List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Oceania

Exclusive economic zones of Oceania and neighboring areas

This is a list of sovereign states and dependent territories in the geographical region of Oceania. Although it is mostly ocean and spans many tectonic plates, Oceania is occasionally listed as one of the continents.

Most of this list follows the boundaries of geopolitical Oceania, which includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The main continental landmass of Oceania is Australia. ^[1]

Boundaries of Oceania

Further information: Boundaries between the continents of Earth and List of transcontinental countries

The boundary between Southeast Asia and Oceania is not clearly defined. For political reasons, the United Nations considers the boundary between the two regions to be the Indonesian–Papua New Guinean border. ^[2] Papua New Guinea is occasionally considered Asian as it neighbours Indonesia, ^{[3] [4] [5]} but this is rare, and it is generally accepted to be part of Oceania. Biogeographically and geologically, Papua and West Papua provinces are parts of Oceania.

Likewise, there is also no clearly defined boundary between Latin America and Oceania; the mostly uninhabited oceanic Pacific islands near Latin America have been considered by some as part of Oceania, both historically and in present-day times. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9] [10]} Nearly all of these islands have become politically associated with the Americas, but none lie on the respective tectonic plates of those continents, nor were any inhabited by Indigenous peoples of the Americas during the pre-Columbian era. ^[11] Some share strong biogeographical affinities to geopolitical Oceania. ^[12] The Malay Archipelago has historically been associated with Oceania, ^{[13] [9] [14] [15]} however, very few present-day definitions include it as part of Oceania. ^{[16] [17]} The Malay Archipelago lies on the continental shelf of Asia; Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands (both adjacent to the Malay Archipelago) lie on the Australian tectonic plate, and are not politically associated with Asia. The Bonin Islands, which have been politically integrated into Japan, are not geologically associated with the Asian continent, and are biogeographically within Micronesia.

Sovereign states

United Nations member states

This section includes all sovereign states located predominantly in Oceania that are member states of the United Nations. ^[18] All 14 states are full members of the Pacific Islands Forum. ^[19]

Flag	Coat of Arms / National Emblem	Map	English short, formal names, and ISO [20] [21] [22] [23]	Domestic short and formal name(s) [20] [21]	Capital [22] [24] [25]	Population 2021 [26] [27]	Area [28]
			Australia [note 1] Commonwealth of Australia AUS	English: Australia — Commonwealth of Australia	Canberra	25,921,089	7,741,220 km2 (2,988,902 sq mi)
			Federated States of Micronesia FSM	English: Federated States of Micronesia	Palikir	113,131	702 km2 (271 sq mi)
			Fiji Republic of Fiji FJI	English: Fiji — Republic of Fiji Fijian : Viti — Matanitu ko Viti Fiji Hindi फीजी/Fiji - रिपब्लिक ऑफ फीजी/ Ripablik ăph Phījī	Suva	924,610	18,274 km2 (7,056 sq mi)
			Kiribati Republic of Kiribati KIR	English: Kiribati — Republic of Kiribati Gilbertese : Kiribati — Ribaberiki Kiribati	South Tarawa Bairiki	128,874	811 km2 (313 sq mi)
			Marshall Islands Republic of the Marshall Islands MHL	English: Marshall Islands — Republic of the Marshall Islands Marshallese : Aelōn̄ in M̧ajeļ - Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ	Majuro	42,050	181 km2 (70 sq mi)
			Nauru Republic of Nauru NRU	English: Nauru — Republic of Nauru Nauruan : Naoero - Repubrikin Naoero	No official Capital Government offices are in Yaren	10,834	21 km2 (8 sq mi)
			New Zealand [note 2] NZL	English: New Zealand Māori : Aotearoa	Wellington	5,129,727	267,710 km2 (103,363 sq mi)
			Palau Republic of Palau PLW	English: Palau — Republic of Palau Palauan : Belau — Beluu er a Belau	Ngerulmud	18,024	459 km2 (177 sq mi)
			Papua New Guinea Independent State of Papua New Guinea PNG	English: Papua New Guinea — Independent State of Papua New Guinea Tok Pisin : Papua Niugini — Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini	Port Moresby	9,949,437	462,840 km2 (178,704 sq mi)
			Samoa Independent State of Samoa WSM	English: Samoa — Independent State of Samoa Samoan : Samoa — Malo Sa‘oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa	Apia	218,764	2,831 km2 (1,093 sq mi)
			Solomon Islands SLB	English: Solomon Islands Pijin : Solomon Aelan	Honiara	707,851	28,896 km2 (11,157 sq mi)
			Tonga Kingdom of Tonga TON	English: Tonga — Kingdom of Tonga Tongan : Tonga — Pule'anga Tonga	Nukuʻalofa	106,017	747 km2 (288 sq mi)
			Tuvalu TUV	English: Tuvalu Tuvaluan : Tuvalu	Funafuti	11,204	26 km2 (10 sq mi)
			Vanuatu Republic of Vanuatu VUT	Bislama : Vanuatu — Ripablik blong Vanuatu English: Vanuatu — Republic of Vanuatu French : Vanuatu — République de Vanuatu	Port Vila	319,137	12,189 km2 (4,706 sq mi)

Associated states

Two states, the Cook Islands and Niue, are in free association with New Zealand. While maintaining a close constitutional and political relationship with New Zealand, both states have full treaty-making capacity and are members of several United Nations specialized agencies. Both independently engage in diplomatic relations with sovereign states under their own name, and are full members of the Pacific Islands Forum. Because of these features, both act in many ways as fully independent states. ^[29]

Flag	Coat of Arms / National Emblem	Map	English short and formal names [20]	Status	Domestic short and formal names	Capital	Population	Area [28]
			Cook Islands [22]	Self-governing in free association with New Zealand. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship, but is independent in its internal affairs.	English: Cook Islands Cook Islands Māori : Kūki 'Āirani	Avarua [22] [24]	11,124 [30]	236 km2 (91 sq mi)
			Niue [22]	Self-governing in free association with New Zealand. It shares a head of state with New Zealand as well as having shared citizenship, but is independent in its internal affairs.	English: Niue Niuean : Niuē	Alofi [22] [24]	1,311 [30]	260 km2 (100 sq mi)

Non-sovereign territories

The following are entities considered to be within Oceania that fall into one of these categories:

1. Federal territories of sovereign states located outside these states' mainland.

2. Territories that constitute integral parts of sovereign states in some form other than as federal territories, where a significant part of the sovereign state's landmass is located outside Oceania or the territory is located outside the sovereign state's mainland. Many of these territories are often described as dependencies or autonomous areas.

3. Dependent territories of sovereign states.

Two of these territories (French Polynesia and New Caledonia) are associate members of the Pacific Islands Forum, while five others (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Tokelau, and Wallis and Futuna) hold observer status within the organization.

Flag	Coat of Arms / National Emblem	Map	English short and formal names [20]	Status	Domestic short and formal names	Capital	Population	Area [28]
			American Samoa Territory of American Samoa [22]	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: American Samoa — Territory of American Samoa Samoan : Amerika Sāmoa	Pago Pago [22] [24]	67,242 [30]	199 km2 (77 sq mi)
			Ashmore and Cartier Islands Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands	External territory of Australia	English: Ashmore and Cartier Islands	None	Uninhabited	5 km2 (2 sq mi)
			Baker Island	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Baker Island [31]	None	Uninhabited [31]	129.1 km2 (49.8 sq mi)
			Central Papua Central Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian : Papua Tengah	Nabire Regency	1,408,981 [32]	66,130.49 km2 (25,533 sq mi)
			Christmas Island	External territory of Australia	English: Christmas Island – Territory of Christmas Island	Flying Fish Cove [22] / The Settlement [24]	1,843 [33]	135 km2 (52 sq mi)
			Clipperton Island	Overseas state private property	French : Île de Clipperton	None	Uninhabited	6 km2 (2 sq mi)
			Cocos (Keeling) Islands	External territory of Australia	English: Cocos (Keeling) Islands – Territory of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands	West Island [24] / Bantam [22]	544 [33]	14 km2 (5 sq mi)
			Coral Sea Islands Coral Sea Islands Territory	External territory of Australia	English: Coral Sea Islands — Coral Sea Islands Territory	Willis Island	Uninhabited	3 km2 (1 sq mi)
			Easter Island	Special territory of Chile	Spanish : Isla de Pascua Rapa Nui : Rapa Nui	Hanga Roa	6,148 [34]	163.6 km2 (63 sq mi)
			French Polynesia Overseas Country of French Polynesia [22]	Overseas country of France	French : Polynésie française — Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynésie française [20]	Papeete [22] [24]	294,935 [30]	4,167 km2 (1,609 sq mi)
			Galápagos Islands	Special territory of Ecuador	Spanish : Islas Galápagos	Puerto Baquerizo Moreno	35,000	7,880 km2 (3,042 sq mi)
			Guam Territory of Guam	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Guam — Territory of Guam Chamorro : Guahan [20]	Hagåtña / Agaña [22] [24]	183,286 [35]	544 km2 (210 sq mi)
			Hawaii State of Hawaii	State of the United States	English: Hawaii — State of Hawaii Hawaiian : Hawaiʻi — Mokuʻāina o Hawaiʻi	Honolulu	1,404,054 [30]	28,311 km2 (10,931 sq mi)
			Highland Papua Highland Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian : Papua Pegunungan	Jayawijaya Regency	1,408,641 [32]	108,476 km2 (41,883 sq mi)
			Howland Island	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Howland Island [31]	None	Uninhabited [31]	138.6 km2 (53.5 sq mi)
			Jarvis Island	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Jarvis Island [31]	None	Uninhabited [31]	152 km2 (59 sq mi)
			Johnston Atoll	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Johnston Atoll [31]	None	Uninhabited [31]	276.6 km2 (106.8 sq mi)
			Juan Fernández Islands	Special territory of Chile [36]	Spanish : Archipiélago Juan Fernández	San Juan Bautista	900	99.06 km2 (38.25 sq mi)
			Kingman Reef	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Kingman Reef [31]	None	Uninhabited [31]	1,958.01 km2 (755.99 sq mi)
			Midway Atoll	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Midway Islands [31]	None	Uninhabited [31]	2,355.2 km2 (909.3 sq mi)
			New Caledonia Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies	Overseas sui generis collectivity of France [22]	French : Nouvelle-Calédonie — Territoire des Nouvelle-Calédonie et Dépendances [20]	Nouméa [22] [24]	256,275 [30]	18,575 km2 (7,172 sq mi)
			Norfolk Island Territory of Norfolk Island [22]	External territory of Australia	English: Norfolk Island — Territory of Norfolk Island Norfuk: Teratri of Norf'k Ailen	Kingston [22] [24]	2,169 [30]	36 km2 (14 sq mi)
			Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands [22]	Unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States	English: Northern Mariana Islands — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Chamorro : Sankattan Siha Na Islas Mariånas Carolinian: Téél Falúw kka Efáng Ilól Marianas	Saipan [22] [24]	46,050 [30]	464 km2 (179 sq mi)
			Ogasawara Village	Part of Ogasawara Village in Tokyo, Japan	Bonin Islands: Japanese : 小笠原群島(Ogasawara Guntō) Marcus Island: Japanese : 南鳥島(Minamitori Shima) Parece Vela Reef: Japanese : 沖ノ鳥島(Okinotori Shima) Rosario Island: Japanese : 西之島(Nishino Shima) Volcano Islands: Japanese : 火山列島(Kazan Rettō)	Ōmura (大村)	2,871 [37]	104.35 km2 (40 sq mi) [37]
			Palmyra Atoll [20]	Incorporated territory of the United States	English: Palmyra Atoll [31]	None	Uninhabited [31]	12 km2 (5 sq mi)
			Papua Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian : Papua	Jayapura	1,020,190 [32]	81,049.30 km2 (31,293 sq mi)
			Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Group of Islands	British overseas territory	English: Pitcairn Islands — Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands Pitkern: Pitkern Ailen	Adamstown [22] [24]	48 [30]	47 km2 (18 sq mi)
			South Papua South Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian : Papua Selatan	Merauke Regency	517,623 [32]	127,280.69 km2 (49,143 sq mi)
			Southwest Papua Southwest Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian : Papua Barat Daya	Sorong	603,054 [32]	39,167 km2 (15,122 sq mi)
			Tokelau [22]	Dependent territory of New Zealand	Tokelauan : Tokelau English: Tokelau	Each Atoll has its own administrative centre. [22] [24]	1,384 [30]	12 km2 (5 sq mi)
			Wake Island	Unincorporated territory of the United States	English: Wake Island [31]	None	Uninhabited [31]	6.5 km2 (2.5 sq mi)
			Wallis and Futuna Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands	Overseas collectivity of France	French : Wallis et Futuna — Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna [20]	Mata-Utu [22] [24]	15,398 [30]	142 km2 (55 sq mi)
			West Papua West Papua Province	Province of Indonesia	Indonesian : Papua Barat	Manokwari	551,791 [30]	64,125.66 km2 (24,759 sq mi)

See also

Oceania-related

• List of Oceanian countries by GDP (PPP)
• List of Oceanian countries by population
• List of predecessors of sovereign states in Oceania
• List of sovereign states in Asia and Oceania by Human Development Index

Island countries

• List of Caribbean island countries by population
• List of island countries
• List of sovereign states and dependent territories in the Indian Ocean
• List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Eurasia

Notes

1. Australia has two external territory in the Antarctic, the Heard Island and McDonald Islands and the claimed Australian Antarctic Territory.
2. New Zealand has five island groups in the Subantarctic. New Zealand claims territory in the Antarctic as the Ross Dependency.

References

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7. Review of the Protected Areas System in Oceania (PDF). International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. 1986. Retrieved 17 January 2022. Easter Island on the east has been included on the basis of its Polynesian and biogeographic affinities even though it is politically apart. The other islands of the eastern Pacific (Galapagos, Juan Fernandez, etc.) have sometimes been included in Oceania.
8. Todd, Ian (1974). Island Realm: A Pacific Panorama. Angus & Robertson. p. 190. ISBN   9780207127618 . Retrieved 2 February 2022. [we] can further define the word culture to mean language. Thus we have the French language part of Oceania, the Spanish part and the Japanese part. The Japanese culture groups of Oceania are the Bonin Islands, the Marcus Islands and the Volcano Islands. These three clusters, lying south and south-east of Japan, are inhabited either by Japanese or by people who have now completely fused with the Japanese race. Therefore they will not be taken into account in the proposed comparison of the policies of non - Oceanic cultures towards Oceanic peoples. On the eastern side of the Pacific are a number of Spanish language culture groups of islands. Two of them, the Galapagos and Easter Island, have been dealt with as separate chapters in this volume. Only one of the dozen or so Spanish culture island groups of Oceania has an Oceanic population — the Polynesians of Easter Island. The rest are either uninhabited or have a Spanish - Latin - American population consisting of people who migrated from the mainland. Therefore, the comparisons which follow refer almost exclusively to the English and French language cultures.
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13. Parley, Peter (1866). Tales about Europe, Asia, Africa, America, & Oceania. Oxford University. p. 2. Retrieved 12 March 2022. Oceania consists of Australasia, Polynesia and Malaysia. Australasia means South Asia. It comprises New Holland or Australia, Van Diemen's Land or Tasmania, Papua or New Guinea, Norfolk Island, New Zealand and some smaller islands. Polynesia is the term given to the various islands in the Pacific Ocean, which, as you may see on the map, are situated to the eastward of Australia, including the Philippine Islands. Malaysia is the name given to the islands of the Malay Archipelago, which are principally inhabited by the Malay race, comprising Borneo, the Sunday Isles, Celebes, Moluccas [...]
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