This list of autonomous areas arranged by country gives an overview of autonomous areas of the world. An
autonomous area
In developmental psychology and moral, political, and bioethical philosophy, autonomy, from , ''autonomos'', from αὐτο- ''auto-'' "self" and νόμος ''nomos'', "law", hence when combined understood to mean "one who gives oneself one's ...
is defined as an area of a
country that has a degree of
autonomy
In developmental psychology and moral, political, and bioethical philosophy, autonomy, from , ''autonomos'', from αὐτο- ''auto-'' "self" and νόμος ''nomos'', "law", hence when combined understood to mean "one who gives oneself one's ow ...
, 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. 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
A federated state (which may also be referred to as a state, a province, a region, a canton, a land, a governorate, an oblast, an emirate or a country) is a territorial and constitutional community forming part of a federation. Such states ...
).
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
Created by international agreements
Notes:
*,
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'' 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
Heligoland (; german: Helgoland, ; Heligolandic Frisian: , , Mooring Frisian: , da, Helgoland) is a small archipelago in the North Sea. A part of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein since 1890, the islands were historically possession ...
,
Germany: Although it is part of a German state,
Schleswig-Holstein, it has been
excluded of some
European Union normatives, such as
customs union
A customs union is generally defined as a type of trade bloc which is composed of a free trade area with a common external tariff.GATTArticle 24 s. 8 (a)
Customs unions are established through trade pacts where the participant countries set up ...
and the
Value Added Tax Area.
*
Büsingen am Hochrhein
Büsingen am Hochrhein (, "Büsingen on the Upper Rhine"; Alemannic: ''Büesinge am Hochrhi''), commonly known as Büsingen, is a German municipality () in the south of Baden-Württemberg and an enclave entirely surrounded by the Swiss canton ...
, Germany and
Campione d'Italia
Campione d'Italia (Comasco: , ) is a '' comune'' of the Province of Como in the Lombardy region of Italy and an enclave surrounded by the Swiss canton of Ticino (it is also an exclave). At its closest, the enclave is less than from the res ...
, Italy despite being integral parts of their respective countries, these two
enclaves of
Switzerland predominantly use
Swiss franc
The Swiss franc is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is also legal tender in the Italian exclave of Campione d'Italia which is surrounded by Swiss territory. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) issues banknotes and the fe ...
as currency and are in customs union with it.
Created by internal statutes
Dependent and associated territories with autonomy
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
In developmental psychology and moral, political, and bioethical philosophy, autonomy, from , ''autonomos'', from αὐτο- ''auto-'' "self" and νόμος ''nomos'', "law", hence when combined understood to mean "one who gives oneself one's ...
. They are listed here for clarity.
Territories and regions called "autonomous"
In a number of countries, all territories or regions of a particular type are called "autonomous". Depending on the case, this may or may not reflect a special devolution of powers or freedom from external authority.
Capitals called "autonomous"
Independent cities called "autonomous"
Self-declared entities called "autonomous"
See also
*
Autocephaly
Autocephaly (; from el, αὐτοκεφαλία, meaning "property of being self-headed") is the status of a hierarchical Christian church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop. The term is primarily used in Eastern Ort ...
*
Autonomous administrative division
An autonomous administrative division (also referred to as an autonomous area, entity, unit, region, subdivision, or territory) is a subnational administrative division or internal territory of a sovereign state that has a degree of autonomy� ...
*
Federated state
A federated state (which may also be referred to as a state, a province, a region, a canton, a land, a governorate, an oblast, an emirate or a country) is a territorial and constitutional community forming part of a federation. Such states ...
*
List of administrative divisions by country
*
List of dependent territories
*
List of leaders of dependent territories
This is a list of leaders of dependent territories. A dependent territory is a territory that does not possess full political independence or sovereignty as a sovereign state yet remains politically outside of the controlling state's integral ...
*
*
List of sovereign states
Notes
* For example:
* See
International recognition of Kosovo for states that do and do not recognize the
Republic of Kosovo.
References
{{reflist
External links
Autonomy World Map
Country
Country