Autonomous entity

An autonomous (subnational) entity is a subnational entity that has a certain amount of autonomy. Typically an autonomous entity contains a national minority which is different from the national majority, or is geographically distinct. Countries with autonomous entities are often federacies.

To find a specific autonomous entity see the list of autonomous entities ordered by country.

Autonomous cities

Autonomous cities of Spain

Argentina

Since the 1994 Constitution grants Buenos Aires, formerly Capital Federal (Spanish, Federal Capital), the status of autonomous and changes the formal name to (Spanish, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires) (English, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires).

Another large city that is currently pressing for autonomy is Rosario, in the Santa Fe Province. Rosario has nearly 1 million inhabitants (about 1.3 million counting its suburbs and nearby towns), and is usually disfavoured in the distribution of funds and resources, which disproportionately assigns more of its share to the much less populated provincial capital. Some legislators are of the opinion that autonomy could be granted to Rosario by passing a law in the ordinary fashion, while others claim an amendment of the provincial constitution is needed.

the two island regions of Azores and Madeira became autonomous regions in 1976 with self-rule by a regional government and a regional legislative assembly. They gain their autonomy because of the great distance from the capital of the country, it is not due to ethnic distinction like in Spain.

Mount Athos in Greece. Mount Athos is a self-governed part of the Greek State, with internal matters handled by the monastic communities on the peninsula.http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/General/legal_status.html

ARMM- Self-governing Muslim-majority territory in the Philippines

Autonomous republics

Autonomous territories

indigenous autonomous entity

Indian reserve in Canada
- see the list at Category:First Nations reserves
Comarca in Panama
Indian reservation in the United States
- List of Indian reservations in the United States

Countries with several types of autonomous entities

Some countries have several levels of autonomous entities.

China

Main articles: Special Administrative Region, Autonomous entities of China

In the People's Republic of China, there are two main types of autonomous divisions in the administrative hierarchy.

The existing special administrative regions are former European colonies that were handed over to PRC rule in the late 1990s. SARs have a very high degree of autonomy, such as independent judiciaries and courts of final adjudication, immigration policies, currencies and extradition processes. Only foreign relations and defence are the responsibilities of the Central People's Government.

The ethnic autonomous entities are established following Soviet practice in regions inhabited by non-Han Chinese ethnic minorities. These are much less autonomous than SAR's. All of these autonomous entities are designated for one or more ethnic minorities.

Special administrative regions (2 in total)
- Hong Kong
- Macau
Ethnic autonomous entities
- Autonomous regions (5 in total)
- Autonomous prefectures (30 in total)
- Autonomous counties (117 in total)
- Autonomous banners (3 in total)

The Republic of China (ROC), which ruled Mainland China before its retreat to Taiwan in 1949, officially regards Mongolia and Tibet as "regions". During the period of ROC rule in Mainland China, Mongolia and Tibet were in effect self-governing.