List of members of the Commonwealth of Nations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 54 independent sovereign states (one of whose membership is currently suspended), most of them are former British colonies, or dependencies of these colonies. No one government in the Commonwealth exercises power over the others, as in a political union. Rather, the relationship is one of an international organisation through which countries with diverse social, political, and economic backgrounds are regarded as equal in status, and co-operate within a framework of common values and goals, as outlined in the Singapore Declaration.[1] These include the promotion of democracy, human rights, good governance, the rule of law, individual liberty, egalitarianism, free trade, multilateralism, and world peace, and are carried out through multilateral projects and meetings, as well as the quadrennial Commonwealth Games.[2] The symbol of this free association is Queen Elizabeth II, known for this purpose as Head of the Commonwealth. This position, however, does not imbue her with any political or executive power over any Commonwealth member states; the position is purely symbolic, and it is the Commonwealth Secretary-General who is the chief executive of the organisation.[3]
The Commonwealth was first officially formed in 1931 when the Statute of Westminster gave legal recognition to the independence of dominions. Known as the "British Commonwealth", the first members were the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Irish Free State and Dominion of Newfoundland, although Australia and New Zealand did not adopt the statute until 1942 and 1947 respectively.[4] In 1949, the London Declaration was signed and marked the birth of the modern Commonwealth and the renaming to its present name.[5] The most recent member is Rwanda, which joined on 29 November 2009.[6]
Presently, there are 54 states that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Three members are in Europe, twelve in North America, one in South America, nineteen in Africa, eight in Asia, and eleven in Oceania (including one suspended member, Fiji). There are six former members, four of which no longer exist as independent entities (but form part of current member states). The members have a combined population of 2.1 billion people, almost a third of the world population, of which 1.17 billion live in India and 94% live in Asia and Africa combined.[7]
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[edit] Current members
All table information based on figures provided by the Commonwealth of Nations Secretariat members list, most population figures are based on 2007 estimates, unless otherwise noted.[8]
Note: The table can be sorted alphabetically or chronologically using the icon.
Country | Joined | Continent | Population | Notes[A] |
---|---|---|---|---|
Antigua and Barbuda | 1 November 1981 | North America | 88,000 | |
Australia | 11 December 1931 | Oceania | 22,073,000 | Granted nominal independence (Dominion status) on 1 January 1901. Australia was one of the original Dominions at the time of the Statute of Westminster 1931, although the statute was not adopted in Australia until 1942.[9] |
Bahamas | 10 July 1973 | North America | 342,000 | |
Bangladesh[B] | [10] | 18 April 1972Asia | 162,221,000 | Gained independence from Pakistan in 1971.[11] |
Barbados | 30 November 1966 | North America | 279,000 | |
Belize | 21 September 1981 | North America | 322,130 | |
Botswana | 30 September 1966 | Africa | 1,950,000 | |
Brunei | 1 January 1984 | Asia | 400,000 | |
Cameroon | [12] | 13 November 1995Africa | 19,522,000 | Most of the country was formerly French and gained independence from France on 1 January 1960, uniting with the much smaller former British territory on its gaining independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1961. |
Canada | 11 December 1931 | North America | 33,860,000 | Granted nominal independence (Dominion status) on 1 July 1867. Canada was the first among the several original Dominions at the time of the Statute of Westminster 1931.[13] Incorporated another original Dominion, Newfoundland, on 31 March 1949.[14] |
Cyprus | [15] | 13 March 1961Europe / Asia | 794,200 | Gained independence from the United Kingdom on 18 August 1960. |
Dominica | 3 November 1978 | North America | [C]79,000 | |
Gambia | 18 February 1965 | Africa | 1,717,000 | |
Ghana | 6 March 1957 | Africa | 23,837,000 | |
Grenada | 7 February 1974 | North America | 103,000 | |
Guyana | 26 May 1966 | South America | 761,000 | |
India | 15 August 1947 | Asia | 1,173,230,000 | |
Jamaica | 6 August 1962 | North America | 2,721,000 | |
Kenya | 12 December 1963 | Africa | 39,856,000 | |
Kiribati | 12 July 1979 | Oceania | [D]99,000 | |
Lesotho | 4 October 1966 | Africa | 2,000,000 | |
Malawi | 6 July 1964 | Africa | 15,884,000 | |
Malaysia | 16 September 1963 | Asia | 28,356,000 | Joined as the Federation of Malaya in 1957; reformed as Malaysia with its federation in 1963 with Singapore (became a separate member in 1965), Sabah, and Sarawak.[16] |
Maldives | 9 July 1982 | Asia | 329,000 | Gained independence from the United Kingdom on 26 July 1965.[17] Maldives was a special member from 9 July 1982 until 20 July 1985.[18] |
Malta | 21 September 1964 | Europe | 412,668 | |
Mauritius | 12 March 1968 | Africa | 1,285,000 | |
Mozambique | [19] | 13 November 1995Africa | 22,892,000 | Gained independence from Portugal on 26 June 1975. The first country to be admitted to the Commonwealth without any former colonial or constitutional links with the United Kingdom.[20] |
Namibia | 21 March 1990 | Africa | 2,131,000 | Gained independence from South Africa.[21] |
Nauru[B] | 1 November 1968 | Oceania | 14,000 | Nauru is a special member. Gained independence on 31 January 1968 from joint trusteeship of Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom. The nation was a special member from 1 November 1968 until 1 May 1999, when it became a full member,[22] before reverting back to special status in January 2006.[23] |
New Zealand | 11 December 1931 | Oceania | 4,317,972 | Granted nominal independence (Dominion status) on 26 September 1907. One of the original Dominions at the time of the Statute of Westminster 1931, although the Statute was not adopted in New Zealand until 1947.[24] |
Nigeria | 1 October 1960 | Africa | 154,796,000 | Suspended in 1995, suspension lifted in 1999.[25] |
Pakistan | 14 August 1947 | Asia | 168,052,000 | Left in 1972, rejoined 1989; suspended in 1999, suspension lifted in 2004; again suspended in 2007,[26] suspension lifted in 2008.[27] |
Papua New Guinea | 16 September 1975 | Oceania | 6,737,000 | Gained independence from Australia. |
Rwanda | [6] | 29 November 2009Africa | 9,998,000 | Gained independence from Belgium on 1 July 1962. The second country to be admitted to the Commonwealth without any former colonial or constitutional links with the United Kingdom.[20] |
Saint Kitts and Nevis[B] | 19 September 1983 | North America | 52,000 | |
Saint Lucia | 22 February 1979 | North America | 171,000 | |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 27 October 1979 | North America | [C]119,000 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a special member from 27 October 1979 until 1 June 1985. |
Samoa | 28 August 1970 | Oceania | 185,000 | Gained independence from New Zealand on 1 January 1962. Joined as Western Samoa, subsequently changing its name to Samoa on 4 July 1997.[28] |
Seychelles | 29 June 1976 | Africa | 84,000 | |
Sierra Leone | 27 April 1961 | Africa | 5,695,000 | |
Singapore | 15 October 1965 | Asia | 4,986,000 | First joined as part of Malaysia on 16 September 1963. |
Solomon Islands | 7 July 1978 | Oceania | 913,000 | |
South Africa | 11 December 1931 | Africa | 49,423,000 | Granted nominal independence (Dominion status) on 31 May 1910. One of the original Dominions at the time of the Statute of Westminster 1931. Left on 31 May 1961, rejoined on 1 June 1994.[29] |
Sri Lanka | 4 February 1948 | Asia | 20,743,000 | Joined as the Dominion of Ceylon, subsequently changing its name in 1972. |
Swaziland | 6 September 1968 | Africa | 1,182,000 | |
Tanzania | 26 April 1964 | Africa | 43,729,000 | Merger of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.[30] |
Tonga | 4 June 1970 | Oceania | 102,000 | |
Trinidad and Tobago | 31 August 1962 | North America | 1,335,000 | |
Tuvalu[B] | 1 October 1978 | Oceania | 12,000 | Tuvalu was a special member from 1 October 1978 until 1 September 2000.[31] |
Uganda | 9 October 1962 | Africa | 32,816,000 | |
United Kingdom | 11 December 1931 | Europe | 61,609,500 | The Parliament of the United Kingdom enacted the Statute of Westminster 1931. |
Vanuatu[B] | 30 July 1980 | Oceania | 241,000 | Gained independence from joint rule of France and United Kingdom. |
Zambia | 24 October 1964 | Africa | 12,935,000 |
^ A. Unless otherwise noted, independence was gained from United Kingdom on date of joining the Commonwealth as shown in column 2.
^ B. Not a member of the Commonwealth Foundation.
^ C. The population figure is based on 2004 estimates.
^ D. The population figure is based on 2005 estimates.
[edit] Suspended members
Country | Joined | Continent | Population | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fiji[A] | 10 October 1970 | Oceania | 848,000 | Left in 1987; rejoined in 1997; suspended on 6 June 2000;[32] suspension lifted on 20 December 2001;[33] again suspended on 8 December 2006 because of the 2006 Fijian coup d'état.[34] |
^ A. Not a member of the Commonwealth Foundation.
[edit] Former members
Country | Joined | Continent | Left | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Irish Free State/Ireland | 11 December 1931 | Europe | 18 April 1949 | One of the original Dominions at the time of the Statute of Westminster 1931. Left after passing the Republic of Ireland Act in 1949.[11][14] |
Malaya | 31 August 1957 | Asia | 16 September 1963 | Entered into Malaysia on 16 September 1963.[11] |
Newfoundland | 11 December 1931 | North America | 16 February 1934 | One of the original Dominions at the time of the Statute of Westminster 1931 (although the Statute was never adopted by Newfoundland). Government suspended on 16 February 1934, joined Canada on 31 March 1949.[14] |
Tanganyika | 9 December 1961 | Africa | 26 April 1964 | Merged with Zanzibar to form Tanzania on 26 April 1964.[30] |
Zanzibar | 10 December 1963 | Africa | 26 April 1964 | Merged with Tanganyika to form Tanzania on 26 April 1964.[30] |
Zimbabwe | 1 October 1980 | Africa | 7 December 2003 | Suspended on 19 March 2002.[33] Withdrew voluntarily on 7 December 2003.[35] |
[edit] References
- ^ "FAQs". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/FAQs/20706/faqs/. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ "Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles 1971". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/20723/32987/singapore_declaration_of_commonwealth_principles/. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- ^ "Head of the Commonwealth". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/150757/head_of_the_commonwealth/. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ "The Commonwealth–History–Dominion Status". Commonwealth of Nations. http://www.commonwealth-of-nations.org/article.php?&id=4&subsection=3&page=3. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ "The Commonwealth–History–Modern Commonwealth". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/34493/38150/modern_commonwealth/. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ a b Josh Kron (2009-11-29). "Rwanda Joins British Commonwealth". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/world/africa/29rwanda.html. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
- ^ "Country Comparisons - Population". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 19 March 2009. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ "Members". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/142227/members/. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ "Australia". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/YearbookHomeInternal.asp?NodeID=138122. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ Kohen, Marcelo G. (2006). Secession. London: Cambridge University Press. p. p. 122. ISBN 9780521849289.
- ^ a b c "Wind of Change". Commonwealth of Nations. http://www.commonwealth-of-nations.org/article.php?&id=4&subsection=3&page=6. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ Pondi, Jean-Emmanuel (October 1997). "Cameroon and the Commonwealth of Nations". The Round Table 86 (344): pp. 563–570. doi: . 10.1080/00358539708454389.
- ^ "Canada - History". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookInternal/145152/history/. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ a b c "Dominion Status". Commonwealth of Nations. http://www.commonwealth-of-nations.org/article.php?&id=4&subsection=3&page=3. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ McIntyre, W. David (January 2000). "Britain and the creation of the Commonwealth Secretariat". Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History 28 (1): pp. 135–158. doi: . 10.1080/03086530008583082.
- ^ "Malaysia - History". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookInternal/145165/history/. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ "Maldives - History". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookInternal/145167/history/. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ "The Maldives and the Commonwealth". Republic of Maldives. http://www.maldiveshighcommission.org/?id_w=8. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
- ^ Ingram, Derek (April 1996). "Commonwealth Update". The Round Table 85 (338): pp. 153–165. doi: . 10.1080/00358539608454302.
- ^ a b "Rwanda becomes a member of the Commonwealth". BBC News. 2009-11-29. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8384930.stm. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
- ^ Chronology of Namibian Independence
- ^ "Nauru Accedes to Full Membership of the Commonwealth". Commonwealth Secretariat. 12 April 1999. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/press/31555/34582/34786/nauru_accedes_to_full_membership_of_the_commonweal.htm. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
- ^ "Nauru–History". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookInternal/145172/history/. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ "New Zealand- History". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookInternal/145173/history/. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ "Nigeria". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/YearbookHomeInternal.asp?NodeID=138917. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ "Pakistan suspended from the Commonwealth". Commonwealth Secretariat. 2007-11-22. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34581/172911/221107cmag.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^ "Commonwealth lifts Pakistan suspension". Commonwealth Secretariat. 2008-05-12. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/179063/120508cmag.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^ "Constitution Amendment Act (No 2) 1997". http://www.paclii.org/ws/legis/num_act/caa21997295/. Retrieved 2007-11-27.
- ^ "South Africa". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/YearbookHomeInternal.asp?NodeID=139444. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ a b c "Tanzania - History". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookInternal/145193/history/. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- ^ "Tuvalu Accedes to Full Membership of the Commonwealth". Commonwealth Secretariat. 14 August 2000. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/press/31555/34582/141646/tuvalu_accedes_to_full_membership_of_the_commonwea.htm. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
- ^ Ingram, Derek (July 2000). "Commonwealth Update". The Round Table 89 (355): pp. 311–55. doi: .
- ^ a b Ingram, Derek (April 2002). "Commonwealth Update". The Round Table 91 (364): pp. 131–59. doi: .
- ^ Ingram, Derek; Soal, Judith (February 2007). "Commonwealth Update". The Round Table 96 (388): pp. 2–28. doi: .
- ^ "Editorial: CHOGM 2003, Abuja, Nigeria". The Round Table 93 (373): pp. 3–6. January 2004. doi: .
[edit] See also
- List of countries by English-speaking population
- List of countries where English is an official language
- Prospective members of the Commonwealth of Nations
- Representatives of the Commonwealth of Nations
[edit] External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Commonwealth of Nations |
- Commonwealth timeline
- "Members". Commonwealth Secretariat. http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Internal/142227/members/. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- "Commonwealth of Nations". Commonwealth of Nations. http://www.commonwealth-of-nations.org/article.php. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- "The Commonwealth". Directgov. http://www.direct.gov.uk/Gtgl1/GuideToGovernment/InternationalBodies/InternationalBodiesArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4003092&chk=JXlogH. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
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