This list of autonomous areas arranged by country gives an overview of autonomous areas of the world. An autonomous area is defined as an area of a country that has a degree of autonomy, or has freedom from an external authority. It is typical for it to be geographically distant from the country, or to be populated by a national minority. Countries that include autonomous areas are often federacies.[1] The autonomous areas differ from federal units and independent states in the sense that they, in relation to the majority of other sub-national territories in the same country, enjoy a special status including some legislative powers, within the state (for a detailed list of federated units, see federated state).[2]
This list includes areas that are internationally recognized, as well as some that are generally unrecognized.[A][B] The definition of an autonomous area varies from country to country, so the native term as defined by the respective country's government is listed, and the English translation of the term is included.
Autonomous areas
editCreated by international agreements
edit| Country | Native term Translation or equivalent |
Instances (areas became autonomous in the treaty and year(s) indicated, if available) | References |
|---|---|---|---|
 China (PRC)
|
特別行政區 (Chinese, an official language of both Hong Kong and Macau) região administrativa especial (Portuguese, another official language of Macau) special administrative region (English, another official language of Hong Kong) |
 Hong Kong (1997) [C][3]  Macao (1999) [D][4]
|
[5] |
 Finland
|
itsehallinnollinen maakunta (Finnish) självstyrande landskap (Swedish) autonomous province |
 Åland (1922) [E][6][7]
|
[8] |
 United Kingdom
|
UK constituent country with devolution | Northern Ireland (1999) [F] | [9] |
 Italy
|
autonome Provinz (German) provincia autonoma (Italian) autonomous province |
 South Tyrol (1946, 1972) [G]
|
[10] |
 Israel /  Palestine
|
"سلطة الحكم الذاتي الفلسطينية المؤقتة" (Arabic) "Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority" הסמכות המינהלית הפלסטינית (Hebrew) interim administrative authority |
Palestinian National Authority (1994) [H] · Gaza Strip and West Bank [I]
|
[11][12] |
Notes:
Svalbard, Norway: Although it does not fit the definition of autonomous area (not possessing partial internal sovereignty), Svalbard has the sovereignty of Norway limited by the Spitsbergen Treaty of 1920[13] and therefore is considered as having special status (as it is considered fully integrated with Norway, and not a dependency, it is a sui generis case).
Heligoland, Germany: Although it is part of a German state, Schleswig-Holstein, it has been excluded from some European Union normatives, such as customs union and the Value Added Tax Area.[14]
Büsingen am Hochrhein, Germany and 
Campione d'Italia, Italy: Despite being integral parts of their respective countries, these two enclaves of Switzerland predominantly use Swiss franc as currency[15][16] and are in customs union with it.[17]
Created by internal statutes
edit
Dependent and associated territories with autonomy
edit| Country | Native term Translation or equivalent |
Instances (areas became autonomous in the year(s) indicated, if available) | References |
|---|---|---|---|
 Netherlands
|
autonoom land autonomous country |
 Aruba (1986) ·  Curaçao (2010) ·  Sint Maarten (2010)
|
|
 New Zealand
|
state in free-association |  Cook Islands (1965) ·  Niue (1974)
|
|
| self-administering territory |  Tokelau (1948)
|
[25] | |
| United Kingdom
|
Crown Dependency |  Guernsey ·  Isle of Man ·  Jersey
|
[8] |
| British Overseas Territory |  Anguilla ·  Bermuda ·  British Virgin Islands ·  Cayman Islands ·  Falkland Islands ·  Gibraltar ·  Montserrat
|
[8] | |
 United States
|
Commonwealth |  Puerto Rico (1952) ·  Northern Mariana Islands (1978)
|
[41] |
| Territory |  Guam (1950) ·  US Virgin Islands (1954) ·  American Samoa (1967)
|
All sub-national regions are autonomous
edit| Country | Native term Translation or equivalent |
Instances (areas became autonomous in the year indicated, if available) | References |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bolivia
|
departamento (autonomous) department |
 Beni (2006) ·  Pando (2006) ·  Santa Cruz (2006) ·  Tarija (2006) ·  La Paz (2009) ·  Cochabamba (2009) ·  Chuquisaca (2009) ·  Oruro (2009) ·  Potosi (2009)
|
[42] |
| provincia autónoma autonomous province |
Gran Chaco (2009) | [43] | |
| municipio autónomo autonomous municipality |
Huacaya · Tarabuco · Mojocoya · Charazani · Jesús de Machaca · Pampas Aullagas · San Pedro de Totora · Chipaya · Salinas de Garci Mendoza · Chayanta · Charagua | [44] | |
| territorio indígena indigenous territory |
All native community lands (tierras comunitarias de origen): Asamblea del Pueblo Guaraní, Central de Pueblos Nativos Guarayos, Central de Pueblos Indigenas del Beni, Central Indigena de la Region Amazonica de Bolivia, Central Indigena de Pueblos Amazonicos de Pando, Central de Pueblos Indigenas del Tropico de Cochabamba, Central de Pueblos Indigenas de La Paz, Organizacion de la Capitania Wehenayek Tapiete. | ||
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
entitet entity |
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995) ·  Republika Srpska (1995)
|
[45] |
 Comoros
|
île autonome autonomous island |
 Anjouan (2002) ·  Grande Comore (2002) ·  Mohéli (2002)
|
[46] |
| Guernsey
|
Jurisdiction |  Alderney ·  Sark (1565)
|
[47] |
 Spain
|
comunidad autónoma (in Spanish)[48] autonomia erkidegoa (in Basque)[49] comunautat autonòma (in Occitan)[50] comunitat autònoma (in Catalan/Valencian)[51] comunidade autónoma (in Galician)[52] autonomous community (nationalities and regions of Spain) |
 Andalusia (1981) ·  Aragon (1982) ·  Asturias (1981) ·  Balearic Islands (1983) ·  Basque Country (1979) ·  Canary Islands (1982) ·  Cantabria (1981) ·  Castile–La Mancha (1982) ·  Castile and León (1983) ·  Catalonia (1979) ·  Extremadura (1983) ·  Galicia (1981) ·  La Rioja (1982) ·  Madrid (1983) ·  Murcia (1982) ·  Navarre (1982) ·  Valencian Community (1982)
|
[8] |
| ciudad autónoma autonomous city |
 Ceuta (1995) ·  Melilla (1995)
|
[8] | |
| Entitat territorial autònoma Autonomous territorial entity |
 Val d'Aran (1990)
|
[8] |
Other entities called "autonomous"
editA number of entities are also officially called "autonomous", though they do not have an exceptional freedom from external authority, and would not fall under the definition of autonomous area. They are listed here for clarity.
Capitals called "autonomous"
edit| Country | Native term Translation or equivalent |
Instances (areas became autonomous in the year indicated, if available) | References |
|---|---|---|---|
 Mexico
|
autonomous city |  Mexico City (2016)
|
[53] |
 Argentina
|
ciudad autónoma autonomous city |
 Buenos Aires (1994)
|
[54] |
 Armenia
|
autonomous city |  Yerevan
|
|
 Belarus
|
autonomous city |  Minsk
|
|
 Cambodia
|
krong autonomous municipality |
 Phnom Penh [R]
|
[55] |
 Central African Republic
|
commune autonome autonomous commune |
Bangui | [56] |
 Guinea-Bissau
|
sector autónomo autonomous sector |
 Bissau Region
|
[57] |
 Hungary
|
autonomous city |  Budapest
|
|
 Indonesia
|
daerah khusus ibukota special capital region |
 Jakarta
|
[58] |
 Romania
|
autonomous municipality |  Bucharest
|
|
 Serbia
|
autonomous city |  Belgrade
|
|
 Uzbekistan
|
shahar autonomous city |
 Tashkent (1918)
|
[59] |
| United Kingdom
|
Sui generis City |  City of London
|
Independent cities called "autonomous"
edit| Country | Native term Translation or equivalent |
Instances (areas became autonomous in the year indicated, if available) | References |
|---|---|---|---|
 Japan
|
村落共同体 village community |
 Atarashiki (1948)
|
|
 South Korea
|
특별자치시 special autonomous city |
 Sejong
|
|
| Cambodia
|
krong autonomous municipality |
Phnom Penh · Sihanoukville · Pailin · Kep
|
[55] |
Self-declared entities called "autonomous"
edit| Country | Native term Translation or equivalent |
Instances (areas became autonomous in the year indicated, if available) | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico
|
Municipios Autónomos Autonomous Municipalities |
Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities (2020–2023) | |
 Syria
|
Rêveberiya Xweser Autonomous Administration |
 Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (2012)
|
|
| Bolivia
|
Federación de Juntas Vecinales Federation of Neighborhood Councils |
Fejuve (1979) |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ For example: "China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". United Nations. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ See International recognition of Kosovo for states that do and do not recognize the Republic of Kosovo.
- ^ Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984
- ^ 'Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration of 1987
- ^ Åland convention
- ^ Good Friday Agreement (1998)
- ^ Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement (1946)
- ^ Oslo Accords (1993)
- ^ Oslo II Accord (1995)
- ^ a b De facto, Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia, but de jure they are still part of Georgia
- ^ The flag of Abkhazia shown is the proposed flag of the Georgian government from 2013.
- ^ a b c d Claimed by Ukraine and considered by most of the international community to be part of Ukraine.
- ^ Since 1999, it hasn't been under the direct control of Serbia. It became an "entity under interim international administration" and disputed territory.
- ^ Proclaimed autonomous in 2011
- ^ Officially known as the SSC-Khaatumo Administration
- ^ On 31 March 2024, following changes to the Constitution of Somalia, the government of Puntland stated that it no longer recognises the authority of the Somali federal government and would no longer participate in Somali federal institutions. Furthermore, it was stated that Puntland would "operate as a state that's independent from Somalia until there is a federal government with a constitution agreed upon in a referendum in which Puntland participates".
- ^ Claimed but uncontrolled, as the territory is administered by the de facto independent Republic of Somaliland; its independence has not been recognised internationally
- ^ along with Independent cities called "autonomous"
References
edit- ^ Lucas I. González (11 February 2008). "Political Power, Fiscal Crises, and Decentralization in Latin America: Federal Countries in Comparative Perspective (and some Contrasts with Unitary Cases)". Publius: The Journal of Federalism. 38 (2). Oxford University Press: 211–247. doi:10.1093/publius/pjn001.
- ^ Olausson, Pär M. (2007) Autonomy and Islands: A Global Study of the Factors that Determine Island Autonomy, Turku: Åbo Akademi University Press, pp. 21–25
- ^ "The Joint Declaration (and following pages)". Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, The Government of the HKSAR. 1 July 2007.
- ^ "Joint declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and The Government of the Republic of Portugal on the question of Macao". io.gov.mo.
- ^ a b c d e "Provinces of China". Statoids. 26 June 2006. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ (in French) Edouard Gourdon, Histoire du Congrès de Paris, Paris, 1857, full text at google Print
- ^ Later confirmated by the Act on the Autonomy of Åland of 1920 (which was later replaced by new legislations by the same name in 1951 and 1991) and the League of Nations in 1922 following the Åland crisis.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Benedikter, Thomas (19 June 2006). "The working autonomies in Europe". Society for Threatened Peoples. Archived from the original on 9 March 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Agreement reached in the multi-party negotiations" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ "Accordo Degasperi-Gruber".
- ^ "Area C and the future of Palestinian economy" (PDF). World Bank. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ^ 1995 Oslo Interim Agreement. Text of the Accord
- ^ "Treaty concerning the Archipelago of Spitsbergen, and Protocol [1925] ATS 10". austlii.edu.au.
- ^ Article 6 of Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 (as amended) on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 347, 11 December 2006, p. 1) Eur-lex.europa.eu.
- ^ NM Currency Converter. "Currency converter Swiss Franc, CHF". nm-devises.com.
- ^ It is legal tender in Campione d'Italia
- ^ "2.1.2 Erhebungsgebiet". admin.ch. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013.
- ^ "Barbuda Local Government Act of 1976" (PDF).
- ^ "Regions and territories: Nagorno-Karabakh". BBC News. 15 January 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ Treaty of Moscow (1921) and Treaty of Kars (1921)
- ^ https://africanarguments.org/2020/01/cameroon-grants-special-status-anglophone-conflict/
- ^ "Easter Islands now a "special territory" with more autonomy".
- ^ "Constitucional act granting special status of Easter Island and Juan Fernández Islands. As the special charter is being discussed, they remain being governed as provinces of the Valparaíso Region". Archived from the original on 30 August 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
- ^ "Rotuma Act". Laws of Fiji (1978 ed.). Suva, Fiji: Government of Fiji. 1927. Archived from the original on 19 April 2005..
- ^ a b Included on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories.
- ^ "Regions of Georgia". Statoids. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Sanakoev Appointed as Head of S.Ossetia Administration". Civil.ge. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
- ^ "Departments of Greece". Statoids. 1 September 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "The World's Working Regional Autonomies, Thomas Benedikter". Anthem Press. 2007. Archived from the original on 3 March 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
- ^ "Provinces of Iraq". Statoids. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Districts of Mauritius". Statoids. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Departments of Nicaragua". Statoids. 12 April 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Panama Provinces". Statoids. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
- ^ "Provinces of Papua New Guinea". Statoids. 1 June 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Provinces of the Philippines". Statoids. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ See section 3 and 4 about Nevis Island Legislature and Administration in The Saint Christopher and Nevis Constitution Order 1983. Published online by Georgetown University and also by University of the West Indies. Retrieved 8 August 2006.
- ^ "Sao Tome and Principe". Central Intelligence Agency. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Somalia's regional states submit Upper House nominations". Somali Review. 10 October 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Regions of Tajikistan". Statoids. 16 October 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Regions and territories: Zanzibar". BBC News. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "December 2005 report of the President's Task Force on Puerto Rico's Status" (PDF). pfraa.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2009.
- ^ Doug Hertzler. "Debunking Myths Part II: Bolivia's Autonomy Initiatives". Retrieved 1 April 2010.
- ^ "5 departamentos se suman a la autonomía; Gran Chaco la primera región autónoma". eju.tv. 7 December 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
- ^ "Las autonomías indígenas avanzan a paso lento per seguro, entre consensos e interrogantes" Diálogos en Democracia, 21 March 2010 (Supplement to Pulso Bolivia).
- ^ "Bosnia and Herzegovina Government". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Autonomous Islands of Comoros". Statoids. 16 October 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183721/https://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/about/moj/our-responsibilities/Background_Briefing_on_the_Crown_Dependencies2.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ Spanish (aka Castilian) is official in
- ^ Basque is official in the Spanish autonomous communities of Basque Country and Navarre.
- ^ Occitan is official in the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia.
- ^ Catalan/Valencian is official in the Spanish autonomous communities of Catalonia, Balearic Islands Valencian Community.
- ^ Galician is official in the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia.
- ^ "DECRETO por el que se declaran reformadas y derogadas diversas disposiciones de la Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, en materia de la reforma política de la Ciudad de México" [DECREE declaring reformed and repealed various provisions of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, regarding the political reform of Mexico City]. Diario Oficial de la Federación [Official Journal of the Federation] (in Spanish). 29 January 2016.
- ^ Pinduli, Irene; Spivacow, R; Del Valle, E; Vidal, S; Negri, AL; Previgliano, H; Farías Edos, R; Andrade, JH; Negri, GM (20 January 2006). "Prevalence of urolithiasis in the autonomous city of Buenos Aires, Argentina". Urological Research. 34 (1): 8–11. doi:10.1007/s00240-005-0003-7. PMID 16425020. S2CID 23228563.
- ^ a b "Provinces of Cambodia". Statoids. 13 May 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Prefectures of the Central African Republic". Statoids. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Regions of Guinea-Bissau". Statoids. 14 September 2006. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Jakarta". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Regions of Uzbekistan". Statoids. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.