List of autonomous areas by country

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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]

Countries with at least one autonomous area

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

Created by international agreements

More information Country, Native term Translation or equivalent ...
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]
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Notes:

Created by internal statutes

More information Country, Native term Translation or equivalent ...
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) [18]
Azerbaijan muxtar respublika
autonomous republic		 Nakhchivan (1924) [19][20]
Cameroon region with special status Northwest (2019)  · Southwest (2019) [21]
Chile Provincias de Chile y Comuna de Chile
province and communes		 Easter Island [22]
China (PRC) 自治区 (zìzhìqū)
autonomous region		 Guangxi (1958)  · Inner Mongolia (1947)  · Ningxia (1958)  · Xinjiang (1955)  · Tibet (1965) [5]
Denmark autonomous territory
(Danish Realm)		 Faroe Islands (1948)  · Greenland (1979) [8]
East Timor região administrativa especial
special administrative region		 Oecusse-Ambeno (2014) [23]
Fiji autonomous region Rotuma Rotuma (1927) [24]
France sui generis collectivité
sui generis collectivity		 New Caledonia (1999) [25]
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)
Georgia avtonomiuri respublika
autonomous republic		 Abkhazia (1991-2008) [J] [K] · Adjara (1991) [26]
provisional administrative entity South Ossetia South Ossetia (2007-2008) [J] [27]
Greece aftonomi monastiki politia
autonomous monastic state		 Mount Athos (1913) [28]
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) [29]
Italy regione autonoma
autonomous region		 Aosta Valley (1948)  · Friuli-Venezia Giulia (1963)  · Sardinia (1948)  · Sicily (1946)  · Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (1948) [8]`
Mauritius autonomous island Rodrigues (2002) [30]
Moldova unitate teritorială autonomă
autonomous territorial unit		 Gagauzia (1995)  · Left Bank of the Dniester (2005) [8]
Nicaragua región autónoma
autonomous region		 North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (1986)  · South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (1986) [31]
Pakistan self-governing entity Azad Kashmir Azad Kashmir (1974)  · Gilgit-Baltistan (2009)
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) [32]
Papua New Guinea autonomous region Bougainville (2000) [33]
Philippines rehiyong awtonomus
autonomous region		 Bangsamoro (2019) [34]
Portugal região autónoma
autonomous region		 Azores (1976)  · Madeira (1976) [8]
Russia avtonomnaya respublika
autonomous republic		 Adygea · Altai Republic · Bashkortostan · Buryatia · Chechnya · Chuvashia · Republic of Crimea[L] · Dagestan · Donetsk[L] · Ingushetia · Kabardino-Balkaria · Kalmykia · Karachay-Cherkessia · Karelia · Khakassia · Komi · Luhansk[L] · Mari El · Mordovia · North Ossetia-Alania · Sakha Republic · Tatarstan · Tuva · Udmurtia [8]
avtonomnaya oblast
autonomous province		 Jewish Autonomous Oblast (1934) [8]
avtonomny okrug
autonomous district		 Chukotka · Khanty-Mansi · Nenets · Yamalo-Nenets [8]
Saint Kitts and Nevis autonomous island Nevis (1967) [35]
São Tomé and Príncipe região autónoma
autonomous region		 Autonomous Region of Príncipe (1995) [36]
Serbia autonomna pokrajina
autonomous province		 Vojvodina (1945) · Kosovo and Metohija (1945–1999) [M]
Tajikistan viloyat mukhtor
autonomous province		 Gorno-Badakhshan (1925) [37]
Tanzania Serikali ya Mapinduzi Zanzibar
revolutionary government		 Zanzibar (1964) [38]
Trinidad and Tobago autonomous island Tobago (1980)
Ukraine avtonomna respublika
autonomous republic		 Autonomous Republic of Crimea (1992) [L]
United Kingdom UK constituent country with devolution Scotland (1999)  · Wales (1999) [8]
Uzbekistan respublika
(autonomous) republic		 Karakalpakstan
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Dependent, overseas and associated territories with autonomy

More information Country, Native term Translation or equivalent ...
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  · Turks and Caicos Islands
United States Commonwealth Puerto Rico (1952)  · Northern Mariana Islands (1978) [39]
Territory Guam (1950)  · US Virgin Islands (1954)  · American Samoa (1967)
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All first level divisions are autonomous

More information Country, Native term Translation or equivalent ...
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) [40]
Comoros île autonome
autonomous island		 Anjouan (2002)  · Grande Comore (2002)  · Mohéli (2002) [41]
Guernsey Jurisdiction Alderney  · Sark (1565) [42]
Spain comunidad autónoma (in Spanish)[43]
autonomia erkidegoa (in Basque)[44]
comunautat autonòma (in Occitan)[45]
comunitat autònoma (in Catalan/Valencian)[46]
comunidade autónoma (in Galician)[47]
comunidá autónoma (in Asturian)[48]
comunidat autonoma (in Aragonese)[49]
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]
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Sub-first level autonomous areas

More information Country, Native term Translation or equivalent ...
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) [50]
municipio autónomo
autonomous municipality		 Huacaya · Tarabuco · Mojocoya · Charazani · Jesús de Machaca · Pampas Aullagas · San Pedro de Totora · Chipaya · Salinas de Garci Mendoza · Chayanta · Charagua [51]
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 Autonomous area Nunatsiavut (2005)
Chile Comuna de Chile
communes		 Juan Fernández Islands [52]
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 [5]
自治县 (zìzhìxiàn)
autonomous county		 117 (full list) [5]
自治旗 (zìzhìqí)
autonomous banner		 Evenki  · Morin Dawa  · Oroqen [5]
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)  · 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) [53]
Italy provincia autonoma
autonomous province		 South Tyrol (1972)  · Trentino (1972)
Myanmar self-administered zones Danu Self-Administered Zone  · Kokang Self-Administered Zone  · Naga Self-Administered Zone  · Pa Laung Self-Administered Zone  · Pa-O Self-Administered Zone  · Wa Self-Administered Division (2011)
Spain Entitat territorial autònoma
Autonomous territorial entity		 Val d'Aran (1990) [8]
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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.

Capitals called "autonomous"

More information Country, Native term Translation or equivalent ...
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) [54]
Armenia autonomous city Yerevan Yerevan
Belarus autonomous city Minsk Minsk
Cambodia krong
autonomous municipality		 Phnom Penh [N] [55]
Central African Republic commune autonome
autonomous commune		 Bangui [56]
Guinea-Bissau sector autónomo
autonomous sector		 Bissau region [57]
Hungary autonomous city Budapest Budapest
Mexico autonomous city Mexico City (2016) [58]
Romania autonomous municipality Bucharest
Serbia autonomous city Belgrade Belgrade
Uzbekistan shahar
autonomous city		 Tashkent (1918) [59]
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Independent cities called "autonomous"

More information Country, Native term Translation or equivalent ...
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
Senegal ville sainte
holy city		 Touba
Cambodia krong
autonomous municipality		 Phnom Penh · Sihanoukville · Pailin · Kep [55]
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Self-declared entities called "autonomous"

More information Country, Native term Translation or equivalent ...
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		 Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East SyriaAutonomous Administration of North and East Syria (2012)

Suwayda supreme legal committee (2025)

Bolivia Federación de Juntas Vecinales
Federation of Neighborhood Councils		 Fejuve (1979)
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See also

Notes

  1. [A]
    For example: "China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". United Nations. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  2. [B]
    See International recognition of Kosovo for states that do and do not recognize the Republic of Kosovo.
  3. [C]
    Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984
  4. [D]
    Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration of 1987
  5. [E]
    Åland convention
  6. [F]
    Good Friday Agreement (1998)
  7. [G]
    Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement (1946)
  8. [H]
    Oslo Accords (1993)
  9. [I]
    Oslo II Accord (1995)
  10. [J]
    De facto, Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia, but de jure they are still part of Georgia
  11. [K]
    The flag of Abkhazia shown is the proposed flag of the Georgian government from 2013.
  12. [L]
    Claimed by Ukraine and considered by most of the international community to be part of Ukraine.
  13. [M]
    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.
  14. [N]
    along with Independent cities called "autonomous"

References

External links

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