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What constitutes an autonomous area varies by country, rather than adhering to a fixed, universal definition. It can more or less be described as an area that is under the overarching control of another "parent" country, but maintains a level of self-rule. The declared autonomy of certain areas can be quite controversial and up for debate. Ultimately, recognition does play a significant role, particularly for areas seeking to exert a political status.
In this gallery, we feature a selection of nations with autonomous areas under their umbrella. Can you guess which country has the most autonomous areas to its name? Click on to find out.
Papua New Guinea has one autonomous region under its umbrella: the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. It's currently struggling for independence, a movement that has been well underway in Bougainville since at least the 1960s.
Tajikistan has one autonomous area under its umbrella: Badakhshan Mountainous Autonomous Region, also referred to as Gorno-Badakhshan. Inhabitants of the region are Pamiris, an ethnoreligious minority not recognized as such by the Tajik government. In fact, the Tajik government has been accused of suppressing the culture, language, and practices of the Pamiris.
Somalia has one autonomous area under its control: Puntland. This one is a bit of a gray area, as it stopped being a federal member state in 2024. While Puntland officials never sought to function as an independent state, after changes to Somalia's constitution, it decided to operate as a "functionally independent state."
Australia has one autonomous area under its control: the Torres Strait Islands, which consist of nearly 300 tiny islands nestled in the Torres Strait. It lies between Australia and Papua New Guinea. A deeply multicultural society, the islands' indigenous communities include several aboriginal and islander groups.
Uzbekistan has one autonomous area under its control, namely: the Republic of Karakalpakstan, which is also referred to as just Karakalpakstan. Jokingly called "the stan within a stan" by the BBC, the area is mostly uninhabited desert land.
Technically, Crimea is still part of Ukraine, although Russia took over the area after its illegal annexation in 2014. Located between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, the peninsula is strategically placed, which explains why so many different communities have inhabited Crimea since 1000 BCE.
Canada has one autonomous area under its control: Quebec. Centrally located, the province is also the nation’s largest, amounting to about one-sixth of all of Canada. Nearly 50% of today's inhabitants of Quebec are descendants of 10,000 French settlers who came to the area in the 17th century.
Iraq has one autonomous area under its control, namely the Kurdish Regional Government, a group that has long sought its autonomy in the region. The region was only recognized as autonomous by the Iraqi government in the early 21st century, a major achievement for the Kurdish people.
South Korea has one autonomous area under its umbrella: Jeju-do. The volcanic island is popular among tourists. The island's "sea women" are particularly known for their bravery, steadfastness, and resilience due to their active role in resisting the Japanese occupation of the island.
The East African nation of Tanzania has one autonomous area under its control, namely, the coastal wonderland of Zanzibar. Historically, the area is remembered for its critical role in the spice trade and the trade of enslaved Africans. Tanzania emerged out of a union of states following an uprising in the 1960s, which overthrew the ruling elite, establishing Zanzibar as a semi-autonomous state.
The Philippines has one autonomous area under its control: the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Bangsamoro is inhabited by the Moro people, representing the only Muslim majority area in all of the Philippines. The Moro were instrumental in resisting Spanish colonization and US occupation, and have also survived Filipino aggression.
Moldova has a total of two autonomous areas under its control, namely: Gagauzia and Transnistria (pictured). The latter is considered disputed territory. Although it's not recognized by other states, it is self-proclaimed.
Denmark has two autonomous areas, both of which are island nations: the Faroe Islands (pictured) and Greenland. The latter is an archipelago comprised of stunning cliffs, fjords, and virtually no trees. Formerly ruled by the Norwegians, the Faroese have long expressed a desire for autonomy.
Nicaragua has two autonomous areas, both with similar names: Atlantico Norte and Atlantico Sur. The regions' autonomy dates back to the late 1980s. The economic importance of the areas is significant, as cattle, farming, and mining are key activities in the areas.
The Israeli state was formed in 1948. Since then, it has been an occupying power in historical Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon, funneling Palestinians into the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the two autonomous areas it nonetheless controls under occupation law.
The Portuguese have a total of two autonomous areas under their umbrella, namely: the Azores and Madeira (pictured). Madeira is not only the birthplace of famed football star Cristiano Ronaldo, but it is also the most populous Portuguese island.
The Germans have a total of two autonomous areas under their name, specifically: Busingen am Hochrhein and Heligoland (pictured). The latter is an archipelago located in the North Sea. A fun fact is that the German national anthem was actually written in Helgioland.
The US has a total of two autonomous areas under its umbrella, namely: Puerto Rico (pictured) and the Northern Mariana Islands, which consist of 14 islands in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Many nations have argued for their independence from American rule.
The Caucasus nation has a total of three autonomous areas under their name: Abkhazia (pictured), Adjara, South Ossetia. Abkhazia is inhabited by the Abkhazes, an ethnic group that also lives in Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine.
The Kiwis have a total of three autonomous areas under their umbrella: the Cook Islands (pictured), Niue, Tokelau. The Cook Islands are Polynesian lands that consist of 15 habitable islands. Technically, the Island's relationship to New Zealand is considered "free association."
The Netherlands has a total of three autonomous areas: Aruba, Curaçao (pictured), and Sint Maarten. Curaçao is considered part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is the largest of the Dutch islands in the Caribbean. The island was first colonized by the Spanish, used as a key point for the Atlantic slave trade. Later, it was occupied by the British and then the Dutch.
A digital nomad hotspot, the island nation of Indonesia has a total of four autonomous areas: Aceh (pictured), Papua, West Papua, and Yogyakarta. There are at least 10 ethnic groups that inhabit Aceh alone.
Panama has a total of five autonomous areas: Embera-Wounaan (pictured), Kuna de Madugani, Kuna de Wargandi, Kuna Yala, Ngobe-Bugle. The Embera-Wounaan are considered to be a nomadic indigenous community. In their indigenous languages, Embera and Wounaan, 'embera' means people.
Myanmar, also called Burma, has a total of six autonomous areas: Danu Self-Administered Zone, Kokang Self-Administered Zone, Naga Self-Administered Zone, Pa Laung Self-Administered Zone, Pa-O Self-Administered Zone, and Wa Self-Administered Division.
The Chinese have a total of seven autonomous areas: Guangxi, Hong Kong (pictured), Inner Mongolia, Macau, Ningxia, Tibet, and Xinjiang. Hong Kong is known as one of the world's biggest financial centers and a major importer.
Italy has a total of eight autonomous areas: Aosta Valley, Campione d'Italia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily (pictured), South Tyrol, Trentino, and Trentino-Alto Adige/Sudtirol.
The French have 11 areas under their umbrella: Alsace, Corsica (pictured), French Guiana, French Polynesia, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, as well as Wallis and Futuna.
The UK has 11 autonomous areas: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar (pictured), Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Montserrat, and Northern Ireland.
Russia has whopping 26 autonomous areas: Adygea, Altai Republic, Bashkortostan, Buryatia, Chechnya, Cherkessia, Chukotka, Chuvashia, Republic of Crimea Dagestan, Ingushetia, Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Kabardino-Balkaria, Kalmykia, Karachay- Karelia, Khakassia, Khanty-Mansi, Komi, Mari El, Mordovia, Nenets, North Ossetia-Alania, Sakha Republic, Tatarstan, Tuva, Udmurtia, and Yamalo-Nenets.
Sources: (World Population Review) (EurasiaNet) (BBC) (Britannica)
See also: Who are Russia’s top allies?
Sovereign-ish: nations with autonomous areas
What does it mean to be an autonomous area within a country?
LIFESTYLE Territories
What constitutes an autonomous area varies by country, rather than adhering to a fixed, universal definition. It can more or less be described as an area that is under the overarching control of another "parent" country, but maintains a level of self-rule. The declared autonomy of certain areas can be quite controversial and up for debate. Ultimately, recognition does play a significant role, particularly for areas seeking to exert a political status.
In this gallery, we feature a selection of nations with autonomous areas under their umbrella. Can you guess which country has the most autonomous areas to its name? Click on to find out.