PALESTINE:
A country in formation, yet to gain international recognition and independence, although it has international support and the process of independence is on.
It was a single piece of land called Palestine which included the present day territory of Israel, and was under British control under a mandate. After WWII, the British withdrew its control.
UN proposed the partition of Palestine into two states - An Arab state for the Arabic Muslims and a Jewish state for the Jews, keeping Jerusalem as a Neutral Zone. Based on this, Jewish occupied region as proclaimed as Zionist State, called ISRAEL from 14.5.1948. David Ben Gurion was the leader behind the movement for separate state of Israel.
Israel, besides the territory allotted to it by the Partition Plan, occupied half of the UN administered Jerusalem and also much of the territory allotted to the Arabs (which is now emerging as the Palestine State), after the Arab War of 1948. This is the region claimed by the Palestine Liberation Organization, leading to frequent warring situations resulting in the death of large number of people.
Israel has offered limited autonomy to Palestine on August 30, 1993. Later on 13.9.1993 a historic peace accord was signed between PLO and Israel granting Palestine the self rule in Gaza Strip and West Bank (which was occupied by Israel after the war of 1967 with Egypt).
In May 2003, Israeli cabinet approved plan for a separate Palestinian state by 2005 but as of 2012 Palestine is yet to take off. Yasser Arafat was the great leader who was fighting for separate Palestine till his death on 11th November 2004.
"HAMAZ" is a fundamentalist organization which is fighting for the liberation of Palestine in its own aggressive and guerilla warfare, inflicting regular inroads into Israeli security. With Israel climbing down from its stand on Palestine, things are progressing towards a peaceful solution soon.
The region which is under dispute:
GAZA STRIP : 363 SQKM - Population 1.1 million Arab Muslims.
WEST BANK : 5879 SQKM - Population 1.6 million.
The UNESCO has admitted PALESTINE as its 195th member (observer) in November 2011 - a step closer to getting full recognition for a statehood.
ABKHAZIA:Eastern coast of Black Sea and the South West flank of the Caucasus. Capital:Sukhumi; Area: 8432 SQKM; Currency: Apsar and Ruble; Population: 157000; recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezeula and Nauru - Other UN member states are yet to recognize it. Georgia claims this territory as part of it.
KOSOVO:A region lying within Serbian territory, land locked by Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro which countries recognize it. Serbia does not recognize it and considers it as a UN governed province within its sovereign territory. Capital: Pristina; Area: 10908 SQKM; Population: 1804800 SQKM; Currency: Euro.
NAGORONO - KARABAKH REPUBLIC:Name sake region on the South Caucasus. It is a region under dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, while the region proclaimed itself independent and republic. Yet to be recognized by international community. Capital: Stepanakert; Area: 11458 SQKM; Population: 141400;Currency:Armenian Dram.
NORTHERN CYPRUS:Lies in the northern portion of Cyprus island. Turkey alone has recognized it. Capital: Nicosia (which is also incidentally the capital of Cyprus as a whole); Area: 3355 SQKM; Population: 285356; Currency: Turkish Lira; This country has been in existence since 1983.
SOMALILAND: Region within Somalia. Borders with Ethiopia, Djibouti and Gulf of Aden. Yet to be recognized by international community and all western half of the former British Somaliland. Capital: Hargeisa;Area: 137600 SQKM; Population: 3500000; Currency: Shilling. The region is the western half of the former British Somaliland.
SOUTH OSSETIA: A region comprising of South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast territory inGeorgia. It is in existence from November 1991. George and other UN member states are yet to recognize it, however, Russia, Nicaragua, Venezeula and Nauru. Capital: Tskhinavali; Area: 3900 SQKM; Population: 72000 ; Currency : Russian Ruble.
TRANSNISTRIA: A region in Moldova. It is in existence from 1990 - It is yet to be recognized by the international community. Capital: Tiraspol; Area: 4163 SQKM; Currency: Ruble.