Find examples of diplomacy abroad by navigating the interactive map. Learn about American diplomats who have made a powerful impact on our history and how diplomacy is conducted today. Explore embassies around the world and dive into our relationships with other countries. Discover the practice of diplomacy today, from promoting economic prosperity, to supporting democratic principles, to ensuring a more secure landscape.
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Location
Summary
American Institute in Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan
In 1979, the United States changed its diplomatic recognition of China from Taipei to Beijing. In the U.S.-People’s Republic of China Joint Communique that announced the change, the United States recognized the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and acknowledged the Chinese position that there is but […]
Arms Control
Moscow, Russia
The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance at the Department of State helps to form key strategies and goals of the U.S. government on arms control. These strategies and goals cover two broad areas: assisting the United States and other nations in negotiating arms control and disarmament treaties; and creating strong relationships with other nations to aid in the […]
Benjamin Franklin: First American Minister
Paris, France
Minister Plenipotentiary
Child Marriage
Sana'a, Yemen
The protection of human rights was a fundamental principle in the creation of the United States over 200 years ago. Since then, promoting respect for human rights—as embodied in the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights—has been a central goal of U.S. foreign policy. In the Department of State the main responsibility for human rights issues lies with the […]
Clifton R. Wharton, Sr.: Ambassador
Bucharest, Romania
Ambassador
Climate Change
Copenhagen, Denmark
The United States Special Envoy for Climate Change reports directly to the Secretary of State. As the administration’s chief climate negotiator, the special envoy plays a central role in developing U.S. international policy on climate, representing the United States internationally in all bilateral and multilateral negotiations on climate change.
Conflict Diamonds
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Department of State, through the Office of Threat Finance Countermeasures, helps to coordinate the U.S. commitments to the Kimberley Process. Through its commitment to upholding the Kimberley Process, the Department of State is seeking to create a more stable Africa.
Earthquake Relief
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
The Office of the Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance in the Department of State ensures the strategic and effective use of foreign assistance resources. The office manages foreign aid to respond to global needs, make the world safer, and help people to better their own lives. U.S. foreign aid is used in the following ways: To advance human rights and […]
Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett: Educator, Abolitionist, and Minister
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
U.S. Minister to Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Endangered Species
Ottawa, Canada
The Department of State understands the importance of providing for the proper conservation and management of marine species, which serve a vital role as part of our ocean’s resources. With other federal agencies, the Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs participates in a number of efforts to conserve marine biodiversity. This office is a part of the […]
Environmental Conservation
Canberra, Australia
The Department of State understands the importance of conserving and sustaining marine species by preserving their habitat. The Department’s Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs develops practical policies that protect marine biodiversity. The office is a part of the Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. This office is responsible for formulating […]
Fishing Rights
Beijing, China
The Office of Marine Conservation is a part of the Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. To support the U.S. fishing industry along the East and West Coasts, the office negotiates bilateral andmultilateral fisheries agreements. These agreements protect U.S. fishermen, their industries, and the ecosystems where fish populations spawn and grow. The office also […]
Food Security
Dakar, Senegal
The Department of State is committed to working as part of a global effort to improve food security. To support this commitment, the Secretary created the Office of Global Hunger and Food Security. This office—which reports directly to the Secretary—leads the Department of State’s efforts to address the needs of small-scale farmers and agribusinesses and harness the […]
Frances Elizabeth Willis: Ambassador
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Ambassador
Helen Eugenie Anderson: Diplomat
Copenhagen, Denmark
Ambassador
Henry Wheaton: Scholar & Minister
Berlin, Germany
Minister
HIV/ AIDS Relief
Pretoria, South Africa
The U. S. Global AIDS Coordinator at the Department of State leads implementation of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR is the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world. This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally. […]
Human Trafficking
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
“Trafficking in persons” or “human trafficking” are terms many international groups use to describe a range of activities from abducting laborers to forced prostitution. Human trafficking includes all the ways people are delivered into compelled service or exploited as forced workers or servants. President Bill Clinton issued an Executive Memorandum on the Trafficking of Women […]
Intellectual Property Protection
Lima, Peru
The Office of International Intellectual Property Enforcement promotes American and global innovation by advocating for the effective protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR) around the world. The team works closely with economic officers at the Department’s embassies, consulates, and missions to ensure that the interests of American rights holders are represented overseas. The […]
Internet Freedom
Havana, Cuba
The Department of State is committed to free expression and the free flow of information as fundamental human rights. Repressive regimes are censoring search results, jailing journalists and activists, and imposing laws that restrict access to information. To expand Internet freedom, the Department engages vigorously with foreign governments when they attack bloggers or curtail access to content. […]
Jailed Abroad
Rabat, Morocco
Did you know that in the 1970s over 400 Americans were jailed abroad? U.S. Ambassadors in regions such as Morocco and Lebanon at that time reported a surge in emergency requests for basic needs such as soap and blankets from imprisoned Americans. Most of these incarcerations came as a result of drug smuggling. Naive American […]
John Foster Dulles: Secretary of State
Cairo, Egypt
Secretary of State
John Jay: Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Washington, DC, United States
United States Secretary of Foreign Affairs
John Quincy Adams: Secretary of State and President
Moscow, Russia
Minister, Secretary of State, President
Maritime Pirates
Nairobi, Kenya
Fighting piracy is a vital element of the United States’ strategic objectives in Somalia. The Departments of State and Defense are co-chairs of the U.S. Government Counter-Piracy Steering Group, an executive-level body created to implement the National Action and Partnership Plan to Combat Piracy off the Horn of Africa. U.S. goals also include helping Somalia […]
Passports
Washington, DC, United States
A U.S. passport is your key to international travel. When you present it abroad, you are requesting a foreign government to permit you to travel or temporarily reside in its territories and to have access to all lawful, local aid and protection. It gives you access to U.S. consular services and assistance overseas. Most importantly, it allows […]
Patricia Roberts Harris: Ambassador
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Ambassador
Poverty
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The Department of State recognizes the importance of providing impoverished communities with tools to move from poverty to productivity. U.S. ambassadors and their embassies throughout Africa are joined by colleagues from the Department of Defense and USAID in working towards creating more microfinance options. This collective presence shows that the U.S. government is committed to this effort […]
Promoting Trade
Yaounde, Cameroon
The Department of State’s Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs is devoted to providing technical expertise in regional and bilateral trade negotiations including labor, environment, services, government procurement, trade remedies, and trade capacity building. This bureau helps to oversee programs such as African Growth and Opportunity Act.
Ralph Bunche: Diplomat
New York, United States
Undersecretary General to the United Nations
Refugee Assistance
Juba, Sudan
The Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration provides aid and sustainable solutions for refugees—such as the Sudanese woman mentioned above. It assists victims of conflict and stateless people around the world, by helping them return home, integrate into local communities, or resettle in the United States.
Religious Freedom
Jakarta, Indonesia
The Office of International Religious Freedom has the mission of promoting religious freedom as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy. Working closely with the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, the office is headed by an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. It monitors religious persecution and discrimination worldwide, recommends and implements policies, and develops programs to promote […]
Science & Technology Promotion
Washington, DC, United States
The Department of State relies upon the skills of America’s scientists and technologists to help develop and fulfill its scientific mission. At the Department, the Office of the Science & Technology Advisor and the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs promote global scientific and technological progress as integral components of U.S. diplomacy. In addition, the adviser facilitates bilateral and multilateral scientific cooperation […]
Securing the Skies
Bogotá, Colombia
The Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs’ Transportation Affairs division at the Department of State is the unit primarily responsible for negotiating Open Skies agreements. The division is devoted to providing the fullest possible support to the U.S. global transportation industry. The division’s goal is to create a worldwide transportation system that is open, […]
Sports Envoys
Yerevan, Armenia
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly, cooperative, and peaceful relations. The bureau works with national sports leagues, the U.S. Olympic Committee, athletes and coaches in various sports to select ambassadors of […]
Sweatshops
Dhaka, Bangladesh
The Department of State supports projects that combat sweatshop labor in overseas factories. Since 2000 nearly $18 million in projects have been funded through this initiative. The Department of State’s Office of International Labor and Corporate Social Responsibility, part of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, promotes these issues in partnership with other organizations.
Thomas Jefferson: Secretary of State, President
Paris, France
Secretary of State, President
U.S. Diplomatic Mission, Rome, Italy
Rome , Italy
The Kingdom of Italy was formed through the unification of the Italian peninsula under the House of Savoy in 186. The United States officially recognized Italy in the same year. The American Legation in Italy was elevated to an embassy in 1893, and apart from a three-year interruption during World War II the United States […]
U.S. Embassy Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
The United States established diplomatic relations with Cote d’Ivoire (then called Ivory Coast) in 1960 following its independence from France. A coup in 1999 ushered in several years of instability. In 2015, Cote d’Ivoire held successful presidential elections, and a new constitution was approved in a nationwide referendum in 2016. With investments by the United […]
U.S. Embassy Abuja, Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria
The United States recognized the Federation of Nigeria in 1960, following its independence from the United Kingdom. A civil war which ended in January 1970 resulted in an estimated one to three million casualties. Following the 1999 inauguration of a civilian president, the U.S.-Nigerian relationship began to improve, as did cooperation on foreign policy goals such as […]
U.S. Embassy Accra, Ghana
Accra, Ghana
The United States established diplomatic relations with Ghana in 1957 following Ghana’s independence from the United Kingdom. In 1961, Ghana hosted the first cohort of Peace Corps Volunteers to serve overseas and still hosts volunteers. The United States and Ghana share a long history promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Ghana has […]
U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Diplomatic relations were established between the United States and Ethiopia in a treaty of commerce in 1903. The first American Legation arrived in Addis Ababa in 1909 but withdrew in 1936 when Italy invaded Ethiopia. It reopened in 1943 and was elevated to embassy status in 1949. During the Cold War, U.S.-Ethiopian relations were strained because Ethiopia accepted Soviet aid and […]
U.S. Embassy Algiers, Algeria
El Biar 16030, Algeria
On June 23, 1786 Morocco became one of the first nations to formally recognize the United States, and the two countries signed a treaty of peace and friendship. The United States established a consulate in Morocco in 1797 and in 1821 Sultan Moulay Suliman provided a home for the American Consul General which is now the oldest American diplomatic […]
U.S. Embassy Amman, Jordan
Amman, Jordan
The United States values its long history of cooperation and friendship with Jordan, with which it established diplomatic relations in 1949. The United States appreciates the leadership role that Jordan plays in advancing peace and moderation in the region. The United States and Jordan share the mutual goals of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace […]
U.S. Embassy Antananarivo, Madagascar
Antananarivo, Madagascar
The United States concluded a commercial convention in 1867 and a treaty of peace, friendship, and commerce in 1881 with Madagascar. Traditionally warm relations suffered considerably during the 1970s, when Madagascar expelled the U.S. ambassador, closed a NASA tracking station, and nationalized two U.S. oil companies. In 1980, relations at the ambassadorial level were restored. […]
U.S. Embassy Apia, Samoa
Apia, Samoa
The United States established diplomatic relations with the Independent State of Samoa (then called Western Samoa) in 1971 following its independence from a New Zealand-administered trusteeship in 1962. U.S. consular relations in the Samoan islands date back to 1856 when the first U.S. Consul was posted in Apia. Over the years the United States and […]
U.S. Embassy Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
The United States established diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan in 1992 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Turkmenistan occupies a critical geographic juncture, sharing long borders with Afghanistan and Iran, and acts as a transportation, humanitarian, and economic link to Afghanistan and the South Asian subcontinent, advancing regional stability. Turkmenistan is a closed society with […]
U.S. Embassy Asmara, Eritrea
Asmara, Eritrea
The United States established diplomatic relations with Eritrea in 1993 following its independence and separation from Ethiopia. The United States supported Eritrea’s independence, but ongoing government detention of political dissidents, the closure of the independent press, limits on civil liberties, allegations of human rights abuses, and the expulsion of some U.S. government agencies have contributed to strained […]
U.S. Embassy Asuncion, Paraguay
Asunción, Paraguay
The United States established diplomatic relations with Paraguay in 1861, approximately fifty years after Paraguay declared independence from Spain. Post-independence, Paraguay experienced a mix of coups, civil war, and dictatorships, with a more recent transition to civilian leadership and democratic elections. The United States supports the consolidation of Paraguay’s democracy and continued economic reform—the cornerstones […]
U.S. Embassy Athens, Greece
Athens, Greece
The United States appointed its first Consul to Greece in 1837 following Greece’s independence from the Ottoman Empire, and it established diplomatic relations with Greece in 1868. After World War II, the United States contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild Greece’s buildings, agriculture, and industry as part of the Marshall Plan. Today, an […]
U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq
Baghdad, Iraq
The first American Consul arrived in Baghdad in 1888 when present-day Iraq was still part of the Ottoman Empire. The United States recognized Iraq as an independent state in 1930 and opened an American Legation in Baghdad the next year, promoting it to Embassy status in 1946. Iraq severed diplomatic ties with the United States […]
U.S. Embassy Baku, Azerbaijan
Baku, Azerbaijan
Located at the crossroads of European-Asian trading routes, Azerbaijan was fought over by Russian, Persian and Ottoman forces for centuries. After the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917, Azerbaijan briefly became an independent state before becoming part of the Soviet Union. The United States established diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan in 1992 following its independence […]
U.S. Embassy Bamako, Mali
Bamako, Mali
The United States established diplomatic relations with Mali in 1960 following its independence from France. U.S.-Mali relations have been strong for decades and have been based on shared goals of strengthening democracy and reducing poverty through economic growth. The United States is committed to international efforts to help Mali restore peace and stability throughout its […]
U.S. Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
The U.S. relationship with Brunei is a strong and cooperative one, and the level of our engagement has increased significantly in recent years. The relationship dates back to April 6, 1845 when the USS Constitution, or “Old Ironsides,” arrived in Brunei Bay to start more than 170 years of friendly relations. Five years later, we […]
U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand
The United States and Thailand established relations in 1818 and signed a Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1833, formalizing diplomatic relations. An interim military government has ruled Thailand, a constitutional monarchy, since a May 2014 military coup which deposed an elected civilian government. The United States has urged the restoration of elected civilian government […]
U.S. Embassy Bangui, Central African Republic
Bangui, Central African Republic
In 1960, the Central African Republic (CAR) gained its independence from France, and the United States established diplomatic relations in 1961. CAR is one of the world’s least developed nations, and has experienced political instability since independence. Due to frequent violence and unrest, the embassy has had to close down and be evacuated a few […]
U.S. Embassy Banjul, The Gambia
Banjul, The Gambia
The Gambia became independent from the United Kingdom in 1965 and the United States recognized it the same year. President Yayah Jammeh took power in a military coup d’état in 1994 and remained in office until he was defeated by President Adama Barrow in elections held in 2016. U.S. policy seeks to strengthen relations with […]
U.S. Embassy Beijing, China
Beijing, China
In 1844 the United States and the Empire of China formally recognized each other, leading to the establishment of the U.S. Legation (a diplomatic liaison office) in Beijing in 1862. The Chinese Revolution of 1911 and other political turmoil in China interrupted diplomatic relations briefly, but in 1935 the legation was elevated to an embassy. […]
U.S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut, Lebanon
In 1942 the United States appointed an “Agent and Consul General” to provide a quasi-diplomatic presence in Lebanon while it was still under French authority. Lebanon achieved independence in 1944. Lebanon’s history since its 1944 independence has been marked by periods of political turmoil interspersed with prosperity built on its position as a regional center […]
U.S. Embassy Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade, Serbia
The Republic of Serbia is considered the successor state to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). Diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were established in 2000. The U.S. Embassy reopened in May 2001, and an Ambassador to Serbia was appointed in November of that same year. Serbia occupies a key strategic juncture in […]
U.S. Embassy Belmopan, Belize
Belmopan, Belize
The United States established a consulate in British Honduras (now Belize) on March 3, 1847. Since then the United States and Belize have continued to maintain close and cordial relations. Belize’s economic growth, good governance, and security are important to U.S. interests in the region. The United States and Belize are working as partners to […]
U.S. Embassy Berlin, Germany
Berlin, Germany
Following the establishment of the German Empire on January 18, 1871, the United States recognized the new German Empire by changing the accreditation of its Minister to Prussia to become Minister to the German Empire. The American Legation was elevated to embassy status in 1893. The history of U.S.-German relations in the first half of […]
U.S. Embassy Bern, Switzerland
Bern, Switzerland
Since the 1820s the United States and Switzerland have enjoyed consular relations,and in 1853 the United States established a Legation in Switzerland. Switzerland has played an increasingly important role in supporting the spread of democratic institutions and values worldwide, as well as providing humanitarian relief and economic development assistance. U.S. policy toward Switzerland takes these […]
U.S. Embassy Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
The United States recognized Kyrgyzstan’s independence in 1991. The two countries have a strong partnership. The United States supports Kyrgyzstan in its development of an inclusive democracy based upon the rule of law and respect for human rights. Kyrgyzstan’s 2011 presidential election marked the first peaceful transfer of presidential power in post-Soviet Central Asia. Significant […]
U.S. Embassy Bogota, Colombia
Bogotá, Colombia
Colombia effectively achieved its independence from Spain by 1819, and the country was recognized by the United States in 1822. Colombia is a middle-income country and one of the oldest democracies in Latin America. Colombia has experienced more than half a century of conflict with illegal armed groups. Long-term U.S. interests in Colombia include promoting […]
U.S. Embassy Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
The United States established diplomatic relations with the Republic of the Congo in 1960 following the country’s independence from France. Diplomatic relations were suspended in 1965, then resumed in 1977. The country, then the People’s Republic of the Congo, had a Marxist government from 1970 to 1991 and enjoyed close relations with the Soviet Union, […]
U.S. Embassy Bridgetown, Barbados
Bridgetown, Barbados
The United States maintained a consular presence in Barbados beginning June 11, 1823, when Barbados was still a British colony. Following widespread Caribbean decolonization throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the United States has used Bridgetown as a base for diplomatic relations with Barbados and the region. The United States and Barbados have had friendly bilateral […]
U.S. Embassy Brussels, Belgium
Brussels, Belgium
The Kingdom of Belgium declared its independence from the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1830. Belgium attempted to remain a neutral country; however, the German invasions in the first and second World Wars made this impossible. Today, Belgium is a member of the European Union and NATO. The United States and Belgium are good friends […]
U.S. Embassy Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest, Romania
The United States established diplomatic relations with Romania in 1880 soon after its independence from the Ottoman Empire. The two countries severed diplomatic ties after Romania declared war on the United States in 1941, but reestablished them in 1947. Relations remained strained during the Cold War era while Romania was under communist leadership. After the […]
U.S. Embassy Budapest, Hungary
Budapest, Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary was ruled by Ottoman Turks and later Austrians until the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I. In 1921, the United States established diplomatic relations with Hungary following the end of the First World War. During World War II, Hungary severed relations with the United States […]
U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The United States recognized the Government of Buenos Ayres (predecessor of Argentina) on January 27, 1823. Diplomatic relations were briefly interrupted in 1944. The United States and Argentina maintain a bilateral relationship based on shared interests including economic ties, democracy and human rights, counterterrorism and rule of law, improving citizen security, energy, science and technology, people-to-people ties, […]
U.S. Embassy Bujumbura, Burundi
Bujumbura, Burundi
The United States recognized the Kingdom of Burundi in 1961 when the United Nations ended the trusteeship that had been administered by Belgium. Following independence, Burundi experienced political assassinations, ethnic violence, and cyclical periods of armed conflict; several governments were installed through coups. The 2000 Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement provided a negotiated settlement framework […]
U.S. Embassy Cairo, Egypt
Garden City, Cairo, Egypt
Relations between the United States and what later became the Arab Republic of Egypt began in 1849 with the establishment of a U.S. consulate general in Cairo. In 1922 when Egypt ceased being a protectorate and gained its full independence from the United Kingdom, the United States established a formal legation. In 1967 Egypt broke diplomatic relations […]
U.S. Embassy Canberra, Australia
Canberra, Australia
Australia is a vital ally and partner of the United States. The United States and Australia maintain a robust relationship underpinned by shared democratic values, common interests, and cultural affinities. Economic, academic, and people-to-people ties are vibrant and strong. The two countries marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2015.The first American Consul was […]
U.S. Embassy Caracas, Venezuela
Miranda, Venezuela
Venezuela effectively achieved its independence from Spain by 1819 as part of the Republic of Colombia, and the United States recognized the Colombian federation in 1822. After Venezuela separated from Colombia in 1830, the United States recognized and established diplomatic relations with Venezuela in 1835. While the U.S.-Venezuelan bilateral relationship has been strained in recent […]
U.S. Embassy Chisnau, Moldova
Chisnau, Moldova
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States recognized the independence of Moldova in 1991. The United States supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and on that basis supports negotiations to find a comprehensive settlement that will provide a special status for the separatist region of Transnistria within […]
U.S. Embassy Colombo, Sri Lanka and Maldives
Colombo, Sri Lanka and Maldives
The United States recognized Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1948. The United States enjoys cordial relations with Sri Lanka that are based on shared democratic traditions. U.S. policy toward Sri Lanka is characterized by respect for its independence, sovereignty, and moderate nonaligned foreign policy; support for the country’s unity, territorial integrity, and democratic institutions; and […]
U.S. Embassy Conakry, Guinea
Conakry, Guinea
The United States recognized the Republic of Guinea in 1958. It had a military coup d’etat in 2008. Following Guinea’s presidential elections in 2010, the United States reestablished strong diplomatic relations with the government. The United States supported free, fair, peaceful, and inclusive legislative elections in 2013 and a second presidential election in 2015, marking […]
U.S. Embassy Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark
Denmark and the United States have never experienced an interruption in their diplomatic relations since they were first established in 1801. Denmark and the United States have long enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship. The two countries consult closely on European and other regional political and security matters and cooperate extensively to promote peace […]
U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin
Cotonou , Benin
The United States established diplomatic relations with Benin (then called Dahomey) in 1960 following its independence from France. A succession of military coups brought about many changes of government, including one run by Mathieu Kerekou, who instituted one-party, Marxist-Leninist rule. Following the collapse of worldwide communism, France and other democratic powers encouraged Kerekou to convene […]
U.S. Embassy Dakar, Senegal
Dakar, Senegal
The United States established diplomatic relations with Senegal in 1960 following its independence from France. Senegal is a valued partner of the United States in promoting peace and security in Africa. The country shares many fundamental values and international goals with the United States, and it has set an example of democratic rule as well […]
U.S. Embassy Damascus, Syria
Damascus, Syria
The United States established diplomatic relations with Syria in 1944 following U.S. determination that Syria had achieved effective independence from a French-administered mandate. Syria severed diplomatic relations with the United States in 1967 in the wake of the Arab-Israeli War. Relations were reestablished in 1974. Syria has been on the U.S. list of state sponsors […]
U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The United States and Tanzania have enjoyed cordial diplomatic since Tanzania’s (then-Tanganyika) independence from the United Kingdom in 1961. Tanzania is experiencing a shrinking of democratic space, and the United States has publicly expressed concern about the rise in politically-related confrontations and violence. The United States remains committed to strengthening democracy in Tanzania and working […]
U.S. Embassy Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh
The United States established a consulate in Dhaka (then referred to as “Dacca”) in 1949, when what is now called “Bangladesh” was the eastern part of Pakistan. Diplomatic relations and the American embassy at Dhaka were established in 1972 soon after Bangladesh became independent. The United States and Bangladesh share a vision for an inclusive, […]
U.S. Embassy Dili, Timor-Leste
Díli, Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste became an independent nation in 2002, following over four hundred years of Portuguese colonization, twenty-four years of Indonesian occupation, and three years of United Nations transitional administration. The country faces the challenge of building a strong democracy and vibrant economy against a background of still-fragile institutions and limited human capital. The United States and […]
U.S. Embassy Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti
Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti
The United States established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Djibouti in 1977 following its independence from France. However, it has had consular representation in the former colony of French Somaliland since 1929. Djibouti is strategically located in the Horn of Africa and is a key U.S. partner on security, regional stability, and humanitarian efforts […]
U.S. Embassy Doha, Qatar
Doha, Qatar
The United States established diplomatic relations with Qatar in 1972 following its independence from the United Kingdom. Bilateral relations are strong, with the United States and Qatar coordinating closely on a wide range of regional and global issues. As a valuable partner to the United States, Qatar has played an influential role in the region […]
U.S. Embassy Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
Ireland gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1921, when representatives of the two states signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty. This agreement provided independence for 26 counties, constituted as the Irish Free State, while six counties of northeast Ulster chose to remain a part of the United Kingdom with limited self-government. Strong U.S.-Irish connections date to […]
U.S. Embassy Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
The United States established diplomatic relations with Tajikistan in 1992 following its independence from the Soviet Union. The United States and Tajikistan have a broad-based relationship, cooperating in such areas as counter-narcotics, counterterrorism, non-proliferation, and regional growth and stability. Stability and economic growth in Tajikistan are critical to achieving overall regional stability and to strengthening […]
U.S. Embassy Freetown, Sierra Leone
Freetown, Sierra Leone
The United States established diplomatic relations with Sierra Leone in 1961 following its independence from the United Kingdom. In early 2014, the United Nations hailed Sierra Leone as a success story due to its remarkable post-conflict transition following a brutal civil war (1991-2002), which destroyed the country’s infrastructure and hampered it’s political, social, and economic […]
U.S. Embassy Gaborone, Botswana
Botswana, Botswana
The United States established its embassy in Botswana on the day of the country’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. The United States considers Botswana an excellent partner and an advocate of and model for stability in Africa. Since independence, Botswana has consistently maintained a democratic government, responsibly managed its natural resources, and invested […]
U.S. Embassy Georgetown, Guyana
Georgetown, Guyana
Guyana received its independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, at which point the U.S. established its first embassy there. U.S. policy toward Guyana seeks to develop robust, sustainable democratic institutions, laws, and political practices; support economic growth and development; promote an active, organized, and empowered civil society; and promote stability and security. Beginning in […]
U.S. Embassy Guatemala City, Guatemala
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Guatemala and the United States first established relations in 1824 when Guatemala was a member of the Federation of Central American States. The United States established diplomatic relations with an independent Guatemala in 1849. U.S. prosperity and security relies on prosperity and security in Guatemala. U.S. policy objectives in Guatemala support the institutionalization of democracy […]
U.S. Embassy Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam
The United States established diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1950, following its limited independence within the French Union; France continued to oversee Vietnam’s defense and foreign policy. In 1954, Vietnamese nationalists fighting for full independence defeated France, and the now-divided Vietnam entered into two decades of civil war. The United States did not recognize North […]
U.S. Embassy Harare, Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe
The United Kingdom formally granted independence to Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) in 1980, following years of conflict between minority white rulers and majority black guerilla movements. The United States was the first nation to open an embassy in the country. Despite strained political relations, the United States is the largest provider of development and humanitarian assistance […]
U.S. Embassy Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, Finland
The United States established diplomatic relations with Finland in 1919, following its 1917 declaration of independence from the Russian Empire. The United States severed diplomatic relations with Finland in 1944 during World War II, due to Finland’s alliance with Nazi Germany. U.S.-Finland diplomatic relations were reestablished in 1945. Before the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, […]
U.S. Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
The United States and Pakistan have enjoyed a close relationship since Pakistan’s independence in 1947. Pakistan has historically been a supporter of U.S. foreign policy, specifically during the United States’ opening to China and following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. For its part, the United States has striven to lessen tensions between Pakistan and India. […]
U.S. Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia
U.S. merchants traded with the Dutch colony of Indonesia for many years, and the first U.S. consular post was established in Jakarta in 1801. In 1949 Indonesia won its independence from the Netherlands and the United States recognized it, establishing formal diplomatic relations that same year. The current U.S. Embassy compound in Jakarta opened in […]
U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem, Israel
The United States was the first country to recognize Israel as a state in 1948, and the first to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 2017. Israel’s founding was preceded by more than 50 years of efforts to establish a sovereign state as a homeland for the Jewish people. Israel has long been, […]
U.S. Embassy Juba, South Sudan
Juba, South Sudan
Since achieving its independence from British and Egyptian rule in 1956, Sudan experienced recurring civil wars primarily between North and South. Following a referendum, the Republic of South Sudan declared independence on July 9, 2011. The United States recognized the Republic of South Sudan the same day. Several disputes between Sudan and South Sudan remain […]
U.S. Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan
Kabul, Afghanistan
The United States recognized Afghanistan in 1921 after its independence from the United Kingdom, and diplomatic relations were established in 1935. The first U.S. Legation in Kabul opened in 1942 and was elevated to embassy status in 1948. However, the embassy closed in 1989 due to safety concerns; it reopened in 2002 after NATO forces […]
U.S. Embassy Kampala, Uganda
Kampala, Uganda
The United States established diplomatic relations with Uganda in 1962 following Uganda’s independence from the United Kingdom. The human rights abuses of several Ugandan governments strained U.S. relations with Uganda. President Museveni came to power in 1986, after decades of internal strife. Under Museveni, Uganda experienced relative political stability and economic growth. Uganda faces numerous […]
U.S. Embassy Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal
The United States and Nepal have enjoyed friendly relations since the United States first recognized Nepal in 1947. Since 1951, the United States has provided Nepal with economic aid. In recent years, U.S. aid to Nepal has been geared toward economic development and ensuring the viability of Nepal’s democratic institutions following the abolition of the […]
U.S. Embassy Khartoum, Sudan
Khartoum, Sudan
The United States established diplomatic relations with Sudan in 1956 following its independence from joint administration by Egypt and the United Kingdom. Sudan broke diplomatic relations with the United States in 1967 after the start of the Arab-Israeli War. Relations were reestablished in 1972. Sudan established links with international terrorist organizations resulting in the United […]
U.S. Embassy Kigali, Rwanda
Kigali, Rwanda
The United States established diplomatic relations with Rwanda in 1962 following its independence from a Belgian-administered trusteeship. From 1990 to 1994, the country saw civil war and genocide. The United States seeks to help Rwanda meet the needs of its population, including increased social cohesion in a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive Rwanda that provides good […]
U.S. Embassy Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
Throughout the 19th century the United States maintained several consular posts throughout Colonial British Jamaica, the earliest at Montego Bay and Falmouth dating from 1861. These posts, which were placed to monitor American trade interests in the Caribbean, were all closed by September 1919. The United States established diplomatic relations with Jamaica in 1962 following […]
U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
The United States first established full diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1960 when the country received its independence from Belgium. American consulates had existed in the Belgian Congo prior to 1960. Post-independence, the country saw a mix of unrest and rebellion, secession, dictatorships, armed conflict, and neighboring countries intervening in […]
U.S. Embassy Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
Following World War II, the islands of what is now the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) became part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, administered by the United States through the Department of Interior Office of Insular Areas (DOI/OIA). The FSM became independent in 1986, when it entered into a Compact […]
U.S. Embassy Koror, Republic of Paulau
Airai, Palau
Following World War II, in 1947 under UN auspices as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the United States assumed administration of Palau. In 1982, Palau signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Palau gained its independence and established diplomatic relations with the United States in 1994, with the […]
U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The United States appointed a consul to Penang, Malaysia in 1918 to assist American merchants trading in Malaysia, a part of the British Empire at that time. The United States later established two other consular posts. In 1957 the United States established diplomatic relations with the newly independent Federation of Malaya and elevated its consulate […]
U.S. Embassy Kuwait City, Kuwait
Kuwait City, Kuwait
The United States established diplomatic relations with Kuwait in 1961 following its full independence from the United Kingdom. The United States shares a long history of friendship and cooperation with Kuwait, rooted in shared values, democratic traditions, and institutions. In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. Military forces of the United States and a multinational coalition expelled […]
U.S. Embassy Kyiv, Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine
The U.S. recognized Ukraine after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. The United States has traditionally sought to promote Ukrainian political and economic stability since the Ukraine declared independence from Russia. The United States attaches great importance to the success of Ukraine’s transition to a modern democratic state with a flourishing market economy. […]
U.S. Embassy La Paz, Bolivia
La Paz, Bolivia
Bolivia declared its independence from Spain on August 6, 1825. The United States recognized the Peru-Bolivian Confederation on March 16, 1837. Although the Confederation dissolved in 1839, it was not until May 30, 1848 that the United States recognized Bolivia as a separate state and established diplomatic relations. While economic growth has been positive throughout […]
U.S. Embassy Libreville, Gabon
Libreville, Gabon
The United States established diplomatic relations with Gabon in 1960 following its independence from France. Relations between the United States and Gabon are strong. The United States supports Gabon’s efforts to increase regional cooperation on environmental issues, while at the same time urging Gabon to take bold steps to root out corruption and to reform […]
U.S. Embassy Lilongwe, Malawi
Lilongwe, Malawi
The United States recognized Malawi in 1964 when the American consulate at Blantyre was elevated to embassy status upon Malawi’s attainment of independence from the United Kingdom. The United States and Malawi have worked together to advance health, education, agriculture, governance, energy, and environmental stewardship in Malawi. The United States seeks to promote health and […]
U.S. Embassy Lima, Peru
Lima, Peru
Peru and the United States first established diplomatic relations in 1826, five years following the proclamation of Peruvian independence in July 1821. The area that became the Republic of Peru previously had been under Spanish sovereignty. Diplomatic relations have been interrupted due to intermittent territorial disputes with its neighbors, periods of military rule, and coups […]
U.S. Embassy Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal
United States-Portugal bilateral ties date from the earliest years of the United States when Portugal was among the first countries to recognize the United States following the Revolutionary War. The oldest continuously-operating U.S. Consulate is in Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. Contributing to the strong ties between the United […]
U.S. Embassy Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana, Slovenia
The United States established diplomatic relations with Slovenia in 1992 following its independence from Yugoslavia. The United States and Slovenia work together actively on a number of fronts and have developed strong, cooperative relations on a broad range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. Slovenia is an important partner in advancing the shared goal of […]
U.S. Embassy Lome, Togo
Lomé, Togo
The United States established diplomatic relations with Togo in 1960 following its independence from a French-administered trusteeship. Several coups and assassinations took place between 1960 and 1967 followed by one man rule until 2005. Today Togo is benefitting from economic growth, gradual democratic reform leading to greater transparency, and a steady professionalization of its security […]
U.S. Embassy London, The United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom
The first, short-lived British colony in Virginia was organized in 1584, and permanent English settlement began in 1607. The United States declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776, and the United Kingdom recognized U.S. independence in 1783. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1785 when John Adams presented his credentials to King George […]
U.S. Embassy Luanda, Angola
Luanda, Angola
Angola became independent from Portugal in 1975 but saw 27 years of civil war among groups backed at various times by countries that included the United States, the Soviet Union, Cuba, China, and South Africa. The United States established diplomatic relations in 1993. Angola has a strong and capable military. Although the country is sub-Saharan […]
U.S. Embassy Lusaka, Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia
The United States established diplomatic relations with Zambia in 1964 following its independence from the United Kingdom. Zambia saw single-party rule from independence until 1973, when it formally became a one-party state. In 1991, Zambia began adopting multi-party democracy and a more liberalized economy. Zambia’s economic growth has not benefited the many rural and urban […]
U.S. Embassy Luxembourg
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
In 1867, Luxembourg gained full independence from the Netherlands. The United States established diplomatic relations with Luxembourg in 1903. Luxembourg was occupied by Germany in World War I and World War II, and was liberated by forces that included U.S. troops. Luxembourg is a longstanding ally of the United States. The friendship between the two […]
U.S. Embassy Madrid, Spain
Madrid, Spain
The Continental Congress of the United States of America sent John Jay to Spain in 1779 in an attempt to convince the Spanish Court to recognize the new nation. Jay spent two years there to no success, but Spain recognized the United States in 1783. Since then the two countries have broken relations just once, […]
U.S. Embassy Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
The United States established diplomatic relations with Equatorial Guinea in 1968 following the country’s independence from Spain. At the time of independence, Equatorial Guinea had one of the highest per capita incomes and the highest literacy rates in Africa. Since independence, Equatorial Guinea has attracted investment from U.S. companies. Top U.S. policy issues in Equatorial […]
U.S. Embassy Managua, Nicaragua
Managua, Nicaragua
The United States recognized independent Nicaragua in 1849. Although relations were rocky following 1988, when the Sandinista government expelled the U.S. Ambassador and several other American diplomats, relations on the ambassadorial level were resumed in 1990. The U.S. government works in Nicaragua to promote prosperity, security, and democratic governance. The recent deterioration of Nicaragua’s democratic […]
U.S. Embassy Manama, Bahrain
Manama, Bahrain
Bahrain declared independence from the United Kingdom in 1971, the same year the United States established diplomatic relations with the new country. Bahrain plays a key role in regional security and is a vital U.S. partner in defense initiatives. Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and participates in U.S.-led military coalitions. Bahrain was the […]
U.S. Embassy Manila, Philippines
Manila, Philippines
The United States recognized the Republic of the Philippines as an independent state on July 4, 1946, through a presidential proclamation by President Harry S Truman. On the same date, the two nations signed a treaty whereby the United States renounced all claims to the Philippines, which had previously been under American sovereignty. The current […]
U.S. Embassy Maputo, Mozambique
Maputo, Mozambique
The United States recognized the People’s Republic of Mozambique in 1975 upon its independence from Portugal. The country has had one ruling political party since 1975 and experienced civil war for years. The opposition party never fully integrated into Mozambican politics or disarmed, and historical grievances have resurfaced in periodic flare-ups of violence since the […]
U.S. Embassy Maseru, Lesotho
Maseru, Lesotho
The United States recognized the Kingdom of Lesotho in 1966 when it became independent from the United Kingdom. Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy that faces challenges including poverty, income inequality, and one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the world. Since independence, Lesotho and the United States have had productive bilateral relations. U.S. foreign […]
U.S. Embassy Mbabane, Eswatini
Mbabane, Swaziland
The United States and the Kingdom of Eswatini have enjoyed cordial bilateral relations since Eswatini’s (formally Swaziland) independence from the United Kingdom in 1968. U.S. policy seeks to maintain and strengthen bilateral relations, and stresses Eswatini’s continued political and economic reform. Eswatini ranks as a lower middle income country, but it is estimated that 69 […]
U.S. Embassy Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City, Mexico
The United States first recognized Mexico as an independent nation in 1822 and sent the first U.S. envoy in 1825. In 1846, the two nations went to war after the United States annexed Texas, which had broken away from Mexico and declared independence ten years earlier. At the end of the war, Mexico ceded roughly […]
U.S. Embassy Minsk, Belarus
Minsk, Belarus
Occupied by the Russian empire since the end of the 18th century, Belarus declared a short-lived National Republic in 1918 only to be forcibly absorbed into the Soviet Union. It became independent in 1991. Since 1994, it has been run by authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. Under Lukashenko U.S.-Belarusian relations have remained at a low level. […]
U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia
Monrovia, Liberia
The nation of Liberia was formed in 1822 when the American Colonization Society founded a settlement for freedmen and recaptured slaves in West Africa, naming its capital Monrovia after U.S. President James Monroe. The settlement became a republic in 1847, and the United States recognized the Republic of Liberia in 1862. In 1864 the U.S. […]
U.S. Embassy Montevideo, Uruguay
Montevideo, Uruguay
The United States established diplomatic relations with Uruguay in 1867. Uruguay declared independence in 1825 and then secured independence in 1828 following a three-year conflict with Brazil and the dissolution of its federation with Argentina. The relationship between the United States and Uruguay is strong. The two countries share important values, including a commitment to […]
U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia
Moscow, Russia
In 1803 the Russian Empire recognized the still-fledgling United States of America, and six years later the two countries exchanged Ministers. The U.S. Legation in St. Petersburg became an embassy in 1898, but after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 the United States refused to recognize the new government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics […]
U.S. Embassy Muscat, Oman
Muscat, Oman
The United States and Oman concluded a treaty of friendship and navigation in 1833. It was replaced in 1958 by the Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights, and the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972. Oman is strategically located on a key naval chokepoint through which 30 percent of the world’s exported […]
U.S. Embassy N’Djamena, Chad
N’Djamena, Chad
The United States established diplomatic relations with Chad in 1960 following its independence from France. Relations between the United States and Chad are strong. Chad is emerging from half a century of regional conflict and internal turmoil, and pursuing better governance and development. Chad is currently at risk of violence spilling over from Libya, the […]
U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya
The United States established diplomatic relations with Kenya in 1964 following its December 1963 independence from the United Kingdom. The United States and Kenya have enjoyed cordial relations and an enduring strategic partnership since Kenya’s independence. However, on August 7, 1998 a terrorist truck bomb reduced the concrete embassy building to a shell, killing roughly 290 people […]
U.S. Embassy Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau, The Bahamas
The United States established diplomatic relations with The Bahamas in 1973 following its independence from the United Kingdom. As a neighbor, The Bahamas and its political stability are especially important to the United States. The United States and the Bahamian Government have worked together on reducing crime and addressing illegal migration issues. With the closest […]
U.S. Embassy New Delhi, India
New Delhi, India
The United States and India established diplomatic relations in 1946, which was prior to India’s formal independence from the British Empire. The U.S. relationship with India is rooted in common values, including the rule of law, respect for diversity, and democratic government. We have a shared interest in promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity […]
U.S. Embassy Niamey, Niger
Niamey, Niger
The United States established diplomatic relations with Niger in 1960 following its independence from France. In 2010, a military junta took power, overthrowing the president, who had tried to extend his rule unconstitutionally. Since then, Niger has taken important steps to consolidate and advance democratic institutions. Security threats emanating from Libya, the Lake Chad Region, […]
U.S. Embassy Nicosia, Cyprus
Nicosia, Cyprus
The island of Cyprus was a British Crown Colony from 2925-1960. The United States recognized Cyprus in 1960. Shortly after the founding of the republic, serious differences arose between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities about the implementation and interpretation of the constitution. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriots declared an independent “Turkish Republic of […]
U.S. Embassy Nouakchott, Mauritania
Nouakchott, Mauritania
The United States was the first country to recognize Mauritania’s independence from France in 1960. The United States engages with Mauritania on a wide array of issues, including counterterrorism, food security, trade promotion, and efforts to strengthen human rights and the rule of law. The U.S. condemned Mauritania’s 2005 and 2008 military coups and has […]
U.S. Embassy Oslo, Norway
Olso, Norway
The United States established diplomatic relations with Norway in 1905, following Norway’s separation from its union with Sweden. The United States and Norway enjoy a long tradition of friendly relations based on democratic values and mutual respect. The United States and Norway work closely together on a wide range of issues that are of importance […]
U.S. Embassy Ottawa, Canada
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
When Canada received its independence from the United Kingdom through the Balfour Declaration on February 18, 1927, the United States established formal diplomatic relations which have been constructive and productive for over eight decades. The United States established a legation on June 1, 1927, which was elevated to embassy status on November 19, 1943. Today, the U.S. Mission includes […]
U.S. Embassy Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
The United States established diplomatic relations with Burkina Faso (then called Upper Volta) in 1960 following its independence from France. U.S. relations with Burkina Faso are strong, thanks in part to U.S. support during the country’s 2014-2015 political transition. In addition to regional peace and stability, U.S. interests in Burkina Faso are to promote continued […]
U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama
Panamá, Panama
The United States established diplomatic relations with Panama in 1903. Panama’s location and role in global trade make its success vital to U.S. prosperity and national security. Panama’s key location along major land and sea transit routes makes it a critical partner in the interdiction of illegal drugs destined for the United States. While Panama’s […]
U.S. Embassy Paramaribo, Suriname
Paramaribo, Suriname
The United States established diplomatic relations with Suriname in 1975 the same day as Suriname was granted independence from the Netherlands. The United States and Suriname enjoy a constructive partnership. The two countries work together to enhance the security and prosperity of the region through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), prevent communicable diseases, promote […]
U.S. Embassy Paris, France
Paris, France
France is the oldest U.S. ally. In 1778, the French monarchy recognized the independence of the United States. French military and economic assistance during the American War of Independence (1775-81) was crucial to the American victory. The Vichy Government of France severed diplomatic relations with the United States in 1942 during World War II; relations […]
U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The United States established its first direct diplomatic relationship with Cambodia on June 29, 1950, with the appointment of Donald R. Heath as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. Heath presented his credentials to King Sihanouk on July 11, 1950. Today, the US embassy is in Phnom Penh. Over the last several decades of the 20th […]
U.S. Embassy Podgorica, Montenegro
Podgorica, Montenegro
The United States recognized the Republic of Montenegro in 1905, when President Theodore Roosevelt approved the Diplomatic and Consular Act, which assigned the U.S. Mission to Greece responsibility for American representation in Montenegro. After World War I, Montenegro was subsumed into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, and U.S.-Montenegro diplomatic relations ended in 1920. […]
U.S. Embassy Port Louis, Mauritius
Port Louis, Mauritius
The United States established diplomatic relations with Mauritius in 1968 following its independence from the United Kingdom. In the years following independence, Mauritius became one of Africa’s most stable and developed economies, as a result of its multi-party democracy and free market orientation. Relations between the United States and Mauritius are cordial, and we collaborate […]
U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
The United States established diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea in 1975, following its independence from a United Nations trusteeship administered by Australia. As the most populous Pacific Island state, Papua New Guinea is important to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. The country has experienced recent economic progress and has abundant energy, agricultural, […]
U.S. Embassy Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
The United States established diplomatic relations with Trinidad and Tobago on August 31, 1962, when it recognized the island nation’s independence. Since the 1960s, Trinidad and Tobago has emerged as one of the most industrialized countries in the English-speaking Caribbean, and is an active member of the international community. Today, the United States and Trinidad […]
U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Haiti won independence from France in 1804, making it the second-oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere. However, the United States government was unwilling to recognize a free black republic until after the American Civil War, which ended slaveholding within the United States. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln sent a representative to Haiti. When Haiti is […]
U.S. Embassy Prague, Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic
The Czech Republic was established in 1993, out of the former Czech and Slovak Federal Republic (commonly known as Czechoslovakia). Since independence, the Czechs have made integration into Western institutions their chief foreign policy objective and are part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). Relations between the United States […]
U.S. Embassy Praia, Cabo Verde
Praia, Cape Verde
The first U.S. consulate in sub-Saharan Africa opened in Cabo Verde in 1818. The United States established full diplomatic relations with Cabo Verde in 1975, following its independence from Portugal. Cabo Verde was under one-party rule from independence until 1990; the first multiparty elections were held in 1991. Now a model of democratic governance, the country enjoys […]
U.S. Embassy Pretoria, South Africa
Pretoria, South Africa
The United States established a consulate in Cape Town in 1799 and established diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1929 following the United Kingdom’s recognition of South Africa’s domestic and external autonomy within the British Empire. Until the 1990s, the South African Government followed a policy of white domination over the majority black population, and, […]
U.S. Embassy Pristina, Kosovo
Pristina, Kosovo
The United States formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state in 2008. To date, Kosovo has been recognized by a robust majority of European states, the United States, Japan, and Canada, and by other states from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The United States continues to support a multiethnic, democratic Kosovo, fully integrated […]
U.S. Embassy Quito, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador
The United States Colombia’s independence from Spain in 1822 when it formed a part of the Colombian federation. Ecuador withdrew from the Colombian federation in 1830 and received U.S. recognition as a separate state in 1832. The United States and Ecuador share a history of partnership and cooperation, and have mutual interests in combating narcotics-trafficking, […]
U.S. Embassy Rabat, Morocco
Rabat , Morocco
On June 23, 1786 Morocco became one of the first nations to formally recognize the United States, and the two countries signed a treaty of peace and friendship. The United States established a consulate in Morocco in 1797 and in 1821 Sultan Moulay Suliman provided a home for the American Consul General which is now the oldest American diplomatic […]
U.S. Embassy Rangoon, Burma
Rangoon, Burma
In an unconventional sequence of events, the United States and Burma established diplomatic relations prior to Burma’s formal independence from the British Empire. The multistage independence process agreed to by the Burmese and the British allowed for the creation of a provisional government with the authority to conduct relations with other states before Burma attained […]
U.S. Embassy Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavík, Iceland
The German occupation of Denmark in 1940 severed close ties to Denmark. Iceland was then occupied by British troops and then, in 1941, by U.S. troops. In 1941 the United States established diplomatic relations with Iceland, who achieved full independence and formally became a republic in 1944. In 1947, the Department of State purchased the […]
U.S. Embassy Riga, Latvia
Riga, Latvia
From 1922 to 1930, a single U.S. Diplomatic Mission represented the United States in the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. In the 1930s diplomatic legations were established in all three nations, but the American Legation in Latvia closed in 1940 when the Soviet Union overran the Baltic states. Throughout the Cold War the […]
U.S. Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
For over sixty years, the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have enjoyed a strong relationship based upon mutual respect and common interests. Diplomatic relations were established in 1933. Saudi Arabia’s unique role in the Arab and Islamic worlds, its possession of the world’s largest reserves of oil, and its strategic location all […]
U.S. Embassy Rome, Italy
Rome, Italy
Prior to Italian unification in 1861, the United States had diplomatic relations with the main entities of the Italian peninsula: the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and the Papal States. The American Legation in Italy was elevated to an embassy in 1893, and apart from a three-year interruption during World War […]
U.S. Embassy San Jose, Costa Rica
San José, Costa Rica
Costa Rica was originally part of the United Provinces of Central America, which had separated from Mexico in 1823. Although the United Provinces had separated into El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica by 1839, Costa Rica did not formally declare its independence until August 30, 1848. The United States and Costa Rica have […]
U.S. Embassy San Salvador, El Salvador
Antiguo Cuscatlán, El Salvador
In 1821, El Salvador and the other Central American provinces declared their independence from Spain. In 1823, the United Provinces of Central America was formed of the five Central American states. El Salvador declared itself an independent republic in 1839, although the next several decades were marked by frequent revolutions. Following a coup in 1931, […]
U.S. Embassy Sana’a, Yeman
Sana'a, Yemen
The area that comprises Yemen today was divided, since the nineteenth century, in two along a north-south divide. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990 though civil war broke out in 1994. The United States established diplomatic relations with North Yemen in 1946 and South Yemen in 1967. Yemen’s […]
U.S. Embassy Santiago, Chile
Santiago, Chile
The United States recognized the Republic of Chile in 1823 as the former Spanish colony struggled for its independence. An American Legation arrived the next year to establish diplomatic relations. The legation was elevated to embassy status in 1914. Chile, one of the United States’ strongest partners in Latin America, has maintained a robust democracy for the […]
U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Following both French and Spanish rule from as early as the 16th century, the island nation of the Dominican Republic declared itself an independent nation from neighboring Haiti in 1861. The new state voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, and in 1865, independence was restored. U.S. military occupations of the Dominican Republic have at times […]
U.S. Embassy Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The United States established diplomatic relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992 following its independence from Yugoslavia. A period of conflict followed among Bosnia’s Muslims, Croats, and Serbs over control of the former Yugoslav republic’s territory. The 1992-95 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina was ended with the crucial participation of the United States in brokering […]
U.S. Embassy Seoul, South Korea
Seoul, South Korea
The United States and Korea’s Joseon Dynasty established diplomatic relations under the 1882 Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, and the first U.S. diplomatic envoy arrived in Korea in 1883. U.S.-Korea relations continued until 1905, when Japan assumed direction over Korean foreign affairs. In 1910, Japan began a 35-year period of colonial rule over […]
U.S. Embassy Singapore, Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
American contact with Singapore began in the 1800s when merchant ships visited Singapore’s port for trade and commerce. Britain claimed Singapore as a colony in 1826 and maintained control until 1963 when Singapore declared independence and briefly joined the Federation of Malaysia. Two years later Singapore re-declared independence, and the United States granted diplomatic recognition […]
U.S. Embassy Skopje, North Macedonia
Skopje, North Macedonia
North Macedonia achieved independence in 1991 with the breakup of Yugoslavia. Recognition was delayed because of Greece’s objection to North Macedonia’s use of “Macedonia,” and the country was initially recognized as the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” (FYRM) The United States recognized FYRM in 1994 under the provisional designation and began referring to North Macedonia […]
U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia, Bulgaria
Long under Ottoman Turkish rule, Bulgaria became independent in 1908. The United States established a Consular Agency in Sofia in 1912. The first American Consular Agent in Bulgaria was actually a Bulgarian national, Asen Kermekchiev (later Ace Kermek), a businessman, physician, and journalist. He served the United States Government even while working as a field […]
U.S. Embassy Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
Relations between the United States and Sweden are built on a shared heritage that dates back to 1638 when the first Swedish immigrants arrived on the shores of Delaware. Sweden was one of the first countries to recognize U.S. independence in 1783, and the two countries have maintained a strong bilateral friendship since then, based […]
U.S. Embassy Suva, Fiji
Suva, Fiji
The United States established diplomatic relations with Fiji in 1971 following its independence from the United Kingdom. The two countries share a multi-ethnic heritage and cooperate on environmental and development issues as well as international peacekeeping operations. The U.S. Peace Corps is active in Fiji, working with communities on projects in youth development. Today, the […]
U.S. Embassy Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia
The United States first established diplomatic relations with Estonia in 1922 following its declaration of independence during World War I. The Soviet invasion and annexation of Estonia and the other Baltic States of Latvia and Lithuania in 1940 forced the closure of the American legation, but Estonian representation in the United States continued uninterrupted. The […]
U.S. Embassy Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
The United States established diplomatic relations with Uzbekistan in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The United States and Uzbekistan have developed a broad-based relationship, cooperating in such areas as border and regional security programs, economic relations, political and civil society issues, and English language training. Uzbekistan is important to U.S. interests in […]
U.S. Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia
The United States established diplomatic relations with Georgia in 1992 following Georgia’s 1991 independence from the Soviet Union. Since 1991, Georgia has made impressive progress fighting corruption, developing modern state institutions, and enhancing global security. The United States is committed to helping Georgia deepen Euro-Atlantic ties and strengthen its democratic institutions. The United States supports […]
U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
The United States recognized the independence of the Federation of Central American States (of which Honduras was a member) from Spain on August 4, 1824. The United States recognized Honduras as a separate, independent state on April 19, 1853. Honduras is an ally of the United States, and its population registers some of the highest […]
U.S. Embassy The Hague, The Netherlands
The Hague, The Netherlands
The U.S. partnership with the Netherlands dates back to the American Revolution, which the Netherlands supported. The United States established diplomatic relations with the Netherlands in 1782; it is one of our oldest, continuous bilateral relationships. Our bilateral relations are based on close historical and cultural ties as well as a common dedication to individual […]
U.S. Embassy Tirana, Albania
Tirana, Albania
Albania and the United States established diplomatic relations in 1922. During World War II, Italian forces invaded Albania, and the United States closed its embassy in 1939. After the war, a Communist government was established, ushering in 40 years of isolation and underdevelopment. It was not until 1991 that Albania and the United States reestablished […]
U.S. Embassy Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
In 1854 the United States and Japan granted each other formal recognition with a Treaty of Peace and Amity following Commodore Matthew Perry’s 1853 arrival in Japan. Full diplomatic relations were established in 1858 and a U.S. Legation (a diplomatic liaison office) arrived in Japan the next year. In 1890 the U.S. government first leased […]
U.S. Embassy Tripoli, Libya
Tripoli, Libya
The United States was recognized by the semi-independent government in Tripoli in 1796, but permanent diplomatic relations were not established until modern Libya’s independence following World War II. From 1980 until 2006, the United States did not have a functioning embassy in Libya, although relations were not formally severed. The United States has a strategic interest in […]
U.S. Embassy Tunis, Tunisia
Tunis, Tunisia
The United States has maintained official representation in Tunis almost continuously since 1795, and signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Tunisia in 1797. The United States was the first major power to recognize Tunisian sovereignty and established diplomatic relations with Tunisia in 1956 following its independence from France. In 2011, a popular revolution began a […]
U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
For roughly 200 years prior to 1911, what is today the nation of Mongolia was contained within the territorial borders of the Empire of China. After the collapse of that empire, a group of Mongolia nationalists established a new republic in 1924, with the assistance of the Soviet Union. Mongolians affirmed their independence in a […]
U.S. Embassy Valletta, Malta
Attard, ATD 4000, Malta
Malta was a Crown Colony of the United Kingdom from 1814 until 1964, when it was granted independence and joined the British Commonwealth. Malta was recognized by the United States the same year. The government enjoys close relations with the United States, and is a close partner on regional issues involving North Africa and Europe. […]
U.S. Embassy Vienna, Austria
Vienna, Austria
Although Congress commissioned a representative to Vienna as early as 1777, the Austrian authorities only recognized the young United States in 1797. Full diplomatic relations with the Austrian Empire was established in 1838 with the exchange of ministers and the establishment of the U.S. Legation in Vienna. The legation was elevated to an embassy in […]
U.S. Embassy Vientiane, Laos
Vientiane, Laos
The United States established full diplomatic relations with Laos in 1955, following its full independence from France in 1954. Within a few years, Laos entered into civil war, and the United States supported the country’s royal government. For nearly a decade beginning in 1964, Laos was subjected to heavy U.S. bombing as part of the […]
U.S. Embassy Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius, Lithuania
The United States first established diplomatic relations with Lithuania in 1922 following its declaration of independence during World War I. The U.S. representative to Lithuania was stationed at the Legation in Riga, Latvia until Legation Kovno was established May 31, 1930. The Soviet invasion and annexation of Lithuania and the other Baltic States of Estonia […]
U.S. Embassy Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw, Poland
The Polish Republic formed in 1918 after the end of World War I. The United States established diplomatic relations with Poland in 1919 and elevated the U.S. Legation to an embassy in 1930. During World War II the American Embassy and Poland’s own government in exile moved to Paris, then London to escape the advance […]
U.S. Embassy Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand
On September 26, 1907, the constitutional status of the colony of New Zealand was elevated to that of a self-governing Dominion in the British Empire. While the new nation was sovereign when it came to its domestic affairs, the United Kingdom maintained control over its relations with the wider world. Over the next four decades, […]
U.S. Embassy Windhoek, Namibia
Windhoek, Namibia
The United States participated in the diplomatic efforts to bring about Namibia’s 1990 independence from South Africa and has since provided assistance to improve the well-being of the Namibian people. The United States recognized Namibia in 1990 when the U.S. Liaison Office at Windhoek was elevated to embassy status. The bilateral relationship is characterized by […]
U.S. Embassy Yaounde, Cameroon
Yaounde, Cameroon
The United States established diplomatic relations with Cameroon in 1960 following its independence. The two countries are partners in countering regional threats to stability, such as the threat of Boko Haram, and addressing issues of democracy, regional security, environmental protection, public health, and economic development. The United States hopes to continue to work with Cameroon […]
U.S. Embassy Yerevan, Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia
Between the 4th and the 19th centuries Armenia was conquered and ruled by, among others, Persians, Arabs, Byzantines, Mongols and Turks. While Armenia was under Ottoman rule the United States established a consulate in Ezerum, Armenia (present-day Erzurum, Turkey) in 1896. The United States established diplomatic relations with Armenia in 1992 following its independence from […]
U.S. Embassy Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb, Croatia
The United States established diplomatic relations with Croatia in 1992 following its independence from Yugoslavia. Following Croatia’s independence, U.S. engagement aimed to support Croatia’s development as a democratic, secure, and market-oriented society and as a strong partner in Euro-Atlantic institutions, and the United States welcomed Croatia’s desire to play a positive and stabilizing role in […]
U.S. Embassy, The Vatican
Rome, Italy
The Holy See is the universal government of the Catholic Church and operates from Vatican City State, a sovereign, independent territory. The Pope is the ruler of both Vatican City State and the Holy See. The Holy See, as the supreme body of government of the Catholic Church, is a sovereign juridical entity under international […]
U.S. Mission Brasilia, Brazil
Brasília, Brazil
In 1808 the United States became the first nation to establish a consulate in Brazil, full diplomatic relations followed in 1824. Since World War II, the U.S. has been Brazil’s top trading partner and foreign investor. As the two largest democracies and economies in the Western Hemisphere, the United States and Brazil have a partnership […]
U.S. Mission to Astana, Kazakhstan
Astana, Kazakhstan
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States was the first country to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991. The United States opened its Embassy in Almaty in January 1992 and then relocated to Astana in 2006. In the years since Kazakhstan’s independence, the two countries have developed a strong and wide-ranging bilateral relationship. […]
U.S. Permanent Mission to the Organization of American States
Washington DC, United States
The Organization of American States, the oldest regional international organization in the world, traces its origins to the Congress of Panama, convoked by Simon Bolivar in 1826. Hemispheric countries continued the discussion of an inter-American system during the rest of the 19th century. The first concrete step was taken in 1889, when the First […]
Visas
New Delhi, India
What does a U.S. consulate do in a foreign country? Few Americans know and probably even fewer foreign citizens understand the services they can find at a U.S. consulate in their home countries. To help educate the people of their community, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. consulate in Hyderabad, India officially launched a new social media platform in […]
War Crimes
The Hague, The Netherlands
The Department of State’s Office of War Crimes Issues advises the Secretary of State and formulates U.S. policy responses to atrocities committed worldwide. It also coordinates U.S. government support for war crimes accountability in Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Cambodia, Iraq, and other regions. The office works closely with other governments, international institutions, non-government organizations, and the […]
Water Security
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The scarcity of clean water, essential to all life, is one of the greatest challenges of our time. While issues of water access and sanitation are often viewed in isolation, water resource management is directly tied to issues of food security and global health. But population growth, expanding economies and climate change are putting global […]
Water Security
Islamabad, Pakistan
Water sustains life; it’s in the food we eat, the electricity that powers our homes, and in crops that we grow. Water allows our economy to thrive, our children to grow up healthy, and can build peace and cooperation between neighbors. For all these reasons, Water is a fundamental cornerstone to maintaining global peace, security and […]
William Henry Seward: Secretary of State
Washington, DC, United States
Secretary of State
William Jennings Bryan: Secretary of State
Washington, DC, United States
Secretary of State
Women’s Rights
Kabul, Afghanistan
The Office of Global Women’s Issues represents the Department of State’s commitment to women’s rights. Under the direction of the Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues, the office works to ensure the political, economic, and social empowerment of women. The office works closely with the Secretary on several fronts: developing strategies with other nations to combat gender-based violence; […]
World Hunger
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The Department of State believes that the most effective food security strategies come from those closest to the problems. In recent months, through the leadership of the Secretary’s Global Food Security Office, the Department has begun to emphasize consultation and careful analysis of impact. Through programs such as Feed the Future, the Department often partners with international organizations to […]