At least 112 countries around the world have formally recognised Palestine as a state, stretching from Africa to Asia, Europe to Latin America. In Latin America, Uruguay and Peru joined the growing ranks of countries, which recognised Palestine this year, with 12 out of the region's 13 countries formally recognising it as a state.
Only Colombia, a key ally of the United States in the region, has not followed that path. In Central America, the Palestinian state has been recognised by Cuba, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. Arab countries have also recognised Palestine, including Syria in July of this year. In Europe, Iceland has become the latest country to recognise Palestine, joining the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta and Poland.
Around 150 countries maintain diplomatic relations with the Palestinians in one form or another. Palestine currently has "observer" status at the United Nations, but in September, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas formally asked the United Nations for full state membership.
In October, Palestine was granted full membership at the UN cultural organisation, UNESCO, in a diplomatic victory won despite stiff resistance from the United States and Israel. Earlier this week, Abbas urged the European Union to support their UN membership bid after the Palestinian flag was raised over the UNESCO's headquarters for the first time. Figures published by the Palestine Liberation Organisation indicate that 130 countries have recognised Palestine.
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