New magazine Monocle (founded by Canadian Tyler Brulé, of Wallpaper fame) has a fascinating series of articles on breakaway states and country branding in its September 2007 issue. Unfortunately, you’ll have to buy the printed magazine since only subscribers have access to full articles online, but you can see the photo essay on the breakaway republic of Abkhazia on the Black Sea. It declared its independence from the former Soviet Republic of Georgia in 1994, but so far not a single government has officially recognized its independence. The magazine, by the way, is beautiful and interesting and worth its slightly lofty cover price.

The same issue lists several other non-recognized “countries” that are seeking recognition in various ways, whether it be petitioning the United Nations or through sport. FIFA is one organization that features teams from several entities that are not recognized counties with United Nations representation. Many of these unrecognized states feel that it is through sport (and football in particular) that they can generate support for their nations.

Journalist Steve Menary has just published an interesting book on this very subject entitled Outcasts: The Lands That FIFA Forgot. Read more about it at the author’s blog.

Monocle Article on Abkhazia (subscribers only, but there are some good links included for the rest of us)