Subnational entity
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Subnational entity is a generic name for an administrative region within a country (normally with a local government encompassing multiple municipalities, counties or provinces with a certain degree of autonomy in a varying number of matters. It is separate from other forms of dependent areas.

Designations

Some of the designations for subnational entities are:

• Autonomous community
• Bundesland -- States of Austria, States of Germany
• Canton -- Cantons of Switzerland, Cantons of France
• City-state
• County
• Department -- Departments of France, Departments of Bolivia
• District
• Län -- Counties of Sweden, Provinces of Finland
• Land -- (also a national entity, however in Bundesland subnational)
• Local government
• Municipality
• Prefecture
• Province -- Provinces of Thailand, Provinces of the Philippines
• Region -- Regions of France, Regions of Finland
• Subprefecture
• State -- U.S. state, Bundesland above

Compare:

• Country (a national or supra-national entity)
• Empire (a supra-national entity)
• State (a national or supra-national entity)

See also

• List of subnational entities by country
• List of capitals of subnational entities
• List of subnational name etymologies

The original article can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subnational_entity.
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