Autonomous administrative division

Countries with at least one autonomous area

An autonomous administrative division (also referred to as an autonomous area, autonomous zone, autonomous entity, autonomous unit, autonomous region, autonomous subdivision, autonomous province, or autonomous territory) is a subnational administrative division or internal territory of a sovereign state that has a degree of autonomy—self-governance—under the national government. Autonomous areas are distinct from other constituent units of a federation (e.g. a state, or province) in that they possess unique powers for their given circumstances. Typically, it is either geographically distinct from the rest of the state or populated by a national minority, which may exercise home rule. Decentralization of self-governing powers and functions to such divisions is a way for a national government to try to increase democratic participation or administrative efficiency or to defuse internal conflicts. States that include autonomous areas may be federacies, federations, or confederations. Autonomous areas can be divided into territorial autonomies, subregional territorial autonomies, and local autonomies. 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).

This list includes areas that are internationally recognized, as well as some that are generally unrecognized. 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

Country Native term
Translation or equivalent		 Instances (areas became autonomous in the year(s) indicated, if available) References
Antigua and Barbuda autonomous island Barbuda (1976)
Azerbaijan muxtar respublika
autonomous republic		 Nakhchivan (1924)
Cameroon region with special status Northwest (2019)  · Southwest (2019)
Chile Provincias de Chile y Comuna de Chile
province and communes		 Easter Island
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)
Macao (1999)
自治区 (zìzhìqū)
autonomous region		 Guangxi (1958)  · Inner Mongolia (1947)  · Ningxia (1958)  · Xinjiang (1955)  · Tibet (1965)
East Timor região administrativa especial
special administrative region		 Oecusse-Ambeno (2014)
Fiji autonomous region Rotuma Rotuma (1927)
Finland itsehallinnollinen maakunta (Finnish)
självstyrande landskap (Swedish)
autonomous province		 Åland (1922)
Georgia avtonomiuri respublika
autonomous republic		 Abkhazia (1991-2008)  · Adjara (1991)
Greece aftonomi monastiki politia
autonomous monastic state		 Mount Athos (1913)
Indonesia daerah istimewa/khusus
special region		 Yogyakarta (1950)  · Jakarta (1959)  · Aceh (2005)
daerah otonomi khusus
special autonomous region		 Papua (2000)  · West Papua (2008)  · Central Papua (2022)  · Highland Papua (2022)  · South Papua (2022)  · Southwest Papua (2022)
Iraq autonomous region Kurdistan Region Kurdistan Region (1992)
Italy regione autonoma
autonomous region		 Aosta Valley (1948)  · Friuli-Venezia Giulia (1963)  · Sardinia (1948)  · Sicily (1946)  · Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (1948) `
Mauritius autonomous island Rodrigues (2002)
Moldova unitate teritorială autonomă
autonomous territorial unit		 Gagauzia (1995)  · Left Bank of the Dniester (2005)
Nicaragua región autónoma
autonomous region		 North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (1986)  · South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (1986)
Pakistan self-governing entity Azad Kashmir Azad Kashmir (1974)  · Gilgit-Baltistan (2009)
Papua New Guinea autonomous region Bougainville (2000)
Philippines rehiyong awtonomo
autonomous region		 Bangsamoro (2019)
Portugal região autónoma
autonomous region		 Azores (1976)  · Madeira (1976)
Russia avtonomnaya respublika
autonomous republic		 Adygea · Altai Republic · Bashkortostan · Buryatia · Chechnya · Chuvashia · Republic of Crimea · Dagestan · Donetsk · Ingushetia · Kabardino-Balkaria · Kalmykia · Karachay-Cherkessia · Karelia · Khakassia · Komi · Luhansk · Mari El · Mordovia · North Ossetia-Alania · Sakha Republic · Tatarstan · Tuva · Udmurtia
avtonomnaya oblast
autonomous province		 Jewish Autonomous Oblast (1934)
avtonomny okrug
autonomous district		 Chukotka · Khanty-Mansi · Nenets · Yamalo-Nenets
Saint Kitts and Nevis autonomous island Nevis (1967)
São Tomé and Príncipe região autónoma
autonomous region		 Autonomous Region of Príncipe (1995)
Serbia autonomna pokrajina
autonomous province		 Vojvodina (1945) · Kosovo and Metohija (1945–1999)
Tajikistan viloyat mukhtor
autonomous province		 Gorno-Badakhshan (1925)
Tanzania Serikali ya Mapinduzi Zanzibar
revolutionary government		 Zanzibar (1964)
Trinidad and Tobago autonomous island Tobago (1980)
Ukraine avtonomna respublika
autonomous republic		 Autonomous Republic of Crimea (1998–2014)
United Kingdom UK constituent country with devolution Northern Ireland (1998)  · Scotland (1999)  · Wales (1999)
Uzbekistan respublika
(autonomous) republic		 Karakalpakstan (1932)
West Bank and Gaza Strip "سلطة الحكم الذاتي الفلسطينية المؤقتة" (Arabic)
"Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority"
הסמכות המינהלית הפלסטינית (Hebrew)
interim administrative authority		 Palestinian National Authority (1994)  ·

Dependent, overseas and associated territories with autonomy

Country Native term
Translation or equivalent		 Instances (areas became autonomous in the year(s) indicated, if available) Notes References
Denmark autonomous territory
(Danish Realm)		 Faroe Islands (1948)  · Greenland (1979) The two autonomous territories (Danish: rigsdel, Faroese: land, Greenlandic: nuna) of the realm of the Kingdom, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, each have an elected devolved legislature which has the ability to legislate in devolved matters. The Kingdom Parliament 'Folketinget' retains sovereignty (The Kingdom of Denmark is a unitary state) and legislates in matters that are not devolved, as well as having the capacity to legislate in areas that are devolved (this does not normally occur without the agreement of the devolved legislature).
France collectivité sui generis
sui generis collectivity		 New Caledonia (1999) The French Constitution recognises three autonomous jurisdictions. Corsica, a region of France, enjoys a greater degree of autonomy on matters such as tax and education compared to mainland regions.[citation needed] New Caledonia, a sui generis collectivity, and French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity, are highly autonomous territories with their own government, legislature, currency, and constitution. They do not, however, have legislative powers for policy areas relating to law and order, defense, border control or university education. Other smaller overseas collectivities have a lesser degree of autonomy through local legislatures. The five overseas regions, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Réunion, are generally governed the same as mainland regions; however, they enjoy some additional powers, including certain legislative powers for devolved areas.
collectivité d'outre-mer
overseas collectivity		 Saint Barthélemy (2007)  · Saint Martin (2007)  · Saint Pierre and Miquelon (2003)  · Wallis and Futuna (2003)
pays d'outre-mer
overseas country		 French Polynesia (2004)
Netherlands autonoom land
autonomous country		 Aruba (1986) · Curaçao (2010) · Sint Maarten (2010) Autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, each with their own parliament. In addition they enjoy autonomy in taxation matters as well as having their own currencies.
New Zealand state in free-association Cook Islands (1965) · Niue (1974) New Zealand maintains nominal sovereignty over three Pacific Island nations, the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. The Chatham Islands—despite having the designation of Territory—is an integral part of the country, situated within the New Zealand archipelago; its council is not autonomous and has broadly the same powers as other local councils, although notably it can also charge levies on goods entering or leaving the islands.
self-administering territory Tokelau (1948)
United Kingdom Crown Dependency Guernsey  · Isle of Man · Jersey
British Overseas Territory Anguilla  · Bermuda  · British Virgin Islands  · Cayman Islands  · Falkland Islands  · Gibraltar  · Montserrat  · Turks and Caicos Islands
United States Commonwealth Puerto Rico (1952)  · Northern Mariana Islands (1978) All five insular areas are organized as unincorporated U.S. territories. Like U.S. states, they are subject to the sovereign jurisdiction of the U.S. federal government. Each territory has a local government headed by a democratically elected governor and legislature with powers within the territorial geographic boundaries.
Territories of the United States Guam (1950)  · US Virgin Islands (1954)  · American Samoa (1967)

Notes:

All first level divisions are autonomous

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)
Comoros île autonome
autonomous island		 Anjouan (2002)  · Grande Comore (2002)  · Mohéli (2002)  · Mayotte (2002)
Spain comunidad autónoma (in Spanish)
autonomia erkidegoa (in Basque)
comunautat autonòma (in Occitan)
comunitat autònoma (in Catalan/Valencian)
comunidade autónoma (in Galician)
comunidá autónoma (in Asturian)
comunidat autonoma (in Aragonese)
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)
ciudad autónoma
autonomous city		 Ceuta (1995)  · Melilla (1995)

Sub-first level autonomous areas

Country Native term
Translation or equivalent		 Instances (areas became autonomous in the year(s) indicated, if available) References
Australia Regional authority Torres Strait Islands (1994)
Bolivia provincia autónoma
autonomous province		 Gran Chaco (2009)
municipio autónomo
autonomous municipality		 Huacaya · Tarabuco · Mojocoya · Charazani · Jesús de Machaca · Pampas Aullagas · San Pedro de Totora · Chipaya · Salinas de Garci Mendoza · Chayanta · Charagua
Canada Autonomous area Nunatsiavut (2005)
Chile Comuna de Chile
communes		 Juan Fernández Islands
China (PRC) 自治州 (zìzhìzhōu)
autonomous prefecture		 Bayingolin  · Bortala  · Changji  · Chuxiong  · Dali  · Dehong  · Dêqên  · Enshi  · Gannan  · Garzê  · Golog  · Yushu  · Haibei  · Hainan  · Haixi  · Honghe  · Huangnan  · Ili  · Kizilsu  · Liangshan  · Linxia  · Ngawa  · Nujiang  · Qiandongnan  · Qiannan  · Qianxinan  · Wenshan  · Xiangxi  · Xishuangbanna (Sibsongbanna)  · Yanbian
自治县 (zìzhìxiàn)
autonomous county		 117 (full list)
自治旗 (zìzhìqí)
autonomous banner		 Evenki  · Morin Dawa  · Oroqen
India autonomous districts and territorial councils Bodoland (2003)  · Bodo Kachari (2020)  · Chakma (1972)  · Chandel (1971)  · Churachandpur (1971)  · Deori (2005)  · Dima Hasao (1970)  · Garo Hills (1952)  · Gorkhaland (2011)  · Jaintia Hills (1972)  · Kamatapur (2020)  · Karbi Anglong (1970)  · Kargil Hills (1995)  · Khasi Hills (1952)  · Lai (1972)  · Leh Hills (1995)  · Senapati (1971)  · Mara (1972)  · Matak (2020)  · Mising (1995)  · Moran (2020)  · Rabha Hasong (1995)  · Sadar Hills (1971)  · Senapati (1971)  · Sinlung Hills Council (2018)  · Sonowal Kachari (2005)  · Tamenglong (1971)  · Thengal Kachari (2005)  · Tiwa (1995)  · Tripura Tribal Areas (1982)  · Ukhrul (1971) and de facto autonomous area – North Sentinel Island (1956)
Italy provincia autonoma
autonomous province		 South Tyrol (1946, 1972)  · Trentino (1972)
Myanmar ကိုယ်ပိုင်အုပ်ချုပ်ခွင့်ရဒေသ
self-administered zones		 Danu Self-Administered Zone (2010)  · Naga Self-Administered Zone (2010)  · Pa Laung Self-Administered Zone (2010)  · Pa-O Self-Administered Zone (2010)  · Kokang Self-Administered Zone (2010–2024)
ကိုယ်ပိုင်အုပ်ချုပ်ခွင့်ရတိုင်း
self-administered division		 Wa Self-Administered Division (2011–2024)
Spain Entitat territorial autònoma
Autonomous territorial entity		 Val d'Aran (1990)
United Kingdom Jurisdiction of Bailiwick of Guernsey Alderney  · Guernsey  · Sark (1565)

Notes:

Areas designated for indigenous peoples

State Native term
Translation or equivalent		 Division Notes References
Bolivia 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.
Canada Nisga'a Created by the Nisga'a Final Agreement in 2000. The Nisga'a Territory runs semi-autonomously from the rest of Canada. Located in Northwestern British Columbia, within kilometres of the Alaska Panhandle.
Nunatsiavut
Tłı̨chǫ
Haida Nation
Toquaht
Ucluelet
Tsawwassen
Tla'amin Nation
Huu-ay-aht
Kyuquot/Cheklesahht
Uchucklesaht
Panama comarca indígena
indigenous territory		 Emberá-Wounaan (1983) · Guna de Madungandí (1996)  · Kuna de Wargandí (2000)  · Guna Yala (1938) · Ngöbe-Buglé (1997)  · Naso Tjër Di Comarca (2020)
United States Hopi Reservation
Cherokee Nation
Sac and Fox Nation
Choctaw Nation
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
Navajo Nation
Haudenosaunee
Colorado River Indian Tribes

Other areas that are autonomous in nature but not in name are areas designated for indigenous peoples, such as those of the Americas:

In Ethiopia, "special woredas" are a subgroup of woredas (districts) that are organized around the traditional homelands of specific ethnic minorities, and are outside the usual hierarchy of a kilil, or region. These woredas have many similarities to autonomous areas in other countries.

Other entities called "autonomous"

A 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.

Independent cities called "autonomous"

Capitals in bold.

Country Native term
Translation or equivalent		 Instances (areas became autonomous in the year indicated, if available) References
Argentina ciudad autónoma
autonomous city		 Buenos Aires Buenos Aires (1994)
Armenia autonomous city Yerevan Yerevan
Belarus autonomous city Minsk Minsk
Cambodia krong
autonomous municipality[dubious – discuss]		 Phnom Penh · Sihanoukville · Pailin · Kep
Central African Republic commune autonome
autonomous commune		 Bangui
Guinea-Bissau sector autónomo
autonomous sector		 Bissau region
Hungary autonomous city Budapest Budapest
Japan 村落共同体
village community		 Atarashiki (1948)
Mexico autonomous city Mexico City (2016)
Senegal ville sainte
holy city		 Touba
Serbia autonomous city Belgrade Belgrade
South Korea 특별자치시
special autonomous city		 Sejong
Uzbekistan shahar
autonomous city		 Tashkent (1918)

Self-declared entities called "autonomous"

Country Native term
Translation or equivalent		 Instances (areas became autonomous in the year indicated, if available) References
Mexico Municipios Autónomos
Autonomous Municipalities		 Zapatista territories (1993)
Syria Rêveberiya Xweser
Autonomous Administration		 Administrative Council of Jabal Bashan (2026)
Bolivia Federación de Juntas Vecinales
Federation of Neighborhood Councils		 Federation of Neighborhood Councils-El Alto (1979)
Defunct entities
Country Native term
Translation or equivalent		 Instances (areas autonomous between the years indicated) References
Albania Republika Autonome
Autonomous Republic		 Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus (1914–1914)
Krahina Autonome
Autonomous Province		 Autonomous Province of Korçë (1916–1920)
Cyprus Otonom Yönetimi
Autonomous Administration		 Autonomous Turkish Cypriot Administration (1974–1975)
Federe Devleti
Federated State		 Turkish Federated State of Cyprus (1975–1983)
Russia Alash Autonomy (1917–1920) · Idel-Ural State (1917–1918) · Kuban (1917–1918) · Mountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus (1917–1918) · Turkestan Autonomy (1917–1918) · Ukrainian People's Republic (1917–1918)
Soviet Union Советская Республика (Sovetskaja Respublika)
Soviet Republic		 Pridnestrovian Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (1990–1991) · South Ossetian Soviet Democratic Republic (1990–1991)
Автономная Советская Социалистическая Республика (Avtonomnaja Sovetskaja Socialističeskaja Respublika)
Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic		 Gagauz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (1989–1995) · Gorno-Altai ASSR (1990–1991)
Syria Syria Rêveberiya Xweser
Autonomous Administration		 Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (2012–2026) · Supreme Legal Committee in Suwayda (2025–2026)
Yugoslavia Српска аутономна област
(Srpska autonomna oblast)
Serb Autonomous Oblasts		 SAO Birač (1991–1991) · SAO Bosanska Krajina (1991–1992) · SAO Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia (1991–1992) · SAO Krajina (1990–1991) · SAO North-East Bosnia (1991–1992) · SAO Northern Bosnia (1991–1992) · SAO Herzegovina (1991–1992) · SAO Romanija (1991–1992) · SAO Western Slavonia (1991–1991)

Historical autonomous areas

Country Native term
Translation or equivalent		 Instances (areas autonomous between the years indicated) References
Costa RicaCosta Rica Costa Rica Reino
Kingdom		 Kingdom of Talamanca (1867-1910)
Czechoslovakia Autonómna Krajina
Autonomous Land had		 Autonomous Land of Slovakia (1938–1939) · Subcarpathian Rus' (1938–1939) · Slovakia (1945-1969)
Ethiopia Ethiopia Autonomous State Eritrea (1952–1962)
Autonomous Province Assab (1987–1991), Dire Dawa (1987–1991), Eritrea Province (1987–1991), Ogaden (1987–1991), Tigray Province (1987–1991)
Georgia დროებითი ადმინისტრაციულ-ტერიტორიული ერთეული (Droebiti Adminisṭraciul-Ṭeriṭoriuli Erteuli)
Temporary Administrative-Territorial Unit		 Administration of South Ossetia (2007–2026)
Hungary Szék
Seat		 Székely seats (12th century–1876) · Kunság (1279–1876) · Saxon seats (13th century–1876)
Lithuania Kraštas
Region		 Klaipėda Region (1923–1939)
Malaysia Negeri
State		 State of Singapore (1963–1965)
Philippines Rehiyong Awtonomo
Autonomous Region		 Central Mindanao (1979–1989) · Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (1989–2019) · Western Mindanao (1979–1989)
Poland Województwo
Voivodeship		 Silesian Voivodeship (1920–1939)
Romania Regiunea Autonomă
Autonomous Region		 Magyar Autonomous Region (1952–1968)
Russia Губерния (Gubernija)
Governorate		 Autonomous Governorate of Estonia (1917–1918)
Автономный Округ (Avtonomnyy Okrug)
Autonomous District		 Agin-Buryat Autonomous Okrug (1937-2008) · Evenk Autonomous Okrug (1930-2007) · Komi-Permyak Autonomous Okrug (1930-2005) · Koryak Autonomous Okrug (1930-2007) · Komi-Permyak Autonomous Okrug (1930-2005) · Taymyr Autonomous Okrug (1930-2007) · Ust-Orda Buryat Autonomous Okrug (1937-2008)
Soviet Union Автономная Советская Социалистическая Республика (Avtonomnaja Sovetskaja Socialističeskaja Respublika)
Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic		 Bashkir ASSR (1919–1991) · Buryat ASSR (1923–1991) · Checheno-Ingush ASSR (1936–1944, 1957–1991) · Chuvash ASSR (1925–1991) · Dagestan ASSR (1921–1991) · Kabardino-Balkarian ASSR (1936–1991) · Kalmyk ASSR (1935–1943, 1958–1991) · Karelian ASSR (1923–1940, 1956–1991) · Komi ASSR (1936–1991) · Mari ASSR (1936–1991) · Mordovian ASSR (1934–1991) · North Ossetian ASSR (1936–1991) · Tatar ASSR (1920–1991) · Tuvan ASSR (1961–1991) · Udmurt ASSR (1934–1991) · Yakut ASSR (1922–1991) · Crimean ASSR (1921–1945, 1991) · Mountain ASSR (1921–1924) · Turkestan ASSR (1920–1924) · Volga German ASSR (1924–1941) · Abkhaz ASSR (1931–1991) · Adjarian ASSR (1931–1991) · Adjarian ASSR (1931–1991) · Nakhichevan ASSR (1921–1991) · Karakalpak ASSR (1932–1991) · Kazakh ASSR (1920–1936) · Kirghiz ASSR (1926–1936) · Moldavian ASSR (1924–1940) · Tajik ASSR (1924–1929)
Автономная Область (Avtonomnaja Oblastʹ)
Autonomous Oblast		 Checheno-Ingush Autonomous Oblast (1934–1936) · Chuvash Autonomous Oblast (1920–1925) · Kabardino-Balkarian Autonomous Oblast (1922–1936) · Kalmyk Autonomous Oblast (1920–1935, 1957–1958) · Komi (Zyryan) Autonomous Oblast (1921–1936) · Mari Autonomous Oblast (1920–1936) · Mari Autonomous Oblast (1920–1936) · Mordovian Autonomous Oblast [ru] (1930–1934) · North Ossetian Autonomous Oblast (1924–1936) · Tuvan Autonomous Oblast (1944–1961) · Udmurt Autonomous Oblast (1920–1934) · Adyghe Autonomous Oblast (1922–1991) · Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast (1922–1990) · Gorno-Altai Autonomous Oblast (1934–1991) · Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Oblast (1922–1926, 1957–1991) · Khakas Autonomous Oblast (1930–1991) · Buryat-Mongol Autonomous Oblast [ru] (1921–1923) · Mongol-Buryat Autonomous Oblast [ru] (1922–1923) · Chechen Autonomous Oblast (1922–1934) · Ingush Autonomous Oblast (1922–1934) · Cherkess Autonomous Oblast (1928–1957) · Karachay Autonomous Oblast (1926–1943) · Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (1923–1991) · South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast (1922–1991) · Karakalpak Autonomous Oblast (1925–1932) · Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (1925–1991) · Kara-Kirghiz Autonomous Oblast (1924–1926) · Moldavian Autonomous Oblast (1924)
South Africa Homeland Bophuthatswana (1972–1977) · Ciskei (1972–1981) · Gazankulu (1973–1994) · KaNgwane (1976–1994) · KwaNdebele (1981–1994) · KwaZulu (1977–1994) · Lebowa (1972–1994) · QwaQwa (1974–1994) · Transkei (1963–1976) · Venda (1973–1979)
Spain Región Autónoma
Autonomous Region		 Catalonia (1931–1939) · Basque Country (1936–1939)
Sudan منطقة الحكم الذاتي (Minṭaqa al-Ḥukm aḏ-Ḏātī)
Autonomous Region		 Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (1972–1983) · Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (2005–2011)
Ukraine respublika
republic		 Autonomous Republic of Crimea Republic of Crimea (1992–1995)
United Kingdom Southern Ireland (1921–1922)
Kurdish State (1918-1919)
Yugoslavia Бановина (Banovina)
Banate		 Banovina of Croatia (1939–1941)

In some monarchies, usually composite monarchies, regional territories held different degrees of autonomy. Real and personal unions are seen as independent states rather than autonomous regions within a larger state.

Country Native term
Translation or equivalent		 Instances (areas autonomous between the years indicated) References
Austria Kronland
Crown Land		 Kingdom of Bohemia (1861-1913) · Kingdom of Croatia and Slavonia (1861-1867) · Kingdom of Dalmatia (1861-1912) · Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria (1861-1914) · Kingdom of Hungary (1861-1867) · Upper Austria (1861-1918) · Lower Austria (1861-1918) · Duchy of Bukovina (1861-1918) · Duchy of Carinthia (1861-1918) · Duchy of Carniola (1861-1918) · Duchy of Salzburg (1861-1918) · Austrian Silesia (1861-1914) · Duchy of Styria (1861-1918) · Margraviate of Istria (1861-1918) · Margraviate of Moravia (1861-1914) · Princely County of Gorizia and Gradisca (1861-1918) · County of Tyrol (1861-1918) · County of Vorarlberg (1861-1918) · Imperial Free City of Trieste (1861-1918) · Condominium of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1910-1914)
Hungary Kraljevina
Kingdom		 Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia (1868–1918)
Corpus separatum
Separated body		 Fiume (1868–1913)
Prussia Großherzogtum
Grand Duchy		 Grand Duchy of Posen (1815–1848)
Russia Великое Княжество (Velikoje Knjažestvo)
Grand Duchy		 Grand Duchy of Finland (1809–1917)
Царство (Carstvo)
Kingdom		 Congress Poland (1815–1830)

Proposed autonomous administrative divisions

Formal proposals

The following autonomous regions have been proposed but not implemented following unsuccessful referendums or other political reasons:

The following autonomous regions were initially rejected in a referendum but were subsequently approved in a future referendum:

The following autonomous regions have been proposed as part of peace agreements:

Campaigns

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ For example: "China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". United Nations. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  2. ↑ See International recognition of Kosovo for states that do and do not recognize the Republic of Kosovo.
  3. ↑ In 2007, the Chamber of Deputies of Chile passed a law designating both as "special territories", granting them more autonomy. Additionally, the Juan Fernandez Islands archipelago is a commune, while Easter Island is both a commune and a province.
  4. ↑ Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984
  5. ↑ Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration of 1987
  6. ↑ The special administrative regions have the highest degree of autonomy from the central government in Beijing. Autonomous regions contain a large minority ethnic group.
  7. ↑ Åland convention
  8. ↑ De facto, Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia, but de jure they are still part of Georgia. On 9 February 2026, the nominal autonomous government of South Ossetia was abolished.
  9. ↑ The flag of Abkhazia shown is the proposed flag of the Georgian government from 2013.
  10. ↑ Semi-autonomous federal region of Iraq; the constitution of Iraq gives a degree of autonomy to administrative divisions, such as regions and provinces, in matters that are not within the exclusive remit of the federal government of Iraq. Regional law may take priority (in case of dispute) if the law falls within the remit of "shared authorities" and does not contradict with the provisions of the constitution of Iraq. The Federal Supreme Court of Iraq has the authority to repeal and amend regional law.
  11. ↑ In 1990, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR, commonly known as Transnistria) declared its independence from the Soviet Union. While Moldova has not formally recognized Transnistria's independence and still has an administrative apparatus for the claimed Autonomous Territorial Unit, its independence is recognized by 3 other non-UN member states.
  12. ↑ Azad Kashmir is a self-governing polity which has not been formally annexed by Pakistan. It was established after a rebellion against the Maharajah of Kashmir, and the subsequent First Kashmir War. It is located within the historic Kashmir region, which is disputed between India, Pakistan and China.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Claimed by Ukraine and considered by most of the international community to be part of Ukraine.
  14. ↑ Since 1999, it hasn't been under the direct control of Serbia. It became an "entity under interim international administration" and later a partially recognised state.
  15. ↑ The Tobago House of Assembly is a devolved legislature that is responsible for the island of Tobago.
  16. ↑ Three of the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom, namely Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each have an elected, devolved legislature which has the ability to legislate in devolved matters. The Parliament of the United Kingdom which retains sovereignty (the United Kingdom is a unitary state), can dissolve the devolved legislatures at any time, and legislates in matters that are not devolved, as well as having the capacity to legislate in areas that are devolved (by constitutional convention, without the agreement of the devolved legislature). Formerly, both Scotland and England were fully sovereign states.
  17. ↑ Good Friday Agreement
  18. ↑ Oslo Accords (1993)
  19. ↑ Oslo II Accord (1995)
  20. ↑ Even though France administer Mayotte after 1974 and 1976 independence referendum, Comoros continued to claim Mayotte as an autonomous island, despite have no government-in-exile for it.
  21. ↑ From 2017 to 2018, Catalonia was directly rule from Madrid by the Senate of Spain amidst the unilateral Catalan declaration of independence and the constitutional crisis thereafter. This direct rule ended after Quim Torra was elected as the new president of Catalonia.
  22. ↑ South Tyrol has a considerable level of self-government, consisting of a large range of exclusive legislative and executive powers and a fiscal regime that allows it to retain 90% of revenue, while remaining a net contributor to the national budget.
  23. ↑ Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement (1946)
  24. ↑ Dissolved following the takeover of its territory by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, still de jure exists
  25. ↑ Dissolved following the takeover of its territory by the Wa State, still de jure exists
  26. ↑ a de facto autonomous region controlled or partially controlled by neo-Zapatista support bases in the Mexican state of Chiapas since the Zapatista uprising in 1994 and during the wider Chiapas conflict.
  27. ↑ It gained undeclared independence with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and continued to exist as a unrecognised political entity to its peaceful reintegration into Moldova in 1995.
  28. 1 2 3 4 The TBVC States were granted nominal independence and continued to exist until 1994.
  29. ↑ Continued to function in exile until 1977
  30. ↑ Continued to function in exile until 1979

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ 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
  3. ↑ "Barbuda Local Government Act of 1976" (PDF).
  4. ↑ "Regions and territories: Nagorno-Karabakh". BBC News. 15 January 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  5. ↑ Treaty of Moscow (1921) and Treaty of Kars (1921)
  6. ↑ "Cameroon grants 'special status' its to restive regions. They don't feel special". 13 January 2020.
  7. ↑ "Easter Islands now a "special territory" with more autonomy".
  8. ↑ "Easter Islands now a "special territory" with more autonomy".
  9. ↑ "The Joint Declaration (and following pages)". Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, The Government of the HKSAR. 1 July 2007.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Provinces of China". Statoids. 26 June 2006. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  12. ↑ "LEI N.º 3/ 2014 de 18 de Junho". Jornal da República. Dili: Government of East Timor. 2014..
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  14. ↑ (in French) Edouard Gourdon, Histoire du Congrès de Paris, Paris, 1857, full text at google Print
  15. ↑ 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.
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  20. ↑ "Constitution of Iraq (Article 93)". Constitute.
  21. ↑ "The Federal Court issues a verdict revoking and amending some of the articles of the Kurdistan Parliament Election Law" (in Arabic). Federal Supreme Court of Iraq.
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  23. ↑ "Districts of Mauritius". Statoids. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  24. ↑ "Departments of Nicaragua". Statoids. 12 April 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  25. ↑ "Azad Kashmir | Meaning, History, Population, & Government | Britannica".
  26. ↑ "Provinces of Papua New Guinea". Statoids. 1 June 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  27. ↑ "Provinces of the Philippines". Statoids. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  28. ↑ 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.
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  31. ↑ "Regions and territories: Zanzibar". BBC News. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  32. ↑ Tobago Division Of Tourism - About Tobago, Governance Archived 2007-07-10 at the Wayback Machine
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  34. ↑ "Area C and the future of Palestinian economy" (PDF). World Bank. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  35. ↑ 1995 Oslo Interim Agreement. Text of the Accord
  36. ↑
    • Benedikter, Thomas (2006-06-19). "The working autonomies in Europe". Society for Threatened Peoples. Archived from the original on 2008-03-09. Retrieved 2019-08-30. Denmark has established very specific territorial autonomies with its two island territories
    • Ackrén, Maria (November 2017). "Greenland". Autonomy Arrangements in the World. Archived from the original on 2019-08-30. Retrieved 2019-08-30. Faroese and Greenlandic are seen as official regional languages in the self-governing territories belonging to Denmark.
    • "Greenland". International Cooperation and Development. European Commission. 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2019-08-27. Greenland [...] is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark
    • "Facts about the Faroe Islands". Nordic cooperation. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2015. The Faroe Islands [...] is one of three autonomous territories in the Nordic Region
  37. 1 2 Included on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories.
  38. ↑ "Chatham Islands Council Act 1995 No 41 (as at 01 July 2013), Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation". www.legislation.govt.nz.
  39. ↑ "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.
  40. ↑ "Treaty concerning the Archipelago of Spitsbergen, and Protocol [1925] ATS 10". austlii.edu.au.
  41. ↑ Doug Hertzler. "Debunking Myths Part II: Bolivia's Autonomy Initiatives". Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  42. ↑ "Autonomous Islands of Comoros". Statoids. 16 October 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  43. ↑ Spanish (aka Castilian) is official in
  44. ↑ Basque is official in the Spanish autonomous communities of Basque Country and Navarre.
  45. ↑ Occitan is official in the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia.
  46. ↑ Catalan/Valencian is official in the Spanish autonomous communities of Catalonia, Balearic Islands Valencian Community.
  47. ↑ Galician is official in the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia.
  48. ↑ Asturian is recognised and protected by law in the Spanish autonomous community of Asturias.
  49. ↑ Aragonese is recognised and protected by law in the Spanish autonomous community of Aragon.
  50. ↑ "5 departamentos se suman a la autonomía; Gran Chaco la primera región autónoma". eju.tv. 7 December 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  51. ↑ "Las autonomías indígenas avanzan a paso lento per seguro, entre consensos e interrogantes" Diálogos en Democracia, 21 March 2010 (Supplement to Pulso Bolivia).
  52. ↑ "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.
  53. ↑ "The World's Working Regional Autonomies, Thomas Benedikter". Anthem Press. 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  54. ↑ "South Tyrol", Wikipedia, 2026-02-02, retrieved 2026-02-07
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  56. ↑ "Background briefing on the Crown Dependencies: Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man" (PDF). www.justice.gov.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-10-01.
  57. ↑ 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.
  58. ↑ NM Currency Converter. "Currency converter Swiss Franc, CHF". nm-devises.com.
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  61. ↑ "Panama Provinces". Statoids. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
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  63. ↑ "Provinces of Cambodia". Statoids. 13 May 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  64. ↑ "Prefectures of the Central African Republic". Statoids. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  65. ↑ "Regions of Guinea-Bissau". Statoids. 14 September 2006. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  66. ↑ "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.
  67. ↑ "Regions of Uzbekistan". Statoids. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  68. ↑ Reyes Godelmann, Iker (30 July 2014). "The Zapatista Movement: The Fight for Indigenous Rights in Mexico". Australian Institute of International Affairs. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  69. ↑ de facto independent, dissolved following the start of World War I
  70. ↑ French protectorate during the Collapse of the Principality of Albania
  71. ↑ This list only includes seats which existed until 1876.
  72. ↑ de facto not effected, all but 4 members of the Southern Ireland House of Commons constituted the Second Dáil of the Irish Republic instead
  73. ↑ Continued to exist de jure until 1945

Works cited

  1. ↑ In a verdict issued in February 2024, the Supreme Court of Iraq simultaneously revoked as well as amended Kurdistan Region's legislation, setting a legal precedent for the latter.