The book explores the phenomenon of the de facto statehood in contemporary international relations. The de facto state is almost the inverse of what Robert Jackson has termed the 'quasi-state.' The quasi-state has an ambassador, a flag and a seat at the United Nations but it does not function positively as a viable governing entity. Its limitations, though, do not detract from sovereign legitimacy. The de facto state, on the other hand, lacks legitimacy yet effectively controls a given territorial area and provides governmental services to a specific population. The book begins by addressing the question 'What is the de facto state?' It then moves into a detailed focus on four case studies: Eritrea before independence; Northern Cyprus; Somaliland and Tamil Eelam. The book engages in a birth, life and death or evolution examination of the de facto state and it concludes by assessing the academic and policy implications of these entities.