List of autonomous areas by country

File:Autonomous areas.svg

Countries with at least one autonomous area

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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> 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).<ref>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</ref>

This list includes areas that are internationally recognized, as well as some that are generally unrecognized.Template:Efn-uaTemplate:Efn-ua 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

Country	Native term Translation or equivalent	Instances (areas became autonomous in the treaty and year(s) indicated, if available)	References
Template:Flag	lang}} (Chinese, an official language of both Hong Kong and Macau) Template:Nowrap Template:Nowrap	Template:Flag (1997) Template:Efn-ua<ref name ="HKSAR">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Flag (1999) Template:Efn-ua<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	<ref name="china" />
Template:Flag	itsehallinnollinen maakunta (Finnish) självstyrande landskap (Swedish) autonomous province	Template:Flag (1922) Template:Efn-ua<ref>Template:In lang Edouard Gourdon, Histoire du Congrès de Paris, Paris, 1857, full text at google Print</ref><ref>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.</ref>	<ref name="gfbv">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	UK constituent country with devolution	Template:Flagicon image Northern Ireland (1999) Template:Efn-ua	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	autonome Provinz (German) provincia autonoma (Italian) autonomous province	Template:Flag (1946, 1972) Template:Efn-ua	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag / Template:Flag	"سلطة الحكم الذاتي الفلسطينية المؤقتة" (Arabic) "Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority" הסמכות המינהלית הפלסטינית (Hebrew) interim administrative authority	Template:Flag (1994) Template:Efn-ua Template:· Gaza Strip and West Bank Template:Efn-ua	<ref name=worldbank>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>1995 Oslo Interim Agreement. Text of the Accord</ref>

Notes:

• Template:Flagicon 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<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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).

• Template:Flagicon image 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.<ref>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.</ref>
• Template:Flagicon image Büsingen am Hochrhein, Germany and Template:Flagicon image Campione d'Italia, Italy: Despite being integral parts of their respective countries, these two enclaves of Switzerland predominantly use Swiss franc as currency<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>It is legal tender in Campione d'Italia</ref> and are in customs union with it.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Created by internal statutes

Country	Native term Translation or equivalent	Instances (areas became autonomous in the year(s) indicated, if available)	References
Template:Flag	autonomous island	Template:Flagicon image Barbuda (1976)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	lang}} autonomous republic	Nakhchivan (1924)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Treaty of Moscow (1921) and Treaty of Kars (1921)</ref>
Template:Flag	region with special status	Northwest (2019) Template:· Southwest (2019)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	Provincias de Chile y Comuna de Chile province and communes	Template:Flag	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Comuna de Chile communes	Template:Flagicon image Juan Fernández Islands	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	lang}} (Template:Transliteration) autonomous region	Guangxi (1958) Template:· Inner Mongolia (1947) Template:· Ningxia (1958) Template:· Xinjiang (1955) Template:· Tibet (1965)	<ref name="china">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	lang}} (Template:Transliteration) autonomous prefecture	Bayingolin Template:· Bortala Template:· Changji Template:· Chuxiong Template:· Dali Template:· Dehong Template:· Dêqên Template:· Enshi Template:· Gannan Template:· Garzê Template:· Golog Template:· Yushu Template:· Haibei Template:· Hainan Template:· Haixi Template:· Honghe Template:· Huangnan Template:· Ili Template:· Kizilsu Template:· Liangshan Template:· Linxia Template:· Ngawa Template:· Nujiang Template:· Qiandongnan Template:· Qiannan Template:· Qianxinan Template:·Wenshan Template:· Xiangxi Template:· Xishuangbanna (Sibsongbanna) Template:· Yanbian	<ref name="china" />
	lang}} (Template:Transliteration) autonomous county	117 (full list)	<ref name="china" />
	lang}} (Template:Transliteration) autonomous banner	Evenki Template:· Morin Dawa Template:· Oroqen	<ref name="china" />
Template:Flag	autonomous territory (Danish Realm)	Template:Flag (1948) Template:· Template:Flag (1979)	<ref name="gfbv" />
Template:Flag	lang}} special administrative region	Template:Flag (2014)	<ref>Template:Cite book.</ref>
Template:Flag	autonomous region	Template:Flagicon Rotuma (1927)	<ref>Template:Cite book.</ref>
Template:Flag	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} collectivity	Template:Flag (1999)	<ref name="ReferenceA">Included on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories.</ref>
	lang}} overseas collectivity	Template:Flag (2007) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Saint Martin (2007) Template:· Template:Flag (2003) Template:· Template:Flag (2003)
	lang}} overseas country	Template:Flag (2004)
Template:Flag	[[Administrative divisions of Georgia (country)|Template:Transliteration]] autonomous republic	File:Flag of Abkhazia (GE).svg Abkhazia (1991-2008) Template:Efn-ua Template:Efn-uaTemplate:· Template:Flag (1991)	<ref name="Regions of Georgia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	provisional administrative entity	Template:Flagicon South Ossetia (2007-2008) Template:Efn-ua	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	Template:Transliteration autonomous monastic state	Template:Flagicon image Mount Athos (1913)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	autonomous districts and territorial councils	Bodoland (2003) Template:· Bodo Kachari (2020) Template:· Chakma (1972) Template:· Chandel (1971) Template:· Churachandpur (1971) Template:· Deori (2005) Template:· Dima Hasao (1970) Template:· Garo Hills (1952) Template:· Gorkhaland (2011) Template:· Jaintia Hills (1972) Template:· Kamatapur (2020) Template:· Karbi Anglong (1970) Template:· Kargil Hills (1995) Template:· Khasi Hills (1952) Template:· Lai (1972) Template:· Leh Hills (1995) Template:· Senapati (1971) Template:· Mara (1972) Template:· Matak (2020) Template:· Mising (1995) Template:· Moran (2020) Template:· Rabha Hasong (1995) Template:· Sadar Hills (1971) Template:· Sonowal Kachari (2005) Template:· Tamenglong (1971) Template:· Thengal Kachari (2005) Template:· Tiwa (1995) Template:· Tripura Tribal Areas (1982) Template:· Ukhrul (1971) and de facto autonomous area – North Sentinel Island (1956)	<ref name="Anthem Press">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	[[daerah|Template:Transliteration]] special region	Template:Flagicon image Yogyakarta (1950) Template:· Template:Flag (2005) Template:· Template:Flag (2024)
	Template:Transliteration special autonomous region	Template:Flag (2000) Template:· Template:Flag (2008) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Central Papua (2022) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Highland Papua (2022) Template:· Template:Flagicon image South Papua (2022) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Southwest Papua (2022)
Template:Flag	autonomous region	Template:Flagicon Kurdistan Region (1992)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	lang}} autonomous region	Template:Flag (1948) Template:· Template:Flag (1963) Template:· Template:Flag (1948) Template:· Template:Flag (1946) Template:· Template:Flag (1948)	<ref name="gfbv"/>`
	lang}} autonomous province	Template:Flag (1972) Template:· Template:Flag (1972)
Template:Flag	autonomous island	Template:Flag (2002)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	lang}} autonomous territorial unit	Template:Flag (1995) Template:· Left Bank of the Dniester (2005)	<ref name="gfbv" />
Template:Flag	self-administered zones	Template:Flagicon image Danu Self-Administered Zone Template:· Template:Flagicon image Kokang Self-Administered Zone Template:· Template:Flagicon image Naga Self-Administered Zone Template:· Template:Flagicon image Pa Laung Self-Administered Zone Template:· Template:Flagicon image Pa-O Self-Administered Zone Template:· Template:Flagicon image Wa Self-Administered Division (2011)
Template:Flag	lang}} autonomous region	Template:Flagicon image North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (1986) Template:· Template:Flagicon image South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (1986)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	self-governing entity	Template:Flagicon Azad Kashmir (1974) Gilgit-Baltistan (2009)
Template:Flag	lang}} indigenous territory	Emberá-Wounaan (1983)Template:· Guna de Madungandí (1996) Template:· Kuna de Wargandí (2000) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Guna Yala (1938)Template:· Template:Flagicon image Ngöbe-Buglé (1997) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Naso Tjër Di Comarca (2020)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	autonomous region	Template:Flag (2000)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	lang}} autonomous region	Template:Flag (2019)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	lang}} autonomous region	Template:Flag (1976) Template:· Template:Flag (1976)	<ref name="gfbv" />
Template:Flag	[[Republics of Russia|Template:Transliteration]] autonomous republic	Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:Efn-uaTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:Efn-uaTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:Efn-uaTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:Flag	<ref name="gfbv" />
	Template:Transliteration autonomous province	Template:Flag (1934)	<ref name="gfbv" />
	[[Autonomous subject-level districts of Russia|Template:Transliteration]] autonomous district	Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:Flag	<ref name="gfbv" />
Template:Flag	autonomous island	Template:Flag (1967)	<ref>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.</ref>
Template:Flag	lang}} autonomous region	Template:Flagicon image Autonomous Region of Príncipe (1995)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	lang}} autonomous province	Template:Flagicon image Template:Flagicon image Vojvodina (1945)Template:· Kosovo and Metohija (1945–1999) Template:Efn-ua
Template:Flag	dowlad goboleedka ee federal state	Template:Flag (2012)Template:· Template:Flag (2016)Template:· Template:Flag (2013)Template:Efn-uaTemplate:· Template:FlagTemplate:Efn-ua (2023)Template:· Template:Flag (1998)Template:Efn-uaTemplate:· Template:Flag (2014)Template:· Template:Flag Template:Efn-ua	<ref name="somalireview.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	Template:Transliteration autonomous province	Gorno-Badakhshan (1925)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	Template:Transliteration revolutionary government	Template:Flag (1964)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	autonomous island	Tobago (1980)
Template:Flag	Template:Transliteration autonomous republic	Template:Flag (1992–2014) Template:Efn-ua
Template:Flag	Template:Nowrap	Template:Flag (1999) Template:· Template:Flag (1999) Template:Flagicon image Northern Ireland (1998)	<ref name="gfbv" />
Template:Flag	lang}} (autonomous) republic	Template:Flag

Dependent and associated territories with autonomy

Country	Native term Translation or equivalent	Instances (areas became autonomous in the year(s) indicated, if available)	References
Template:Flag	autonoom land autonomous country	Template:Flag (1986)Template:· Template:Flag (2010)Template:· Template:Flag (2010)
Template:Flag	state in free-association	Template:Flag (1965)Template:· Template:Flag (1974)
	self-administering territory	Template:Flag (1948)	<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Template:Flag	Crown Dependency	Template:Flag Template:· Template:FlagTemplate:· Template:Flag	<ref name="gfbv" />
	British Overseas Territory	Template:Flag Template:· Template:Flag Template:· Template:Flag Template:· Template:Flag Template:· Template:Flag Template:· Template:Flag Template:· Template:Flag	<ref name="gfbv" />
Template:Flag	Commonwealth	Template:Flag (1952) Template:· Template:Flag (1978)	<ref name="FinalReport">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Territory	Template:Flag (1950) Template:· Template:Flag (1954) Template:· Template:Flag (1967)

All sub-national regions are autonomous

Country	Native term Translation or equivalent	Instances (areas became autonomous in the year indicated, if available)	References
Template:Flag	departamento (autonomous) department	Template:Flagicon image Beni (2006) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Pando (2006) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Santa Cruz (2006) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Tarija (2006) Template:· Template:Flagicon image La Paz (2009) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Cochabamba (2009) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Chuquisaca (2009)Template:· Template:Flagicon image Oruro (2009)Template:· Template:Flagicon image Potosi (2009)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	provincia autónoma autonomous province	Gran Chaco (2009)	<ref name="Bolivia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	municipio autónomo autonomous municipality	HuacayaTemplate:· TarabucoTemplate:· MojocoyaTemplate:· CharazaniTemplate:· Jesús de MachacaTemplate:· Pampas AullagasTemplate:· San Pedro de TotoraTemplate:· ChipayaTemplate:· Salinas de Garci MendozaTemplate:· ChayantaTemplate:· Charagua	<ref name=Avanzan>"Las autonomías indígenas avanzan a paso lento per seguro, entre consensos e interrogantes" Diálogos en Democracia, 21 March 2010 (Supplement to Pulso Bolivia).</ref>
	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.
Template:Flag	entitet entity	Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995) Template:· Template:Flag (1995)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	île autonome autonomous island	Template:Flag (2002) Template:· Template:Flagicon image Grande Comore (2002) Template:· Template:Flag (2002)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	Jurisdiction	Template:Flag Template:· Template:Flag (1565)	<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183721/https://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/about/moj/our-responsibilities/Background_Briefing_on_the_Crown_Dependencies2.pdf Template:Bare URL PDF</ref>
Template:Flag	lang}} (in Spanish)<ref>Spanish (aka Castilian) is official in</ref> {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (in Basque)<ref>Basque is official in the Spanish autonomous communities of Basque Country and Navarre.</ref> Template:Nowrap Template:Nowrap {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (in Galician)<ref>Galician is official in the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia.</ref> {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (in Asturian)<ref>Asturian is recognised and protected by law in the Spanish autonomous community of Asturias.</ref> {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (in Aragonese)<ref>Aragonese is recognised and protected by law in the Spanish autonomous community of Aragon.</ref> autonomous community (nationalities and regions of Spain)	Template:Flag (1981) Template:· Template:Flag (1982) Template:· Template:Flag (1981) Template:· Template:Flag (1983) Template:· Template:Flag (1979) Template:· Template:Flag (1982) Template:· Template:Flag (1981) Template:· Template:Flag (1982) Template:· Template:Flag (1983) Template:· Template:Flag (1979) Template:· Template:Flag (1983) Template:· Template:Flag (1981) Template:· Template:Flagcountry (1982) Template:· Template:Flag (1983) Template:· Template:Flag (1982) Template:· Template:Flag (1982) Template:· Template:Flag (1982)	<ref name="gfbv" />
	lang}} autonomous city	Template:Flag (1995) Template:· Template:Flag (1995)	<ref name="gfbv" />
	lang}} Autonomous territorial entity	Template:Flag (1990)	<ref name="gfbv" />

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"

Country	Native term Translation or equivalent	Instances (areas became autonomous in the year indicated, if available)	References
Template:Flag	autonomous city	Template:Flagicon image Mexico City (2016)	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	ciudad autónoma autonomous city	Template:Flagicon Buenos Aires (1994)	<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Template:Flag	autonomous city	Template:Flagicon Yerevan
Template:Flag	autonomous city	Template:Flagicon Minsk
Template:Flag	krong autonomous municipality	Template:Flagicon image Phnom Penh Template:Efn-ua	<ref name="Provinces of Cambodia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	commune autonome autonomous commune	Bangui	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	sector autónomo autonomous sector	Template:Flagicon image Bissau region	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	autonomous city	Template:Flagicon Budapest
Template:Flag	autonomous municipality	Template:Flagicon image Bucharest
Template:Flag	autonomous city	Template:Flagicon Belgrade
Template:Flag	shahar autonomous city	Template:Flagicon image Tashkent (1918)	<ref name="uzbek">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	Sui generis City	Template:Flag

Independent cities called "autonomous"

Country	Native term Translation or equivalent	Instances (areas became autonomous in the year indicated, if available)	References
Template:Flag	lang}} village community	Template:Flagicon image Atarashiki (1948)
Template:Flag	lang}} special autonomous city	Template:Flagicon image Sejong
Template:Flag	krong autonomous municipality	Template:Flagicon image Phnom PenhTemplate:· SihanoukvilleTemplate:· PailinTemplate:· Kep	<ref name="Provinces of Cambodia"/>

Self-declared entities called "autonomous"

Country	Native term Translation or equivalent	Instances (areas became autonomous in the year indicated, if available)	References
Template:Flag	Municipios Autónomos Autonomous Municipalities	Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities (2020–2023)
Template:Flag	Rêveberiya Xweser Autonomous Administration	Template:FlagiconAutonomous Administration of North and East Syria (2012)
Template:Flag	Federación de Juntas Vecinales Federation of Neighborhood Councils	Fejuve (1979)

See also

• Autocephaly
• Autonomous administrative division
• Dependent territory (includes list)
• Federated state
• List of administrative divisions by country
• List of leaders of dependent territories
• List of national capitals serving as administrative divisions
• List of sovereign states

External links

• Autonomy World Map