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Text Version: Site Organization

The geographic bureaus of the U.S. State Department coordinate the conduct of U.S. foreign relations in six world regions. Some offices within the European bureau report to the Ambassador at Large and Special Adviser to the Secretary for the New Independent States (NIS), who coordinates the conduct of U.S. foreign relations in these countries of the former Soviet Union.

Like the Special Adviser for NIS, the Assistant Secretaries of the geographic bureaus advise the Secretary and guide the operation of the U.S. diplomatic establishments within their regional jurisdiction. They are assisted by Deputy Assistant Secretaries, office directors, post management officers, and country desk officers to ensure interdepartmental coordination. These officials work closely with U.S. embassies and consulates overseas and with foreign embassies in Washington, DC.

Bureau of African Affairs ( AF )

• Conducts U.S. foreign relations with the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs ( EAP )

• Conducts U.S. foreign relations with the countries in the East Asian and Pacific region.

Bureau of European Affairs ( EUR )

• Conducts U.S. foreign relations with countries in Europe and with Canada.

Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs ( WHA )

• Conducts foreign relations with Canada and Mexico and with the countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs ( NEA )

• Conducts U.S. foreign relations with countries in the Middle East and the Maghreb states in North Africa.

Bureau of South Asian Affairs ( SA )

• Conducts U.S. foreign relations with the South Asian countries of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

Office of the Special Adviser to the Secretary for the New Independent States (S/NIS)

• Conducts U.S. foreign relations with the NIS countries of the former Soviet Union.

Independent State in the World

• An alphabetical list of all sovereign states as recognized by the U.S. Government and selected other entities with their long-form names, capitals, and codes, and status of UN membership and U.S. diplomatic relations.

Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty

• An alphabetical listing of all dependencies and areas with special sovereign status, as recognized by the U.S. Government, with their long-form names, capitals, codes, and sovereign powers.

Country Offices

• An alphabetical listing of country offices at the Department of State. Please use correct Area Code when calling.

Disclaimers