Using ISO 3166-1-alpha-2 as authoritative country list?

Is this an authoritative list of countries I can use for my application?

http://www.iso.org/iso/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/english_country_names_and_code_elements.htm

English country names and code elements

This list states the country names (official short names in English) in alphabetical order as given in ISO 3166-1 and the corresponding ISO 3166-1-alpha-2 code elements.

This list is updated whenever a change to the official code list in ISO 3166-1 is effected by the ISO 3166/MA.

It lists 248 official short names and co开发者_开发技巧de elements.

Not exactly programming related, but would be helpful to others seeking to build such a list in their programs!

As you said, it is not exactly a 100% programming question, so I will proceed carefully. As you may see from the United Nations Statistics Division web site, they are citing ISO 3166 as authoritative, but remember they purpose is towards statistics. Besides ISO is a NGO without other members than the national member bodies of each country, headquarters personnel and several committes/joints. To see what's "authorized" actually you may be better seeing what's considered not recognized.

I would take the UN.M49 list as authoritative, but if your application gets really serious about geopolitical stuff, check for not obvious cases, for example the Holy See which holds observer status in the United Nations.