the strange normality of life in a breakaway state - solar traffic lights

The postal address is a mark that identifies the location of our home in the world.
The last line represents my country, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
But for millions of people around the world, the last line of address is a problem.
The International Post Office does not recognize a letter marked Abkhazia-
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Letters will find their way when they are repackaged. -
Through other countries.
Open the drip nozzle-
Country drop-down boxes on Internet forms are unlikely to be listed.
These three European countries are one of the few territories in the world, mainly formed by wars. These territories exist on maps, but are not members of all nations or international organizations.
However, they are themselves. -
Governance is relatively stable. Life goes on -
Tax collection and children going to school.
But it's a little more complicated than anywhere else in the world.
Among the disputed countries in the world, Taiwan is by far the largest.
However, although China has been independent of all intentions and purposes since 1949, it regards it as part of its territory and "must and will be unified".
It is recognized by less than 20 countries and is not a member of the United Nations.
At the other end of the scale, the Organization of Islamic States declared that a country across Syria and Iraq had existed for three years, but had never been recognized by any country. Abkhazia, Trans-Dniester (
Also known as neurosis or neurosis)
Northern Cyprus is in the central part.
All three countries have emerged from unresolved conflicts.
In 1992, a war of independence broke out between the separated Abkhaz region and Georgia. -
It declared its independence in 1999.
Recognized by Russia in 2008-
Georgia considers the occupying forces-
And several other states. Trans-
When the Soviet Union broke away from Moldova after a brief war in 1992 and split into smaller countries, Dniester also appeared.
The Turkish Cypriots even declared a state in 1983, nine years after the political crisis and conflict that Turkey had invaded the northern part of the island.
The United Nations continued to patrol the demarcation line, and the unification negotiations never succeeded.
Every country has a government, and although they are far from internationally recognized, there are no signs of collapse.
This qualifies them to be "de facto states"-
A place that administers its territory but does not belong to the international system.
Importantly, all three separate territories have strong sponsors. -
For Abkhazia and Trans, Russia-
Transnistria and Turkey in Northern Cyprus.
Sponsors help them survive-
Providing financial and military support and stationing troops there.
But even if Russia or Turkey reduce their support, these separate territories will not just disappear.
Their strength will be weaker, but all will retain strong local identity and desire for separation.
More stories like this are not often thought of by the international community. -
Or the underlying problem keeps them strangely marginalized.
Interest in the de facto state often comes from fans of "non-existent places", especially in the case of Abkhazia and Trans. -Dniester.
Lack of formal recognition will certainly lead to-
Compensation in the production of national symbols.
They have developed to the right level. -
National tools worth using in Fredonia-
The Fictional State of Marx Brothers in Duck Soup-
Or from the Republic of Zubrauka at Wes Anderson's Budapest Hotel.
Abkhazia aims to print exotic stamps for collectors around the world. Trans-
Deniester and the Soviet Union-
On its symbols are epochal symbols, such as hammers and sickles.
It prints its own currency. -
Deniestruble can only be used in its territory.
It is unique in the world in printing plastic coins in different shapes, which makes them easy for the blind to recognize, and can sell them at high prices on eBay.
However, although these three countries may be special, what we now call "rogue states" is an extension.
That's not to say they have no problems.
For example, human trafficking is a major problem in northern Cyprus and Trans. -Dniester.
However, the main impression of visitors to these places is that they are ordinary.
They all have traffic lights, traffic police, hospitals and other "normal" decorations.
Customers sit in the cafe and look at their smartphones. -
Even if the coffee they drink is not made by global brands like Starbucks.
Although their home towns have little hope of gaining widespread international acceptance, people's goals are the same as those of people elsewhere.
Enterprises need foreign trade and students need overseas scholarships.
Countries voluntarily abide by many European norms.
They had no death penalty and had fierce competitive elections. -
Even though the number of candidates is rather limited.
However, a place cannot live on stamps alone-
It needs to collect these taxes and ensure the work of the police and the school system.
To the outside world-
Some leverage and influence as conflict mediators-
Things currently used only within a limited range.
While providing education and health assistance, cooperation can also be required. -
For example, the extradition of fugitives.
To some extent, trans has occurred-
Deniester quietly signed Moldova's free trade agreement with the European Union.
It also reached an agreement, which means cars from Trans. -
Deniester can travel abroad in a neutral country. -
Check the license plates registered in Moldova.
And diplomas from trans-cells-
The major universities in Deniester can be registered internationally.
Visually, the place may still look like a theme park in the Soviet Union, with statues of Lenin, hammers and sickles, but in fact it is moving in another direction.
As a former official told me, "My head is in Russia, but my legs are moving towards Europe.
"With the comprehensive settlement of these disputes still far away, this gradual change and the mode of international participation provide another way forward.
If these three areas cannot be reintegrated into their home countries Cyprus, Georgia and Moldova in the near future, at least their inhabitants-
But not their government. -
It could become part of the global community.
Without recognition, de facto countries can be more predictable and better aligned with their neighbours.
In the long run,-
Deep-rooted conflicts that create these factual states may be easier to overcome.
Just don't hold your breath.
They promised to be around for a long time to come.
The analysis was commissioned by the BBC by an expert working for external organizations.
It is based on uncertainty: Thomas de Waal's Contact with Europe's de facto States and Separated Territories-
Senior Research Fellow in Carnegie Europe, specializing in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.
Follow him, Tom Duval.