conventional short form:
Puerto Rico

Saint Kitts and Nevis

conventional long form:
Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
conventional short form:
Saint Kitts and Nevis
former:
Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis

Saint Lucia

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

conventional long form:
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
conventional short form:
Trinidad and Tobago

Turks and Caicos Islands

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Turks and Caicos Islands

Virgin Islands

conventional long form:
United States Virgin Islands
conventional short form:
Virgin Islands
former:
Danish West Indies

Europe

46 entries

Albania

conventional long form:
Republic of Albania
conventional short form:
Albania
local short form:
Shqiperia
former:
People's Socialist Republic of Albania
local long form:
Republika e Shqiperise

Andorra

conventional long form:
Principality of Andorra
conventional short form:
Andorra
local short form:
Andorra
local long form:
Principat d'Andorra

Austria

conventional long form:
Republic of Austria
conventional short form:
Austria
local short form:
Oesterreich
local long form:
Republik Oesterreich

Belarus

conventional long form:
Republic of Belarus
conventional short form:
Belarus
local short form:
none
former:
Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic
local long form:
Respublika Byelarus'

Belgium

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Belgium
conventional short form:
Belgium
local short form:
Belgique/Belgie
local long form:
Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie

Bosnia and Herzegovina

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Bosnia and Herzegovina
local long form:
none
local short form:
Bosna i Hercegovina

Bulgaria

conventional long form:
Republic of Bulgaria
conventional short form:
Bulgaria

Croatia

conventional long form:
Republic of Croatia
conventional short form:
Croatia
local short form:
Hrvatska
local long form:
Republika Hrvatska

Czech Republic now Czechia

conventional long form:
Czech Republic
conventional short form:
Czech Republic
local short form:
Ceska Republika
local long form:
Ceska Republika

Denmark

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Denmark
conventional short form:
Denmark
local short form:
Danmark
local long form:
Kongeriget Danmark

Estonia

conventional long form:
Republic of Estonia
conventional short form:
Estonia
local short form:
Eesti
former:
Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
local long form:
Eesti Vabariik

Faroe Islands

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Faroe Islands
local short form:
Foroyar
local long form:
none

Finland

conventional long form:
Republic of Finland
conventional short form:
Finland
local short form:
Suomi
local long form:
Suomen Tasavalta

France

conventional long form:
French Republic
conventional short form:
France
local long form:
Republique Francaise
local short form:
France

Germany

conventional long form:
Federal Republic of Germany
conventional short form:
Germany
local short form:
Deutschland
former:
  • German Empire,
  • German Republic,
  • German Reich
local long form:
Bundesrepublik Deutschland

Gibraltar

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Gibraltar

Greece

conventional long form:
Hellenic Republic
conventional short form:
Greece
local short form:
Ellas or Ellada
former:
Kingdom of Greece
local long form:
Elliniki Dhimokratia

Guernsey

conventional long form:
Bailiwick of Guernsey
conventional short form:
Guernsey

Holy See (Vatican City)

conventional long form:
The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
conventional short form:
Holy See (Vatican City)
local short form:
Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
local long form:
Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)

Hungary

conventional long form:
Republic of Hungary
conventional short form:
Hungary
local short form:
Magyarorszag
local long form:
Magyar Koztarsasag

Ireland

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Ireland

Man, Isle of now Isle of Man

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Isle of Man

Italy

conventional long form:
Italian Republic
conventional short form:
Italy
local long form:
Repubblica Italiana
former:
Kingdom of Italy
local short form:
Italia

Jersey

conventional long form:
Bailiwick of Jersey
conventional short form:
Jersey

Latvia

conventional long form:
Republic of Latvia
conventional short form:
Latvia
local short form:
Latvija
former:
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
local long form:
Latvijas Republika

Liechtenstein

conventional long form:
Principality of Liechtenstein
conventional short form:
Liechtenstein
local short form:
Liechtenstein
local long form:
Fuerstentum Liechtenstein

Lithuania

conventional long form:
Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form:
Lithuania
local short form:
Lietuva
former:
Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
local long form:
Lietuvos Respublika

Luxembourg

conventional long form:
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
conventional short form:
Luxembourg
local short form:
Luxembourg
local long form:
Grand Duche de Luxembourg

Malta

conventional long form:
Republic of Malta
conventional short form:
Malta
local short form:
Malta
local long form:
Repubblika ta' Malta

Moldova

conventional long form:
Republic of Moldova
conventional short form:
Moldova
local short form:
none
former:
Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia
local long form:
Republica Moldova

Monaco

conventional long form:
Principality of Monaco
conventional short form:
Monaco
local short form:
Monaco
local long form:
Principaute de Monaco

Netherlands

conventional long form:
Kingdom of the Netherlands
conventional short form:
Netherlands
local long form:
Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
local short form:
Nederland

Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of now North Macedonia

conventional long form:
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
conventional short form:
none
local long form:
Republika Makedonija
abbreviation:
F.Y.R.O.M.
local short form:
Makedonija

Norway

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form:
Norway
local short form:
Norge
local long form:
Kongeriket Norge

Poland

conventional long form:
Republic of Poland
conventional short form:
Poland
local short form:
Polska
local long form:
Rzeczpospolita Polska

Portugal

conventional long form:
Portuguese Republic
conventional short form:
Portugal
local long form:
Republica Portuguesa
local short form:
Portugal

Romania

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Romania
local short form:
Romania
local long form:
none

San Marino

conventional long form:
Republic of San Marino
conventional short form:
San Marino
local short form:
San Marino
local long form:
Repubblica di San Marino

Serbia and Montenegro

conventional long form:
Serbia and Montenegro
conventional short form:
none
local short form:
none
local long form:
Srbija i Crna Gora

Slovakia

conventional long form:
Slovak Republic
conventional short form:
Slovakia
local short form:
Slovensko
local long form:
Slovenska Republika

Slovenia

conventional long form:
Republic of Slovenia
conventional short form:
Slovenia
local short form:
Slovenija
local long form:
Republika Slovenija

Spain

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Spain
conventional short form:
Spain
local short form:
Espana

Sweden

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Sweden
conventional short form:
Sweden
local short form:
Sverige
local long form:
Konungariket Sverige

Switzerland

conventional long form:
Swiss Confederation
conventional short form:
Switzerland
local short form:
  • Schweiz (German),
  • Suisse (French),
  • Svizzera (Italian)
local long form:
  • Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German),
  • Confederation Suisse (French),
  • Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)

Ukraine

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Ukraine
local long form:
none
former:
  • Ukrainian National Republic,
  • Ukrainian State,
  • Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic
local short form:
Ukrayina

United Kingdom

conventional long form:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
conventional short form:
United Kingdom
abbreviation:
UK

Middle East

17 entries

Bahrain

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Bahrain
conventional short form:
Bahrain
local short form:
Al Bahrayn
former:
Dilmun
local long form:
Mamlakat al Bahrayn

Cyprus

conventional long form:
Republic of Cyprus
conventional short form:
Cyprus

note: the Turkish Cypriot area refers to itself as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC)

Gaza Strip

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Gaza Strip
local long form:
none
local short form:
Qita Ghazzah

Iran

conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Iran
conventional short form:
Iran
local short form:
Iran
former:
Persia
local long form:
Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran

Iraq

conventional long form:
Republic of Iraq
conventional short form:
Iraq
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah
local short form:
Al Iraq

Israel

conventional long form:
State of Israel
conventional short form:
Israel
local short form:
Yisra'el
local long form:
Medinat Yisra'el

Jordan

conventional long form:
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
conventional short form:
Jordan
local short form:
Al Urdun
local long form:
Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah
former:
Transjordan

Kuwait

conventional long form:
State of Kuwait
conventional short form:
Kuwait
local short form:
Al Kuwayt
local long form:
Dawlat al Kuwayt

Lebanon

conventional long form:
Lebanese Republic
conventional short form:
Lebanon
local short form:
Lubnan
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah

Oman

conventional long form:
Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form:
Oman
local long form:
Saltanat Uman
former:
Muscat and Oman
local short form:
Uman

Qatar

conventional long form:
State of Qatar
conventional short form:
Qatar
local short form:
Qatar

note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar

local long form:
Dawlat Qatar

Saudi Arabia

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
conventional short form:
Saudi Arabia
local long form:
Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
local short form:
Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

Syria

conventional long form:
Syrian Arab Republic
conventional short form:
Syria
local short form:
Suriyah
former:
United Arab Republic (with Egypt)
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah

Turkey now Turkiye

conventional long form:
Republic of Turkey
conventional short form:
Turkey
local long form:
Turkiye Cumhuriyeti
local short form:
Turkiye

United Arab Emirates

conventional long form:
United Arab Emirates
conventional short form:
none
local long form:
Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
abbreviation:
UAE
former:
Trucial Oman, Trucial States
local short form:
none

West Bank

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
West Bank

Yemen

conventional long form:
Republic of Yemen
conventional short form:
Yemen
local short form:
Al Yaman
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah

North America

6 entries

Bermuda

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Bermuda
former:
Somers Islands

Canada

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Canada

Clipperton Island

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Clipperton Island
local short form:
Ile Clipperton
local long form:
none
former:
sometimes called Ile de la Passion

Mexico

conventional long form:
United Mexican States
conventional short form:
Mexico
local short form:
Mexico
local long form:
Estados Unidos Mexicanos

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

conventional long form:
Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon
conventional short form:
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
local short form:
Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
local long form:
Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon

United States

conventional long form:
United States of America
conventional short form:
United States
abbreviation:
US or USA

Oceania

34 entries

American Samoa

conventional long form:
Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form:
American Samoa
abbreviation:
AS

Australia

conventional long form:
Commonwealth of Australia
conventional short form:
Australia

Baker Island

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Baker Island

Cook Islands

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Cook Islands
former:
Harvey Islands

Coral Sea Islands

conventional long form:
Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form:
Coral Sea Islands

Fiji

conventional long form:
Republic of the Fiji Islands
conventional short form:
Fiji

French Polynesia

conventional long form:
Territory of French Polynesia
conventional short form:
French Polynesia
local short form:
Polynesie Francaise
local long form:
Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise
former:
French Colony of Oceania

Guam

conventional long form:
Territory of Guam
conventional short form:
Guam
local long form:
Guahan

Howland Island

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Howland Island

Jarvis Island

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Jarvis Island

Johnston Atoll

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Johnston Atoll

Kingman Reef

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Kingman Reef

Kiribati

conventional long form:
Republic of Kiribati
conventional short form:
Kiribati
former:
Gilbert Islands

note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss

Marshall Islands

conventional long form:
Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form:
Marshall Islands
former:
Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

Micronesia, Federated States of now Federated States of Micronesia

conventional long form:
Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form:
none
abbreviation:
FSM
former:
Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

Midway Islands

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Midway Islands

Nauru

conventional long form:
Republic of Nauru
conventional short form:
Nauru
former:
Pleasant Island

New Caledonia

conventional long form:
Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies
conventional short form:
New Caledonia
local short form:
Nouvelle-Caledonie
local long form:
Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances

New Zealand

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
New Zealand
abbreviation:
NZ

Niue

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Niue
former:
Savage Island

Norfolk Island

conventional long form:
Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form:
Norfolk Island

Northern Mariana Islands

conventional long form:
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
conventional short form:
Northern Mariana Islands
former:
Mariana Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

Palau

conventional long form:
Republic of Palau
conventional short form:
Palau
local short form:
Belau
former:
Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
local long form:
Beluu er a Belau

Palmyra Atoll

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Palmyra Atoll

Papua New Guinea

conventional long form:
Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form:
Papua New Guinea
abbreviation:
PNG
former:
Territory of Papua and New Guinea

Pitcairn Islands

conventional long form:
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form:
Pitcairn Islands

Samoa

conventional long form:
Independent State of Samoa
conventional short form:
Samoa
former:
Western Samoa

Solomon Islands

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Solomon Islands
former:
British Solomon Islands

Tokelau

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Tokelau

Tonga

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Tonga
conventional short form:
Tonga
former:
Friendly Islands

Tuvalu

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Tuvalu

note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight," referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands

former:
Ellice Islands

Vanuatu

conventional long form:
Republic of Vanuatu
conventional short form:
Vanuatu
former:
New Hebrides

Wake Island

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Wake Island

Wallis and Futuna

conventional long form:
Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands
conventional short form:
Wallis and Futuna
local short form:
Wallis et Futuna
local long form:
Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna

South America

14 entries

Argentina

conventional long form:
Argentine Republic
conventional short form:
Argentina
local short form:
Argentina
local long form:
Republica Argentina

Bolivia

conventional long form:
Republic of Bolivia
conventional short form:
Bolivia
local short form:
Bolivia
local long form:
Republica de Bolivia

Brazil

conventional long form:
Federative Republic of Brazil
conventional short form:
Brazil
local short form:
Brasil
local long form:
Republica Federativa do Brasil

Chile

conventional long form:
Republic of Chile
conventional short form:
Chile
local long form:
Republica de Chile
local short form:
Chile

Colombia

conventional long form:
Republic of Colombia
conventional short form:
Colombia
local short form:
Colombia
local long form:
Republica de Colombia

Ecuador

conventional long form:
Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form:
Ecuador
local short form:
Ecuador
local long form:
Republica del Ecuador

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

French Guiana

conventional long form:
Department of Guiana
conventional short form:
French Guiana
local short form:
Guyane
local long form:
none

Guyana

conventional long form:
Co-operative Republic of Guyana
conventional short form:
Guyana
former:
British Guiana

Paraguay

conventional long form:
Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form:
Paraguay
local short form:
Paraguay
local long form:
Republica del Paraguay

Peru

conventional long form:
Republic of Peru
conventional short form:
Peru
local long form:
Republica del Peru
local short form:
Peru

Suriname

conventional long form:
Republic of Suriname
conventional short form:
Suriname
local short form:
Suriname
former:
Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana
local long form:
Republiek Suriname

Uruguay

conventional long form:
Oriental Republic of Uruguay
conventional short form:
Uruguay
local short form:
Uruguay
former:
Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province
local long form:
Republica Oriental del Uruguay

Venezuela

conventional long form:
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
conventional short form:
Venezuela
local short form:
Venezuela
local long form:
Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela

Southeast Asia

19 entries

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

conventional long form:
Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form:
Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Brunei

conventional long form:
Negara Brunei Darussalam
conventional short form:
Brunei

Burma now Burma (Myanmar)

conventional long form:
Union of Burma
conventional short form:
Burma
local short form:
Myanma Naingngandaw
local long form:
Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar)
former:
Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma

note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; this decision was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma, and the US Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw

Cambodia

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Cambodia
conventional short form:
Cambodia
local short form:
Kampuchea
local long form:
Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea
former:
Khmer Republic, Kampuchea Republic

Christmas Island

conventional long form:
Territory of Christmas Island
conventional short form:
Christmas Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

conventional long form:
Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form:
Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Hong Kong

conventional long form:
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
conventional short form:
Hong Kong
local short form:
Xianggang
local long form:
Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu
abbreviation:
HK

Indonesia

conventional long form:
Republic of Indonesia
conventional short form:
Indonesia
local long form:
Republik Indonesia
former:
Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East Indies
local short form:
Indonesia

Laos

conventional long form:
Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form:
Laos
local short form:
none
local long form:
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

Macau

conventional long form:
Macau Special Administrative Region
conventional short form:
Macau
local short form:
Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)
local long form:
Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)

Malaysia

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Malaysia
former:
Federation of Malaysia

Paracel Islands

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Paracel Islands

Philippines

conventional long form:
Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form:
Philippines
local short form:
Pilipinas
local long form:
Republika ng Pilipinas

Singapore

conventional long form:
Republic of Singapore
conventional short form:
Singapore

Spratly Islands

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Spratly Islands

Taiwan

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Taiwan
local short form:
T'ai-wan
local long form:
none
former:
Formosa

Thailand

conventional long form:
Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form:
Thailand
former:
Siam

East Timor now Timor-Leste

conventional long form:
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
conventional short form:
East Timor
local short form:
Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese]
former:
Portuguese Timor
local long form:
Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese]

Vietnam

conventional long form:
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
conventional short form:
Vietnam
local short form:
Viet Nam
abbreviation:
SRV
local long form:
Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam

Cite this page

Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook 2003, “Country name”, all entries. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/fields/country-name/2003.

How to cite