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Political divisions of Taiwan (1895–1945)

2025-10-29T18:05:59Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: - Category:Former administrative divisions of countries + Category:Former subdivisions of Taiwan

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use American English|date = January 2019}}

{{Short description|Taiwanese administrative divisions under Japanese rule}}
[[Taiwan]] was [[Taiwan under Japanese rule|under Japanese rule]] after the [[First Sino-Japanese War]], as per the [[Treaty of Shimonoseki]] of 1895. There were still several changes until the Japanese political system was adopted in 1920. This system was ''de facto'' abolished in 1945 and ''de jure'' in 1952.

==Introduction==
Administrative divisions of [[Taiwan]] by types and times. Like the administrative divisions in [[mainland Japan]], most of them are translated to "[[Prefectures of Japan|prefectures]]" in English.

{{Columns-start}}
{|class=wikitable
|+Number of divisions
!Start date!!End date!!Timespan!!Summary
|-
|May 1895||Aug 1895||align=center|3||3 Ken, 1 Chō
|-
|Aug 1895||Mar 1896||align=center|7||1 Ken, 2 Minseishibu, 1 Chō
|-
|Apr 1896||Jun 1897||align=center|15||3 Ken, 1 Chō
|-
|Jun 1897||Jun 1898||align=center|12||6 Ken, 3 Chō
|-
|Jun 1898||Apr 1901||align=center|34||3 Ken, 3 Chō
|-
|May 1901||Nov 1901||align=center|7||3 Ken, 4 Chō
|-
|Nov 1901||Oct 1909||align=center|95||20 Chō
|-
|Oct 1909||Aug 1920||align=center|130||12 Chō
|-
|Sep 1920||Jun 1926||align=center|70||5 Shū, 2 Chō
|-
|Jul 1926||Apr 1952||align=center|239||5 Shū, 3 Chō
|}
{{Column}}
{|class=wikitable
|+Types of the divisions
!Name!![[Kanji]]!![[Kana]]
|-
|Ken||align=center|{{large|{{lang|ja|縣}}}}||{{large|{{lang|ja|けん}}}}
|-
|Shū||align=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|州}}}}||{{large|{{lang|ja|しゅう}}}}
|-
|Chō||align=center|{{large|{{lang|zh-tw|廳}}}}||{{large|{{lang|ja|ちょう}}}}
|-
|Minseishibu||align=center|{{large|{{lang|ja|民政支部}}}}||{{large|{{lang|ja|みんせいしぶ}}}}
|}
{{Columns-end}}

==Early years (1895–1901)==
The political divisions changed frequently between 1895 and 1901.

{|class=wikitable
!Date!!colspan=3|May. 1895 – Aug. 1895!!rowspan=6| !!colspan=3|Aug. 1895 – Mar. 1896!!rowspan=6| !!colspan=3|Mar. 1896 – Jun. 1897
|-
!rowspan=4|Names
|Taihoku Ken||{{lang|ja|臺北縣}}||{{lang|ja|たいほくけん}}||Taihoku Ken||{{lang|ja|臺北縣}}||たいほくけん||Taihoku Ken||{{lang|ja|臺北縣}}||たいほくけん
|-
|Taiwan Ken||{{lang|ja|臺灣縣}}||{{lang|ja|たいわんけん}}||Taiwan Minseishibu||{{lang|ja|臺灣民政支部}}||たいわんみんせいしぶ||Taichū Ken||{{lang|ja|臺中縣}}||たいちゅうけん
|-
|Tainan Ken||{{lang|ja|臺南縣}}||たいなんけん||Tainan Minseishibu||{{lang|ja|臺南民政支部}}||たいなんみんせいしぶ||Tainan Ken||{{lang|ja|臺南縣}}||たいなんけん
|-
|Hōkotō Chō||{{lang|ja|澎湖島廳}}||ほうことうちょう||Hōkotō Chō||{{lang|ja|澎湖島廳}}||ほうことうちょう||Hōkotō Chō||{{lang|ja|澎湖島廳}}||ほうことうちょう
|-align=center
!Div. No.!!colspan=3|3 Ken, 1 Chō!!colspan=3|1 Ken, 2 Minseishibu, 1 Chō!!colspan=3|3 Ken, 1 Chō
|}

{|class=wikitable
!Date!!colspan=3|Jun. 1897 – Jun. 1898!!rowspan=11| !!colspan=3|Jun. 1898 – Apr. 1901!!rowspan=11| !!colspan=3|May. 1901 – Nov. 1901
|-
!rowspan=9|Names
|Taihoku Ken||{{lang|ja|臺北縣}}||たいほくけん||rowspan=2|Taihoku Ken||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|臺北縣}}||rowspan=2|たいほくけん||rowspan=2|Taihoku Ken||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|臺北縣}}||rowspan=2|たいほくけん
|-
|Shinchiku Ken||{{lang|ja|新竹縣}}||しんちくけん
|-
|Taichū Ken||{{lang|ja|臺中縣}}||たいちゅうけん||rowspan=2|Taichū Ken||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|臺中縣}}||rowspan=2|たいちゅうけん||rowspan=2|Taichū Ken||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|臺中縣}}||rowspan=2|たいちゅうけん
|-
|Kagi Ken||{{lang|ja|嘉義縣}}||かぎけん
|-
|Tainan Ken||{{lang|ja|臺南縣}}||たいなんけん||rowspan=2|Tainan Ken||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|臺南縣}}||rowspan=2|たいなんけん||Tainan Ken||{{lang|ja|臺南縣}}||たいなんけん
|-
|Hōzan Ken||{{lang|ja|鳳山縣}}||ほうざんけん||Kōshun Chō||{{lang|ja|恆春廳}}||こうしゅんちょう
|-
|Giran Chō||{{lang|ja|宜蘭廳}}||ぎらんちょう||Giran Chō||{{lang|ja|宜蘭廳}}||ぎらんちょう||Giran Chō||{{lang|ja|宜蘭廳}}||ぎらんちょう
|-
|Taitō Chō||{{lang|ja|臺東廳}}||たいとうちょう||Taitō Chō||{{lang|ja|臺東廳}}||たいとうちょう||Taitō Chō||{{lang|ja|臺東廳}}||たいとうちょう
|-
|Hōko Chō||{{lang|ja|澎湖廳}}||ほうこちょう||Hōko Chō||{{lang|ja|澎湖廳}}||ほうこちょう||Hōko Chō||{{lang|ja|澎湖廳}}||ほうこちょう
|-align=center
!Div. No.!!colspan=3|6 Ken, 3 Chō!!colspan=3|3 Ken, 3 Chō!!colspan=3|3 Ken, 4 Chō
|}

==Chō (1901–1920)==
The former system was abolished 11 November 1901, and twenty local administrative offices (''chō'') were established.{{sfnp|Davidson|1903|pp=597–8|ps=: "In place of the former system, which divided the island into 3 prefectures and 3 prefectures of second class, and which was abolished November 11th, 1901, local administrative offices known as "Cho" have been established at the following points: Taihoku, Kelung, Giran (Gilan), Shinko (Chim-hua), Toshien (Tao-hong), Shinchiku (Teck-cham), Bioritsu (Maoli), Taichu, Shoka (Chang-wha), Nanto (Nam-tau), Toroku (Tau-lak), Kagi, Yensuiko (Kiam-tsui kang), Tainan, Banshorio (Han-chu-liao), Hozan (Fang-shan), Ako (A-kau), Koshun (Heng-chun), Taito (Tai-tong), and Boko (Pang-hoo).

The Administrative or District Offices (Cho) are in charge of chiefs of Sonin rank, who are assisted by clerks, police inspectors, assistant experts, interpreters, and assistant police, all of Hannin rank. These officers of Hannin rank number 1230 for the whole island. The administration of Formosa, under the direction and superintendence of the Governor General, is entrusted to these district offices."}} Usage of ''Ken'' divisions was discontinued.

===Structural hierarchy===
[[Image:Map of Taiwan 1901.jpg|thumb|350px|Administrative divisions of Taiwan in 1901.{{sfnp|Davidson|1903|loc=map}} The red line marks the approximate boundary separating Aboriginal areas and territories under actual Japanese administration.]]
{|class=wikitable
!width=100|Level 1!!width=100|Level 2!!width=100|Level 3!!Level 4
|-align=center
|rowspan=2|[[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]] {{lang|ja|廳}} ''chō''||rowspan=2|[[Subprefectures of Japan|Subprefecture]] {{lang|ja|支廳}} ''shichō''
|rowspan=2|[[Districts of Japan|District]] {{lang|ja|區}} ''ku''||[[Towns of Japan|Town]] {{lang|ja|街}} ''gai''
|-align=center
|[[Villages of Japan|Village]] {{lang|ja|庄}} ''jō''
|}

===Prefectures===
{|class=wikitable
!colspan=3|Nov. 1901 – Oct. 1909!!rowspan=27| !!colspan=3|Oct. 1909 – Aug. 1920
|-
|Taihoku Chō||{{lang|ja|臺北廳}}||たいほくちょう||rowspan=3|Taihoku Chō||rowspan=3|{{lang|ja|臺北廳}}||rowspan=3|たいほくちょう
|-
|Kīrun Chō||{{lang|ja|基隆廳}}||きいるんちょう
|-
|rowspan=2|Shinkō Chō||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|深坑廳}}||rowspan=2|しんこうちょう
|-
|rowspan=2|Giran Chō||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|宜蘭廳}}||rowspan=2|ぎらんちょう
|-
|Giran Chō||{{lang|ja|宜蘭廳}}||ぎらんちょう
|-
|Tōshien Chō||{{lang|ja|桃仔園廳}}||とうしえんちょう||Tōen Chō||{{lang|ja|桃園廳}}||とうえんちょう
|-
|Shinchiku Chō||{{lang|ja|新竹廳}}||しんちくちょう||rowspan=2|Shinchiku Chō||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|新竹廳}}||rowspan=2|しんちくちょう
|-
|rowspan=2|Byōritsu Chō||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|苗栗廳}}||rowspan=2|びょうりつちょう
|-
|rowspan=3|Taichū Chō||rowspan=3|{{lang|ja|臺中廳}}||rowspan=3|たいちゅうちょう
|-
|Taichū Chō||{{lang|ja|臺中廳}}||たいちゅうちょう
|-
|Shōka Chō||{{lang|ja|彰化廳}}||しょうかちょう
|-
|Nantō Chō||{{lang|ja|南投廳}}||なんとうちょう||rowspan=2|Nantō Chō||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|南投廳}}||rowspan=2|なんとうちょう
|-
|rowspan=2|Toroku Chō||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|斗六廳}}||rowspan=2|とろくちょう
|-
|rowspan=3|Kagi Chō||rowspan=3|{{lang|ja|嘉義廳}}||rowspan=3|かぎちょう
|-
|Kagi Chō||{{lang|ja|嘉義廳}}||かぎちょう
|-
|rowspan=2|Ensuikō Chō||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|鹽水港廳}}||rowspan=2|えんすいこうちょう
|-
|rowspan=3|Tainan Chō||rowspan=3|{{lang|ja|臺南廳}}||rowspan=3|たいなんちょう
|-
|Tainan Chō||{{lang|ja|臺南廳}}||たいなんちょう
|-
|Hōzan Chō||{{lang|ja|鳳山廳}}||ほうざんちょう
|-
|Banshoryō Chō||{{lang|ja|蕃薯寮廳}}||ばんしょりょうちょう||rowspan=3|Akō Chō||rowspan=3|{{lang|ja|阿緱廳}}||rowspan=3|あこうちょう
|-
|Akō Chō||{{lang|ja|阿猴廳}}||あこうちょう
|-
|Kōshun Chō||{{lang|ja|恆春廳}}||こうしゅんちょう
|-
|rowspan=2|Taitō Chō||rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|臺東廳}}||rowspan=2|たいとうちょう||Taitō Chō||{{lang|ja|臺東廳}}||たいとうちょう
|-
||Karenkō Chō||{{lang|ja|花蓮港廳}}||かれんこうちょう
|-
|Hōko Chō||{{lang|ja|澎湖廳}}||ほうこちょう||Hōko Chō||{{lang|ja|澎湖廳}}||ほうこちょう
|-
!colspan=3|20 Chō!!colspan=3|12 Chō
|}
* Shinkō, Byōritsu, Toroku, Ensuikō were split and merge with the two Chō in the right.

===Demographics===
Population of Formosa according to census taken 31 December 1904, arranged by district.{{sfnp|Takekoshi|1907|p=199}}
{|class=wikitable
|+Population of Formosa as of 1915
!Prefecture!![[Kanji]]!![[Japanese language|Japanese]]!![[Taiwanese Hokkien|Taiwanese]]!!Area (km²)!!Population
|-
|Taihoku||{{lang|ja|臺北廳}}||Taihoku-chō||Tâi-pak-thiaⁿ||align=right|1,691.5284||align=right|523,502
|-
|Giran||{{lang|ja|宜蘭廳}}||Giran-chō||Gî-lân-thiaⁿ||align=right|710.8631||align=right|143,912
|-
|Tōen||{{lang|ja|桃園廳}}||Tōen-chō||Thô-hn̂g-thiaⁿ||align=right|984.5170||align=right|231,409
|-
|Shinchiku||{{lang|ja|新竹廳}}||Shinchiku-chō||Sin-tek-thiaⁿ||align=right|1,705.1696||align=right|327,164
|-
|Taichū||{{lang|ja|臺中廳}}||Taichū-chō||Tâi-tiong-thiaⁿ||align=right|2,271.4004||align=right|592,577
|-
|Nantō||{{lang|ja|南投廳}}||Nantō-chō||Lâm-tâu-thiaⁿ||align=right|1,274.9484||align=right|126,223
|-
|Kagi||{{lang|ja|嘉義廳}}||Kagi-chō||Ka-gī-thiaⁿ||align=right|3,249.8356||align=right|566,158
|-
|Tainan||{{lang|ja|臺南廳}}||Tainan-chō||Tâi-lâm-thiaⁿ||align=right|2,345.5133||align=right|569,292
|-
|Akō||{{lang|ja|阿緱廳}}||Akō-chō||A-kâu-thiaⁿ||align=right|2,201.6170||align=right|259,441
|-
|Taitō||{{lang|ja|臺東廳}}||Taitō-chō||Tâi-tang-thiaⁿ||align=right|1,204.4906||align=right|36,997
|-
|Karenkō||{{lang|ja|花蓮港廳}}||Karenkō-chō||Hoa-liân-káng-thiaⁿ||align=right|1,315.7236||align=right|45,521
|-
|Hōko||{{lang|ja|澎湖廳}}||Hōko-chō||Phêⁿ-ô͘-thiaⁿ||align=right|126.8648||align=right|57,726
|}

==Shū and Chō (1920–1952)==
[[File:Taiwan Japan.svg|300px|thumb|Political division of Taiwan]]
[[File:Taiwan Japan lv2.svg|300px|thumb|Second level political division of Taiwan {{legend|#f5c3c4|[[Cities of Japan|Cities]] / {{lang|ja|市}} (shi, chhī)}}
{{legend|#e3edc3|[[Districts of Japan|Districts]] / {{lang|ja|郡}} (gun, kūn)}}
{{legend|#ceb2cd|[[Subprefectures of Japan|Subprefectures]] / {{lang|ja|支廳}} (shichō, chi-thiaⁿ)}}]]
{{Commons category|Prefectures of Taiwan}}
Under a "Dōka policy" ([[wikt:同化|同化]]) in which the Japanese considered the Taiwanese to be separate but equal, the political divisions in Taiwan became similar to the [[Japanese addressing system|system]] used in [[mainland Japan]] in 1920.

===Structural hierarchy===
{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
!width=100|Level 1!!width=100|Level 2!!width=100|Level 3!!Level 4!!Level 5
|-
|rowspan=6|[[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]] {{lang|ja|州}} ''shū'' (5) {{lang|ja|廳}} ''chō'' (3)
|colspan=2 rowspan=2 height=44|[[Cities of Japan|City]] {{lang|ja|市}} ''shi'' (11)
|{{lang|ja|町}} ''chō'' ||{{lang|ja|丁目}} ''chōme''
|-
|rowspan=4 height=132|{{lang|ja|大字}} ''ōaza''||rowspan=4|{{lang|ja|小字}} ''koaza''
|-
|rowspan=4|[[Districts of Japan|District]] {{lang|ja|郡}} ''gun'' (51) ''or'' [[Subprefectures of Japan|Subprefecture]] {{lang|ja|支廳}} ''shichō'' (2)
|[[Towns of Japan|Town]] {{lang|ja|街}} ''gai'' (68)
|-
|[[Villages of Japan|Village]] {{lang|ja|庄}} ''jō'' (197)
|-
|rowspan=2 height=44|Aboriginal area {{lang|ja|蕃地}} ''banchi''
|-
|colspan=2 height=22|{{lang|ja|社}} ''sha'' (571)
|}
* ''Chō'' ({{lang|ja|町}}) and ''chōme'' ({{lang|ja|丁目}}) are used in the city centers.
* ''Sha'' ({{lang|ja|社}}) is used to name the tribes of the [[Taiwanese indigenous peoples|indigenous peoples]].

===Prefectures===
{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan=2|Name!!rowspan=2|[[Kanji]]!!rowspan=2|[[Kana]]!!colspan=3|No. of Subdivisions!!rowspan=2|[[Wade–Giles]]
|-
!City!!Dist.!!Subp.
|-
|[[Taihoku Prefecture]]||{{lang|ja|臺北州}}||たいほくしゅう||3||9|| ||Taipei
|-
|[[Shinchiku Prefecture]]||{{lang|ja|新竹州}}||しんちくしゅう||1||8|| ||Hsinchu
|-
|[[Taichū Prefecture]]||{{lang|ja|臺中州}}||たいちゅうしゅう||2||11|| ||Taichung
|-
|[[Tainan Prefecture]]||{{lang|ja|臺南州}}||たいなんしゅう||2||10|| ||Tainan
|-
|[[Takao Prefecture]]||{{lang|ja|高雄州}}||たかおしゅう||2||7|| ||Kaohsiung
|-
|[[Karenkō Prefecture]]||{{lang|ja|花蓮港廳}}||かれんこうちょう||1||3|| ||Hualien Port
|-
|[[Taitō Prefecture]]||{{lang|ja|臺東廳}}||たいとうちょう|| ||3|| ||Taitung
|-
|[[Hōko Prefecture]]||{{lang|ja|澎湖廳}}||ほうこちょう|| || ||2||Penghu
|}
* Hōko Prefecture was divided from Takao Prefecture in 1926

===Cities===
There were 11 cities in [[Taiwan]] in 1945. Most of them are still the most populous municipalities in the country today. The ōaza (大字) in the city center may be named chō (町).
{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
!Prefecture!!Name!![[Kanji]]!![[Kana]]!![[Wade–Giles]]
|-
|rowspan=3|'''[[Taihoku Prefecture|Taihoku]]'''
|Taihoku City||{{lang|ja|臺北市}}||たいほくし||[[Taipei]]
|-
|Kiirun City||{{lang|ja|基隆市}}||きいるんし||[[Keelung]]
|-
|Giran City||{{lang|ja|宜蘭市}}||ぎらんし||[[Yilan City|Yilan]]
|-
|'''[[Shinchiku Prefecture|Shinchiku]]'''
|Shinchiku City||{{lang|ja|新竹市}}||しんちくし||[[Hsinchu]]
|-
|rowspan=2|'''[[Taichū Prefecture|Taichū]]'''
|Taichū City||{{lang|ja|臺中市}}||たいちゅうし||[[Taichung]]
|-
|Shōka City||{{lang|ja|彰化市}}||しょうかし||[[Changhua]]
|-
|rowspan=2|'''[[Tainan Prefecture|Tainan]]'''
|Tainan City||{{lang|ja|臺南市}}||たいなんし||[[Tainan]]
|-
|Kagi City||{{lang|ja|嘉義市}}||かぎし||[[Chiayi]]
|-
|rowspan=2|'''[[Takao Prefecture|Takao]]'''
|Takao City||{{lang|ja|高雄市}}||たかおし||[[Kaohsiung]]
|-
|Heitō City||{{lang|ja|屏東市}}||へいとうし||[[Pingtung City|Pingtung]]
|-
|'''[[Karenkō Prefecture|Karenkō]]'''
|Karenkō City||{{lang|ja|花蓮港市}}||かれんこうし||[[Hualien City|Hualien]]
|}

===Demographics===
{{see also|Demographics of Taiwan#Population census}}
The 1941 ([[Shōwa era|Showa]] 16) census of Taiwan was 6,249,468. 93.33% of the population were Taiwanese which consisted of both [[Han Taiwanese]] and "civilized" [[Taiwanese aborigines]]. Tainan had the largest population followed by Taichū and Taihoku. The largest concentration of [[Yamato people|ethnic Japanese]] were in Taihoku followed by Takao and Tainan.
{|class=wikitable
|+Demographics of Taiwan as of 1942
!rowspan=3|Prefecture!!rowspan=3|[[Kanji]]!!rowspan=3|[[Japanese language|Japanese]]!!rowspan=3|[[Taiwanese Hokkien|Taiwanese]]
!rowspan=3|Area (km²)!!rowspan=3|Population!!rowspan=3|Population Density (/km²)!!colspan=5|Demographics
|-
!colspan=3|Japanese national!!colspan=2|Foreign national
|-
![[Taiwanese people|Taiwanese]]!![[Japanese people|Japanese]]!![[Korean people|Korean]]!![[Chinese people|Chinese]]!!Other
|-
|[[Taihoku Prefecture|Taihoku]]||{{lang|ja|臺北州}}||Taihoku-shū||Tâi-pak-chiu||align=right|4,594.2371||align=right|1,266,924||align=right|276
|align=right|1,078,316||align=right|161,306||align=right|1,161||align=right|26,138||align=right|53
|-
|[[Shinchiku Prefecture|Shinchiku]]||{{lang|ja|新竹州}}||Shinchiku-shū||Sin-tek-chiu||align=right|4,570.0146||align=right|856,382||align=right|187
|align=right|832,565||align=right|21,632||align=right|165||align=right|2,020||align=right|0
|-
|[[Taichū Prefecture|Taichū]]||{{lang|ja|臺中州}}||Taichū-shū||Tâi-tiong-chiu||align=right|7,382.9426||align=right|1,411,846||align=right|191
|align=right|1,359,865||align=right|47,688||align=right|284||align=right|4,001||align=right|8
|-
|[[Tainan Prefecture|Tainan]]||{{lang|ja|臺南州}}||Tainan-shū||Tâi-lâm-chiu||align=right|5,421.4627||align=right|1,587,513||align=right|293
|align=right|1,524,123||align=right|55,389||align=right|289||align=right|7,699||align=right|13
|-
|[[Takao Prefecture|Takao]]||{{lang|ja|高雄州}}||Takao-shū||Ko-hiông-chiu||align=right|5,721.8672||align=right|969,935||align=right|170
|align=right|896,689||align=right|65,446||align=right|585||align=right|7,214||align=right|1
|-
|[[Karenkō Prefecture|Karenkō]]||{{lang|ja|花蓮港廳}}||Karenkō-chō||Hoa-liân-káng-thiaⁿ||align=right|4,628.5713||align=right|167,911||align=right|36
|align=right|143,671||align=right|21,811||align=right|174||align=right|2,255||align=right|0
|-
|[[Taitō Prefecture|Taitō]]||{{lang|ja|臺東廳}}||Taitō-chō||Tâi-tang-thiaⁿ||align=right|3,515.2528||align=right|97,059||align=right|28
|align=right|88,317||align=right|7,687||align=right|31||align=right|1,023||align=right|1
|-
|[[Hōko Prefecture|Hōko]]||{{lang|ja|澎湖廳}}||Hōko-chō||Phêⁿ-ô͘-thiaⁿ||align=right|126.8642||align=right|70,312||align=right|554
|align=right|66,342||align=right|3,888||align=right|3||align=right|79||align=right|0
|}

==Changes in 1945==
When the [[Republic of China (1912–49)|Republic of China]] began to rule [[Taiwan Province|Taiwan]] in 1945, the government simply changed the names of the divisions, and named the Aboriginal areas. Those changes were not recognized by the Allies after the [[surrender of Japan]].

{|class=wikitable
!colspan=5|Before!!rowspan=11| !!colspan=5|After
|-
!Level!!Name!![[Kanji|Character]]!!Japanese [[Hepburn romanization|Hepburn]]!!Taiwanese [[Pe̍h-ōe-jī]]
!Name!!Character!!Mandarin [[Pinyin]]!!Taiwanese [[Pe̍h-ōe-jī]]!!Level
|-
|rowspan=2 align=center|'''1'''
|rowspan=2|[[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]||align=center|{{lang|ja|州}}||align=center|shū||align=center|chiu
|rowspan=2|[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||rowspan=2 align=center|{{lang|zh-tw|縣}}||rowspan=2 align=center|xiàn||rowspan=2 align=center|koān
|rowspan=3 align=center|'''1'''
|-
|align=center|{{lang|ja|廳}}||align=center|chō||align=center|thiaⁿ
|-
|rowspan=4 align=center|'''2'''
|rowspan=2|[[Cities of Japan|City]]||rowspan=2 align=center|{{lang|ja|市}}||rowspan=2 align=center|shi||rowspan=2 align=center|chhī
|[[Provincial city (Taiwan)|Provincial city]]||align=center|{{lang|zh-tw|市}}||align=center|shì||align=center|chhī
|-
|[[County-administered city]]||align=center|{{lang|zh-tw|縣轄市}}||align=center|xiànxiáshì||align=center|koān-hat-chhī
|rowspan=3 align=center|'''2'''
|-
|[[Districts of Japan|District]]||align=center|{{lang|ja|郡}}||align=center|gun||align=center|kūn
|rowspan=2|[[District (Taiwan)|County-administered district]]||rowspan=2 align=center|{{lang|zh-tw|縣轄區}}||rowspan=2 align=center|xiànxiáqū||rowspan=2 align=center|koān-hat-khu
|-
|[[Subprefectures of Japan|Subprefecture]]||align=center|{{lang|ja|支廳}}||align=center|shichō||align=center|chi-thiaⁿ
|-
|rowspan=3 align=center|'''3'''
|[[Towns of Japan|Town]]||align=center|{{lang|ja|街}}||align=center|gai||align=center|ke
|[[Township (Taiwan)|Urban township]]||align=center|{{lang|zh-tw|鎮}}||align=center|zhèn||align=center|tìn
|rowspan=3 align=center|'''3'''
|-
|[[Villages of Japan|Village]]||align=center|{{lang|ja|庄}}||align=center|jō||align=center|chng
|[[Township (Taiwan)|Rural township]]||align=center|{{lang|zh-tw|鄉}}||align=center|xiāng||align=center|hiong
|-
|Aboriginal areas||align=center|{{lang|ja|蕃地}}||align=center|banchi||align=center|huan-tē
|[[Township (Taiwan)|Mountain indigenous township]]||align=center|{{lang|zh-tw|山地鄉}}||align=center|shāndì xiāng||align=center|soaⁿ-tē hiong
|}
* Most of the cities in Taiwan became [[Provincial city (Taiwan)|provincial cities]], but [[Yilan City|Yilan]] (宜蘭市 Giran) and [[Hualien City|Hualien]] (花蓮市 Karen) became the first two [[County-administered city|county-administered cities]] in the [[Republic of China (1912–49)|ROC]].
* The more basic {{lang|ja|大字 ōaza}} or {{lang|ja|小字 koaza}} are merged to the [[District (Taiwan)|districts]] in [[Provincial city (Taiwan)|provincial cities]], and/or reformed to [[Village (Taiwan)|villages]] ({{lang|zh-tw|村 cūn}} ''or'' {{lang|zh-tw|里 lǐ}}).

==See also==
*[[Administrative divisions of Taiwan]]
*[[Administrative divisions of Japan]]
*[[Prefectures of Japan]]
*[[Governor-General of Taiwan]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last1=Davidson |first1=James W. |author-link=James W. Davidson |title=The Island of Formosa, Past and Present : history, people, resources, and commercial prospects : tea, camphor, sugar, gold, coal, sulphur, economical plants, and other productions |year=1903 |publisher=Macmillan |url=https://archive.org/details/islandofformosap00davi |location=London and New York |ol=6931635M |oclc=1887893 |chapter=Chapter XXXI: Formosa of To-day |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/islandofformosap00davi#page/n688/mode/1up}}
*{{cite book |last1=Takekoshi |first1=Yosaburō |author-link=Takekoshi Yosaburō |title=Japanese rule in Formosa |date=1907 |publisher = Longmans, Green, and co. |publication-place = London, New York, Bombay and Calcutta |ol=6986981M |oclc=753129 |chapter=Chapter XIII: Population and future development of the island resources |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/japaneseruleinf01takegoog#page/n230/mode/1up }}
{{refend}}

{{Gaichi}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Taiwan}}
[[Category:Former prefectures of Japan in Taiwan| ]]
[[Category:Former subdivisions of Taiwan]]

Province of Carolina

2025-10-29T18:01:20Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Province of Carolina is already a subcategory of Category:Former provinces

{{Short description|British province in North America and the Caribbean (1663–1712)}}
{{About|the British province that existed from 1663 to 1712|other uses|Carolina (disambiguation){{!}}Carolina}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox former subdivision
| conventional_long_name = Province of Carolina
| common_name = Carolina
| subdivision = [[Province]]
| nation = [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]]
| life_span = 1663–1712
| image_flag = Colonial-Red-Ensign.svg
| flag_type = British Red Ensign|
| symbol_type = Seal
| image_map = Colonial Carolina.png
| image_map_caption = Location of Carolina in North America
| capital = [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charlestown]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|34|48|17|N|79|40|31|W|region:US-SC_type:region|display=inline,title}}
| government_type = [[Proprietary colony]]
| motto = {{native phrase|la|Domitus Cultoribus Orbis|italics=on}} "Tamed by the cultivators of the world"
| anthem = "[[God Save the King]]"{{Efn|There was no authorized version of the national anthem as the words were a matter of tradition; only the first verse was usually sung.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 January 2016 |title=National Anthem |url=https://www.royal.uk/national-anthem |access-date=4 June 2016 |newspaper=The Royal Family|last1=Berry |first1=Ciara }}</ref> No statute had been enacted designating "God Save the King" as the official anthem. In the English tradition, such laws are not necessary; [[proclamation]] and usage are sufficient to make it the national anthem. "God Save the King" also served as the [[Honors music|Royal anthem]] for certain [[Crown colony|royal colonies]]. The words ''King, he, him, his'' were replaced by ''Queen, she, her'' when the monarch was female.}} <div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">[[File:United States Navy Band - God Save the King.oga]]</div>
| title_leader = Lords Proprietor
| leader1 = {{unbulleted list|[[Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon|The Earl of Clarendon]]|[[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle|The Duke of Albemarle]]|[[William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven (1608–1697)|The Earl of Craven]]|[[John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton|Lord Berkeley of Stratton]]|[[Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury|The Earl of Shaftesbury]]|[[George Carteret|Sir George Carteret]]|[[William Berkeley (governor)|Sir William Berekeley]]|[[Sir John Colleton, 1st Baronet|Sir John Colleton]]}}
| year_leader1 = 1663
| title_deputy = [[Governor]]
| deputy1 = [[Philip Ludwell]] (first)
| year_deputy1 = 1692–1693
| deputy2 = [[Robert Gibbes]] (last)
| year_deputy2 = 1710–1712
| legislature = 
| house1 = Grand Council
| house2 = Parliament of Carolina
| era = [[Stuart period|Stuart era]]
| event_start = Charter of Carolina
| date_start = March 24,
| year_start = 1663
| event_end = Partition of Carolina
| date_end = January 24,
| year_end = 1712
| p1 = Colony of Virginia
| p2 = Cofitachequi
| p3 = Joara
| s1 = Province of North Carolina
| s2 = Province of South Carolina
| today = United States
* Alabama
* Florida
* Georgia
* Mississippi
* {{nowrap|North Carolina}}
* {{nowrap|South Carolina}}
* Tennessee
}}
The '''Province of Carolina''' was a colony of the [[Kingdom of England]] (1663–1707) and later the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]] (1707–1712) that existed in North America from 1663 until the Carolinas were partitioned into [[Province of North Carolina|North]] and [[Province of South Carolina|South]] in 1712. However, the two parts did not become separate and administrative [[crown colonies|royal colonies]] until 1729.

The original North American Carolina province of 1663 consisted of all or parts of present-day Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Poore|editor-first=Ben. Perley|editor-link=Benjamin Perley Poore |date=1877 |title=The Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the United States, Volume II |url=https://archive.org/details/federalstatecons02poor/page/1382/mode/2up |location=Washington |publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office|Government Printing Office]] |pages=1382–1390 |oclc=958743486 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>

==Etymology==
"Carolina" is taken from the [[Latin]] word for "[[Charles]]" ([[Carolus (name)|Carolus]]), honoring King [[Charles I of England|Charles{{nbs}}I]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/NC/HISTORY/HISTORY.HTM |title=North Carolina State Library—North Carolina History |publisher=Statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us |access-date=July 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205021230/http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/NC/HISTORY/HISTORY.HTM |archive-date=February 5, 2009}}</ref>

==First patents and settlements==
On October 30, 1629, King [[Charles I of England]] granted a patent to Sir [[Robert Heath]] for the lands south of [[36th parallel north|36 degrees]] and north of [[31st parallel north|31 degrees]], "under the name, in honor of that king, of [[Carolana]]."<ref name="cummings1998">{{Cite book |last=Cummings |first=William |title=The Southeast in Early Maps, Third Edition |date=1998 |publisher=University of North Carolina Press |isbn=0807823716 |location=Chapel Hill, North Carolina |page=14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=N. C. Board of Agriculture |title=A sketch of North Carolina |date=1902 |publisher=Lucas-Richardson Co |location=Charleston |page=4 |ol=6918901M}}</ref>
Heath wanted the land for French [[Huguenots]], but when Charles restricted use of the land to members of the [[Church of England]], Heath assigned his grant to George, Lord Berkeley.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NHC Public Library – New Hanover County – North Carolina |url=http://www.nhcgov.com/Library/Documents/History+of+the+Lower+Cape+Fear.pdf |website=New Hanover County}}</ref>
King Charles I was executed in 1649 and Heath fled to France where he died. Following the 1660 [[English Restoration|restoration of the monarchy]], Robert Heath's heirs attempted to reassert their claim to the land, but [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] ruled the claim invalid.

Although the [[Lost Colony]] on [[Roanoke Island]] was the first English attempt at settlement in the Carolina territory, the first permanent English settlement was not established until the 1653 [[Albemarle Settlements|Albemarle Settlement]], when emigrants from the [[Virginia Colony]], with others from [[New England]] and [[Bermuda]], settled at the mouths of the [[Chowan River|Chowan]] and [[Roanoke River]]s, on the shores of [[Albemarle Sound]], in the northeastern corner of present-day North Carolina.

Within three generations of [[Christopher Columbus|Columbus]], the Spanish from their Florida base had started to emigrate up the coast of modern North Carolina. A Virginia tribe defending their resources and families drove them back to Georgia.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} A Scottish contingent had meanwhile settled in South Carolina only to be extirpated by the Spanish, who inhabited [[Parris Island, South Carolina|Parris Island]] as late as 1655. The Spanish were again beaten back to Georgia.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crane |first=Vernon |title=The Southern Frontier 1670–1732 |publisher=University of North Carolina |year=1928}}</ref>

==1663 Charter==
{{See also|Colony of Virginia|Stuart Restoration}}
[[File:Carolinacolony.png|thumb|left|The Province of Carolina before and after the split into [[Province of North Carolina|north]] and [[Province of South Carolina|south]]]]
===Lords Proprietors===
On March 24, 1663, Charles II issued a new charter to a group of eight English noblemen, granting them the land of Carolina as a reward for their faithful support of his efforts to regain the throne of England. The eight were called '' [[Lord proprietor|Lords Proprietors]]'' or simply ''Proprietors''.<ref name="Charter">{{Cite web |title=The Charter of Carolina (1663)|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/charter-carolina-1663 |access-date=28 Feb 2024 |website=ANCHOR - A North Carolina History Online Resource}}</ref>

The 1663 charter granted the Lords Proprietor title to all of the land from the southern border of the [[Virginia Colony]] at [[36th parallel north|36 degrees north]] to [[31st parallel north|31 degrees north]]; this included all the land between these northerly and southerly bounds from the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] westward to the shores of the [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref name="Avalon2008">{{Cite web |date=2008 |title=Charter of Carolina – March 24, 1663 |url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/nc01.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207040908/http://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/nc01.asp |archive-date=February 7, 2009 |access-date=10 February 2016 |website=Avalon Law |publisher=Lillian Goldman Law Library, Yale Law School |quote=Know ye, that we of our further grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, have thought fit to erect the same tract of ground, county, and island, into a province, and out of the fulness of our royal power and prerogative, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, erect, incorporate and ordain the same into a province, and call it the Province of Carolina,...}}</ref>
The King intended for the newly created province to serve as an English bulwark to contest lands claimed by [[Spanish Florida]] and [[Buffer state|prevent their northward expansion]].<ref name="Hoffer2006">{{Cite book |last=Peter Charles Hoffer |url=https://archive.org/details/bravenewworldhis0000hoff_a3b3 |title=The Brave New World: A History of Early America |date=14 December 2006 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-0-8018-8483-2 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bravenewworldhis0000hoff_a3b3/page/323 323] |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="Wickman1999">{{Cite book |last=Patricia Riles Wickman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AfxLUWRSkHwC |title=The Tree that Bends: Discourse, Power, and the Survival of Maskoki People |date=2 March 1999 |publisher=University of Alabama Press |isbn=978-0-8173-0966-4 |page=179}}</ref>

The Lords Proprietors named in the charter were:
* [[Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon]]
* [[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle]]
* [[William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven (1608–1697)|William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven]]
* [[John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton]]
* [[Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury]]
* Sir [[George Carteret]]
* Sir [[William Berkeley (governor)|William Berkeley]] (brother of John)
* Sir [[Sir John Colleton, 1st Baronet|John Colleton, 1st Baronet]]

Of the eight, the one who demonstrated the most active interest in Carolina was Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury. Shaftesbury, with the assistance of his secretary, the philosopher [[John Locke]], drafted the [[Grand Model for the Province of Carolina]] (which included the [[Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina]]), a plan for government of the colony heavily influenced by the ideas and [[Utopia|utopian]] aspirations of English political scientist [[James Harrington (author)|James Harrington]]. Some of the other Lords Proprietors also had interests in other colonies: for instance, John Berkeley and George Carteret held stakes in the [[Province of New Jersey]], and William Berkeley had an interest in [[Virginia Colony|Virginia]].

The Lords Proprietors, operating under their royal charter, exercised their authority with nearly the independence of the king himself. The colony's government consisted of a governor, a powerful council, on which half of the councilors were appointed by the Lords Proprietors themselves, and a relatively weak, popularly elected assembly.

In 1665, the charter was revised slightly (see [[Royal Colonial Boundary of 1665]]), with the northerly boundary extended to [[Parallel 36°30' north|36 degrees 30 minutes north]] to include the lands of settlers along the [[Albemarle Sound]] who had left the [[Virginia Colony]]. Likewise, the southern boundary was moved south to [[29th parallel north|29 degrees north]], just south of present-day [[Daytona Beach, Florida]], which had the effect of including the existing [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] settlement at [[St. Augustine, Florida|St. Augustine]].<ref name="Avalon2008a">{{Cite web |year=2008 |title=Charter of Carolina – June 30, 1665 |url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/nc04.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124015532/https://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/nc04.asp |archive-date=January 24, 2009 |access-date=3 May 2023 |website=Avalon Law |publisher=Lillian Goldman Law Library, Yale Law School |quote=Know ye, That we, of our further grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have thought fit to annex the same tract of ground or territory unto the same province of Carolina; and out of the fullness of our royal power and prerogative, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, annex and unite the same to the said province of Carolina.}}</ref>

===Settlements===
In 1663, Captain William Hilton noted the presence of a wooden cross erected by the Spaniards that still stood before the town meeting house of the Indians living at what later became [[Port Royal, South Carolina|Port Royal]].<ref name="Crane1928">{{Cite book |last=Verner Crane |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4voBZqHuCIUC&pg=PA6 |title=The Southern Frontier 1670–1732 |publisher=University of Alabama Press |year=1928 |isbn=978-0-8173-5082-6 |page=6}}</ref> In 1665, Sir [[John Yeamans]] established a second short-lived English settlement on the [[Cape Fear River]], near present-day [[Wilmington, North Carolina]], which he named Clarendon. From 1675 to 1677, the Province and [[Chowanoc]] Natives [[Chowanoc War|fought]].

[[File:Carolina Vintage Map.JPG|thumb|left|Map of Carolina (1676)]]

In 1669, [[William Sayle]] of Bermuda had taken over the command of the party of settlers gathered in Bermuda after Sir [[John Yeamans]] resigned while undergoing repairs of his vessel in Bermuda. Most of the party was made up of emigrants from England who had arrived in Bermuda en route to the establishment of the settlement in the Carolinas. Sayle arrived in Carolina aboard a [[Bermuda sloop]] with a number of Bermudian families to found the town of Charlestown.

In early 1670 the Lords Proprietors founded a sturdier new settlement named Charles Town (present day [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]]) when they sent 150 colonists to the province, landing them on the south bank of the Ashley River, South Carolina. (The town moved across the river to a more defensible site on the peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers in 1680.

In 1670, William Sayle, then in his eighties, became the first [[List of colonial governors of South Carolina|Colonial Governor of the colony of Carolina]].<ref>''The Exodus'', by Michael Jarvis, in The Bermudian magazine, June 2001.</ref>
<ref>''In the Eye of All Trade'', by Michael Jarvis. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press (2010). {{ISBN|9780807872840}}.</ref> Many of the other colonists were planters from [[Barbados]].<ref name="Butler">{{cite web |last1=Butler |first1=Nic |title=Barbados and the Roots of Carolina, Part 1 |url=https://www.ccpl.org/charleston-time-machine/barbados-and-roots-carolina-part-1 |website=Charleston County Public Library |access-date=29 February 2024 |date=16 November 2017}}</ref>

The "[[History of Charleston, South Carolina|Charles Town]]" settlement, as it was known then, developed more rapidly than the Albemarle and Cape Fear settlements due to the advantages of a natural harbor and expanding trade with the [[West Indies]]. Charles Town was made the principal seat of government for the entire province; Lord Shaftesbury specified its street plan. The nearby [[Ashley River (South Carolina)|Ashley]] and [[Cooper River (South Carolina)|Cooper river]]s are named for him.

Due to their remoteness from each other, the northern and southern sections of the colony operated more or less independently until 1691, when [[Philip Ludwell]] was appointed governor of the entire province. From that time until 1708, the northern and southern settlements remained under one government. The north continued to have its own assembly and council; the governor resided in Charles Towne and appointed a deputy-governor for the north. During this period, the two halves of the province began increasingly to be known as North Carolina and South Carolina.

==Government==
In 1669, the [[Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina]] divided the colony of Carolina into two provinces, Albemarle province in the north and Clarendon province in the south.<ref>Richard Middleton, ''Colonial America: A History'' (Malden, Massachusetts: Wiley Blackwell, 1992), p. 125.</ref> Due to dissent over the governance of the colony, and the distance between settlements in the northern half and settlements in the southern half, a deputy governor was appointed to administer the northern half of Carolina (Albemarle province) in 1691.<ref>Charles McLean Andrews, ''The Colonial Period of American History,'' Volume III (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1934), p. 258.</ref> In 1712, the two provinces became separate colonies, the colony of North Carolina (formerly Albemarle province) and the colony of South Carolina (formerly Clarendon province).<ref>Alan Taylor, ''American Colonies: The Settlement of North America'' (New York: Penguin Books, 2001), 226.</ref>

Carolina was the first of three colonies in North America settled by the English to have a comprehensive plan. Known as the [[Grand Model for the Province of Carolina|Grand Model]], or Grand Modell, it was composed of a constitution and detailed guidelines for settlement and development. The constitution, titled [[Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina]], was drafted by the philosopher John Locke under the direction of Anthony Ashley Cooper (later made [[Earl of Shaftesbury]]).<ref>Wilson, Thomas D. ''The Ashley Cooper Plan: The Founding of Carolina and the Origins of Southern Political Culture.'' Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 2016. Chapter 1.</ref>

From 1708 to 1710, due to disquiet over attempts to establish the Anglican church in the province, the people were unable to agree on a slate of elected officials; consequently, there was no recognized and legal government for more than two years, a period which culminated in [[Cary's Rebellion]] when the Lords Proprietors finally commissioned a new governor. This circumstance, coupled with the [[Tuscarora War]] and the [[Yamasee War]], and the inability of the Lords Proprietors to act decisively, led to separate governments for North and South Carolina.

==Later years==
Some identify the 1708–1710 period as the establishment of separate colonies, but that did not officially occur until 1729 when seven of the Lords Proprietors sold their interests in Carolina to [[the Crown]], and both North Carolina and South Carolina became royal colonies. The eighth share was Sir George Carteret's, which had passed to his great-grandson [[John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville]]. He retained ownership of a sixty-mile-wide strip of land in North Carolina adjoining the Virginia boundary, which became known as the [[Granville District]]. This district was to become the scene of many disputes, from 1729 until the [[American Revolutionary War]], at which time it was seized by the North Carolina revolutionary government. Governments under proprietary rule and under crown rule were similarly organized. The primary difference was who was to appoint the governing officials: the Lords Proprietors or the Sovereign.

Although the division between the northern and southern governments became complete in 1712, both colonies remained in the hands of the same group of proprietors. A rebellion against the proprietors broke out in Charlestown, South Carolina (as it was now spelled) in 1719, which led to the appointment of a [[Colonial government in the Thirteen Colonies|royal governor]] for South Carolina in that same year. North Carolina would become a royal colony in 1729.<ref>[https://www.ncdcr.gov/blog/2016/07/25/north-carolina-became-royal-colony North Carolina Became a Royal Colony] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125194827/https://www.ncdcr.gov/blog/2016/07/25/north-carolina-became-royal-colony |date=January 25, 2023 }}. ''ncdcr.gov''. Retrieved January 14, 2022.</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|align=none
|type= USA
|1660|1000
|1670|4050
|1680|6630
|1690|11500
|1700|16424
|1710|26003
|footnote=Source: 1660–1710;<ref>{{Cite book |last=Purvis |first=Thomas L. |url=https://archive.org/details/colonialamericat00purv_0/page/128 |title=Colonial America to 1763 |publisher=[[Infobase Publishing|Facts on File]] |year=1999 |isbn=978-0816025275 |editor-last=Balkin |editor-first=Richard |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/colonialamericat00purv_0/page/128 128–129]}}</ref>
}}

==See also==
* [[Bibliography of South Carolina history]]
* [[History of South Carolina]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==

* {{Internet Archive author|name=Province of Carolina}}


{{s-start}}
{{succession box
|title = Province of Carolina
|years = 1663–1712
|before = Southern part of the [[Colony of Virginia]] 1606–1663
|after = [[Province of North Carolina]] 1712–1776
|after2 = [[Province of South Carolina]] 1712–1776
}}
{{s-end}}

{{British overseas territories}}
{{Thirteen Colonies}}

{{Portal bar|British Empire|Caribbean|North America}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carolina, Province of}}
[[Category:Province of Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1712 disestablishments in the British Empire]]
[[Category:1712 disestablishments in North America]]
[[Category:1663 establishments in the British Empire]]
[[Category:1663 establishments in North America]]
[[Category:Former British colonies and protectorates in the Americas]]
[[Category:Former English colonies]]
[[Category:Former Christian states]]
[[Category:Pre-statehood history of Alabama]]
[[Category:Pre-statehood history of Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Pre-statehood history of Mississippi]]
[[Category:Pre-statehood history of North Carolina]]
[[Category:Pre-statehood history of South Carolina]]
[[Category:Pre-statehood history of Tennessee]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1663]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1712]]

Western Province (Kenya)

2025-10-29T17:59:18Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Provinces of Kenya is already a subcategory of Category:Former provinces

{{Refimprove|date=November 2006}}
{{short description|Province of Kenya}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name =Western Region
|native_name = ''Mkoa wa Magharibi''
|native_name_lang = sw
|motto =
|settlement_type=[[Provinces of Kenya|Former Province]]
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|image_map = Western in Kenya.svg
|mapsize =
|map_caption = Location in Kenya.
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|Kenya}}
|subdivision_type1 = [[Counties of Kenya|No. of Counties]]:
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|seat_type=Capital
|seat=[[Kakamega]]
|government_type =
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|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 7,400.4
|population_as_of = 2009
|population_note =
|population_total = 4,334,202
|population_density_km2 = auto
|timezone =[[East Africa Time|EAT]]
|utc_offset = +3
|coordinates = {{coord|0|30|N|34|35|E|region:KE|display=inline,title}}
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|footnotes =
}}
[[Image:Kenya-relief-map-towns.jpg|thumb|300px| The capital of [[Kenya]]'s Western Region was [[Kakamega]] (click to enlarge map)]]
[[Image:Kenya westp.jpg|frame|The four ''traditional'' districts of Western Province, Kenya.]]

'''Western Province''' ({{langx|sw|Magharibi}}) was one of [[Provinces of Kenya|Kenya's seven administrative provinces]] outside [[Nairobi]]. It is inhabited mainly by the [[Luhya people|Luhya]] people. [[Religious Society of Friends|Quakerism]] is [[Quakers in Kenya|widely practised here]]. Kenya's second highest mountain, [[Mount Elgon]] is located in [[Bungoma District]]. The [[Kakamega Forest]] rainforest is part of the area. The province capital was [[Kakamega]]. After the [[2013 Kenyan general election|2013 general election]], and the coming into effect of Kenya's [[Constitution of Kenya|new constitution]], provinces became defunct and the country is currently [[Counties of Kenya|divided into 47 counties]]. Each county has its own government and therefore there is no central regional capital. Western Province became the Western region, comprising four counties: [[Kakamega County|Kakamega]], [[Bungoma County|Bungoma]], [[Vihiga County|Vihiga]], and [[Busia County|Busia]].

[[Kakamega]] is the seat of government for Kakamega County, Bungoma County has its seat in [[Bungoma]] town, Busia County has the Assembly in [[Busia, Kenya|Busia]], Vihiga County in [[Vihiga|Vihiga Town]]. All the County governments and governors are answerable to the people not to the national government.

== Geography ==
Western Region has diverse physical features, from the hills of northern Bungoma County to the plains bordering [[Lake Victoria]] in [[Busia County, Kenya|Busia County]]. The highest point in the Western Region of [[Kenya]] is the peak of [[Mount Elgon]], while the lowest point is the town of [[Busia, Kenya|Busia]] on the water at [[Lake Victoria]]. In 1999 the total population was of 3,358,776 inhabitants within an area of 8,361 km², increasing to 4.334 million for the 2009 decennial census.

== Climate ==
The climate is mainly [[tropical climate|tropical]], with variations due to altitude. Kakamega County is mainly hot and wet most of the year, while Bungoma County is colder but just as wet. Busia County is the warmest, while the hilly Vihiga County is the coldest. The entire province experiences very heavy rainfall all year round, with the long rains in the earlier months of the year.

== Economy ==
Farming is the main economic activity in the province.

Bungoma County is sugar country, with one of the country's largest sugar factories, as well as numerous small-holder sugar mills. [[Maize]] is also grown for subsistence, alongside [[pearl millet]] and [[sorghum]]. Dairy farming is widely practised, as well as the raising of poultry. There is a small but important tourist circuit, centering on the biennial circumcision ceremonies.

Kakamega County has a mixture of both subsistence and cash crop farming, with [[sugar cane]] being the preferred medium to large scale crop. The County has two sugar factories. There is also a significant tourism industry centering on Kakamega Forest.

Busia County experiences perennial floods from the [[Nzoia River]], and the dominant economic activity is fishing on Lake Victoria. Limited commercial farming is also practiced, mainly of sugar cane. Subsistence farming of [[cassava]] is widely practiced.

Vihiga County has large [[tea]] plantations, and is the most densely populated rural area in Kenya. Quarrying for construction materials is a significant activity in the hilly County. Dairy farming is also widely practiced in Vihiga.

Western Kenya has many large factories, including sugar processing plants (4 factories). The largest of these is Mumias Sugar, based at [[Mumias]], to the west of Kakamega. This factory produces the dominant sugar brand in Kenya and is an economic success story. Also in Western Kenya is the largest paper factory in Africa (Pan Paper Mills in [[Webuye]]) and chemical processors. Despite this, living standards are generally low and social amenities like running water and electricity are not available to the majority of the province's residents.

== Counties ==
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Code || County || Former Province || Area (km2) || Population Census 2009 || Capital
|-
| 37 || [[Kakamega County|Kakamega]] || Western ||align="right"|3,033.8||align="right"|1,660,651|| [[Kakamega]]
|-
| 38 || [[Vihiga County|Vihiga]] || Western ||align="right"|531.3||align="right"|554,622|| [[Vihiga]]
|-
| 39 || [[Bungoma County|Bungoma]] || Western ||align="right"|2,206.9||align="right"|1,375,063|| [[Bungoma]]
|-
| 40 || [[Busia County|Busia]] || Western ||align="right"|1,628.4||align="right"|743,946|| [[Busia, Kenya|Busia]]
|-
| || '''''Totals''''' || ||align="right"|7,400.4||align="right"|4,334,202||-
|}

=== Districts after 2007 ===

Several new districts were created in 2007 in Kenya, also in Western Province:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.provincialadministration.go.ke/detail.php?op=8008 |title=Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and National Security |access-date=2008-06-21 |archive-date=2011-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005002849/http://www.provincialadministration.go.ke/detail.php?op=8008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! District !! Capital
|-
| [[Bumula District|Bumula]] ||
|-
| [[Bungoma Central District|Bungoma Central]] || [[Chwele]]
|-
| [[Bungoma East District|Bungoma East]] (Webuye) || [[Webuye]]
|-
| [[Bungoma North District|Bungoma North]] || [[Kimilili]]
|-
| [[Bungoma South District|Bungoma South]] || [[Bungoma]]
|-
| [[Bungoma West District|Bungoma West]] (Sirisia) || [[Sirisia]]
|-
| [[Bunyala District|Bunyala]] || [[Budalangi]]
|-
| [[Busia District, Kenya|Busia]] || [[Busia, Kenya|Busia]]
|-
| [[Butere District|Butere]] || [[Butere]]
|-
| [[Emuhaya District|Emuhaya]] || [[Kima, Kenya|Kima]]
|-
| [[Hamisi District|Hamisi]] || [[Hamisi]]
|-
| [[Kakamega Central District|Kakamega Central]] (Lurambi) ||
|-
| [[Kakamega East District|Kakamega East]] (Shinyalu) ||
|-
| [[Kakamega North District|Kakamega North]] (Malava) || [[Malava, Kenya|Malava]]
|-
| [[Kakamega South District|Kakamega South]] (Ikolomani) || [[Kakamega]]
|-
| [[Khwisero District|Khwisero]] || [[Khwisero]]
|-
| [[Likuyani District|Likuyani]] || [[Likuyani]]
|-
| [[Lugari District|Lugari]] || [[Lumakanda]]
|-
| [[Matete District|Matete]] || [[Matete (Kenya)]]
|-
| [[Matungu District|Matungu]] || [[Matungu]]
|-
| [[Mount Elgon District|Mount Elgon]] || [[Kapsokwony]]
|-
| [[Mumias District|Mumias]] || [[Mumias]]
|-
| [[Sabatia District|Sabatia]] || [[Sabatia, Kenya|Sabatia]]
|-
| [[Samia District|Samia]] || [[Funyala]]
|-
| [[Siaya District|Siaya]] || [[Siaya]]
|-
| [[Teso North District|Teso North]] || [[Amagoro]]
|-
| [[Teso South District|Teso South]] || [[Amukura]]
|-
| [[Vihiga District|Vihiga]] || [[Mbale, Kenya|Mbale]]
|}

==Notable residents==

*[[Khadambi Asalache]], poet
*[[Simon Kachapin]], 1st and 3rd Governor of West Pokot County
*[[Thomas Longosiwa]] (born 1982), Olympic runner
*[[Tegla Loroupe]], world record holder for 20, 25, and 30 kilometres running<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biographyonline.net/sport/tegla-loroupe.html|title = Biography Tegla Loroupe}}</ref>
*[[Augustine Lotodo]], politician
*[[Francis Polisi Loile Lotodo]], politician
*[[Lonah Chemtai Salpeter]] (born 1988), Kenyan-born Israeli Olympic marathon runner

==See also==
*[[Aisere]]
*[[Konjero se Ekonjero]]
*[[Lwanda]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{First and second-level administrative divisions of Kenya}}


[[Category:Western Province (Kenya)| ]]
[[Category:Provinces of Kenya]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Kenya]]

Rift Valley Province

2025-10-29T17:59:01Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Provinces of Kenya is already a subcategory of Category:Former provinces

{{Short description|Province of Kenya}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2007}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Rift Valley Province
| native_name = ''Mkoa wa Bonde la Ufa''
| native_name_lang = sw
| motto =
| settlement_type = [[Provinces of Kenya|Former Province]]
| image_skyline =
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Rift Valley
| image_flag =
| image_seal =
| image_shield =
| image_map = Rift Valley in Kenya.svg
| mapsize =
| map_caption = Location in Kenya
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Kenya}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Counties of Kenya|No. of Counties]]:
| subdivision_name1 = 14
| seat_type = Capital
| seat = [[Nakuru]]
| government_type =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| established_title =
| established_date =
| area_total_km2 = 182,505.1
| population_as_of = 2009
| population_note =
| population_total = 10,006,805
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| utc_offset = +3
| coordinates = {{coord|0|30|N|36|0|E|region:KN|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m =
| elevation_ft =
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
'''Rift Valley Province''' ({{langx|sw|Mkoa wa Bonde la Ufa}}) of [[Kenya]], bordering [[Uganda]], was one of Kenya's eight [[Provinces of Kenya|provinces]], before the 2013 [[Kenyan general election, 2013|Kenyan general election]].
Rift Valley Province was the largest and one of the most economically important provinces in [[Kenya]]. It was dominated by the [[Great Rift Valley, Kenya|Kenya Rift Valley]] which passes through it and gave the province its name. According to the 2009 Census, the former province covered an area of {{convert|182,505.1|km2|acre sqmi}} and would have had a population of 10,006,805,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.knbs.or.ke/docs/PresentationbyMinisterforPlanningrevised.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810185221/http://www.knbs.or.ke/docs/PresentationbyMinisterforPlanningrevised.pdf |archive-date=August 10, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/36672705/Kenya-Census-2009|title=Kenya Census 2009}}</ref> making it the largest and most populous province in the country. The bulk of the provincial population inhabited a strip between former [[Nairobi]] and [[Nyanza Province]]. The capital was the town of [[Nakuru]].

== Counties ==
As of March 2013 after the [[Kenyan general election, 2013]], the Province was partitioned into counties and Rift Valley Province was dissolved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opendata.go.ke/facet/counties|title=Open Data Portal|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711111830/http://www.opendata.go.ke/facet/counties|archive-date=2011-07-11}}</ref>

{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Code || County || Former Province || Area (km2) || Population Census 2009 || Capital
|-
| 23 || [[Turkana County|Turkana]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|71,597.8||align="right"|855,399|| [[Lodwar]]
|-
| 24 || [[West Pokot County|West Pokot]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|8,418.2||align="right"|512,690|| [[Kapenguria]]
|-
| 25 || [[Samburu County|Samburu]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|20,182.5||align="right"|223,947|| [[Maralal]]
|-
| 26 || [[Trans Nzoia County|Trans Nzoia]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|2,469.9||align="right"|818,757|| [[Kitale]]
|-
| 27 || [[Uasin Gishu County|Uasin Gishu]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|2,955.3||align="right"|894,179|| [[Eldoret]]
|-
| 28 || [[Elgeyo-Marakwet County|Elgeyo-Marakwet]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|3,049.7||align="right"|369,998|| [[Iten]]
|-
| 29 || [[Nandi County|Nandi]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|2,884.5||align="right"|752,965|| [[Kapsabet]]
|-
| 30 || [[Baringo County|Baringo]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|11,075.3||align="right"|555,561|| [[Kabarnet]]
|-
| 31 || [[Laikipia County|Laikipia]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|8,696.1||align="right"|399,227|| [[Nanyuki]]
|-
| 32 || [[Nakuru County|Nakuru]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|7,509.5||align="right"|1,603,325|| [[Nakuru]]
|-
| 33 || [[Narok County|Narok]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|17,921.2||align="right"|850,920|| [[Narok]]
|-
| 34 || [[Kajiado County|Kajiado]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|21,292.7||align="right"|687,312|| [[Kajiado]]
|-
| 35 || [[Kericho County|Kericho]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|2,454.5||align="right"|752,396|| [[Kericho]]
|-
| 36 || [[Bomet County|Bomet]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|1,997.9||align="right"|730,129|| [[Bomet]]
|-
| || '''''Totals''''' || ||align="right"|182,505.1||align="right"|10,006,805|| -
|}

== Geography ==
[[Image:Kenya-relief-map-towns.jpg|thumb|Map of Kenya, showing its provinces]]
The Great Rift Valley runs south through Kenya from [[Lake Turkana]] in the north and has several unique geographical features, including the [[Elgeyo escarpment]] which is a popular tourist attraction.

Apart from the Rift Valley itself, the area has other important geographic features such as: the extinct volcanoes [[Mount Longonot]] and [[Mount Suswa]] and [[Lake Baringo]], [[Lake Bogoria]], [[Lake Magadi]], [[Lake Nakuru]], [[Lake Naivasha]], the [[Suguta|Suguta Valley]], and [[Lake Turkana]].

== Geology ==
A large part of Kenya is underlain by [[Precambrian]] basement, while the Kenya rift basin (a typical extensional basin) hosts [[Tertiary (period)|Tertiary]] [[volcanics]] that cover [[Mesozoic]] sediments (Recently these sediments have been considered for oil exploration).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epgeology.com/page.php?p=kenya-rift-basin|title=Petroleum Potential of NW-Kenya Rift Basins: A Synopsis of Evidence and Issues - Exploration & Production Geology}}</ref> The [[sedimentary basin]]s evolved along the [[Anza trough]] during the Late [[Paleozoic]] to Early Tertiary times through extension tectonics during the major [[Gondwana]]land breakup. In the [[Miocene]] Period, the region underwent intermittent uplift and subsidence along major boundary faults accompanied by a large outpouring of lava flows. The Anza trough intersects the modern rift valley in the area of Lake Turkana. Rifting still continues today; primarily in the north, where active volcanoes are more plentiful.

== Economy ==
The highlands provide adequate rainfall for farming and agriculture which is the economic base of the residents of the Rift Valley. [[Tea]] from the highlands in the [[Kericho]] district enjoys a worldwide reputation, but [[horticulture]] is an important part of the district's economy and cattle raising is also practised to a large extent.

The full economic potential of the Rift Valley region is, however, far from fully exploited, though the current growth in population and improved education may change this in a near future. People in the province are still mostly rural, but [[urbanisation]] is gradually increasing; new cities and towns contain the rural-urban migration and, provided the right policies are instituted, the Rift Valley province will be able to emerge as a national economic and cultural hub.

== Ethnicity ==
The Rift Valley is home to various communities. The people of the Rift Valley are a mesh work of different ethnic identities, and the [[Kalenjin people|Kalenjin]] and the [[Maasai people|Maasai]] are two of the best known ethnic groups. Most of Kenya's top runners come from the [[Kalenjin people|Kalenjin]] community. The [[Maasai people]] have the most recognizable cultural identity, both nationally and internationally, and serve as Kenya's international cultural symbol.

==Villages and settlements==
{{columns-list|colwidth=10em|
* [[Baraton]]
* [[Bartimaro]]
* [[Burgich]]
* [[Chamagel]]
* [[Chebara]]
* [[Cheboin]]
* [[Chemosiet]]
* [[Chemuswa]]
* [[Chepkum]]
* [[Cheptonge]]
* [[Chepunyal]]
* [[Chororget]]
* [[Cokereria]]
* [[Dol Dol]]
* [[Emdin]]
* [[Enangiperi]]
* [[Gichage]]
* [[Gituandaga]]
* [[Goroba]]
* [[Ilbisil]]
* [[Ilpartimaro]]
* [[Ilyagaleni]]
* [[Jamji]]
* [[Kabaldamet]]
* [[Kabetwa]]
* [[Kabisaga]]
* [[Kabungwa]]
* [[Kaiboi]]
* [[Kaitui]]
* [[Kalema]]
* [[Kamamut]]
* [[Kamnunguuawa]]
* [[Kampi ya Bibi]]
* [[Kampi ya Simba]]
* [[Kamugeno]]
* [[Kamwaura]]
* [[Kanyarkwat]]
* [[Kap Sarok]]
* [[Kapchebelel]]
* [[Kapchorewe]]
* [[Kapsamonget]]
* [[Kapsaos]]
* [[Kapteren]]
* [[Kapuset]]
* [[Karero]]
* [[Kauro]]
* [[Kebenet]]
* [[Kenegut]]
* [[Kerisa]]
* [[Kibebetiet]]
* [[Kiberengi]]
* [[Kibingor]]
* [[Kiligis]]
* [[Kimana]]
* [[Kiminini]]
* [[Koiparak]]
* [[Koitilial]]
* [[Kongelai]]
* [[Korikabemitik]]
* [[Kosipirr]]
* [[Kukurna]]
* [[Kunyao]]
* [[Lamuria]]
* [[Lengesim]]
* [[Logumukum]]
* [[Loichangamatak]]
* [[Lokwakangole]]
* [[Lolnguswa]]
* [[Lomelo]]
* [[Lomut]]
* [[Lorugumu]]
* [[Loruth]]
* [[Lossom]]
* [[Lotongot]]
* [[Machege]]
* [[Mailua]]
* [[Makandara]]
* [[Marashoni]]
* [[Mbagathi]]
* [[Melewa]]
* [[Miti ya Hunter]]
* [[Mogwooni]]
* [[Morkwijit]]
* [[Mtembur]]
* [[Mugus]]
* [[Muriling]]
* [[Murua Korg]]
* [[Musereita]]
* [[Nakinglas]]
* [[Ndamichoni]]
* [[Ndiuini]]
* [[Nganukonharengak]]
* [[Nkidongi]]
* [[Nyangoso]]
* [[Nyaru]]
* [[Ole Seni]]
* [[Olengarua]]
* [[Olkeramatian]]
* [[Oloiyangalani]]
* [[Olokurto]]
* [[Orwa]]
* [[Samuli]]
* [[Sigoor Camp]]
* [[Subuku]]
* [[Thuthuriki]]
* [[Yatya]]
}}

==See also==
* [[Kerio River]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}

{{First and second-level administrative divisions of Kenya}}
{{Great Rift Valley, Kenya}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Rift Valley Province| ]]
[[Category:Provinces of Kenya]]
[[Category:Great Rift Valley]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Kenya]]

North Eastern Province (Kenya)

2025-10-29T17:58:02Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Provinces of Kenya is already a subcategory of Category:Former provinces

{{short description|Province of Kenya}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = North Eastern Province
| official_name = 
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = so
| other_name =
| motto =
| settlement_type = [[Provinces of Kenya|Former province]]
| image_skyline =
| imagesize =
| image_caption =
| image_flag =
| image_seal =
| image_shield =
| image_map = North Eastern in Kenya.svg
| mapsize =
| map_caption = Location in Kenya
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Kenya}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Counties of Kenya|Counties]]
| subdivision_name1 =
| seat_type = Capital
| seat = [[Garissa]]
| government_type =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| established_title =
| established_date =
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 = 127,358.5
| population_as_of = 2009
| population_note =
| population_total = ,2,310,757
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| utc_offset = +3
| coordinates = {{coord|1|0|N|40|15|E|region:KE|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m =
| elevation_ft =
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code =
| website =
}}

The '''North Eastern Province''' is one of the former [[Provinces of Kenya|provinces]] of [[Kenya]]. It had a land area of 127,358.5 km2, with its capital at [[Garissa]]. The North Eastern Province was carved out of the then [[Northern Frontier District]] (NFD) prior to independence.<ref name="Ospftf">{{cite book|last=Osman|first=Mohamed Amin AH|title=Somalia, proposals for the future|year=1993|publisher=SPM|pages=1–10|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iSsOAQAAMAAJ}}</ref>

During negotiations for Kenya's independence, Britain granted administration of the NFD which included all of the North Eastern province to Kenyan nationalists despite an informal plebiscite showing the overwhelming desire of the region's population to join the newly formed Somali Republic. It is, and has historically been, mostly inhabited by [[Somalis in Kenya|Somalis]].<ref name="Howard">[[Rhoda E. Howard]], ''Human Rights in Commonwealth Africa'', (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.: 1986), p.95</ref><ref name="Jejsnjsj">{{cite book|author=William T. Pink, George W. Noblit|title=International Handbook of Urban Education|date=3 September 2008|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|pages=130|isbn=9781402051999|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4KrqX2WEokcC}}</ref>

==Demographics==

As of 2009, the North Eastern Province had a population of 2,310,757 residents.<ref name="Kctn">{{cite web|title=Kenya Census 2009|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/36672705/Kenya-Census-2009|publisher=Kenya National Bureau of Statistics|access-date=7 January 2015}}</ref> These census results were however nullified by the then Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya citing inconsistencies in the birth and death rates.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Some Kenya Census results nullified » Capital News|url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2010/08/some-kenya-census-results-nullified/|date=2010-08-31|website=Capital News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-30}}</ref>
On 21 March 2016, the court of appeal in Nairobi, declared the disputed census results valid.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Court declares disputed 2009 census results valid|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000202590/court-declares-disputed-2009-census-results-valid-from-8-sub-counties-in-mandera-and-garissa-counties|last=Muthoni|first=Kamau|website=The Standard|language=en|access-date=2020-05-30}}</ref> The North Eastern Province is predominantly inhabited by ethnic [[Somali people|Somalis]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lewis |first=I. M. |date=1963 |title=The Problem of the Northern Frontier District of Kenya |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/030639686300500104?journalCode=raca |journal=Race |language=en |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=48–60}}</ref>

The Somalis in the North Eastern Province of [[Kenya]] numbered close to three million in the 2019 National Census with another 280,000 settled in refugee camps from neighbouring [[Somalia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-23 |title=Somali refugees in Kenya: increasing camp-urban mobility - Kenya {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/kenya/somali-refugees-kenya-increasing-camp-urban-mobility |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}</ref>

==Administration==
North Eastern Province had thirteen constituencies represented in the [[National Assembly of Kenya]], under the [[Government of Kenya]]. The Regional Commissioner sat in Garissa. The last Regional Commissioner was Mohamed Birik.

As the capital of [[Garissa County]], Garissa is the seat of the County Government of Garissa as well as the County Assembly. The town is represented by [[Aden Bare Duale]], a Somali [[Member of Parliament (Kenya)|Member of Parliament]] for the [[Dujis Constituency|Garissa Township Constituency]] and who also doubles as the [[Leader]] of the [[Majority]] in the legislature. He was appointed to the position in the [[Kenya National Assembly elections, 2013|2013 general elections]]. The county is also home to Ijara, Dadaab, Lagdera, Fafi and Balambala constituencies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=County Overview – Garissa County Government|url=https://garissa.go.ke/county-overview/|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-30}}</ref>

[[Wajir County|Wajir]] is the largest county in the former North Eastern Province with approximately an area of 56,000km2. The county has six constituencies. They include Eldas, Tarbaj, Wajir East, Wajir North, Wajir West, and Wajir South.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wajir County Government {{!}}{{!}} The Transformaton is ON|url=http://domain/|last=Government|first=Wajir County|website=wajir.go.ke|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-30|archive-date=14 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714120142/http://domain/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Mandera County]] is at the furthermost bordering both the [[Somalia]] and Ethiopia's [[Somali Region]]. It has six constituencies just like the rest of the counties in the North Eastern province. These constituencies include Banissa, Lafey, Mandera East, Mandera North, Mandera South, Mandera West and Takaba.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Demographics|url=https://mandera.go.ke/demographics/|last=Manderacounty-Admin|website=County Government of Mandera|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-30}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Almond_Resort,_Garissa.jpg|thumb|right|The Almond Resort in [[Garissa]]]]
Livestock and agricultural production is a significant part of the region's economy. Between 2005 and 2007, Garissa cattle producers earned over 1.8 billion shillings in sales in domestic and overseas markets. Construction of a new abattoir also began in October 2007.<ref>[http://www.statehousekenya.go.ke/news/sept07/2007060902.htm Government targets Kshs 12 b for development in N. Eastern] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928001540/http://statehousekenya.go.ke/news/sept07/2007060902.htm |date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> In terms of livestock imports, most of Garissa's cattle comes from cross-border trade between Somali livestock merchants.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121020190504/http://softkenya.com/farming/livestock-supply-in-kenya/ Livestock Supply in Kenya]}}</ref>

==Transportation==
North Eastern Province is served by the [[Wajir Airport]]. It handles about seven flights per day. As of September 2012, civil flights are offered twice a week by Echo. Most flights, however, are cargo. Some charter and military flights are additionally accommodated.<ref name="Howa">[http://www.kenyaairports.co.ke/kaa/airports/wajir/history.html History of Wajir Airport]</ref>

==Climate and habitat==
North Eastern Province has a [[Semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] and [[hot desert climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BSh'' and ''BWh''). Rain falls infrequently, usually only around April or October, and quite sporadically from year to year. Although the southwestern section of the Somali autonomous region is extremely fertile near the [[Tana River (Kenya)|Tana River]] and there is much farming.

There is a major river called [[Tana River (Kenya)|Tana River]] which is located in the southwestern section of the region. Wildlife in the area include the [[lion]], [[elephant]], [[African buffalo|buffalo]], [[zebra]], [[hyena]], [[gazelle]], [[giraffe]], [[leopard]], [[cheetah]], and [[ostrich]]. [[Hippopotamus]] and [[crocodile]]s are mainly located on the river.

==Counties==
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Code || County || Former province || Area (km2) || Population Census 2009 || Capital
|-
| 7 || [[Garissa County|Garissa]] || North Eastern||align="right"|45,720.2||align="right"|623,060|| [[Garissa]]
|-
| 8 || [[Wajir County|Wajir]] || North Eastern ||align="right"|55,840.6||align="right"|661,941|| [[Wajir]]
|-
| 9 || [[Mandera County|Mandera]] || North Eastern ||align="right"|25,797.7||align="right"|1,025,756|| [[Mandera]]
|-
| || '''''Totals''''' || ||align="right"|127,358.5||align="right"|2,310,757|| -
|}

===After 2007===
{| class="wikitable"
! District<ref>[http://www.provincialadministration.go.ke/detail.php?op=8005 Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and National Security] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305001513/http://www.provincialadministration.go.ke/detail.php?op=8005 |date=5 March 2009 }}</ref>!! Capital
|-
| [[Fafi Constituency|Fafi]] || [[Bura, Garissa District|Bura]]
|-
| [[Garissa District|Garissa]] || [[Garissa]]
|-
| [[Ijara District|Ijara]] || [[Masalani]]
|-
| [[Lafey Constituency]] || [[Lafey]]
|-
| [[Mandera Central Constituency|Mandera Central]] || [[El Wak, Kenya|El Wak]]
|-
| [[Mandera East Constituency|Mandera East]] || [[Mandera]]
|-
| [[Mandera West Constituency|Mandera West]] || [[Takaba, Kenya|Takaba]]
|-
| [[Wajir East Constituency|Wajir East]] || [[Wajir]]
|-
| [[Wajir North Constituency|Wajir North]] || [[Bute, Kenya|Bute]]
|-
| [[Wajir South Constituency|Wajir South]] || [[Habaswein]]
|-
| [[Wajir West Constituency|Wajir West]] || [[Griftu]]
|}

==See also==
*[[Greater Somalia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|North Eastern Province (Kenya)}}
*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/somalia1.htm Somalia-Ethiopia, Kenya Conflict]
*[http://kenyasomali.blogspot.com/]

{{First and second-level administrative divisions of Kenya}}


[[Category:North Eastern Province (Kenya)| ]]
[[Category:Provinces of Kenya]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Kenya]]

Eastern Province (Kenya)

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2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Provinces of Kenya is already a subcategory of Category:Former provinces

{{Short description|Province of Kenya}}
{{Redirect|Kiu|other uses|KIU (disambiguation){{!}}KIU}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2006}}
{{Use Kenyan English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Eastern Province
|native_name = ''Mkoa wa Mashariki''
|native_name_lang = sw
|other_name =
|nickname =
|motto =
|settlement_type=[[Provinces of Kenya|Former Province]]
|image_skyline =
|imagesize =
|image_caption =
|image_flag =
|image_seal =
|image_shield =
|image_map = Eastern in Kenya.svg
|mapsize =
|map_caption = Location of the Former Province in Kenya.
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|Kenya}}
|subdivision_type1 = [[Counties of Kenya|No. of Counties]]:
|subdivision_name1 = 8
|seat_type = Capital
|seat = [[Embu, Kenya|Embu]]
|government_type =
|leader_title =
|leader_name =
|established_title =
|established_date =
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 140,698.6
|population_as_of = 2009
|population_note =
|population_total = 5,668,123<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.knbs.or.ke/censuspopulation.php |title=Welcome to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |access-date=2013-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729201945/http://www.knbs.or.ke/censuspopulation.php |archive-date=2013-07-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|population_density_km2 = auto
|timezone = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
|utc_offset = +3
|coordinates = {{coord|0|0|N|38|0|E|region:KN|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_m =
|elevation_ft =
|postal_code_type =
|postal_code =
|area_code =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}

[[File:Kenya-relief-map-towns.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Kenya]] was found in the former Eastern Province (capital [[Embu, Kenya|Embu]]; click map to enlarge)]]

The '''Eastern Province''' ({{langx|sw|Mashariki}}) of [[Kenya]] was one of 8 [[Provinces of Kenya]]. Its northern boundary ran along with that of [[Ethiopia]]; the [[North Eastern Province, Kenya|North Eastern Province]] and [[Coast Province, Kenya|Coast Province]] lay to the east and south; and the remainder of Kenya's provinces, including [[Central Province, Kenya|Central Province]], ran along its western border. The provincial capital was [[Embu, Kenya|Embu]].

==Overview==
On 16 July 2009, the province was sub-divided into three: Lower Eastern with [[Machakos]] as headquarters, Central Eastern with [[Embu, Kenya|Embu]] as headquarters, and Upper Eastern with [[Marsabit]] as headquarters; however, those changes never took effect due to the political wrangles in the Kenyan [[coalition government]] at the time. The sub-division of provinces was carried out in seven [[provinces of Kenya]], excluding [[Nairobi]]. As of March 2013 after the [[Kenyan general election, 2013]], the Eastern Province was subdivided into eight counties, namely:
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Code || County || Area (km2) || Population census 2009 || Capital
|-
| 10 || [[Marsabit County|Marsabit]] ||align="right"|66,923.1||align="right"|291,166|| [[Marsabit]]
|-
| 11 || [[Isiolo County|Isiolo]] ||align="right"|25,336.1||align="right"|143,294|| [[Isiolo]]
|-
| 12 || [[Meru County|Meru]] ||align="right"|7,003||align="right"|1,356,301|| [[Meru, Kenya|Meru]]
|-
| 13 || [[Tharaka-Nithi County|Tharaka-Nithi]] ||align="right"|2,609.5||align="right"|365,330|| [[Chuka, Kenya|Chuka]]
|-
| 14 || [[Embu County|Embu]] ||align="right"|2,555.9||align="right"|516,212|| [[Embu, Kenya|Embu]]
|-
| 15 || [[Kitui County|Kitui]] ||align="right"|24,385.1||align="right"|1,012,709|| [[Kitui]]
|-
| 16 || [[Machakos County|Machakos]] ||align="right"|5,952.9||align="right"|1,098,584|| [[Machakos]]
|-
| 17 || [[Makueni County|Makueni]] ||align="right"|8,008.9||align="right"|884,527|| [[Wote, Kenya|Wote]]
|-
| || '''''Totals''''' ||align="right"|140,698.6||align="right"|5,668,123|| -
|}

The province was principally inhabited by the [[Meru people|Meru]], [[Kamba people|Kamba]], [[Embu people|Embu]], and several [[pastoralism|pastoralist]] communities. In 1979, its population was 2.7 million; in 1999, 4,631,779 (according to the 1999 census) and in 2009 the province would have had a population of 5,668,123.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/36672705/Kenya-Census-2009|title=Kenya Census 2009}}</ref> In terms of area, it was the second largest province at (140,698.6 km2) in Kenya.

==Geography==
Eastern Province of Kenya includes the [[Chalbi Desert]], [[Mount Kenya]], and the eastern half of [[Lake Turkana]]. The climate in the region is arid to semi-arid. Its most important permanent river is [[Ewaso Ng'iro]].

==Villages and settlements==
{{columns-list|colwidth=10em|
*Beacon Ranch
*[[Chematu]]
*[[Chiakariga]]
*[[Chiananda]]
*[[Chomboni]]
*[[Ekarakara]]
*[[El Dera]]
*[[Embori Farm]]
*[[Gakwegore]]
*[[Goriva]]
*[[Gatundori]]
*[[Gatunga]]
*[[Gekuuri]]
*[[Gethemu]]
*[[Gitare]]
*[[Ianzoni]]
*[[Igumori]]
*[[Iiuni]]
*[[Ikarakara]]
*[[Ikoo]]
*[[Imale]]
*[[Inghi Farm]]
*[[Inyokoni]]
*[[Isuvya]]
*[[Itetani]]
*[[Ithemboni]]
*[[Ithoku]]
*[[Itugururu]]
*[[Janoni]]
*[[Kaathene]]
*[[Kakunike]]
*[[Kakunio]]
*[[Kailembwa]]
*[[Kairuri]]
*[[Kakalia]]
*[[Kakangani]]
*[[Kalimbui]]
*[[Kalulini]]
*[[Kamaende]]
*[[Kampi-Ya-Chumvi]]
*[[Kambi ya Munyu]]
*[[Kampi Ya Juu]]
*[[Kamuthwa]]
*[[Kaningo]]
*[[Kanjuki]]
*[[Kanyekine]]
*[[Karingare]]
*[[Karuamgi]]
*[[Karuari]]
*[[Karwiro]]
*[[Kasafari]]
*[[Kasaini]]
*[[Kasilia]]
*[[Kasiokoni]]
*[[Katelembu]]
*[[Katene]]
*[[Kathangarari]]
*[[Kathangari]]
*[[Katheka]]
*[[Kathenaugi]]
*[[Kathugu]]
*[[Kathungu]]
*[[Katothia]]
*[[Katulye]]
*[[Kavururi]]
*[[Kavyongo]]
*[[Kawanjaro]]
*[[Kawelu]]
*[[Kegaa]]
*[[Kenplains]]
*[[Kerie]]
*[[Kevanda]]
*[[Kevote]]
*[[Kiamuringa]]
*[[Kiangungi]]
*[[Kianiai]]
*[[Kianiokoma]]
*[[Kianjuki]]
*[[Kiatineni]]
*[[Kibogi]]
*[[Kibugwa]]
*[[Kijegge]]
*[[Kikuu]]
*[[Kilawa]]
*[[Kimuu]]
*[[Kinyata Grazing Area]]
*[[Kirimari]]
*[[Kiritiri]]
*[[Kitandi]]
*[[Kithangathini]]
*[[Kitheine]]
*[[Kithunguri]]
*[[Kitoo]]
*[[Kitute]]
*[[Kivumbu]]
*[[Komboyoo]]
*[[Kyuso]]
*[[Kwakavisi]]
*[[Kwandeke]]
*[[Kwa Kitau]]
*[[Kwa Makuli]]
*[[Kwa Ukungu]]
*[[Log Logo]]
*[[Lolomarik Farm]]
*[[Mado Yaka]]
*[[Maikuu]]
*[[Maiyuni]]
*[[Makabete]]
*[[Makengi]]
*[[Makinya]]
*[[Malibani]]
*[[Malima, Kenya|Malima]]
*[[Malka Mari]]
*[[Mandongoi]]
*[[Mangelete]]
*[[Manoni]]
*[[Mapepie]]
*[[Masimbani]]
*[[Masongoleni]]
*[[Mavindu]]
*[[Mbevoni]]
*[[Mbuvu]]
*[[Mitembuka]]
*[[Mitungugu]]
*[[Mkapuwanzee]]
*[[Mubuko]]
*[[Muchiene]]
*[[Muchumo]]
*[[Mulala]]
*[[Muringari]]
*[[Mushamba]]
*[[Musikio]]
*[[Mutulia]]
*[[Mutune]]
*[[Mwangareme]]
*[[Mwangini]]
*[[Mwambathana]]
*[[Mwe (town)|Mwe]]
*[[Mwewe]]
*[[Ndooa]]
*[[Nembure]]
*[[Nchimwani]]
*[[Ngandani]]
*[[Ngandure]]
*[[Ngarira]]
*[[Ngathune]]
*[[Ngiori]]
*[[Ngosini East]]
*[[Ngosini West]]
*[[Ngovie]]
*[[Ngusishi]]
*[[Nguu]]
*[[Nguuni]]
*[[Ngwate]]
*[[Saricho]]
*[[Skwata]]
*[[Syumbungu]]
*[[Usueni]]
}}

==See also==
*[[Makueni County]]
*[[Marsabit County]]
*[[Meru County]]
*[[Tharaka-Nithi County]]
*[[Kitui County]]
*[[Isiolo County]]
*[[Machakos County]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{First and second-level administrative divisions of Kenya}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Eastern Province (Kenya)| ]]
[[Category:Provinces of Kenya]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Kenya]]

Coast Province

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2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Provinces of Kenya is already a subcategory of Category:Former provinces

{{Short description|Province of Kenya}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Coast Province
| native_name = Mkoa wa Pwani
| native_name_lang = sw
| nickname =
| motto =
| settlement_type = [[Provinces of Kenya|Province]]
| image_skyline = Outrigger canoe in Kenya.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption =
| image_flag =
| image_seal =
| image_shield =
| image_map = Coast in Kenya.svg
| mapsize =
| map_caption = Location in Kenya.
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Kenya
| subdivision_type1 = [[Counties of Kenya|No. of Counties]]:
| subdivision_name1 = 6
| seat_type = Capital
| seat = [[Mombasa]]
| government_type =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| established_title =
| established_date =
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 = 79,686.1
| population_as_of = 2009
| population_note =
| population_total = 3,325,307
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| utc_offset = +3
| coordinates = {{coord|3|0|S|39|30|E|region:KN|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m =
| elevation_ft =
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
[[File:Kenya-relief-map-towns.jpg|thumb|300px|A map of Kenya showing its provinces]]
The '''Coast Province''' ({{langx|sw|Mkoa wa Pwani}}) was one of [[Kenya]]'s eight [[Provinces of Kenya|provinces]] prior to 2010. It covered the entire country's coastline on the [[Indian Ocean]]. Its capital city was [[Mombasa]]. It was inhabited by the [[Mijikenda peoples|Mijikenda]] and [[Swahili people]]s, among others. The province covered an area of 79,686.1 km2.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kenya Census 2009 {{!}} Census {{!}} Waste Management |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/36672705/Kenya-Census-2009 |access-date=2021-01-20 |website=Scribd |language=en}}</ref>

==Tourist attraction==
Some of the province's important towns included [[Kilifi]], [[Malindi]], [[Watamu]] and [[Lamu]] in the north, and [[Mwandimu]] and [[Magunda]] in the south. Some of the coastal population was located in resort and beach settlements such as [[Kiongwe]] and [[Kipini]].

[[Diani Beach]] was one of the province's major tourist centres, with palm trees and white sandy beaches like Mombasa.

Malindi is where [[Vasco da Gama]] picked up his pilot to navigate with the monsoon winds to India; [[Mambrui]] appears to be the site where contact occurred with the Chinese during the era of the [[Yongle Emperor]] and the expeditions of [[Zheng He]].<ref name="bbc10">{{cite news| url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11531398| work= [[BBC News]] | title= Could a rusty coin re-write Chinese-African history? | date= 17 October 2010 | access-date= 2010-10-18}}</ref>

Watamu is a small fishing community and contains East Africa's first marine national park, the [[Watamu Marine National Park]].

==Population data==
The Coast Provinces had a population of 3,325,307 in 2009.<ref name=":0" />

== Climate ==
The climate is designated as [[Tropical savanna climate|Aw]] in the [[Köppen climate classification]] system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Figure 4. Köppen-Geiger climate type map of Africa. |url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Koeppen-Geiger-climate-type-map-of-Africa_fig1_26640584 |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=ResearchGate |language=en}}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{expand section|date=February 2023}}

=== Mining ===
*[[Kwale mine]]

== Separatism ==
In 1999, the [[Mombasa Republic|Mombasa Republican Council]] was formed, with the goal of engineering the Coast Province's secession from Kenya.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151221213620/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-kenya-coast-mrc-idUKBRE86M0H820120723 Insight - Separatist storm brewing on Kenya's coast]</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kantai |first=Parselelo |date=17 Mar 2012 |title=Kenya's Mombasa Republican Council: The Coast calls for freedom |url=http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/20120517501811752/east-horn-africa/kenya-s-mombasa-republican-council%E2%80%A9-the-coast-calls-for-freedom-501811752.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702202413/http://www.theafricareport.com/index.php/20120517501811752/east-horn-africa/kenya-s-mombasa-republican-council%E2%80%A9-the-coast-calls-for-freedom-501811752.html |archivedate=2 July 2012 |accessdate=20 July 2012 |work=[[The Africa Report]] |quote=}}</ref>

== Dissolution ==
In 2010, a [[Constitution of Kenya|new constitution]] came into effect which divided Kenya's 8 provinces into [[Counties of Kenya|47 counties]]. The Coast Province was divided into six: [[Mombasa County|Mombasa]], [[Kwale County|Kwale]], [[Kilifi County|Kilifi]], [[Tana River County|Tana River]], [[Lamu County|Lamu]], and [[Taita–Taveta County|Taita–Taveta]] counties.

==Villages and settlements (A-L)==
{{div col|colwidth=10em}}
*Arabuko
*Bengoni
*Boma Upande
*Bubesa
*Busho
*Chanani
*Chengo
*Chevani
*Dambale
*Dida Waredi
*Dungich
*Fanjua
*Galamani
*Galanema
*Ganzoni
*Gasi
*Gifyonzo
*Gogoni
*Golbanti
*Handampia
*Hewani
*Jiweni
*Kabiboni
*Kabieni
*Kadzeweni
*Kadzinuni
*Kaembekaesha
*Kajire
*Kakomani
*Kakoneni
*Kakya
*Kalaluwe
*Kalota
*Kamale
*Kamleza
*Kampi ya Kerengenzi
*Kanjonja
*Kasidi
*Kaufumbani
*Kavuluni
*Kesanguri
*Kibaya
*Kiangwe
*Kibandaongo
*Kibirikani
*Kibuguni
*Kichangalaweni
*Kidomaya
*Kiduluni
*Kiduruni
*Kidutani
*Kidzumo
*Kiembekesha
*Kifumbu
*Kigato
*Kigomberu
*Kigombo
*Kijangwani
*Kijinitini
*Kijipoa
*Kiko Koni
*Kikomani
*Kikuyuni
*Kikwezani
*Kilibasi
*Kililana
*Kilole
*Kilweni
*Kimara Maganga
*Kinagoni
*Kinane
*Kinarane
*Kindunguni
*Kinyadu
*Kipendi
*Kipungani
*Kipusi
*Kirewe
*Kirumbi
*Kirwilu
*Kisaoni
*Kisibu
*Kisimachande
*Kitere
*Kitsantse
*Kituu
*Kiviogo
*Kombo Kombo
*Kongona
*Kulelet
*Kulesa
*Kuruwetu
*Kusitawi
*Kwa Bechombo
*Kwa Bwana Keri
*Kwa Dadu
*Kwa Mkamba
*Kwademu
*Kwaringoi
*Lazima
*Lenda, Kenya
*Lukongo
{{div col end}}

==Villages and settlements (M-Z)==
{{div col|colwidth=10em}}
*Mabatani
*Madabogo
*Maduma
*Mafigani
*Magunda
*Magunguni
*Mahuruni
*Majego
*Majoreni
*Majunguni
*Makere
*Makere ya Gwano
*Makinyambu
*Makobeni
*Makondeni
*Makongani
*Makumbwani
*Maledi
*Malibati
*Malka Jara
*Mambore
*Mambosasa
*Manamare
*Manyeso
*Mapfanga
*Mapotea
*Mararui
*Maranu
*Mararani
*Marigiza
*Mariwinyi
*Marongo
*Maruvesa
*Mashanda
*Mashundwani
*Massalani
*Matapani
*Matironi
*Matolani
*Maweu
*Mbajumali
*Mbaoni
*Mbonea
*Mbuji
*Mbunboni
*Mbwara Maganga
*Mdzimure
*Mdundonyi
*Mgamboni
*Mguya
*Midoina
*Mienzeni
*Mikuani
*Milalani
*Milinga
*Minjila
*Mirarani
*Misageni
*Misaroni
*Mitsolokani
*Mizijini
*Mkambini
*Mkokoni
*Mkomaniboi
*Mkomba
*Mkondo wa Simiti
*Mkuluni
*Mlegwa
*Mlimani
*Mnazi Moja
*Mnazinia
*Mnyenzeni
*Mrangi
*Mrugua
*Msabaha
*Msangatifu
*Msuakini
*Mteza
*Mto Panga
*Mtungi
*Mudomo
*Mugome
*Muhaka Mbavu
*Mukunguni
*Mulemwa
*Muliloni
*Mulunguni
*Munguvini
*Muritu
*Mutuli
*Mvindeni
*Mvuleni
*Mwabani
*Mwabaya Nyundo
*Mwabila
*Mwachirunge Bomu
*Mwachirunje ya Pwani
*Mwaembe
*Mwaga
*Mwaketutu
*Mwakunde
*Mwalili
*Mwambiri
*Mwamkuchi
*Mwana Mwinga
*Mwanachini
*Mwanathumba
*Mwandoni
*Mwangoni
*Mwangulu
*Mwanyora
*Mwakinyungu
*Mwarungu
*Mwazare
*Mwazi
*Mweza
*Mwogahendi
*Myabogi
*Nasibu
*Ndile
*Ndome
*Ngambinyi
*Ngombani
*Nguruweni
*Ngutuni
*Ngwaru
*Ngwena
*Njele
*Nkunumbi
*Nyalani
*Nyambogi
*Nyangwani
*Rhoka
*Ria Kalui
*Safarisi
*Saidibabo
*Sailoni
*Samicha
*Samikaro
*Selaloni
*Semandaro
*Sendeni
*Shakadula
*Shambini
*Shambweni
*Shelemba
*Sungululu
*Takwa Milinga
*Thuva
*Tindini
*Waldena
*Yedi
{{div col end}}

== See also ==
*[[Mombasa County]]
*[[Kwale County]]
*[[Kilifi County]]
*[[Tana River County]]
*[[Lamu County]]
*[[Taita-Taveta County]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{First and second-level administrative divisions of Kenya}}
{{Authority control}}




[[Category:Coast Province| ]]
[[Category:Provinces of Kenya]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Kenya]]

List of administrative divisions of Taiwan

2025-10-29T17:45:31Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35:

{{Short description|None}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Administrative divisions of Taiwan sidebar}}

The following is a list of '''administrative divisions of the Republic of China (Taiwan)''', including six [[Special municipality (Taiwan)|special municipalities]] and two nominal provinces{{efn|The provinces remain as titular divisions under the constitutional structure only, which are no longer considered as self-governing bodies after the suspension of provinces in 1998 following a constitutional amendment, and a complete abolishment of provincial governments took effect in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/09/16/2003678539|title=Groups demand end to Provincial Government|author= Abraham Gerber|website=Taipei Times|date= 16 September 2017|access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2018/06/29/2003695750|title=Provincial-level agencies to be defunded next year|author= Sherry Hsiao|website=Taipei Times|date= 29 June 2018|access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref>}} as the ''de jure'' first-level [[Administrative divisions of Taiwan|administrative divisions]]. 11 [[County (Taiwan)|counties]] and three [[Provincial city (Taiwan)|cities]] were nominally under the jurisdiction of the [[Taiwan Province]], and two additional counties were part of [[Fuchien Province, Republic of China|Fuchien Province]].

With provinces non-functional in practice, [[Taiwan]] is divided into 22 subnational divisions, among which counties and cities are the ''de facto'' principal constituent divisions,<ref>{{cite web |script-title=zh:中華民國內政部戶政司全球資訊網 |url=https://www.ris.gov.tw/app/portal/346 |website=中華民國內政部戶政司 |access-date=29 November 2019 |language=zh-Hant-TW |date=1 May 2018}}</ref> along with special municipalities, directly under the [[Executive Yuan|Central Government]]. Each has a local government led by an elected head and a local council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.president.gov.tw/Page/106|title=Local governments|website=Office of the President Republic of China (Taiwan)|access-date=30 November 2020}}</ref>

== List ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
![[ISO 3166-2:TW|ISO]]!!HRCIS
!class="unsortable"|Flag
!English name!!Chinese name!!Type!!Population 2020{{efn|March 2020|name=|group=}}!!Area (km2)!!Population density (per km2)
!Population 2010{{efn|December 2010}}
!Population change{{efn|March 2020−December 2010|name=|group=}}
!Subdivision count
!Capital
|-
!colspan="13"|Special Municipalities
|-
|{{mono|NWT}}||65000
|[[File:Flag of New Taipei City.svg|50px|border]]
|[[New Taipei City]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|新北市}}||[[Special municipality (Taiwan)|Special municipality]]||4,023,620||2,052.57||1,960.29
|3,897,367
|{{increase}} 126,253
|29
|[[Banqiao District]]
|-
|{{mono|TPE}}||63000
|[[File:Flag of Taipei City.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Taipei|Taipei City]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|臺北市}}||[[Special municipality (Taiwan)|Special municipality]]||2,635,286||271.80||9,695.69
|2,618,772
|{{increase}} 16,514
|12
|[[Xinyi District, Taipei|Xinyi District]]
|-
|{{mono|TAO}}||68000
|[[File:Flag of Taoyuan County.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Taoyuan, Taiwan|Taoyuan City]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|桃園市}}||[[Special municipality (Taiwan)|Special municipality]]||2,254,363||1,220.95||1,846.39
|2,002,060
|{{increase}} 252,303
|13
|[[Taoyuan District]]
|-
|{{mono|TXG}}||66000
|[[File:Flag of Taichung City 2025.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Taichung|Taichung City]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|臺中市}}||[[Special municipality (Taiwan)|Special municipality]]||2,816,667||2,214.90||1,271.69
|2,648,419
|{{increase}} 168,248
|29
|[[Xitun District]]
|-
|{{mono|TNN}}||67000
|[[File:Flag of Tainan City.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Tainan|Tainan City]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|臺南市}}||[[Special municipality (Taiwan)|Special municipality]]||1,879,115||2,191.65||857.40
|1,873,794
|{{increase}} 5,321
|37
|[[Anping District]], [[Xinying District|Sinying District]]
|-
|{{mono|KHH}}||64000
|[[File:Kaohsiung flag.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Kaohsiung|Kaohsiung City]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|高雄市}}||[[Special municipality (Taiwan)|Special municipality]]||2,773,984||2,951.85||939.74
|2,773,483
|{{increase}} 501
|38
|[[Lingya District]], [[Fongshan District]]
|-
!colspan=13|[[File:Taiwan Province Government emblem.svg|22x22px]] [[Taiwan Province]] (nominal)
|-
|{{mono|ILA}}||10002
|[[File:Yilan County flag.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Yilan County, Taiwan|Yilan County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|宜蘭縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||453,951||2,143.63||211.77
|460,486
|{{decrease}} 6,535
|12
|[[Yilan City]]
|-
|{{mono|HSQ}}||10004
|[[File:Hsinchu County flag.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Hsinchu County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|新竹縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||565,272||1,427.54||395.98
|513,015
|{{increase}} 52,257
|13
|[[Zhubei City]]
|-
|{{mono|MIA}}||10005
|[[File:Miaoli County flag.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Miaoli County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|苗栗縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||544,762||1,820.31||299.27
|560,968
|{{decrease}} 16,206
|18
|[[Miaoli|Miaoli City]]
|-
|{{mono|CHA}}||10007
|[[File:Flag of Changhua County.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Changhua County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|彰化縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||1,271,015||1,074.40||1,183.00
|1,307,286
|{{decrease}} 36,271
|26
|[[Changhua City]]
|-
|{{mono|NAN}}||10008
|[[File:Flag of Nantou County.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Nantou County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|南投縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||493,403||4,106.44||120.15
|526,491
|{{decrease}} 33,088
|13
|[[Nantou City]]
|-
|{{mono|YUN}}||10009
|[[File:Yunlin County flag.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Yunlin County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|雲林縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||680,050||1,290.83||526.83
|717,653
|{{decrease}} 37,603
|20
|[[Douliu City]]
|-
|{{mono|CYQ}}||10010
|[[File:Chiayi County flag.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Chiayi County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|嘉義縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||502,007||1,903.64||263.71
|543,248
|{{decrease}} 41,241
|18
|[[Taibao|Taibao City]]
|-
|{{mono|PIF}}||10013
|[[File:Pingtung County flag.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Pingtung County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|屏東縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||817,193||2,775.60||294.42
|873,509
|{{decrease}} 56,316
|33
|[[Pingtung City]]
|-
|{{mono|TTT}}||10014
|[[File:Flag of Taitung County (2).svg|50px|border]]
|[[Taitung County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|臺東縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||216,308||3,515.25||61.53
|230,673
|{{decrease}} 14,365
|16
|[[Taitung City]]
|-
|{{mono|HUA}}||10015
|[[File:Flag of Hualien County.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Hualien County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|花蓮縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||325,706||4,628.57||70.37
|338,805
|{{decrease}} 13,099
|13
|[[Hualien City]]
|-
|{{mono|PEN}}||10016
|[[File:Flag of Penghu County.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Penghu|Penghu County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|澎湖縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||105,117||126.86||828.58
|96,918
|{{increase}} 8,199
|6
|[[Magong|Magong City]]
|-
|{{mono|KEE}}||10017
|[[File:Flag of Keelung City.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Keelung|Keelung City]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|基隆市}}||[[Provincial city (Taiwan)|City]]||371,878||60.03||4,455.97
|384,134
|{{decrease}} 12,256
|7
|[[Anle District]]
|-
|{{mono|HSZ}}||10018
|[[File:Flag of Hsinchu City.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Hsinchu|Hsinchu City]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|新竹市}}||[[Provincial city (Taiwan)|City]]||448,207||151.66||922.82
|415,344
|{{increase}} 32,863
|3
|[[East District, Hsinchu|East District]]
|-
|{{mono|CYI}}||10020
|[[File:Flag of Chiayi City.svg |50px|border]]
|[[Chiayi|Chiayi City]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|嘉義市}}||[[Provincial city (Taiwan)|City]]||270,254||28.80||452.57
|272,390
|{{decrease}} 2,136
|2
|[[West District, Chiayi|West District]]
|-
!colspan=13|[[File:FukienSeal.png|22x22px]] [[Fujian Province, Republic of China|Fujian Province]] (nominal)
|-
|{{mono|KIN}}||09020
|[[File:Kinmen County flag.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Kinmen|Kinmen County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|金門縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||127,723||132.76||2,777.91
|97,364
|{{increase}} 30,359
|6
|[[Jincheng, Kinmen|Jincheng Township]]
|-
|{{mono|LIE}}||09007
|[[File:Lienchiang County flag.svg|50px|border]]
|[[Matsu Islands|Lienchiang County]]||{{lang|zh-Hant-TW|連江縣}}||[[County (Taiwan)|County]]||12,716||104.15||4,315.06
|9,944
|{{increase}} 2,772
|4
|[[Nangan, Lienchiang|Nangan Township]]
|}

==Map==
{{Taiwan Labelled Map}}

==See also==
* [[List of magistrates and mayors in Taiwan]]
* [[List of townships/cities and districts in Taiwan]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.stat.gov.tw/ Taiwanese national bureau of statistics]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040603195021/http://www.moi.gov.tw/W3/stat/english/index.htm MOI Statistical information service]

{{Administrative divisions of Taiwan navbar}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Subdivisions of Taiwan| ]]
[[Category:Lists of administrative divisions|Taiwan]]
[[Category:Taiwan geography-related lists|Administrative divisions]]
[[Category:Lists by population density|Taiwan]]

Sub-provincial division

2025-10-29T17:28:23Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Prefecture-level divisions of the People's Republic of China is already a subcategory of Category:Administrative divisions of China

{{Short description|Chinese government subdivisions}}
{{Administrative levels and divisions of China sidebar}}

Strictly speaking, China's legal system neither recognizes the concept of "'''sub-provincial administrative divisions'''" ({{zh|c=副省级行政区|p=Fùshěngjí xíngzhèngqū}}) or "'''sub-provincial cities'''" ({{zh|c=副省级城市|p=Fùshěngjí chéngshì}}) nor provides specific legislation for such designations, and these categories are absent from official statistical classifications. The so-called sub-provincial divisions or sub-provincial cities refer to special administrative status granted to selected [[prefecture-level city|prefecture-level cities]] during specific historical periods. This status is operationally defined by appointing deputy provincial-level (deputy ministerial-level) officials as the top leaders of municipal party and government organs. Correspondingly, institutional heads under these jurisdictions hold ranks half a grade higher than their counterparts in regular prefecture-level administrative divisions – specifically, party and government department leaders are designated as deputy departmental-level officials.<ref >{{cite press release | url=https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/582072729 | title=zh:带你了解我国的5大计划单列市，他们在这些方面非常特别 | publisher=zhihu.com | date=November 10, 2022 |access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref>

China has 15 sub-provincial cities, including [[Dalian]], [[Qingdao]], [[Ningbo]], [[Xiamen]] and [[Shenzhen]] and 5 '''separately planned cities''' ({{zh|计划单列市}}). Additionally, the [[Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture]] in [[Xinjiang]] holds sub-provincial status as an [[autonomous prefecture]], governing three administrative prefectures: the ''directly-administered counties and cities'' under Ili Prefecture, this refers specifically to the core jurisdictional area of Ili Profecture in its narrow administrative sense and also the administrative division-based statistical scope of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, and [[Tacheng Prefecture|Tacheng (Tarbagatay) Prefecture]] and [[Altay Prefecture]].<ref name="Ili">{{cite press release | url=https://www.xjyl.gov.cn/xjylz/c112407/202308/1e5928604d584822a09deca56dd265dd.shtml | title=zh:伊犁州概况 | publisher=Ili.gov| date=January 2, 2025 |access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref>

== Separately planned city ==
A '''separately planned city''' ({{zh|计划单列市}}) is not a Chinese administrative division concept. Administratively, they remain under the jurisdiction of [[Provinces of China|provinces]], but they enjoy certain independent authority in economic planning, fiscal management, and other areas, operating directly under the leadership and management of relevant national [[Constituent departments of the State Council|ministries and commissions]]. This institutional arrangement aims to enhance these cities' leading role in economic development and promote coordinated regional economic growth. The existence and operation of separately planned cities are primarily reflected in national administrative management practices rather than explicit legal statutes. While not directly defined by national policies, their establishment and functioning are profoundly shaped by state policy. Through policy guidance and administrative practices, the central government grants these cities special economic and managerial privileges to accelerate their development and drive progress in surrounding regions. Simultaneously, Separately planned cities actively align with national strategies, formulating and implementing tailored economic and social development plans based on local conditions. Ultimately, they represent a unique mechanism within China's administrative system, deeply influenced by and responsive to national policy objectives. By 1994, the original 14 separately planned cities, along with [[Hangzhou]] and [[Jinan]], were designated as sub-provincial cities, forming a total of 16 such cities. Following Chongqing's elevation to a municipality directly under the central government in 1997, only five cities—[[Dalian]], [[Qingdao]], [[Ningbo]], [[Xiamen]], and [[Shenzhen]]—currently retain their status as separately planned cities.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1824452595253973589&wfr=spider&for=pc | title=zh:计划单列市与副省级城市：行政级别与经济管理权限的差异解析 | publisher=baijiahao.baidu | date=February 19, 2025| access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref>

=== History ===
"''Separately planned cities'' ({{zh|计划单列市}})," officially known as "'''national social and economic development separately planned cities''' ({{zh|国家社会与经济发展计划单列市}})," refers to province-administered cities that retain their original administrative structure while being incorporated into the national planning system, thereby acquiring provincial-level economic management authority. Literally, "separate planning" ({{zh|计划单列}}) signifies that within the state planning system, when formulating production targets, resource allocation, and consumption quotas for designated regions, [[State Council of China|Chinese central government]] transcends existing administrative hierarchies to establish independent planning accounts and allocate dedicated planning indicators to these areas. Since the state's resource allocation and distribution primarily targets provincial-level administrative units ([[Provinces of China|provinces]], [[Autonomous regions of China|autonomous regions]], and [[Direct-administered municipality|municipalities]]), the authorization of independent planning authority to [[Prefecture-level divisions of China|sub-provincial entities]] – typically [[Prefecture-level city|prefecture-level cities]] – institutionalized the "separately planned cities" designation.

Separately planned cities hold sub-provincial administrative status in the political hierarchy, with institutions like the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and Shenzhen Municipal People's Government operating at the sub-provincial administrative ranking. Economically, these cities function with provincial/ministerial-level authority, coordinating fiscal matters directly with the central government while bypassing provincial oversight. Key central agencies maintain special representative offices in these cities, notably exemplified by the Ministry of Commerce Commissioner's Office in Qingdao, the [[China Securities Regulatory Commission]] Dalian Bureau, and the [[National Financial Regulatory Administration]] Ningbo Bureau. In non-political domains, separately planned cities historically enjoyed unique privileges. Prior to 1994, their football associations held equal membership status with provincial counterparts in the Chinese Football Association, entitled to field teams in the China Champions League—a right denied to Hangzhou and Jinan even after their elevation to sub-provincial status in 1994.

In the early 1950s, to meet the economic development needs of the newly established People's Republic, China first implemented the "separately planned city" system in selected province-administered major cities, granting them provincial-level economic management authority. Following the abolition of regional administrative bureaus in 1954, former regional hub cities—Shenyang, [[Wuhan]], Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Xi'an—though downgraded to province-administered cities, retained their separately planned status under dual central-provincial leadership. These cities' economic plans were directly integrated into national economic balancing, with key industries managed by central ministries, while municipal planning authorities gained independent participation rights in national planning conferences, ensuring effective implementation of the [[Industrialization of China #Industrialization of the People's Republic of China|156 key industrial projects]] under the [[First five-year plan (China)|First Five-Year Plan]] (1953–1957). By 1958, adjustments to the central planning system led to the termination of the separately planned policy, with provincial governments assuming full control over municipal economic planning—solidifying a province-centric planning model.

In the early 1960s, in response to the chaos caused by the "[[Great Leap Forward]]", the Chinese government strengthened centralized and unified management over key central cities. It reinstated the "separately planned" status of six major provincially-administered cities—[[Shenyang]], Wuhan, [[Guangzhou]], [[Chongqing]], [[Xi'an]], and [[Harbin]]—with the policy in effect from 1964 to 1968. The second phase of the separately planned policy implemented dual leadership under both the central government and provincial authorities, with provinces taking the primary role. Eight key areas, including industrial production, capital construction, and resource allocation, were incorporated into the national plan. However, in economic, scientific, technological, and social affairs, these cities remained under the coordinated management of their respective provinces, with limited autonomy in self-governance. To support urban development, the state introduced policies such as allowing municipal state-owned enterprises to retain depreciation fees and allocating funds for fixed-asset renewal. Despite its limited scope and incomplete devolution of decision-making authority, the policy played a positive role in the economic recovery and development of these major cities.

In 1983, Chongqing became the first city officially designated as a separately planned municipality. By 1984, Wuhan, Shenyang, and [[Dalian]] had successively acquired this special status. The same year, Chinese government tightened restrictions on the program, permitting only provincial capital cities like [[Harbin]], Guangzhou, and Xi'an to be restored to the list. However, beginning in 1986, economically pivotal cities including [[Qingdao]], [[Ningbo]], [[Xiamen]], and [[Shenzhen]] gradually secured approval. In 1989, Nanjing, Chengdu, and Changchun were incorporated as the final cohort, with the central government mandating explicit mechanisms to coordinate provincial-municipal fiscal relations and prevent revenue erosion. This brought the total to 14 nationally designated separately planned cities, marking the transition to a comprehensive deepening phase in China's urban economic restructuring.<ref name="baijiahao" />

=== Sub-provincial city ===
In the early 1990s, the establishment of China's [[socialist market economy]] system triggered the functional transition of separately planned cities toward '''sub-provincial city''' ({{zh|副省级城市}}) status. In 1993, to align with market-oriented reforms, the central government phased out the separately planned status for all provincial capitals except Chongqing, Shenzhen, Dalian, Qingdao, Ningbo, and Xiamen, reducing the national total from 14 to 6. The following year (1994), the central authority formally designated 16 sub-provincial cities—comprising the original 14 separately planned cities plus Hangzhou and Jinan—to mitigate jurisdictional disputes between provinces and cities while strengthening provincial coordination. By allowing these cities to retain certain administrative privileges, this institutional redesign amplified their economic multiplier effects as regional growth engines. In 1997, Chongqing's elevation to a municipality directly under the central government automatically nullified its separately planned status, leaving only five cities—Dalian, Qingdao, Ningbo, Xiamen, and Shenzhen—retaining this dual-status framework to date.

While the separately planned city system represents an experimental approach in [[Urbanization in China|China's urban reform]] efforts, it has drawn significant criticism. Critics argue that this institutional framework has outlived its relevance and propose abolishing it in favor of a unified provincial [[Tax-Sharing Reform of China in 1994|tax-sharing system]] for municipalities. The system violates the principle of equal competition in a market economy by granting designated cities "privileged status", creating unfair competition among major cities and weakening the initiative of non-designated cities. As separately planned cities gain administrative independence from provincial planning, their economic interests gradually decouple from provincial priorities, complicating resource allocation and productivity distribution within regions and hindering regional economic integration. Moreover, this structure contradicts the direction of economic institutional reforms, expanding the central government's direct oversight and reviving issues of excessive centralization. Additionally, the system undermines standardized tax-sharing mechanisms, blurring the division of fiscal authority and administrative responsibilities between these cities and their superior governments.<ref name="baijiahao">{{cite press release | url=https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1814273061406374678&wfr=spider&for=pc | title=zh:计划单列市的历史沿革 | publisher=baijiahao.baidu| date=October 30, 2024 |access-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref>

== Map of sub-provincial level entries in China ==
{| class="wikitable" align=center width=80% style="font-size:100%;"
|-
|+ Map of Sub-provincial level entries in China
|-
|align=center| [[File:Map of Sub-provincial level entries in the People's Republic of China.png|700px]]
|}

=== Sub-provincial municipalities ===
The original 16 municipalities were renamed as the sub-provincial municipalities on 25 February 1994 by the [[Organization Department of the Communist Party of China|Central Organization Committee]] out of the [[prefecture-level city|prefecture-level municipalities]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.docin.com/p-51864614.html |script-title=zh:中央机构编制委员会印发《关于副省级市若干问题的意见》的通知. 中编发[1995]5号 |publisher=豆丁网 |date=1995-02-19 |access-date=2014-05-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529084536/http://www.docin.com/p-51864614.html |archive-date=2014-05-29 }}</ref> They are mostly the [[capital city|capitals]] of the provinces in which they are located.

Currently, there are 15 sub-provincial municipalities after Chongqing was designated direct-control:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hrb.focus.cn/news/2008-05-07/467397.html|script-title=zh:15个副省级城市中哈尔滨市房价涨幅排列第五名 |trans-title=Prices rose in 15 sub-provincial cities, Harbin ranked fifth |author=Xue Hongli (薛宏莉) |work=哈尔滨地产 |publisher=Sohu |date=2008-05-07|access-date=2008-06-11| language = zh-hans}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" width=100% style="font-size:100%;" align=center
|+ Sub-provincial municipalities of China<ref name=others>References and details on data provided in the table can be found within the individual municipality articles.</ref>
|-
!align="left"|Division name
!align="left"|[[Simplified Chinese characters|Simplified Chinese]]
!align="left"|[[Pinyin|Hanyu Pinyin]]
!align="left"|[[Provinces of China|Province]]
!align="right"|Abbreviation
!align="left"|Region
!align="right"|Population ([[Sixth National Population Census of the People's Republic of China|2010 Census]])
!align="right"|Date of designation
!align="right"|Subdivision
|-
| [[Changchun]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:长春|长春]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Chángchūn
| [[Jilin]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|长}}
| bgcolor=#9696ff| [[Northeast China|Northeast]]
| 7,677,089
| 1989-02-11
| 7 [[District of China|districts]], 2 [[county-level city|county municipalities]] & 1 [[Counties of China|county]]
|-
| [[Chengdu]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:成都|成都]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Chéngdū
| [[Sichuan]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|蓉}}
| bgcolor=#d16eff| [[Southwest China|Southwest]]
| 14,047,625
| 1989-02-11
| 11 [[District of China|districts]], 4 [[county-level city|county municipalities]] & 5 [[Counties of China|counties]]
|-
| [[Dalian]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:大连|大连]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Dàlián
| [[Liaoning]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|连（鲲）}}
| bgcolor=#9696ff| [[Northeast China|Northeast]]
| 6,690,432
| 1984-07-13
| 7 [[District of China|districts]], 2 [[county-level city|county municipalities]] & 1 [[Counties of China|county]]
|-
| [[Guangzhou]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:广州|广州]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Guǎngzhōu
| [[Guangdong]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|穗}}
| bgcolor=#fffb91| [[South Central China|South Central]]
| 12,700,800
| 1984-10-05
| 11 [[District of China|districts]]
|-
| [[Hangzhou]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:杭州|杭州]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Hángzhōu
| [[Zhejiang]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|杭}}
| bgcolor=#8bffe8| [[East China|East]]
| 8,700,400
| 1994-02-25
| 10 [[District of China|districts]], 1 [[county-level city|county municipality]] & 2 [[Counties of China|counties]]
|-
| [[Harbin]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:哈尔滨|哈尔滨]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Hā'ěrbīn
| [[Heilongjiang]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|哈}}
| bgcolor=#9696ff| [[Northeast China|Northeast]]
| 10,635,971
| 1984-10-05
| 9 [[District of China|districts]], 2 [[county-level city|county municipalities]] & 7 [[Counties of China|counties]]
|-
| [[Jinan]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:济南|济南]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Jǐnán
| [[Shandong]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|济}}
| bgcolor=#8bffe8| [[East China|East]]
| 6,814,000
| 1994-02-25
| 7 [[District of China|districts]] & 3 [[Counties of China|counties]]
|-
| [[Nanjing]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:南京|南京]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Nánjīng
| [[Jiangsu]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|宁}}
| bgcolor=#8bffe8| [[East China|East]]
| 8,001,680
| 1989-02-11
| 11 [[District of China|districts]]
|-
| [[Ningbo]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:宁波|宁波]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Níngbō
| [[Zhejiang]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|甬}}
| bgcolor=#8bffe8| [[East China|East]]
| 7,605,689
| 1987-02-24
| 6 [[District of China|districts]], 2 [[county-level city|county municipalities]] & 2 [[Counties of China|counties]]
|-
| [[Qingdao]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:青岛|青岛]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Qīngdǎo
| [[Shandong]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|胶}}
| bgcolor=#8bffe8| [[East China|East]]
| 8,715,100
| 1986-10-15
| 7 [[District of China|districts]] & 3 [[county-level city|county municipalities]]
|-
| [[Shenyang]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:沈阳|沈阳]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Shěnyáng
| [[Liaoning]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|沈}}
| bgcolor=#9696ff| [[Northeast China|Northeast]]
| 8,106,171
| 1984-07-11
| 10 [[District of China|districts]], 1 [[county-level city|county municipality]] & 2 [[Counties of China|counties]]
|-
| [[Shenzhen]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:深圳|深圳]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Shēnzhèn
| [[Guangdong]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|深（鹏）}}
| bgcolor=#fffb91| [[South Central China|South Central]]
| 10,357,938
| 1988-10-03
| 8 [[District of China|districts]] (4 [[District of China|new districts]])
|-
| [[Wuhan]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:汉武|武汉]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Wǔhàn
| [[Hubei]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|汉}}
| bgcolor=#fffb91| [[South Central China|South Central]]
| 9,785,392
| 1984-05-21
| 13 [[District of China|districts]]
|-
| [[Xi'an]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:西安|西安]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Xī'ān
| [[Shaanxi]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|镐}}
| bgcolor=#ff9148| [[Northwest China|Northwest]]
| 8,467,837
| 1984-10-05
| 11 [[District of China|districts]] & 2 [[Counties of China|counties]]
|-
| [[Xiamen]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:厦门|厦门]][[wikt:市|市]]}}
| Xiàmén
| [[Fujian]]
| {{lang|zh-cn|鹭}}
| bgcolor=#8bffe8| [[East China|East]]
| 3,531,347
| 1988-04-18
| 6 [[District of China|districts]]
|}

[[Chongqing]] was formerly a sub-provincial municipality of [[Sichuan]] until 14 March 1997, when it was made an independent municipality by splitting it out of Sichuan altogether. The [[Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps]] also has the powers of a sub-provincial division.

[[Chengdu]] is the largest sub-provincial municipality. It has a population exceeding that of the independent municipality of [[Tianjin]] while both [[Harbin]] and Chengdu have a bigger land area than Tianjin.

In total, there are five sub-provincial municipalities that are not themselves provincial capitals. These five municipalities have been designated as the "[[List of capitals in China#List of the Municipalities with Independent Planning Status|Municipalities with Independent Planning Status]]" ({{zh|s=计划单列市|t=計劃單列市|p=Jìhuá Dānliè Shì}}).

=== Sub-provincial new areas ===
Additionally, the head of [[Pudong|Pudong New Area]] of [[Shanghai]] and [[Binhai|Binhai New Area]] of [[Tianjin]], which is a [[counties of China|county]]-level [[district (China)|district]], is given sub-provincial powers.

{| class="wikitable sortable" width=100% style="font-size:100%;" align=center
|+ Sub-provincial districts of China<ref name=others />
|-
!align="left"|Division name
!align="left"|Simplified Chinese
!align="left"|Hanyu Pinyin
!align="left"|Municipality
!align="left"|Abbreviation
!align="left"|Region
!align="right"|Population (2010 Census)
!align="right"|Date of designation
!align="right"|Subdivision
|-
| [[Binhai|Binhai New Area]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:滨海|滨海]][[wikt:新区|新区]]}}
| Bīnhǎi Xīn Qū
| [[Tianjin]]
| {{lang|zh-hans-CN|滨海}}
| bgcolor=#79ff76| [[North China|North]]
| 2,482,065
| 2009
| 19 [[Subdistricts of China|Subdistricts]] & 7 [[Towns of China|towns]] (11 special township-level zones)
|-
| [[Pudong|Pudong New Area]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:浦东|浦东]][[wikt:新区|新区]]}}
| Pǔdōng Xīn Qū
| [[Shanghai]]
| {{lang|zh-hans-CN|浦东}}
| bgcolor=#8bffe8| [[East China|East]]
| 5,044,430
| 1992
| 13 [[Subdistricts of China|Subdistricts]] & 25 [[Towns of China|towns]] (6 special township-level zones)
|}

=== Sub-provincial autonomous prefecture ===
[[Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture]] has the two prefectures of [[Altay Prefecture|Altai]] and [[Tacheng Prefecture|Tacheng]] and 11 directly-controlled county-level administrative divisions under its jurisdiction. It itself is legally only a prefecture-level division, which is a special case in China's administrative divisions. It is not accurate to regard Ili Kazakh Autonomous Region as a sub-provincial administrative division, which has no legal basis. Up until 2001, the Autonomous Prefecture had a 3rd prefecture as well. The directly controlled subdivisions were administered as part of Ili Prefecture (伊犁地区)

{| class="wikitable sortable" width=100% style="font-size:100%;" align=center
|+ Sub-provincial autonomous prefecture of China<ref name=others />
|-
!align="left"|Division name
!align="left"|Simplified Chinese
!align="left"|Hanyu Pinyin
!align="left"|Province
!align="left"|Abbreviation
!align="left"|Region
!align="right"|Population (2010 Census)
!align="right"|Date of designation
!align="right"|Subdivision
|-
| [[Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture]]
| {{lang|zh|[[wikt:伊犁|伊犁]][[wikt:哈萨克|哈萨克]][[wikt:自治州|自治州]]}}
| Yīlí Hāsàkè Zìzhìzhōu
| [[Xinjiang]]
| {{lang|zh-hans-CN|伊犁}}
| bgcolor=#ff9148| [[Northwest China|Northwest]]
| 4,305,119
| 1979
| (2 [[Prefectures of China|prefectures]]) 5 [[county-level city|county cities]], 17 [[Counties of China|counties]] & 2 [[Autonomous county|autonomous counties]]
|}

== Sub-provincial Municipal Conference ==
The National Joint Conference of Sub-provincial City People's Congress Standing Committee Chairpersons ({{lang|zh-hans-CN|全国副省级城市人大常委会主任联席会议}}) are attended by the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of all sub-provincial cities. It was proposed by the Guangzhou Municipal People's Congress in 1985. The conferences:
# Guangzhou (26 February – 4 March 1985)
# Harbin (27–31 August 1985)
# Wuhan (20–24 May 1986)
# Dalian (10–14 August 1987)
# Xi'an (9–13 September 1988)
# Shenyang (13–17 August 1990)
# Chongqing (22–26 November 1991)
# Qingdao (3–7 May 1992)
# Shenzhen (25–28 October 1993)
# Nanjing (1–4 November 1994)
# Changchun (21–24 May 1995)
# Hangzhou (20–24 October 1996)
# Jinan (19–25 October 1997)
# Xiamen (12–16 October 1998)
# Ningbo (17–20 October 1999)
# Chengdu (10–13 October 2000)
# Guangzhou (30 October – 3 November 2001)
# Harbin (23–26 July 2002)
# Wuhan (8–12 October 2003)
# Shenyang (31 August – 6 September 2004)
# Qingdao (6–8 September 2005)
# Shenzhen (20–23 October 2006)
# Dalian (14–16 August 2007)
# Xi'an (13–16 April 2009)
# Nanjing (18–20 October 2010)
# Changchun (22–25 August 2011)

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sub-Provincial City In China}}

[[Category:Sub-provincial cities in the People's Republic of China| ]]
[[Category:Prefecture-level divisions of the People's Republic of China]]

Sub-prefectural city

2025-10-29T17:26:41Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:County-level divisions of the People's Republic of China is already a subcategory of Category:Administrative divisions of China

{{Short description|People's Republic of China subprefecture-level subdivision}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2014}}
{{Administrative levels and divisions of China sidebar}}

A '''sub-prefectural municipality''' ({{Zh|s=副地级市 |t=副地級市 |p=fùdìjíshì}}), '''sub-prefectural city''', or '''vice-prefectural municipality''', is an unofficial designation for a type of administrative division of China. A sub-prefectural city is officially considered to be a [[county-level city]], but it has more power ''de facto'' because the cadres assigned to its government are one half-level higher in rank than those of an "ordinary" county-level city—though still lower than those of a [[prefecture-level city]].

While county-level cities are under the administrative jurisdiction of prefecture-level divisions, sub-prefectural cities are often (but not always) administered directly by the provincial government, with no intervening prefecture level administration.

Examples of sub-prefectural cities that does not belong to any prefecture: [[Jiyuan]] ([[Henan]] Province), [[Xiantao]], [[Qianjiang, Hubei|Qianjiang]] and [[Tianmen]] ([[Hubei]]), [[Shihezi]], [[Tumxuk]], [[Aral, Xinjiang|Aral]], and [[Wujiaqu]] ([[Xinjiang]]).

Examples of sub-prefectural cities that nevertheless belong to a prefecture: [[Golmud]] ([[Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Haixi]], [[Qinghai]]), [[Manzhouli]] ([[Hulunbuir]], [[Inner Mongolia]]).{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

==List of sub-prefectural divisions==
:Note<nowiki>:</nowiki> '''Bold''' not under any prefecture-level subordination.

===Guangdong===
* [[Gaozhou]]
* [[Lufeng, Guangdong|Lufeng]]
* [[Luoding]]
* [[Nanxiong]]
* [[Puning]]
* [[Yangchun]]
* [[Yingde]]

===Guizhou===
* [[Renhuai]]

===Hainan===
* '''[[Dongfang, Hainan|Dongfang]]'''
* '''[[Qionghai]]'''
* '''[[Wanning]]'''
* '''[[Wenchang]]'''
* '''[[Wuzhishan City|Wuzhishan]]'''

===Hebei===
* [[Dingzhou]]
* [[Qian'an, Hebei|Qian'an]]
* [[Xinji]]

===Heilongjiang===
* [[Suifenhe]]

===Henan===
* [[Dengzhou]]
* [[Gongyi]]
* '''[[Jiyuan]]'''
* [[Ruzhou]]
* [[Yongcheng]]

===Hubei===
* '''[[Qianjiang, Hubei|Qianjiang]]'''
* '''[[Tianmen]]'''
* '''[[Xiantao]]'''

===Hunan===
* [[Shaoshan]]

===Inner Mongolia===
* [[Erenhot]]
* [[Manzhouli]]

===Jiangsu===
* [[Kunshan]]
* [[Taixing]]

===Jiangxi===
* [[Fengcheng, Jiangxi|Fengcheng]]
* [[Gongqingcheng]]
* [[Ruijin]]

===Jilin===
* [[Gongzhuling]]
* [[Meihekou]]

===Qinghai===
* [[Golmud]]

===Shaanxi===
* [[Hancheng]]

===Xinjiang===
:Note<nowiki>:</nowiki> all cities are also under the subordination of the Prefecture-level [[Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps]] (XPCC or Bingtuan).
* '''[[Aral, Xinjiang|Aral]]'''
* '''[[Baiyang, Xinjiang|Baiyang]]'''
* '''[[Beitun, Xinjiang|Beitun]]'''
* '''[[Huyanghe]]'''
* '''[[Kokdala]]'''
* '''[[Kunyu, Xinjiang|Kunyu]]'''
* '''[[Shihezi]]'''
* '''[[Shuanghe]]'''
* '''[[Tiemenguan City|Tiemenguan]]'''
* '''[[Tumxuk]]'''
* '''[[Wujiaqu]]'''
* '''[[Xinxing, Xinjiang|Xinxing]]'''

===Zhejiang===
* [[Yiwu]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sub-Prefectural City}}


[[Category:Cities in China|*Sub]]
[[Category:County-level divisions of the People's Republic of China]]

Autonomous banners

2025-10-29T17:24:14Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Autonomous administrative divisions of China is already a subcategory of Category:Administrative divisions of China

#REDIRECT [[Banners of Inner Mongolia]]

[[Category:Autonomous administrative divisions of China|B]]
[[Category:Geography of Inner Mongolia]]
[[Category:County-level divisions of the People's Republic of China]]

Greater administrative region

2025-10-29T17:20:54Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: - Category:Administrative divisions of China + Category:Former administrative divisions of China

{{Short description|1946–1954 administrative divisions of China}}
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}}

[[File:PRC Div 1952-53 Greater Administrative Area.svg|thumb|400px|Greater administrative areas of China (with 1952-1953 provincial borders)]]

'''Greater administrative regions''' or '''greater administrative areas''' ({{zh|s=大行政区|t=大行政區|p=Dà Xíngzhèng Qū}}) were top-level administrative divisions of the [[Chinese Communist Party|Communist]]-held [[Communist-controlled China (1927–1949)|Liberated Zone]] in [[North China|Northern]] [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|China]] and later the nascent [[China|People's Republic of China]] that directly governed [[provinces of China|provinces]] and [[direct-administered municipalities of China|municipalities]]. These were the largest-ever [[administrative divisions of China|political divisions of China]] and were controlled by the [[Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China (1949–54)|Central People's Government]]. They were dissolved between June and November 1954.

== List ==
The greater administrative regions originated from the districts governed by [[viceroys in China|governors-general]] ({{zh|s=总督辖区|t=總督轄區|p=Zǒngdū Xiáqū}}) established during the late [[Qing dynasty]]. The six greater administrative regions were:

{| border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse;"
|-bgcolor= lightgreen
! Region !! Chinese Simplified Traditional !! Initial subdivisions !! 1st secretary !! 1st chairman !! [[Capital city|Capital]] !! Creation !! People's gov't creation !! Abolished
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| [[Huabei Region|Hwapei]] (North China) ||{{lang|zh-hans|华北区}} {{lang|zh-hant|華北區}} || [[Hebei]], [[Shanxi]], [[Chahar (province)|Chahar]], [[Pingyuan Province|Pingyuan]], [[Suiyuan]], [[Beijing]], and [[Tianjin]] || [[Liu Shaoqi]] || [[Dong Biwu]] || [[Beijing]] || 9 May 1948 || 26 September 1948 || 7 August 1954
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| [[Dongbei Region|Tongpei]] (Northeast) ||{{lang|zh-hans|东北区}} {{lang|zh-hant|東北區}} || [[Songjiang (province)|Songjiang]], [[Jilin]], [[Heilongjiang]], [[Liaodong]], [[Liaoxi]], [[Rehe (province)|Rehe]], [[Lüshun]]-[[Dalian]], [[Shenyang]], [[Benxi]], [[Anshan]], and [[Fushun]] || [[Gao Gang]] || [[Gao Gang]] || [[Shenyang]] || August 1946 || 27 August 1949 || 19 June 1954
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| [[Huadong Region|Hwatung]] (East China) ||{{lang|zh-hans|华东区}} {{lang|zh-hant|華東區}} || [[Jiangsu]], [[Zhejiang]], [[Anhui]], [[Fujian]], ''[[Taiwan Province, People's Republic of China|Taiwan]]'', [[Shandong]], [[Shanghai]], and [[Nanjing]] || [[Rao Shushi]] || [[Rao Shushi]] ||[[Shanghai]] || January 1950 || || 29 August 1954
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| [[Zhongnan Region|Chungnan]] (Central and South) || {{lang|zh-hans|中南区}} {{lang|zh-hant|中南區}} || [[Hubei]], [[Hunan]], [[Henan]], [[Jiangxi]], [[Guangdong]], [[Guangxi]], and [[Hankou District|Hankou]] || [[Lin Biao]] || [[Lin Biao]] || [[Hankou]] || February 1950 || || 19 June 1954
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| [[Xibei Region|Hsipei]] (Northwest) ||{{lang|zh-hans|西北区}} {{lang|zh-hant|西北區}} || [[Shaanxi]], [[Gansu]], [[Ningxia]], [[Qinghai]], [[Xinjiang]], and [[Xi'an]] || [[Peng Dehuai]] || [[Peng Dehuai]] || [[Xi'an]] || January 1950 || || 10 December 1954
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| [[Xinan Region|Hsinan]] (Southwest) ||{{lang|zh-hans|西南区}} {{lang|zh-hant|西南區}} || [[Sichuan]], [[Guizhou]], [[Yunnan]], [[Xikang]], and [[Chongqing]] || [[Deng Xiaoping]] || [[Liu Bocheng]] || [[Chongqing]] || February 1950 || || 1 November 1954
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|}

== History ==
The highest officials of the greater administrative regions were known as [[chairperson|chairmen]] ({{zh|c=主席|hp=zhǔxí|labels=no}}). (From this historical origin derives the term still used today for the top officials of China's [[autonomous regions of China|autonomous regions]].)

The North China Region was the first to be abandoned on October 31, 1949, given the People's Republic by now had been established with [[Beijing]] as capital city. The provinces it governed were thenceforth directly controlled by the North China Branch ({{zh|s=华北事务部|t=華北事務部|hp=Huáběi Shìwù Bù|labels=no}}) of the [[Government Administration Council]] of the [[Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China (1949–54)|Central People's Government]] instead. In May 1952, control was again transferred, this time to the North China Administrative Council ({{zh|s=华北行政委员会|t=華北行政委員會|hp=Huáběi Xíngzhèng Wěiyuánhuì|labels=no}}) of the [[Government Administration Council]].

Several other large-scale entities governed parts of China's territory during this time and were equivalent to greater administrative regions:

* '''[[Inner Mongolia|Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region]]'''
* '''Local Government of [[Tibet Area (administrative division)|Tibet]]''' ({{zh|s=西藏地方政府|t=西藏地方政府|w=Hsi-tsang Ti-fang Chêng-fu|hp=Xīzàng Dìfāng Zhèngfǔ|labels=no}}) ''i.e.'' ([[Kashag]])
* The '''Executive Committee of Qiongyai Minority Nationality Autonomous Region''' ({{zh|s=琼崖少数民族自治区行政委员会|t=瓊崖少數民族自治區行政委員會|hp=Qióngyá Shǎoshù Mínzú Zìzhìqū Xíngzhèng Wěiyuánhuì|labels=no}}) from 1949, later assigned to Central and South China region; the predecessor of [[Hainan]]

Except the Northeast, which was governed by a [[Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China (1949–54)|People's Government]], the regions' highest government bodies were [[Military and Administrative Committee]]s ({{zh|s=军政委员会|t=軍政委員會|hp=jūnzhèng wěiyuánhuì|labels=no}}), which were replaced by [[administrative council]]s in November 1952.

Several domains in China today retain the same structure of geographic divisions as the GAAs. [[Military district|Military administrative regions]], the divisions of some major [[bank]]s, and [[civil aviation]] districts are still divided in the same form as the greater administrative regions.

==See also==
* [[History of the administrative divisions of China (disambiguation)|History of the administrative divisions of China]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Greater Administrative Region}}

[[Category:Former administrative divisions of China]]
[[Category:Federalism in China]]

Provinces of China

2025-10-29T17:20:12Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Province-level divisions of the People's Republic of China is already a subcategory of Category:Administrative divisions of China

{{Short description|none}}
{{About|provinces in the People's Republic of China|all province-level divisions of China|Province-level divisions of China|the Republic of China|Administrative divisions of Taiwan}}

{{Infobox subdivision type
| name = Provinces {{langn|zh|省}} {{tlitn|zh|Shěng}}
| map = China provinces highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 350px
| category = [[Unitary state]]
| territory = {{PRC}}
| start_date =
| current_number = 22, plus 1 claimed
| number_date =
| population_range =
| area_range =
| government = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] one-party [[Socialist state|socialist republic]]
| subdivision = [[Sub-provincial city]], [[Prefecture-level divisions]]
}}

{{Infobox Chinese
| order = st
| collapse = yes
| title = Provinces
| t = 省
| s = 省
| p = Shěng
| tib = ཞིང་ཆེན།
| wylie = zhing chen
| zwpy = Xingqên
| zha = Swngj
| mong = {{MongolUnicode|ᠮᠤᠵᠢ}}
| monr = muǰi
| mon = муж
| hangul = 성
| rr = seong
| mr = sŏng
| uig = ئۆلكە
| uly = ölke
| uyy = ɵlkə
| sgs = ölkä
| usy = өлкә
| lang1 = Kazakh
| lang1_content = {{lang|kk-Arab|ولكە}} {{lang|kk|өлке}} {{Transliteration|kk|ölke}}
| lang2 = Kyrgyz
| lang2_content = {{lang|ky-Arab|ۅلكۅ}} {{lang|ky|өлкө}} {{Transliteration|ky|ölkö}}
| mnc = ᡤᠣᠯᠣ
| mnc_v = golo
}}

{{Administrative levels and divisions of China sidebar}}

'''Provinces''' ({{lang-zh|c=省|p=Shěng}}) are the most numerous type of [[province-level divisions of China|province-level divisions]] in the [[China|People's Republic of China]] (PRC). There are currently 22 provinces administered by the PRC and one province that is claimed, but not administered, which is [[Taiwan Province, People's Republic of China|Taiwan]], currently administered by the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]] (ROC).

The local governments of Chinese provinces consists of a Provincial People's Government headed by a [[Governor (China)|governor]] that acts as the executive, a Provincial People's Congress with legislative powers, and a parallel provincial branch of the [[Chinese Communist Party]] (CCP) that elects a [[Chinese Communist Party Committee Secretary|party secretary]] and a [[Chinese Communist Party Provincial Standing Committee|provincial standing committee]].

== Government ==
Provinces are the most common form of province-level governments. The legislative bodies of the provinces are the Provincial People's Congresses. The executive branch is the Provincial People's Government, led by a [[Governor (China)|governor]]. The People's Government is answerable to both the State Council and the Provincial People's Congress. The provincial branch of the CCP has a Provincial Party Congress every five years, and elects a [[Chinese Communist Party Provincial Standing Committee|Standing Committee]] to exercise its authority when not in session. The Provincial Party Secretary is the ''de facto'' most important position in the province.{{sfn|Goodman|2015|p=96}}{{sfn|Saich|2015|pp=157-158}}{{sfn|Chung|Lam|2010|loc=Chapter 2}}

== History ==
{{Main|History of the administrative divisions of China}}

The first provinces were created in the [[Yuan dynasty]], and have remained one of the most stable forms of Chinese government since then.{{sfn|Guo|2017|p=23}} They were created to help the Imperial court manage local county governments, which were too numerous and far-flung to be managed directly.{{sfn|Fitzgerald|2002|p=16}} The number of provinces grew steadily during subsequent dynasties, reaching 28 by the time of the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]].{{sfn|Goodman|2015|pp=150,154}} During the [[Warlord Era]], provinces became largely or completely autonomous and exercised significant national influence. Province-level units proliferated and under the early People's Republic there were over 50.{{sfn|Goodman|2015|pp=153–154}}
Political boundaries are, in part, established to counterbalance the influence of economic factors. For instance, the [[Yangtze Delta]] is divided among the provinces of [[Zhejiang]], [[Jiangsu]], and [[Anhui]]. This division ensures that economic strength is distributed, preventing any single region from potentially overpowering the state.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Fairbank |first1=John |title=China: A New History |last2=Goldman |first2=Merle |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=2006 |isbn=0674116739 |pages=11}}</ref>

== List of provinces ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%;"
|-
! align="center" |GB/T 2260-2007<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~chgis/work/design/chinastdb_1210.doc |title=GB/T 2260 codes for the provinces of China |access-date=2011-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040305025950/http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~chgis/work/design/chinastdb_1210.doc |archive-date=2004-03-05 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! align="center" |[[ISO 3166-2:CN|ISO]]<ref>[[ISO 3166-2:CN]] ([[ISO 3166-2]] codes for the provinces of China)</ref>
! align="left" |Province
! align="center" |Chinese Hanyu Pinyin
! align="center" |Capital
! align="center" |Largest city
! align="right" |Population (2020)
! align="right" |Density (per km2)
! align="right" |Area (km2)
! align="center" class="alphabetical" | Abbreviation{{efn|Abbreviation in the parentheses is informal}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | HE
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-HE
| [[Hebei]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=河北省}}}} Héběi Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Shijiazhuang]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 74,610,235
| style="text-align:right;" | 393.08
| style="text-align:right;" | 189,809
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|冀}} Jì
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | SX
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-SX
| [[Shanxi]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=山西省}}}} Shānxī Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Taiyuan]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 34,915,616
| style="text-align:right;" | 222.80
| style="text-align:right;" | 156,713
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|晋}} Jìn
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | LN
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-LN
| [[Liaoning]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=辽宁省}}}} Liáoníng Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Shenyang]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 42,591,407
| style="text-align:right;" | 289.59
| style="text-align:right;" | 147,076
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|辽}} Liáo
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | JL
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-JL
| [[Jilin]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=吉林省}}}} Jílín Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Changchun]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 24,073,453
| style="text-align:right;" | 126.51
| style="text-align:right;" | 190,282
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|吉}} Jí
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | HL
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-HL
| [[Heilongjiang]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=黑龙江省}}}} Hēilóngjiāng Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Harbin]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 31,850,088
| style="text-align:right;" | 67.37
| style="text-align:right;" | 472,766
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|黑}} Hēi
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | JS
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-JS
| [[Jiangsu]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=江苏省}}}} Jiāngsū Shěng
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Nanjing]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Suzhou, Jiangsu|Suzhou]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 84,748,016
| style="text-align:right;" | 847.91
| style="text-align:right;" | 99,949
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|苏}} Sū
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | ZJ
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-ZJ
| [[Zhejiang]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=浙江省}}}} Zhèjiāng Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[Hangzhou]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 64,567,588
| style="text-align:right;" | 615.67
| style="text-align:right;" | 104,873
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|浙}} Zhè
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | AH
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-AH
| [[Anhui]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=安徽省}}}} Ānhuī Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[Hefei]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 61,027,171
| style="text-align:right;" | 436.29
| style="text-align:right;" | 139,879
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|皖}} Wǎn
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | FJ
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-FJ
| [[Fujian]]{{efn|Most of Fujian is administered by the People's Republic of China, but the Republic of China governs [[Kinmen County]] and [[Matsu Islands|Lienchiang County]] (the Matsu Islands) as part of its own [[Fujian Province, Republic of China|Fujian Province]].}}
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=福建省}}}} Fújiàn Shěng
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Fuzhou]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Quanzhou]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 41,540,086
| style="text-align:right;" | 335.66
| style="text-align:right;" | 123,756
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|闽}} Mǐn
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | JX
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-JX
| [[Jiangxi]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=江西省}}}} Jiāngxī Shěng
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Nanchang]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Ganzhou]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 45,188,635
| style="text-align:right;" | 270.69
| style="text-align:right;" | 166,939
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|赣}} Gàn
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | SD
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-SD
| [[Shandong]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=山东省}}}} Shāndōng Shěng
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Jinan]]
|style="text-align:center;"| [[Linyi]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 101,527,453
| style="text-align:right;" | 643.78
| style="text-align:right;" | 157,704
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|鲁}} Lǔ
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | HA
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-HA
| [[Henan]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=河南省}}}} Hénán Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Zhengzhou]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 99,365,519
| style="text-align:right;" | 600.52
| style="text-align:right;" | 165,467
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|豫}} Yù
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | HB
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-HB
| [[Hubei]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=湖北省}}}} Húběi Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Wuhan]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 57,752,557
| style="text-align:right;" | 310.87
| style="text-align:right;" | 185,776
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|鄂}} È
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | HN
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-HN
| [[Hunan]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=湖南省}}}} Húnán Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Changsha]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 66,444,864
| style="text-align:right;" | 313.65
| style="text-align:right;" | 211,842
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|湘}} Xiāng
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | GD
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-GD
|[[Guangdong]]{{efn|Most of Guangdong is administered by the People's Republic of China, but the Republic of China governs [[Pratas Island]] as part of the special municipality of [[Kaohsiung City]].}}
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=广东省}}}} Guǎngdōng Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Guangzhou]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 126,012,510
| style="text-align:right;" | 700.02
| style="text-align:right;" | 180,013
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|粤}} Yuè
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | HI
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-HI
| [[Hainan]]{{efn|Most of Hainan is administered by the People's Republic of China, while the Republic of China governs [[Taiping Island]] as part of the special municipality of Kaohsiung City.}}
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=海南省}}}} Hǎinán Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Haikou]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 10,081,232
| style="text-align:right;" | 294.27
| style="text-align:right;" | 34,259
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|琼}} Qióng
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | SC
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-SC
| [[Sichuan]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=四川省}}}} Sìchuān Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Chengdu]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 83,674,866
| style="text-align:right;" | 174.93
| style="text-align:right;" | 484,056
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|川(蜀)}} Chuān (Shǔ)
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | GZ
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-GZ
| [[Guizhou]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=贵州省}}}} Guìzhōu Shěng
|style="text-align:center;"| [[Guiyang]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Zunyi]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 38,562,148
| style="text-align:right;" | 218.93
| style="text-align:right;" | 176,140
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|贵(黔)}} Guì (Qián)
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | YN
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-YN
| [[Yunnan]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=云南省}}}} Yúnnán Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Kunming]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 47,209,277
| style="text-align:right;" | 123.20
| style="text-align:right;" | 383,195
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|云(滇)}} Yún (Diān)
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | SN
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-SN
| [[Shaanxi]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=陕西省}}}} Shǎnxī Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[Xi'an]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 39,528,999
| style="text-align:right;" | 192.24
| style="text-align:right;" | 205,624
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|陕(秦)}} Shǎn (Qín)
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | GS
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-GS
| [[Gansu]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=甘肃省}}}} Gānsù Shěng
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[Lanzhou]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 25,019,831
| style="text-align:right;" | 54.70
| style="text-align:right;" | 457,382
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|甘(陇)}} Gān (Lǒng)
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | QH
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-QH
| [[Qinghai]]
| {{lang|zh|{{lang-zh|labels=no|s=青海省}}}} Qīnghǎi Shěng 
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[Xining]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 5,923,957
| style="text-align:right;" | 8.58
| style="text-align:right;" | 720 000
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|青}} Qīng
|- style="background:#FFCCCC;" |-
| style="text-align:center;" | TW
| style="text-align:center;" | CN-TW{{efn|Has separate [[ISO 3166-2]] code: <code>TW</code>}}
| [[Taiwan Province, People's Republic of China|''Taiwan'']]{{efn|The People's Republic of China considers Taiwan to be its 23rd province, but Taiwan is currently ruled by the [[Republic of China]]. For more information, see the [[political status of Taiwan]].}}
| {{lang|zh|{{lang|zh-hans|台湾省}}}} Táiwān Shěng 
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Taipei]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[New Taipei City]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 23,162,123
| style="text-align:right;" | 650.97
| style="text-align:right;" | 36,161
| style="text-align:center;" |{{lang|zh|台(臺)}} Tái
|}
{{Notelist}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|China}}
* [[Federalism in China]]
*[[Administrative divisions of China]]
* [[List of Chinese provincial-level divisions by GDP]]
* [[List of Chinese administrative divisions by population]]
* [[List of current Chinese provincial leaders]]
* [[Regional discrimination in China]]
* [[Tiao-kuai]]
* [[Yangtze Delta]]
* [[Zhou (administrative division)]]
*[[Special administrative region (People's Republic of China)]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book |last1=Goodman |first1=David S.G. |title=Handbook of the Politics of China |date=2015 |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing Limited |location=Northampton, Massachusetts}}
* {{cite book |last1=Saich |first1=Tony |title=Governance and Politics of China |date=2015 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |location=New York |edition=Fourth}}
* {{cite book |last1=Chung |first1=Jae Ho |last2=Lam |first2=Chiu |title=China's Local Administration: Traditions and Changes in the Sub-National Hierarchy |date=2010 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York}}
* {{cite book |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=John |title=Rethinking China's Provinces |date=2002 |publisher=Routledge |location=New York}}
*{{Cite book |last=Guo |first=Rongxing |title=How the Chinese Economy Works |date=2017 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |edition=4th Revised}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Provinces of the People's Republic of China}}
{{Wikivoyage|List of Chinese provinces and regions}}
* [http://www.dbresearch.com/chinasprovinces Interactive Dbresearch.com: WebMap] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406153605/http://dbresearch.com/chinasprovinces/ |date=2016-04-06 }} — ''with economic indicators for all Chinese Provinces''.

{{Articles on first-level administrative divisions of Asian countries}}
{{China topics |state = autocollapse }}
{{Province-level divisions of China}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Provinces of China| ]]
[[Category:Province-level divisions of China| ]]
[[Category:Lists of administrative divisions of China|*]]
[[Category:First-level administrative divisions by country|Provinces, China]]

County-level city

2025-10-29T17:17:34Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:County-level divisions of the People's Republic of China is already a subcategory of Category:Administrative divisions of China

{{Short description|People's Republic of China county-level subdivision}}
{{inline|date=December 2009}}{{onesource|date=June 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox subdivision type
| name = County-level city {{nobold|{{lang-zh|s=县级市|labels=no}}}} {{nobold|{{lang-zh|p=Xiànjíshì|labels=no}}}}
| map = [[File:China County-level cities.png|330px]]
| category = Third level [[administrative division]] of a [[unitary state]]
| territory = [[China|People's Republic of China]]
| upper_unit = [[Prefecture-level divisions of China|Prefectures]], [[Province-level divisions of China|Provinces]]
| start_date =
| current_number = 411 (408 controlled, 3 claimed)
| number_date = 3 April 2023
| population_range = 15,124 ([[Tsona]]) – 2,054,703 ([[Puning]])
| area_range = {{Convert|89|sqkm|abbr=on}} ([[Linxia City|Linxia]]) – {{Convert|119165|sqkm|abbr=on}} ([[Golmud]])
| government = Various, [[Government of China|Central Government]]
| subdivision = [[Towns of China|Town]], [[Townships of China|Township]]
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| collapse = yes
| order = st
| title = County-level city
| s = 县级市
| t = 縣級市
| p = Xiànjíshì
| w = Hsien-chi-shih
| uig = ناھىيىسى دەرىجىلىك شەھەر
| uly = Nahiyisi Derijilik Sheher
| tib = རྫོང་རིམ་པ་གྲོང་ཁྱེར།
| wylie = dzong rim pa drong khyer
| zwpy = Zong Rimba Chongkyêr
| mong = {{MongolUnicode|ᠬᠣᠰᠢᠭᠤᠨ ᠤ ᠡᠩ ᠲᠡᠢ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ}}
| monr = Hûshûûn û entei hôt
}}
A '''county-level city''' ({{zh|c=县级市}}) is a [[County-level divisions of China|county-level administrative division]] of the [[China|People's Republic of China]]. County-level cities have [[judiciary|judicial]] but no [[legislature|legislative]] rights over their own [[local ordinance|local law]] and are usually governed by [[Administrative divisions of China#Prefectural level (2nd)|prefecture-level divisions]], but a few are governed directly by [[Administrative divisions of China#Provincial level (1st)|province-level divisions]].

A county-level city is a "city" ({{zh|c=市|p=shì|labels=no}}) and "county" ({{zh|s=县|p=xiàn|labels=no}}) that have been merged into one unified jurisdiction. As such, it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal entity, and a county, which is an administrative division of a prefecture. Most county-level cities were created in the 1980s and 1990s by replacing denser populated [[Counties of China|counties]].

County-level cities are not "[[city|cities]]" in the strictest sense of the word, since they usually contain rural areas many times the size of their urban, built-up area. This is because the counties that county-level cities have replaced are themselves large administrative units containing [[Towns of China|towns]], [[Villages of China|villages]] and farmland. To distinguish a "county-level city" from its actual urban area (the traditional meaning of the word "city"), the term "{{lang|zh-hans|市区}}" (shìqū) or "urban area", is used.

==Comparable territorial divisions in other countries==
While the idea of a "city" being a unit consisting of several "towns" is not a common one in [[English-speaking world]], a somewhat similar naming convention is used for [[Local government in Australia|local government areas]] in some parts of Australia.
For example, [[Local government areas of New South Wales|in New South Wales]] such a unit may often be called a "city" (rather than a traditional "shire"), and consist of "towns". E.g. [[City of Blue Mountains]] is made of a number of towns ([[Katoomba, New South Wales|Katoomba]], [[Springwood, New South Wales|Springwood]], etc.).

==List==
{{Administrative levels and divisions of China sidebar|expanded=County-level}}
[[Image:Daye-new-main-street-0089.jpg|thumb|right|In the main urban area of [[Daye, Hubei|Daye]], a county-level city within the prefecture-level city of [[Huangshi]], [[Hubei]]. Daye also includes some separate [[town (China)|towns]], such as Dajipu ({{lang|zh-hans|大箕铺}})]]
As of 3 April 2023, there are 408 county-level cities in total:

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!City!![[Simplified Chinese characters|Chinese]]!!Province!!Prefecture!!Area {{small|(km²)}}!!Founded {{small|(PRC)}}
|-
| [[Chaohu City|Chaohu]] || {{lang|zh|巢湖市}}|| [[Anhui]] || [[Hefei]] || 2,082 || 2011-07-14
|-
| [[Guangde]] || {{lang|zh-hans|广德市}}|| [[Anhui]] || [[Xuancheng]] || 2,165 || 2019-07-12
|-
| [[Jieshou]] || {{lang|zh|界首市}}|| [[Anhui]] || [[Fuyang, Anhui|Fuyang]] || 666 || 1989-09-27
|-
| [[Mingguang]] || {{lang|zh|明光市}}|| [[Anhui]] || [[Chuzhou]] || 2,335 || 1994-05-31
|-
| [[Ningguo]] || {{lang|zh-hans|宁国市}}|| [[Anhui]] || [[Xuancheng]] || 2,447 || 1997-03-11
|-
| [[Qianshan, Anhui|Qianshan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|潜山市}}|| [[Anhui]] || [[Anqing]] || 1,692 || 2018-07-02
|-
| [[Tianchang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|天长市}}|| [[Anhui]] || [[Chuzhou]] || 1,770 || 1993-09-18
|-
| [[Tongcheng, Anhui|Tongcheng]] || {{lang|zh|桐城市}}|| [[Anhui]] || [[Anqing]] || 1,572 || 1996-08-20
|-
| [[Wuwei, Anhui|Wuwei]] || {{lang|zh-hans|无为市}}|| [[Anhui]] || [[Wuhu]] || 2,042 || 2019-11-20
|-
| [[Fu'an]] || {{lang|zh|福安市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Ningde]] || 1,880 || 1989-11-13
|-
| [[Fuding]] || {{lang|zh|福鼎市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Ningde]] || 1,526 || 1995-10-13
|-
| [[Fuqing]] || {{lang|zh|福清市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Fuzhou]] || 1,518 || 1990-12-26
|-
| [[Jian'ou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|建瓯市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Nanping]] || 4,200 || 1992-10-20
|-
| [[Jinjiang City|Jinjiang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|晋江市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Quanzhou]] || 642 || 1992-03-06
|-
| [[Longhai District|Longhai]] || {{lang|zh-hans|龙海市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Zhangzhou]] || 1,115 || 1993-05-12
|-
| [[Nan'an, Fujian|Nan'an]] || {{lang|zh|南安市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Quanzhou]] || 1,985 || 1993-05-12
|-
| [[Shaowu]] || {{lang|zh|邵武市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Nanping]] || 2,851 || 1983-08-17
|-
| [[Shishi City|Shishi]] || {{lang|zh-hans|石狮市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Quanzhou]] || 160 || 1987-12-17
|-
| [[Wuyishan City|Wuyishan]] || {{lang|zh|武夷山市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Nanping]] || 2,814 || 1989-08-21
|-
| [[Yong'an]] || {{lang|zh|永安市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Sanming]] || 2,942 || 1984-09-12
|-
| [[Zhangping]] || {{lang|zh|漳平市}}|| [[Fujian]] || [[Longyan]] || 2,976 || 1990-08-15
|-
| [[Dunhuang]] || {{lang|zh|敦煌市}}|| [[Gansu]] || [[Jiuquan]] || 31,200 || 1987-08-21
|-
| [[Hezuo]] || {{lang|zh|合作市}}|| [[Gansu]] || [[Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Gannan]] || 2,670|| 1996-05-28
|-
| [[Huating, Gansu|Huating]] || {{lang|zh-hans|华亭市}}|| [[Gansu]] || [[Pingliang]] || 1,183 || 2018-07-02
|-
| [[Linxia City|Linxia]] || {{lang|zh-hans|临夏市}}|| [[Gansu]] || [[Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture|Linxia]] || 89 || 1983-08-31
|-
| [[Yumen City|Yumen]] || {{lang|zh-hans|玉门市}}|| [[Gansu]] || [[Jiuquan]] || 13,389 || 1961-11-15
|-
| [[Enping]] || {{lang|zh|恩平市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Jiangmen]] || 1,698 || 1994-02-28
|-
| [[Gaozhou]] || {{lang|zh|高州市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Maoming]] || 3,389 || 1993-06-08
|-
| [[Heshan, Guangdong|Heshan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|鹤山市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Jiangmen]] || 1,083 || 1993-11-08
|-
| [[Huazhou, Guangdong|Huazhou]] || {{lang|zh|化州市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Maoming]] || 2,404 || 1994-07-04
|-
| [[Kaiping]] || {{lang|zh-hans|开平市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Jiangmen]] || 1,659 || 1993-01-05
|-
| [[Lechang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|乐昌市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Shaoguan]] || 2,384|| 1994-04-28
|-
| [[Leizhou]] || {{lang|zh|雷州市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Zhanjiang]] || 3,025 || 1994-04-26
|-
| [[Lianjiang, Guangdong|Lianjiang]] || {{lang|zh|廉江市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Zhanjiang]] || 2,543|| 1993-12-10
|-
| [[Lianzhou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|连州市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Qingyuan]] || 2,665 || 1994-04-22
|-
| [[Lufeng, Guangdong|Lufeng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|陆丰市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Shanwei]] || 1,777 || 1995-01-19
|-
| [[Luoding]] || {{lang|zh-hans|罗定市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Yunfu]] || 2,328 || 1993-04-08
|-
| [[Nanxiong]] || {{lang|zh|南雄市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Shaoguan]] || 2,402 || 1996-06-17
|-
| [[Puning]] || {{lang|zh-hans|普宁市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Jieyang]] || 1,620 || 1993-04-06
|-
| [[Sihui, Guangdong|Sihui]] || {{lang|zh-hans|四会市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Zhaoqing]] || 1,258 || 1993-11-25
|-
| [[Taishan, Guangdong|Taishan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|台山市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Jiangmen]] || 3,296 || 1992-04-17
|-
| [[Wuchuan City|Wuchuan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|吴川市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Zhanjiang]] || 848 || 1994-05-26
|-
| [[Xingning, Guangdong|Xingning]] || {{lang|zh-hans|兴宁市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Meizhou]] || 2,107 || 1994-06-06
|-
| [[Xinyi, Guangdong|Xinyi]] || {{lang|zh|信宜市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Maoming]] || 3,081 || 1995-09-11
|-
| [[Yangchun]] || {{lang|zh-hans|阳春市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Yangjiang]] || 4,055 || 1994-05-05
|-
| [[Yingde]] || {{lang|zh|英德市}}|| [[Guangdong]] || [[Qingyuan]] || 5,671 || 1994-01-12
|-
| [[Beiliu]] || {{lang|zh|北流市}}|| [[Guangxi]] || [[Yulin, Guangxi|Yulin]] || 2,457 || 1994-04-18
|-
| [[Cenxi]] || {{lang|zh|岑溪市}}|| [[Guangxi]] || [[Wuzhou]] || 2,783 || 1995-09-11
|-
| [[Dongxing, Guangxi|Dongxing]] || {{lang|zh-hans|东兴市}}|| [[Guangxi]] || [[Fangchenggang]] || 590 || 1996-04-29
|-
| [[Guiping]] || {{lang|zh|桂平市}}|| [[Guangxi]] || [[Guigang]] || 4,074 || 1994-05-18
|-
| [[Hengzhou, Guangxi|Hengzhou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|横州市}} || [[Guangxi]] || [[Nanning]] || 3,464 || 2021-01-20
|-
| [[Heshan, Guangxi|Heshan]] || {{lang|zh|合山市}}|| [[Guangxi]] || [[Laibin]] || 365 || 1981-06-29
|-
| [[Jingxi, Guangxi|Jingxi]] || {{lang|zh|靖西市}}|| [[Guangxi]] || [[Baise, Guangxi|Baise]] || 3,232 || 2015-08-01
|-
| [[Lipu, Guangxi|Lipu]] || {{lang|zh|荔浦市}}|| [[Guangxi]] || [[Guilin]] || 1,759 || 2018-07-02
|-
| [[Pingguo]] || {{lang|zh|平果市}}|| [[Guangxi]] || [[Baise]] || 2,485 || 2019-11-20
|-
| [[Pingxiang, Guangxi|Pingxiang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|凭祥市}}|| [[Guangxi]] || [[Chongzuo]] || 645 || 1961-05-27
|-
| [[Chishui City|Chishui]] || {{lang|zh|赤水市}}|| [[Guizhou]] || [[Zunyi]] || 1,801 || 1990-09-30
|-
| [[Duyun, Guizhou|Duyun]] || {{lang|zh-hans|都匀市}}|| [[Guizhou]] || [[Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture|Qiannan]] || 2,278 || 1966-03-09
|-
| [[Fuquan, Guizhou|Fuquan]] || {{lang|zh|福泉市}}|| [[Guizhou]] || [[Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture|Qiannan]] || 1,691 || 1996-12-02
|-
| [[Kaili, Guizhou|Kaili]] || {{lang|zh-hans|凯里市}}|| [[Guizhou]] || [[Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture|Qiandongnan]] || 1,570 || 1983-08-19
|-
| [[Panzhou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|盘州市}}|| [[Guizhou]] || [[Liupanshui]] || 4,057 || 2017-04-09
|-
| [[Qianxi, Guizhou|Qianxi]] || {{lang|zh|黔西市}}|| [[Guizhou]] || [[Bijie]] || 2,380 || 2021-01-20
|-
| [[Qingzhen]] || {{lang|zh-hans|清镇市}}|| [[Guizhou]] || [[Guiyang]] || 1,302 || 1992-11-06
|-
| [[Renhuai]] || {{lang|zh-hans|仁怀市}}|| [[Guizhou]] || [[Zunyi]] || 1,788 || 1995-11-30
|-
| [[Xingren]] || {{lang|zh-hans|兴仁市}}|| [[Guizhou]] || [[Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture|Qianxinan]] || 1,785 || 2018-07-02
|-
| [[Xingyi, Guizhou|Xingyi]] || {{lang|zh-hans|兴义市}}|| [[Guizhou]] || [[Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture|Qianxinan]] || 2,911 || 1987-11-06
|-
| [[Dongfang, Hainan|Dongfang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|东方市}}|| [[Hainan]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 2,272 || 1997-03-12
|-
| [[Qionghai]] || {{lang|zh-hans|琼海市}}|| [[Hainan]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 1,692 || 1992-11-06
|-
| [[Wanning]] || {{lang|zh-hans|万宁市}}|| [[Hainan]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 1,883 || 1996-08-05
|-
| [[Wenchang]] || {{lang|zh|文昌市}}|| [[Hainan]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 2,486 || 1995-11-07
|-
| [[Wuzhishan City|Wuzhishan]] || {{lang|zh|五指山市}}|| [[Hainan]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 1,130 || 1986-06-12
|-
| [[Anguo]] || {{lang|zh-hans|安国市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Baoding]] || 486 || 1991-05-06
|-
| [[Bazhou City|Bazhou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|霸州市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Langfang]] || 802 || 1990-01-04
|-
| [[Botou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|泊头市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Cangzhou]] || 1,009 || 1982-12-13
|-
| [[Dingzhou]] || {{lang|zh|定州市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Baoding]] || 1,283 || 1986-03-05
|-
| [[Gaobeidian]] || {{lang|zh|高碑店市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Baoding]] || 618 || 1993-04-09
|-
| [[Hejian]] || {{lang|zh-hans|河间市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Cangzhou]] || 1,333 || 1990-10-18
|-
| [[Huanghua, Hebei|Huanghua]] || {{lang|zh-hans|黄骅市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Cangzhou]] || 1,545 || 1989-07-27
|-
| [[Jinzhou, Hebei|Jinzhou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|晋州市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Shijiazhuang]] || 619 || 1991-11-30
|-
| [[Luanzhou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|滦州市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Tangshan]] || 1,027 || 2018-07-02
|-
| [[Nangong]] || {{lang|zh-hans|南宫市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Xingtai]] || 861 || 1986-03-05
|-
| [[Pingquan]] || {{lang|zh|平泉市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Chengde]] || 3,294 || 2017-04-09
|-
| [[Qian'an, Hebei|Qian'an]] || {{lang|zh-hans|迁安市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Tangshan]] || 1,227 || 1996-10-10
|-
| [[Renqiu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|任丘市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Cangzhou]] || 1,012 || 1986-03-05
|-
| [[Sanhe, Hebei|Sanhe]] || {{lang|zh|三河市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Langfang]] || 634 || 1993-03-03
|-
| [[Shahe, Hebei|Shahe]] || {{lang|zh|沙河市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Xingtai]] || 859 || 1987-02-20
|-
| [[Shenzhou City|Shenzhou]] || {{lang|zh|深州市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Hengshui]] || 1,245 || 1994-07-04
|-
| [[Wu'an]] || {{lang|zh|武安市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Handan]] || 1,806 || 1988-09-01
|-
| [[Xinji]] || {{lang|zh|辛集市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Shijiazhuang]] || 951 || 1986-03-05
|-
| [[Xinle, Hebei|Xinle]] || {{lang|zh-hans|新乐市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Shijiazhuang]] || 525 || 1992-10-08
|-
| [[Zhuozhou]] || {{lang|zh|涿州市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Baoding]] || 751 || 1986-09-24
|-
| [[Zunhua]] || {{lang|zh|遵化市}}|| [[Hebei]] || [[Tangshan]] || 1,509 || 1992-02-17
|-
| [[Anda, Heilongjiang|Anda]] || {{lang|zh-hans|安达市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Suihua]] || 3,586 || 1984-11-17
|-
| [[Bei'an]] || {{lang|zh|北安市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Heihe]] || 7,194 || 1982-12-18
|-
| [[Dongning, Heilongjiang|Dongning]] || {{lang|zh-hans|东宁市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Mudanjiang]] || 7,117 || 2015-12-15
|-
| [[Fujin City|Fujin]] || {{lang|zh-hans|富锦市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Jiamusi]] || 8,224 || 1988-08-30
|-
| [[Fuyuan, Heilongjiang|Fuyuan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|抚远市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Jiamusi]] || 6,047 || 2016-01-13
|-
| [[Hailin]] || {{lang|zh|海林市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Mudanjiang]] || 8,816 || 1992-07-28
|-
| [[Hailun]] || {{lang|zh-hans|海伦市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Suihua]] || 4,667 || 1989-12-23
|-
| [[Hulin]] || {{lang|zh|虎林市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Jixi]] || 9,334 || 1996-10-11
|-
| [[Mishan]] || {{lang|zh|密山市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Jixi]] || 7,731 || 1988-11-17
|-
| [[Mohe, Heilongjiang|Mohe]] || {{lang|zh|漠河市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Daxing'anling Prefecture|Daxing'anling]] || 18,367 || 2018-02-22
|-
| [[Muling]] || {{lang|zh|穆棱市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Mudanjiang]] || 6,247 || 1995-03-07
|-
| [[Nehe]] || {{lang|zh-hans|讷河市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Qiqihar]] || 6,664 || 1992-09-02
|-
| [[Nenjiang City|Nenjiang]] || {{lang|zh|嫩江市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Heihe]] || 15,109 || 2019-07-12
|-
| [[Ning'an]] || {{lang|zh-hans|宁安市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Mudanjiang]] || 7,227 || 1993-02-12
|-
| [[Shangzhi]] || {{lang|zh|尚志市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Harbin]] || 8,891 || 1988-09-14
|-
| [[Suifenhe City|Suifenhe]] || {{lang|zh-hans|绥芬河市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Mudanjiang]] || 422 || 1975-08-15
|-
| [[Tieli]] || {{lang|zh-hans|铁力市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Yichun, Heilongjiang|Yichun]] || 6,443 || 1988-09-13
|-
| [[Tongjiang, Heilongjiang|Tongjiang]] || {{lang|zh|同江市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Jiamusi]] || 6,229 || 1987-02-24
|-
| [[Wuchang City|Wuchang]] || {{lang|zh|五常市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Harbin]] || 7,512 || 1993-06-01
|-
| [[Wudalianchi]] || {{lang|zh-hans|五大连池市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Heihe]] || 9,874 || 1983-10-08
|-
| [[Zhaodong]] || {{lang|zh-hans|肇东市}}|| [[Heilongjiang]] || [[Suihua]] || 4,330 || 1986-09-08
|-
| [[Changge]] || {{lang|zh-hans|长葛市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Xuchang]] || 650 || 1993-12-14
|-
| [[Changyuan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|长垣市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Xinxiang]] || 1,051 || 2019-07-12
|-
| [[Dengfeng]] || {{lang|zh|登封市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Zhengzhou]] || 1,220 || 1994-05-30
|-
| [[Dengzhou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|邓州市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Nanyang, Henan|Nanyang]] || 2,294 || 1988-11-17
|-
| [[Gongyi]] || {{lang|zh-hans|巩义市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Zhengzhou]] || 1,041 || 1991-06-12
|-
| [[Huixian]] || {{lang|zh-hans|辉县市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Xinxiang]] || 2,007 || 1988-10-11
|-
| [[Jiyuan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|济源市}}|| [[Henan]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 1,965 || 1988-06-25
|-
| [[Lingbao, Henan|Lingbao]] || {{lang|zh-hans|灵宝市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Sanmenxia]] || 3,011 || 1993-05-12
|-
| [[Linzhou, Henan|Linzhou]] || {{lang|zh|林州市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Anyang]] || 2,046 || 1994-01-24
|-
| [[Mengzhou]] || {{lang|zh|孟州市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Jiaozuo]] || 542 || 1996-04-29
|-
| [[Qinyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|沁阳市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Jiaozuo]] || 623 || 1989-09-27
|-
| [[Ruzhou]] || {{lang|zh|汝州市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Pingdingshan]] || 1,573 || 1988-06-25
|-
| [[Weihui]] || {{lang|zh-hans|卫辉市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Xinxiang]] || 882 || 1988-10-08
|-
| [[Wugang, Henan|Wugang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|舞钢市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Pingdingshan]] || 640 || 1990-09-04
|-
| [[Xiangcheng City|Xiangcheng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|项城市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Zhoukou]] || 1,083 || 1993-12-16
|-
| [[Xingyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|荥阳市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Zhengzhou]] || 955 || 1994-04-05
|-
| [[Xinmi]] || {{lang|zh|新密市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Zhengzhou]] || 1,001 || 1994-04-05
|-
| [[Xinzheng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|新郑市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Zhengzhou]] || 873 || 1994-05-16
|-
| [[Yanshi]] || {{lang|zh-hans|偃师市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Luoyang]] || 888 || 1993-12-15
|-
| [[Yima, Henan|Yima]] || {{lang|zh-hans|义马市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Sanmenxia]] || 112 || 1981-04-04
|-
| [[Yongcheng]] || {{lang|zh|永城市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Shangqiu]] || 2,068 || 1996-10-11
|-
| [[Yuzhou, Henan|Yuzhou]] || {{lang|zh|禹州市}}|| [[Henan]] || [[Xuchang]] || 1,472 || 1988-06-25
|-
| [[Anlu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|安陆市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Xiaogan]] || 1,355 || 1987-09-04
|-
| [[Chibi, Hubei|Chibi]] || {{lang|zh|赤壁市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Xianning]] || 1,723 || 1986-05-27
|-
| [[Dangyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|当阳市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Yichang]] || 2,159 || 1988-10-22
|-
| [[Danjiangkou]] || {{lang|zh|丹江口市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Shiyan]] || 3,121 || 1983-08-19
|-
| [[Daye, Hubei|Daye]] || {{lang|zh|大冶市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Huangshi]] || 1,566 || 1994-02-18
|-
| [[Enshi City|Enshi]] || {{lang|zh|恩施市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture|Enshi]] || 3,972 || 1981-11-07
|-
| [[Guangshui]] || {{lang|zh-hans|广水市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Suizhou]] || 2,647 || 1988-10-11
|-
| [[Hanchuan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|汉川市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Xiaogan]] || 1,663 || 1997-03-12
|-
| [[Honghu]] || {{lang|zh|洪湖市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Jingzhou]] || 2,519 || 1987-07-31
|-
| [[Jianli]] || {{lang|zh-hans|监利市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Jingzhou]] || 3,118 || 2020-06-12
|-
| [[Jingshan, Hubei|Jingshan]] || {{lang|zh|京山市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Jingmen]] || 3,284 || 2018-02-22
|-
| [[Laohekou]] || {{lang|zh|老河口市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Xiangyang]] || 1,032 || 1979-11-16
|-
| [[Lichuan, Hubei|Lichuan]] || {{lang|zh|利川市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture|Enshi]] || 4,603 || 1986-05-27
|-
| [[Macheng]] || {{lang|zh|麻城市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Huanggang]] || 3,599 || 1986-05-27
|-
| [[Qianjiang, Hubei|Qianjiang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|潜江市}}|| [[Hubei]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 2,004 || 1988-05-25
|-
| [[Shishou]] || {{lang|zh|石首市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Jingzhou]] || 1,427 || 1986-05-27
|-
| [[Songzi]] || {{lang|zh|松滋市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Jingzhou]] || 2,235 || 1995-12-29
|-
| [[Tianmen]] || {{lang|zh-hans|天门市}}|| [[Hubei]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 2,622 || 1987-08-03
|-
| [[Wuxue]] || {{lang|zh|武穴市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Huanggang]] || 1,246 || 1987-10-23
|-
| [[Xiantao]] || {{lang|zh|仙桃市}}|| [[Hubei]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 2,538 || 1986-05-27
|-
| [[Yicheng, Hubei|Yicheng]] || {{lang|zh|宜城市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Xiangyang]] || 2,115 || 1994-06-10
|-
| [[Yidu, Hubei|Yidu]] || {{lang|zh|宜都市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Yichang]] || 1,357 || 1987-11-30
|-
| [[Yingcheng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|应城市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Xiaogan]] || 1,103 || 1986-05-27
|-
| [[Zaoyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|枣阳市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Xiangyang]] || 3,277 || 1988-01-08
|-
| [[Zhijiang, Hubei|Zhijiang]] || {{lang|zh|枝江市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Yichang]] || 1,310 || 1996-07-30
|-
| [[Zhongxiang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|钟祥市}}|| [[Hubei]] || [[Jingmen]] || 4,488 || 1992-05-20
|-
| [[Changning, Hunan|Changning]] || {{lang|zh-hans|常宁市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Hengyang]] || 2,048 || 1996-11-26
|-
| [[Hongjiang]] || {{lang|zh|洪江市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Huaihua]] || 2,283 || 1979-09-01
|-
| [[Jinshi City|Jinshi]] || {{lang|zh|津市市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Changde]] || 556 || 1979-12-19
|-
| [[Jishou]] || {{lang|zh|吉首市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture|Xiangxi]] || 1,078 || 1982-08-03
|-
| [[Leiyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|耒阳市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Hengyang]] || 2,648 || 1986-11-11
|-
| [[Lengshuijiang]] || {{lang|zh|冷水江市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Loudi]] || 438 || 1983-07-13
|-
| [[Lianyuan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|涟源市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Loudi]] || 1,912 || 1987-06-10
|-
| [[Liling]] || {{lang|zh|醴陵市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Zhuzhou]] || 2,156 || 1985-05-24
|-
| [[Linxiang City|Linxiang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|临湘市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Yueyang]] || 1,719 || 1992-09-01
|-
| [[Liuyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|浏阳市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Changsha]] || 4,997 || 1993-01-16
|-
| [[Miluo City|Miluo]] || {{lang|zh-hans|汨罗市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Yueyang]] || 1,670 || 1987-09-23
|-
| [[Ningxiang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|宁乡市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Changsha]] || 2,912 || 2017-04-09
|-
| [[Qiyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|祁阳市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Yongzhou]] || 2,538 || 2021-01-20
|-
| [[Shaodong]] || {{lang|zh-hans|邵东市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Shaoyang]] || 1,778 || 2019-07-12
|-
| [[Shaoshan]] || {{lang|zh|韶山市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Xiangtan]] || 247 || 1990-12-26
|-
| [[Wugang, Hunan|Wugang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|武冈市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Shaoyang]] || 1,539 || 1994-02-18
|-
| [[Xiangxiang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|湘乡市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Xiangtan]] || 1,966 || 1986-09-12
|-
| [[Yuanjiang, Hunan|Yuanjiang]] || {{lang|zh|沅江市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Yiyang]] || 2,129 || 1988-10-11
|-
| [[Zixing]] || {{lang|zh-hans|资兴市}}|| [[Hunan]] || [[Chenzhou]] || 2,730 || 1984-12-20
|-
| [[Arxan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|阿尔山市}}|| [[Inner Mongolia]] || [[Hinggan League|Hinggan]] || 7,409 || 1996-06-10
|-
| [[Erenhot]] || {{lang|zh-hans|二连浩特市}}|| [[Inner Mongolia]] || [[Xilingol League|Xilingol]] || 4,013 || 1966-01-18
|-
| [[Ergun, Inner Mongolia|Ergun]] || {{lang|zh-hans|额尔古纳市}}|| [[Inner Mongolia]] || [[Hulunbuir]] || 28,958 || 1994-07-13
|-
| [[Fengzhen]] || {{lang|zh-hans|丰镇市}}|| [[Inner Mongolia]] || [[Ulanqab]] || 2,704 || 1990-11-15
|-
| [[Genhe]] || {{lang|zh|根河市}}|| [[Inner Mongolia]] || [[Hulunbuir]] || 19,659 || 1994-04-28
|-
| [[Holingol]] || {{lang|zh|霍林郭勒市}}|| [[Inner Mongolia]] || [[Tongliao]] || 585 || 1985-11-09
|-
| [[Manzhouli]] || {{lang|zh-hans|满洲里市}}|| [[Inner Mongolia]] || [[Hulunbuir]] || 453 || 1954-05-21
|-
| [[Ulan Hot|Ulanhot]] || {{lang|zh-hans|乌兰浩特市}}|| [[Inner Mongolia]] || [[Hinggan League|Hinggan]] || 2,728 || 1980-07-26
|-
| [[Xilinhot]] || {{lang|zh-hans|锡林浩特市}}|| [[Inner Mongolia]] || [[Xilingol League|Xilingol]] || 14,780 || 1983-10-10
|-
| [[Yakeshi]] || {{lang|zh|牙克石市}}|| [[Inner Mongolia]] || [[Hulunbuir]] || 27,590 || 1983-10-10
|-
| [[Zhalantun]] || {{lang|zh-hans|扎兰屯市}}|| [[Inner Mongolia]] || [[Hulunbuir]] || 16,800 || 1983-10-10
|-
| [[Changshu]] || {{lang|zh|常熟市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Suzhou, Jiangsu|Suzhou]] || 1,276 || 1983-01-18
|-
| [[Danyang, Jiangsu|Danyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|丹阳市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Zhenjiang]] || 1,047 || 1987-12-15
|-
| [[Dongtai]] || {{lang|zh-hans|东台市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Yancheng]] || 3,221 || 1987-12-17
|-
| [[Gaoyou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|高邮市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Yangzhou]] || 1,922 || 1991-02-06
|-
| [[Hai'an, Jiangsu|Hai'an]] || {{lang|zh|海安市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Nantong]] || 1,108 || 2018-02-22
|-
| [[Jiangyin]] || {{lang|zh-hans|江阴市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Wuxi]] || 987 || 1987-04-23
|-
| [[Jingjiang]] || {{lang|zh|靖江市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Taizhou, Jiangsu|Taizhou]] || 656 || 1993-07-14
|-
| [[Jurong, Jiangsu|Jurong]] || {{lang|zh|句容市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Zhenjiang]] || 1,387 || 1995-04-06
|-
| [[Liyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|溧阳市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Changzhou]] || 1,535 || 1990-08-15
|-
| [[Kunshan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|昆山市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Suzhou, Jiangsu|Suzhou]] || 932 || 1989-07-27
|-
| [[Pizhou]] || {{lang|zh|邳州市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Xuzhou]] || 2,088 || 1992-07-07
|-
| [[Qidong City|Qidong]] || {{lang|zh-hans|启东市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Nantong]] || 1,208 || 1989-11-13
|-
| [[Rugao]] || {{lang|zh|如皋市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Nantong]] || 1,492 || 1991-02-06
|-
| [[Taicang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|太仓市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Suzhou, Jiangsu|Suzhou]] || 823 || 1993-01-08
|-
| [[Taixing]] || {{lang|zh-hans|泰兴市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Taizhou, Jiangsu|Taizhou]] || 1,170 || 1992-09-21
|-
| [[Xinghua, Jiangsu|Xinghua]] || {{lang|zh-hans|兴化市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Taizhou, Jiangsu|Taizhou]] || 2,395 || 1987-12-22
|-
| [[Xinyi, Jiangsu|Xinyi]] || {{lang|zh|新沂市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Xuzhou]] || 1,571 || 1990-02-05
|-
| [[Yangzhong]] || {{lang|zh-hans|扬中市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Zhenjiang]] || 331 || 1994-05-18
|-
| [[Yixing]] || {{lang|zh-hans|宜兴市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Wuxi]] || 1,997 || 1988-01-09
|-
| [[Yizheng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|仪征市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Yangzhou]] || 902 || 1986-04-21
|-
| [[Zhangjiagang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|张家港市}}|| [[Jiangsu]] || [[Suzhou, Jiangsu|Suzhou]] || 990 || 1986-09-16
|-
| [[Dexing, Jiangxi|Dexing]] || {{lang|zh-hans|德兴市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Shangrao]] || 2,082 || 1990-12-26
|-
| [[Fengcheng, Jiangxi|Fengcheng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|丰城市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Yichun, Jiangxi|Yichun]] || 2,845 || 1988-10-04
|-
| [[Gao'an]] || {{lang|zh|高安市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Yichun, Jiangxi|Yichun]] || 2,439 || 1993-12-08
|-
| [[Gongqingcheng]] || {{lang|zh|共青城市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Jiujiang]] || 307 || 2010-09-10
|-
| [[Guixi]] || {{lang|zh-hans|贵溪市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Yingtan]] || 2,480 || 1996-05-28
|-
| [[Jinggangshan City|Jinggangshan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|井冈山市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Ji'an, Jiangxi|Ji'an]] || 1,297 || 1984-12-13
|-
| [[Leping]] || {{lang|zh-hans|乐平市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Jingdezhen]] || 1,973 || 1992-07-27
|-
| [[Longnan, Jiangxi|Longnan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|龙南市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Ganzhou]] || 1,641 || 2020-06-12
|-
| [[Lushan City|Lushan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|庐山市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Jiujiang]] || 596 || 2016-03-20
|-
| [[Ruichang]] || {{lang|zh|瑞昌市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Jiujiang]] || 1,423 || 1989-12-20
|-
| [[Ruijin]] || {{lang|zh|瑞金市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Ganzhou]] || 2,448 || 1994-05-18
|-
| [[Zhangshu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|樟树市}}|| [[Jiangxi]] || [[Yichun, Jiangxi|Yichun]] || 1,219 || 1988-10-13
|-
| [[Da'an, Jilin|Da'an]] || {{lang|zh|大安市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Baicheng]] || 4,879 || 1988-08-30
|-
| [[Dehui]] || {{lang|zh|德惠市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Changchun]] || 3,096 || 1994-07-06
|-
| [[Dunhua]] || {{lang|zh|敦化市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture|Yanbian]] || 11,963 || 1985-02-28
|-
| [[Fuyu, Jilin|Fuyu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|扶余市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Songyuan]] || 4,189 || 2013-01-24
|-
| [[Gongzhuling]] || {{lang|zh-hans|公主岭市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Changchun]] || 4,027 || 1985-12-19
|-
| [[Helong]] || {{lang|zh-hans|和龙市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture|Yanbian]] || 5,069 || 1993-07-05
|-
| [[Huadian, Jilin|Huadian]] || {{lang|zh-hans|桦甸市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Jilin City|Jilin]] || 6,624 || 1988-05-25
|-
| [[Hunchun]] || {{lang|zh-hans|珲春市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture|Yanbian]] || 4,938 || 1988-05-25
|-
| [[Ji'an, Jilin|Ji'an]] || {{lang|zh|集安市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Tonghua]] || 3,408 || 1988-03-16
|-
| [[Jiaohe, Jilin|Jiaohe]] || {{lang|zh|蛟河市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Jilin City|Jilin]] || 6,235 || 1989-08-15
|-
| [[Linjiang, Jilin|Linjiang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|临江市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Baishan]] || 3,009 || 1993-11-28
|-
| [[Longjing, Jilin|Longjing]] || {{lang|zh-hans|龙井市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture|Yanbian]] || 2,193 || 1988-05-25
|-
| [[Meihekou]] || {{lang|zh|梅河口市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Tonghua]] || 2,175 || 1985-12-19
|-
| [[Panshi]] || {{lang|zh|磐石市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Jilin City|Jilin]] || 3,867 || 1995-08-30
|-
| [[Shuangliao]] || {{lang|zh-hans|双辽市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Siping, Jilin|Siping]] || 3,121 || 1996-04-29
|-
| [[Shulan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|舒兰市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Jilin City|Jilin]] || 4,554 || 1992-10-08
|-
| [[Taonan]] || {{lang|zh|洮南市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Baicheng]] || 5,108 || 1987-05-21
|-
| [[Tumen, Jilin|Tumen]] || {{lang|zh-hans|图们市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture|Yanbian]] || 1,142 || 1965-03-27
|-
| [[Yanji]] || {{lang|zh|延吉市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture|Yanbian]] || 1,731 || 1953-05-04
|-
| [[Yushu, Jilin|Yushu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|榆树市}}|| [[Jilin]] || [[Changchun]] || 4,691 || 1990-12-26
|-
| [[Beipiao]] || {{lang|zh|北票市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Chaoyang, Liaoning|Chaoyang]] || 4,469 || 1985-01-17
|-
| [[Beizhen]] || {{lang|zh-hans|北镇市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Jinzhou, Liaoning|Jinzhou]] || 1,693 || 1995-03-21
|-
| [[Dashiqiao]] || {{lang|zh-hans|大石桥市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Yingkou]] || 1,379 || 1992-11-03
|-
| [[Dengta]] || {{lang|zh-hans|灯塔市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Liaoyang]] || 1,313 || 1996-08-27
|-
| [[Diaobingshan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|调兵山市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Tieling]] || 262 || 1986-09-12
|-
| [[Donggang, Liaoning|Donggang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|东港市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Dandong]] || 2,496 || 1993-06-18
|-
| [[Fengcheng, Liaoning|Fengcheng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|凤城市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Dandong]] || 5,518 || 1994-03-08
|-
| [[Gaizhou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|盖州市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Yingkou]] || 2,953 || 1992-11-03
|-
| [[Haicheng, Liaoning|Haicheng]] || {{lang|zh|海城市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Anshan]] || 2,566 || 1985-01-17
|-
| [[Kaiyuan, Liaoning|Kaiyuan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|开原市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Tieling]] || 2,813 || 1988-12-27
|-
| [[Linghai]] || {{lang|zh|凌海市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Jinzhou, Liaoning|Jinzhou]] || 2,417 || 1993-11-16
|-
| [[Lingyuan, Liaoning|Lingyuan]] || {{lang|zh|凌源市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Chaoyang, Liaoning|Chaoyang]] || 3,264 || 1991-12-21
|-
| [[Wafangdian]] || {{lang|zh|瓦房店市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Dalian]] || 3,791 || 1985-01-17
|-
| [[Xingcheng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|兴城市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Huludao]] || 2,103 || 1986-12-13
|-
| [[Xinmin, Liaoning|Xinmin]] || {{lang|zh|新民市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Shenyang]] || 3,315 || 1993-06-14
|-
| [[Zhuanghe]] || {{lang|zh-hans|庄河市}}|| [[Liaoning]] || [[Dalian]] || 3,900 || 1992-09-21
|-
| [[Lingwu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|灵武市}}|| [[Ningxia]] || [[Yinchuan]] || 3,846 || 1996-04-29
|-
| [[Qingtongxia]] || {{lang|zh-hans|青铜峡市}}|| [[Ningxia]] || [[Wuzhong, Ningxia|Wuzhong]] || 2,438 || 1984-12-17
|-
| [[Delingha]] || {{lang|zh|德令哈市}}|| [[Qinghai]] || [[Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Haixi]] || 27,766 || 1988-04-19
|-
| [[Golmud]] || {{lang|zh-hans|格尔木市}}|| [[Qinghai]] || [[Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Haixi]] || 119,167 || 1980-06-14
|-
| [[Mangnai]] || {{lang|zh|茫崖市}}|| [[Qinghai]] || [[Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Haixi]] || 49,800 || 2018-02-22
|-
| [[Tongren, Qinghai|Tongren]] || {{lang|zh|同仁市}}|| [[Qinghai]] || [[Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Huangnan]] || 3,465 || 2020-06-12
|-
| [[Yushu City, Qinghai|Yushu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|玉树市}}|| [[Qinghai]] || [[Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Yushu]] || 15,413 || 2013-07-04
|-
| [[Binzhou, Shaanxi|Binzhou]] || {{lang|zh|彬州市}}|| [[Shaanxi]] || [[Xianyang]] || 1,181 || 2018-02-22
|-
| [[Hancheng, Shaanxi|Hancheng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|韩城市}}|| [[Shaanxi]] || [[Weinan]] || 1,596 || 1983-09-09
|-
| [[Huayin]] || {{lang|zh-hans|华阴市}}|| [[Shaanxi]] || [[Weinan]] || 675 || 1990-12-27
|-
| [[Shenmu]] || {{lang|zh|神木市}}|| [[Shaanxi]] || [[Yulin, Shaanxi|Yulin]] || 7,481 || 2017-04-09
|-
| [[Xingping]] || {{lang|zh-hans|兴平市}}|| [[Shaanxi]] || [[Xianyang]] || 509 || 1993-06-18
|-
|[[Xunyang, Shaanxi|Xunyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|旬阳市}} || [[Shaanxi]] || [[Ankang]] || 3,540 || 2021-01-20
|-
| [[Zichang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|子长市}}|| [[Shaanxi]] || [[Yan'an]] || 2,393 || 2019-07-12
|-
| [[Anqiu]] || {{lang|zh|安丘市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Weifang]] || 1,712 || 1994-01-18
|-
| [[Changyi, Shandong|Changyi]] || {{lang|zh|昌邑市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Weifang]] || 1,628 || 1994-06-10
|-
| [[Feicheng]] || {{lang|zh|肥城市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Tai'an]] || 1,277 || 1992-08-01
|-
| [[Gaomi]] || {{lang|zh|高密市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Weifang]] || 1,527 || 1994-05-18
|-
| [[Haiyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|海阳市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Yantai]] || 1,909 || 1996-04-29
|-
| [[Jiaozhou City|Jiaozhou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|胶州市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Qingdao]] || 1,324 || 1987-02-12
|-
| [[Laixi]] || {{lang|zh-hans|莱西市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Qingdao]] || 1,568 || 1990-12-18
|-
| [[Laiyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|莱阳市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Yantai]] || 1,732 || 1987-02-20
|-
| [[Laizhou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|莱州市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Yantai]] || 1,928 || 1988-02-24
|-
| [[Leling]] || {{lang|zh-hans|乐陵市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Dezhou]] || 1,173 || 1988-09-01
|-
| [[Linqing]] || {{lang|zh-hans|临清市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Liaocheng]] || 950 || 1983-08-30
|-
| [[Longkou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|龙口市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Yantai]] || 901 || 1986-09-23
|-
| [[Pingdu]] || {{lang|zh|平度市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Qingdao]] || 3,176 || 1989-07-27
|-
| [[Qingzhou]] || {{lang|zh|青州市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Weifang]] || 1,569 || 1986-03-01
|-
| [[Qixia, Shandong|Qixia]] || {{lang|zh-hans|栖霞市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Yantai]] || 2,016 || 1995-11-30
|-
| [[Qufu]] || {{lang|zh|曲阜市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Jining]] || 815 || 1986-06-02
|-
| [[Rongcheng, Shandong|Rongcheng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|荣成市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Weihai]] || 1,526 || 1988-11-01
|-
| [[Rushan, Shandong|Rushan]] || {{lang|zh|乳山市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Weihai]] || 1,665 || 1993-07-17
|-
| [[Shouguang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|寿光市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Weifang]] || 1,990 || 1993-06-01
|-
| [[Tengzhou]] || {{lang|zh|滕州市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Zaozhuang]] || 1,495 || 1988-03-07
|-
| [[Xintai]] || {{lang|zh|新泰市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Tai'an]] || 1,934 || 1983-08-30
|-
| [[Yucheng, Shandong|Yucheng]] || {{lang|zh|禹城市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Dezhou]] || 992 || 1993-09-09
|-
| [[Zhaoyuan, Shandong|Zhaoyuan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|招远市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Yantai]] || 1,432 || 1991-12-21
|-
| [[Zhucheng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|诸城市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Weifang]] || 2,151 || 1987-04-20
|-
| [[Zoucheng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|邹城市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Jining]] || 1,616 || 1992-10-04
|-
| [[Zouping]] || {{lang|zh-hans|邹平市}}|| [[Shandong]] || [[Binzhou]] || 1,250 || 2018-07-02
|-
| [[Fenyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|汾阳市}}|| [[Shanxi]] || [[Lüliang]] || 1,170 || 1996-08-20
|-
| [[Gaoping]] || {{lang|zh|高平市}}|| [[Shanxi]] || [[Jincheng]] || 980 || 1993-05-12
|-
| [[Gujiao]] || {{lang|zh|古交市}}|| [[Shanxi]] || [[Taiyuan]] || 1,512 || 1988-02-24
|-
| [[Hejin]] || {{lang|zh|河津市}}|| [[Shanxi]] || [[Yuncheng]] || 593 || 1994-01-12
|-
| [[Houma, Shanxi|Houma]] || {{lang|zh-hans|侯马市}}|| [[Shanxi]] || [[Linfen]] || 220 || 1971-06-05
|-
| [[Huairen]] || {{lang|zh-hans|怀仁市}}|| [[Shanxi]] || [[Shuozhou]] || 1,234 || 2018-02-22
|-
| [[Huozhou]] || {{lang|zh|霍州市}}|| [[Shanxi]] || [[Linfen]] || 765 || 1989-12-23
|-
| [[Jiexiu]] || {{lang|zh|介休市}}|| [[Shanxi]] || [[Jinzhong]] || 741 || 1992-02-10
|-
| [[Xiaoyi]] || {{lang|zh-hans|孝义市}}|| [[Shanxi]] || [[Lüliang]] || 938 || 1992-02-10
|-
| [[Yongji, Shanxi|Yongji]] || {{lang|zh-hans|永济市}}|| [[Shanxi]] || [[Yuncheng]] || 1,208 || 1994-01-12
|-
| [[Yuanping, Shanxi|Yuanping]] || {{lang|zh|原平市}}|| [[Shanxi]] || [[Xinzhou]] || 2,550 || 1993-06-17
|-
| [[Barkam]] || {{lang|zh-hans|马尔康市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture|Ngawa]] || 6,633 || 2015-11-02
|-
| [[Chongzhou]] || {{lang|zh|崇州市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Chengdu]] || 1,090|| 1994-06-20
|-
| [[Dujiangyan City|Dujiangyan]] || {{lang|zh|都江堰市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Chengdu]] || 1,208 || 1988-03-03
|-
| [[Emeishan City|Emeishan]] || {{lang|zh|峨眉山市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Leshan]] || 1,181 || 1988-09-01
|-
| [[Guanghan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|广汉市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Deyang]] || 549 || 1988-02-24
|-
| [[Huaying]] || {{lang|zh-hans|华蓥市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Guang'an]] || 466 || 1985-02-04
|-
| [[Huili]] || {{lang|zh-hans|会理市}} || [[Sichuan]] || [[Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture|Liangshan]] || 4,527 || 2021-01-20
|-
| [[Jiangyou]] || {{lang|zh|江油市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Mianyang]] || 2,721 || 1988-02-24
|-
| [[Jianyang, Sichuan|Jianyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|简阳市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Chengdu]] || 2,214 || 1994-04-05
|-
| [[Kangding]] || {{lang|zh|康定市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Garzê]] || 11,486 || 2015-02-17
|-
| [[Langzhong]] || {{lang|zh-hans|阆中市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Nanchong]] || 1,878 || 1991-01-12
|-
| [[Longchang]] || {{lang|zh|隆昌市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Neijiang]] || 794 || 2017-04-09
|-
| [[Mianzhu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|绵竹市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Deyang]] || 1,246 || 1996-10-15
|-
| [[Pengzhou]] || {{lang|zh|彭州市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Chengdu]] || 1,420 || 1993-12-01
|-
| [[Qionglai City|Qionglai]] || {{lang|zh-hans|邛崃市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Chengdu]] || 1,384 || 1994-06-19
|-
| [[Shehong]] || {{lang|zh|射洪市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Suining]] || 1,496 || 2019-07-12
|-
| [[Shifang]] || {{lang|zh|什邡市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Deyang]] || 820 || 1995-11-08
|-
| [[Wanyuan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|万源市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Dazhou]] || 4,065 || 1993-07-14
|-
| [[Xichang]] || {{lang|zh|西昌市}}|| [[Sichuan]] || [[Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture|Liangshan]] || 2,655 || 1979-07-19
|-
| [[Chiayi|Jiayi]] || {{lang|zh|嘉义市}}|| [[Taiwan Province, People's Republic of China|Taiwan]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 60 || —
|-
| [[Keelung|Jilong]] || {{lang|zh|基隆市}}|| [[Taiwan Province, People's Republic of China|Taiwan]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 132 || —
|-
| [[Hsinchu|Xinzhu]] || {{lang|zh|新竹市}}|| [[Taiwan Province, People's Republic of China|Taiwan]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 104 || —
|-
| [[Aksu, Xinjiang|Aksu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|阿克苏市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Aksu Prefecture|Aksu]] || 13,647 || 1983-08-19
|-
| [[Alashankou]] || {{lang|zh|阿拉山口市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture|Bortala]] || 1,204 || 2012-12-17
|-
| [[Altay City|Altay]] || {{lang|zh|阿勒泰市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Altay Prefecture|Altay]] || 10,819 || 1984-11-17
|-
| [[Aral, Xinjiang|Aral]] || {{lang|zh-hans|阿拉尔市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 5,266 || 2002-09-17
|-
| [[Artux]] || {{lang|zh-hans|阿图什市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture|Kizilsu]] || 15,698 || 1986-06-07
|-
| [[Baiyang, Xinjiang|Baiyang]] || {{lang|zh|白杨市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 4,928 || 2023-01-20
|-
| [[Beitun, Xinjiang|Beitun]] || {{lang|zh|北屯市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 911 || 2011-12-27
|-
| [[Bole, Xinjiang|Bole]] || {{lang|zh-hans|博乐市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture|Bortala]] || 7,802 || 1985-06-24
|-
| [[Changji]] || {{lang|zh|昌吉市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture|Changji]] || 7,981 || 1983-07-21
|-
| [[Fukang]] || {{lang|zh|阜康市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture|Changji]] || 8,545 || 1992-11-03
|-
| [[Hotan]] || {{lang|zh|和田市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Hotan Prefecture|Hotan]] || 466 || 1983-09-09
|-
| [[Huyanghe]] || {{lang|zh-hans|胡杨河市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 677.94 || 2019-11-06
|-
| [[Kashgar]] || {{lang|zh|喀什市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Kashgar Prefecture|Kashgar]] || 791 || 1952-05-22
|-
| [[Khorgas]] || {{lang|zh-hans|霍尔果斯市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture|Ili]] || 1,909 || 2014-06-26
|-
| [[Kokdala]] || {{lang|zh-hans|可克达拉市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 979.71 || 2015-03-16
|-
| [[Korla]] || {{lang|zh-hans|库尔勒市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture|Bayingolin]] || 6,038 || 1979-09-02
|-
| [[Kuytun]] || {{lang|zh|奎屯市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture|Ili]] || 1,171 || 1975-08-29
|-
| [[Kunyu, Xinjiang|Kunyu]] || {{lang|zh|昆玉市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 687.13 || 2016-01-07
|-
| [[Kuqa, Xinjiang|Kuqa]] || {{lang|zh-hans|库车市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Aksu Prefecture|Aksu]] || 14,529 || 2019-11-20
|-
| [[Shawan, Xinjiang|Shawan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|沙湾市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Tacheng Prefecture|Tacheng]] || 12,460 || 2021-01-20
|-
| [[Shihezi]] || {{lang|zh|石河子市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 457 || 1976-01-02
|-
| [[Shuanghe]] || {{lang|zh-hans|双河市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 742 || 2014-01-25
|-
| [[Tacheng]] || {{lang|zh|塔城市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Tacheng Prefecture|Tacheng]] || 4,007 || 1984-11-17
|-
| [[Tiemenguan City|Tiemenguan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|铁门关市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 590 || 2012-12-17
|-
| [[Tumxuk]] || {{lang|zh-hans|图木舒克市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 2,003 || 2002-09-17
|-
| [[Wujiaqu]] || {{lang|zh|五家渠市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 742 || 2002-09-17
|-
| [[Wusu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|乌苏市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Tacheng Prefecture|Tacheng]] || 14,394 || 1996-07-10
|-
| [[Xinxing, Xinjiang|Xinxing]] || {{lang|zh|新星市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || ZZZZ-none{{small|''none''}} || 539.76 || 2021-02-04
|-
| [[Yining City|Yining]] || {{lang|zh-hans|伊宁市}}|| [[Xinjiang]] || [[Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture|Ili]] || 730 || 1952-05-22
|-
| [[Anning, Yunnan|Anning]] || {{lang|zh-hans|安宁市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Kunming]] || 1,313 || 1995-10-13
|-
| [[Chengjiang]] || {{lang|zh|澄江市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Yuxi]] || 773 || 2019-11-20
|-
| [[Chuxiong City|Chuxiong]] || {{lang|zh|楚雄市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture|Chuxiong]] || 4,482 || 1983-09-09
|-
| [[Dali, Yunnan|Dali]] || {{lang|zh|大理市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture|Dali]] || 1,468 || 1983-09-09
|-
| [[Gejiu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|个旧市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture|Honghe]] || 1,597 || 1958-09-16
|-
| [[Jinghong]] || {{lang|zh|景洪市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture|Xishuangbanna]] || 7,133 || 1993-12-22
|-
| [[Kaiyuan, Yunnan|Kaiyuan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|开远市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture|Honghe]] || 2,009 || 1981-01-18
|-
| [[Lufeng, Yunnan|Lufeng]] || {{lang|zh-hans|禄丰市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture|Chuxiong]] || 3,536 || 2021-01-20
|-
| [[Lushui]] || {{lang|zh-hans|泸水市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture|Nujiang]] || 2,938 || 2016-06-16
|-
| [[Mangshi|Mang/Mangshi]] || {{lang|zh|芒市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture|Dehong]] || 2,987 || 1996-10-28
|-
| [[Mainling]] || {{lang|zh|米林市}}|| [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]] || [[Nyingchi]] || 9,507 || 2023-04-03
|-
| [[Mengzi City|Mengzi]] || {{lang|zh|蒙自市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture|Honghe]] || 2,228 || 2010-09-10
|-
| [[Mile City|Mile]] || {{lang|zh-hans|弥勒市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture|Honghe]] || 4,004 || 2013-01-24
|-
| [[Ruili]] || {{lang|zh-hans|瑞丽市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture|Dehong]] || 1,020 || 1992-06-26
|-
| [[Shangri-La, Yunnan|Shangri-La]] || {{lang|zh|香格里拉市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Dêqên Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture|Dêqên]] || 11,613 || 2014-12-16
|-
| [[Shuifu]] || {{lang|zh|水富市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Zhaotong]] || 319 || 2018-07-02
|-
| [[Tengchong]] || {{lang|zh-hans|腾冲市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Baoshan, Yunnan|Baoshan]] || 5,845 || 2015-08-01
|-
| [[Tsona]] || {{lang|zh|错那市}}|| [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]] || [[Shannan, Tibet|Shannan]] || 6,703 || 2023-04-03
|-
| [[Wenshan City|Wenshan]] || {{lang|zh|文山市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture|Wenshan]] || 3,064 || 2010-12-02
|-
| [[Xuanwei]] || {{lang|zh|宣威市}}|| [[Yunnan]] || [[Qujing]] || 6,257 || 1994-02-18
|-
| [[Cixi City|Cixi]] || {{lang|zh|慈溪市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Ningbo]] || 1,154 || 1988-10-13
|-
| [[Dongyang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|东阳市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Jinhua]] || 1,739 || 1988-05-25
|-
| [[Haining, Zhejiang|Haining]] || {{lang|zh-hans|海宁市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Jiaxing]] || 681 || 1986-11-22
|-
| [[Jiande]] || {{lang|zh|建德市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Hangzhou]] || 2,364 || 1992-04-01
|-
| [[Jiangshan]] || {{lang|zh|江山市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Quzhou]] || 2,018 || 1987-11-27
|-
| [[Lanxi, Zhejiang|Lanxi]] || {{lang|zh-hans|兰溪市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Jinhua]] || 1,310 || 1985-05-15
|-
| [[Linhai]] || {{lang|zh-hans|临海市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Taizhou, Zhejiang|Taizhou]] || 2,171 || 1986-03-01
|-
| [[Longgang, Zhejiang|Longgang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|龙港市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Wenzhou]] || 121.92 || 2019-08-16
|-
| [[Longquan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|龙泉市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Lishui]] || 3,059 || 1990-12-26
|-
| [[Pinghu, Zhejiang|Pinghu]] || {{lang|zh|平湖市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Jiaxing]] || 536 || 1991-06-15
|-
| [[Rui'an]] || {{lang|zh|瑞安市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Wenzhou]] || 1,278 || 1987-04-15
|-
| [[Shengzhou]] || {{lang|zh-hans|嵊州市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Shaoxing]] || 1,790 || 1995-08-30
|-
| [[Tongxiang]] || {{lang|zh-hans|桐乡市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Jiaxing]] || 723 || 1993-03-26
|-
| [[Wenling]] || {{lang|zh-hans|温岭市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Taizhou, Zhejiang|Taizhou]] || 836 || 1994-02-18
|-
| [[Yiwu]] || {{lang|zh-hans|义乌市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Jinhua]] || 1,103 || 1988-05-25
|-
| [[Yongkang, Zhejiang|Yongkang]] || {{lang|zh|永康市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Jinhua]] || 1,049 || 1992-08-24
|-
| [[Yueqing]] || {{lang|zh-hans|乐清市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Wenzhou]] || 1,174 || 1993-09-18
|-
| [[Yuhuan City|Yuhuan]] || {{lang|zh-hans|玉环市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Taizhou, Zhejiang|Taizhou]] || 378 || 2017-04-09
|-
| [[Yuyao]] || {{lang|zh-hans|余姚市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Ningbo]] || 1,346 || 1985-07-16
|-
| [[Zhuji]] || {{lang|zh-hans|诸暨市}}|| [[Zhejiang]] || [[Shaoxing]] || 2,311 || 1989-09-27
|}

==Sub-prefectural cities==
{{Main|Sub-prefectural city}}

A [[sub-prefectural city]] is a county-level city with powers approaching those of [[prefecture-level city|prefecture-level cities]]. Examples include, [[Xiantao]] ([[Hubei]]), [[Qianjiang, Hubei|Qianjiang]] ([[Hubei]]), [[Tianmen]] ([[Hubei]]) and [[Jiyuan]] ([[Henan]]).

== See also ==
* [[Administrative divisions of China]]
* [[Counties of the People's Republic of China]]
* [[Prefecture-level city]]
* [[List of cities in China]]
* [[County-administered city]] (Taiwan area )

==References==
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=oWc2I03-UQIC&q=prefecture Understanding the Chinese Economies, Rongxing Guo · 2012]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:County-Level City}}
[[Category:Cities in China|*Cou]]
[[Category:County-level divisions of the People's Republic of China]]

Prefecture (China)

2025-10-29T17:14:54Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Prefecture-level divisions of the People's Republic of China is already a subcategory of Category:Administrative divisions of China

{{Short description|Second-level administrative divisions of China}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2009}}
{{hatnote|This article concerns the prefectures (''{{lang|zh|地区}}'') of modern China. For historical second-level administrative divisions frequently also translated as prefectures in English, see the separate articles on [[xian (administrative division)]], [[zhou (administrative division)]], and [[fu (administrative division)]].}}
{{Infobox subdivision type
| name = Prefecture {{nobold|{{lang-zh|s=地区|labels=no}}}} {{lang-zh|p=Dìqū|labels=no}}
| alt_name =
| map = [[File:China prefectures (PRC claim).svg|330px]]
| category = Second level [[administrative division]] of a [[unitary state]]
| territory = [[China]]
| start_date =
| current_number = 7 prefectures
| number_date =
| population_range = 95,465 ([[Ngari Prefecture|Ngari]]) – 3,979,362 ([[Kaxgar]])
| area_range = {{Convert|46755|sqkm|abbr=on}} ([[Daxing'anling Prefecture|Daxing'anling]]) – {{Convert|304683 |sqkm|abbr=on}} ([[Ngari Prefecture|Ngari]])
| government = Various, [[Government of China|Central Government]]
| subdivision = [[Counties of China|Counties]]
}}
{{Infobox Chinese|order=st
|title=Prefecture
|t=地區|s=地区|p=Dìqū|bp=Tē-khu|buc=dê-kṳ̆
|tib=ས་ཁུལ།|wylie=sa khul|zwpy=sakü
|zha=Dagih
|mong={{MongolUnicode|ᠲᠣᠭᠣᠷᠢᠭ}}|monr=toɣoriɣ|mon=дугарг
|hangul=지구|rr=jigu|mr=chigu
|uig=ۋىلايەت|uly=wilayét|usy=вилайәт
|lang1=Kazakh|lang1_content={{lang|kk-Arab|ايماق}} {{lang|kk|аймақ}} {{Transliteration|kk|aimaq}}
|lang2=Kyrgyz|lang2_content={{lang|ky-Arab|ايماق}} {{lang|ky|аймак}} {{Transliteration|ky|ajmaq}}
|vie=Địa khu
|mnc=ᡳ ᠪᠠ|mnc_v=i'ba}}
{{Administrative levels and divisions of China sidebar}}

'''Prefectures''' are one of four types of [[Prefecture-level divisions of China|prefecture-level divisions]] in [[China]], the second-level [[Administrative divisions of China|administrative division]] in the country. While at one time{{When|date=June 2024}} prefectures were the most common prefecture-level division, they are in the process of being abolished{{When|date=June 2024}} and only seven formally-designated prefectures remain.

==Modern prefectures==
Prefectures are administrative subdivisions of [[Province (China)|provincial-level divisions]]. The constitution of the People's Republic of China does not endorse any prefecture-level division, except for autonomous prefectures. Prefectures and leagues are not at all mentioned; provinces are explicitly stated to be divided directly into counties.

The administrative commission ({{lang-zh|s=行政公署 |p=xíngzhèng gōngshǔ}}) is an administrative branch office with the rank of a national ministerial department ({{lang-zh|s=司级|links=no|labels=no}}) and dispatched by the higher-level provincial government. The leader of the prefecture government, titled as prefectural administrative commissioner ({{lang-zh|s=行政公署专员|p=xíngzhèng gōngshǔ zhūanyūan|links=no|labels=no}}), is appointed by the provincial government. Instead of local [[System of people's congress|people's congresses]], the prefecture's working commission of the standing committee of the provincial people's congress is dispatched and supervises the prefecture governments but can not elect or dismiss prefecture governments.<ref name="law1">"The standing committee of the people’s congress of a province and autonomous region may set up administrative offices in the prefectures under its jurisdiction." from Item 2, Article 53, Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments of the People’s Republic of China (2004 Revision)</ref> The prefecture's working committee of the provincial committee of the [[Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]] (CPCC) is a part of the prefecture's committee of the CPPCC. This means that the prefecture's working committee of the CPPCC is a branch of the provincial committee of the CPPCC, not an individual society entity. The same is valid for provincial CPPCCs, which are formally sections of the national CPPCC.

The term "prefecture" derives from the former [[Circuit (country subdivision)|circuit]], which was a level between provinces and the counties during the [[Qing dynasty]]. In 1928, the government of the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]] abolished circuits and provinces began to administer counties directly; however, this reform was soon found unfeasible because some provinces had hundreds of counties. Consequently, in 1932, provinces were again subdivided into several prefectures, and regional administrative offices were set up.

===List of prefectures===
{| class="wikitable sortable" align="center"
! Name
! Chinese
! [[Provinces of China|Provincial-level region]]
! Population ([[Sixth National Population Census of the People's Republic of China|2010]])
! Area (km2)
! Prefecture seat
|-
|[[Daxing'anling Prefecture]]
|{{lang|zh-hans|大兴安岭地区}}
|[[Heilongjiang]]
|style="text-align: right;"|511,564
|style="text-align: right;"|46,755
|[[Jiagedaqi District]] {{small|(''de facto'')}}; [[Mohe, Heilongjiang|Mohe]] city {{small|(''de jure'')}}
|-
|[[Ngari Prefecture]]
|{{lang|zh-hans|阿里地区}}
|[[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]]
|style="text-align: right;"|95,465
|style="text-align: right;"|304,683
|[[Shiquanhe|Sênggêzangbo]] town, [[Gar County]]
|-
|[[Altay Prefecture]]
|{{lang|zh-hans|阿勒泰地区}}
|[[Xinjiang]]
|style="text-align: right;"|603,280
|style="text-align: right;"|117,988
|[[Altay City|Altay]] city
|-
|[[Tacheng Prefecture]]
|{{lang|zh-hans|塔城地区}}
|[[Xinjiang]]
|style="text-align: right;"|1,219,212
|style="text-align: right;"|94,891
|[[Tacheng]] city
|-
|[[Kashgar Prefecture]]
|{{lang|zh-hans|喀什地区}}
|[[Xinjiang]]
|style="text-align: right;"|3,979,362
|style="text-align: right;"|112,058
|[[Kashgar]] city
|-
|[[Aksu Prefecture]]
|{{lang|zh-hans|阿克苏地区}}
|[[Xinjiang]]
|style="text-align: right;"|2,370,887
|style="text-align: right;"|128,099
|[[Aksu, Xinjiang|Aksu]] city
|----------
|[[Hotan Prefecture]]
|{{lang|zh-hans|和田地区}}
|[[Xinjiang]]
|style="text-align: right;"|2,014,365
|style="text-align: right;"|248,946
|[[Hotan]] city
|}

==Historical prefectures==
In general, the word "prefecture" is applied to ''xian'' for the period before the [[Sui dynasty|Sui]] and [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] dynasties; for the period after, ''xian'' are called "districts" or "counties", while "prefectures" refer to ''zhou'' and ''fu''.

===''Xian''===
{{See also|Counties of the People's Republic of China}}
''Xian'' ({{lang|zh-hans|{{linktext|县}}}}/{{lang|zh-hant|{{linktext|縣}}}}) were first established during the [[Warring States period]], and have existed continuously ever since. Today, they continue to form an important part of the political divisions of China.

''Xian'' has been translated using several [[English language]] terms. In the context of ancient history, "district" and "prefecture" are the most commonly used terms, while "county" is generally used for more contemporary contexts.

===''Zhou''===
{{Main|Zhou (country subdivision)}}

''Zhou'' ({{lang|zh|{{linktext|州}}}}) were first established during the [[Han dynasty]], and were abolished only with the establishment of the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]].

''Zhou'' is generally translated as "province" or "region" for the period before the [[Sui dynasty]], and "prefecture" for the period from the Sui dynasty onwards.

The [[People's Republic of China]] has revived the word ''zhou'' as part of the term "zizhizhou" ({{lang|zh|自治州}}), which is translated as "autonomous prefectures", as described above.

===''Fu''===
{{main|Fu (administrative division)|List of fu prefectures of China}}

''Fu'' ({{linktext|lang=zh|府}}) were first established during the Tang dynasty, and were also abolished with the establishment of the Republic of China.

During the Tang and [[Song dynasty|Song]] dynasties, the term was mainly applied to prefectures with major urban centers. For this period, it is often translated as "urban prefecture" or "superior prefecture". Later, however, most first-level prefectures under provinces would become known as ''fu''.

==See also==
* [[Administrative divisions of China]]
* [[Prefecture-level divisions of China]]
:* [[Prefecture-level city]]
:* [[Leagues in China]]
:* [[Autonomous prefecture]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Articles on second-level administrative divisions of Asian countries}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Prefecture-level divisions of the People's Republic of China| ]]
[[Category:Prefectures|China]]
[[Category:Second-level administrative divisions by country|Prefectures, China]]

League (China)

2025-10-29T17:12:46Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Prefecture-level divisions of the People's Republic of China - Category:Administrative divisions of China

{{Short description|Regional division used in Inner Mongolia}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2009}}
{{Infobox subdivision type
| name = League {{MongolUnicode|ᠠᠶᠢᠮᠠᠭ}} {{nobold|or}} {{nobold|{{lang-zh|c=盟|labels=no}}}} ''ayimaγ'' {{nobold|or}} {{lang-zh|p=méng|labels=no}}
| alt_name =
| map = [[File:China leagues.svg|330px]]
| category = Second level [[administrative division]] of a [[unitary state]]
| territory = [[China]]
| start_date =
| current_number = 3 Leagues
| number_date =
| population_range =
| area_range =
| government =
| subdivision =
}}
{{Administrative levels and divisions of China sidebar}}
A '''league''' ({{Langx|mn|[[Image:Ayimagh.svg|14px]]}} ''ayimaγ'' {{IPA|[æːmɑ̆ɡ̊]}} ''Aimag''; historically, [[Image:Cighulghan.svg|17px]] ''čiγulγan'' {{IPA|[t͡ʃʰʊːlɡ̊ɑ̆n]}} ''Qûûlgan''; {{lang-zh|c=盟|p=méng}}) is a [[Prefecture (China)|prefecture]]-level administrative unit of the autonomous region of [[Inner Mongolia]] in the [[China|People's Republic of China]].

Leagues are the prefectures of Inner Mongolia. The name comes from a Mongolian administrative unit used during the [[Qing dynasty]] in [[Mongolia under Qing rule|Mongolia]]. Mongolian [[Banner (Inner Mongolia)|Banners (county level regions)]] were organized into conventional assemblies at the league level. During the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]] era, the leagues had a status equivalent to provinces. Leagues contain [[Banner (Inner Mongolia)|banner]]s, equivalent to counties.

After the establishment of the provincial level [[Inner Mongolia|Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region]] in 1947, leagues of Inner Mongolia became equal to prefectures in other provinces and autonomous regions. The '''administrative commission''' ({{zh|c=行政公署|p=xíngzhènggōngshǔ|links=no}}) of the league is the administrative branch office dispatched by the [[Inner Mongolia#Government and politics|People's Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region]]. The leader of the league's government, titled as '''league leader''' ({{zh|s=盟长 |t=盟長 |p=méngzhǎng}}), is appointed by People's Government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. So are deputy leaders of leagues. Instead of local level of [[System of people's congress|People's Congress]], league's working commissions of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are detached and supervise the league's governments, but can not elect or dismiss league's government officials.<ref name="law1">"The standing committee of the people’s congress of a province and autonomous region may set up administrative offices in the prefectures under its jurisdiction.
" from Item 2, Article 53, Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments of the People’s Republic of China (2004 Revision)</ref> In such a way, the ''league's working committee of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region's committee of the [[Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]]'' is instead of league's committee of CPPCC.

Leagues have existed since the [[Qing dynasty]] as a level of government. The head of a league was chosen from [[jasagh]] or sula of the [[Banner (Inner Mongolia)|banners]] belonging to it. The original six leagues were [[Tongliao|Jirem]], [[Chifeng|Ju Ud]], [[Josutu|Jost]], [[Xilingol]], [[Ulanqab]], and [[Ordos City|Ih Ju]]. More were added in the subsequent centuries.

Today, leagues belong to the [[Administrative divisions of China#Prefectural level (2nd)|prefecture level]] of the Chinese administrative hierarchy. Of the 9 leagues that existed in the late 1970s, 6 have now been reorganized into [[prefecture-level city|prefecture-level cities]]. There are only 3 leagues remaining in [[Inner Mongolia]]: Xilingol, Alxa, and Hinggan.

==Leagues (1949–present)==
===Current===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%;"
|-
!Name !! [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]] !! Transcription and IPA (Chakhar Mongolian) !! [[Simplified Chinese|Simplified]] Chinese !! [[Pinyin]] !! Capital !! Notes
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
|[[Hinggan League|Hinggan]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠬᠢᠩᠭᠠᠨ}} || ''Hinggan'' {{IPA|[xɪŋɡ̊ɑ̆n]}} ||兴安||Xīng'ān||[[Ulanhot]]||Established: 26 July 1980
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
|[[Xilingol]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠰᠢᠯᠢ ᠶᠢᠨ ᠭᠣᠤᠯ}} || ''Xiliin Gôl''||锡林郭勒||Xīlínguōlè||[[Xilinhot]]||Present day: [[Xilingol]] and [[Hinggan League|Hinggan]] (1954)
|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
|[[Alxa League|Alxa]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠠᠯᠠᠱᠠᠨ}} || ''Alxaa''||阿拉善||Ālāshàn||Bayanhot Town, [[Alxa Left Banner]]||Until 1954 it was known as Alxa Öölüd Banners and Ejin Torghuud Banner
|}

===Defunct===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%;"
|-
!Name !! [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]] !! Transcription and IPA (Chakhar Mongolian) !! [[Simplified Chinese|Simplified]] Chinese !! [[Pinyin]] !! Capital !! Notes
|-
|[[Bayannur]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠪᠠᠶ᠋ᠠᠨᠨᠠᠭᠤᠷ}} || ''Bayan Nûûr'' ||巴彦淖尔||Bāyànnào'ěr||Linhe ([[Linhe District]])|| Dissolution: 1 December 2003 Present day: [[Bayannur]] (prefecture-level city)
|-
|[[Tongliao|Jirem]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠵᠢᠷᠢᠮ}} || ''Jirem''||哲里木||Zhélǐmù||Bayisingtu ([[Horqin District]])|| Dissolution: 13 January 1999 Present day: [[Tongliao]] (prefecture-level city)
|-
|[[Chifeng|Ju Ud]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠵᠤᠤ ᠤᠳᠠ}} || ''Jûû Ûd''||昭乌达||Zhāowūdá||Ulanhad ([[Hongshan District, Chifeng|Hongshan District]])|| Dissolution: 10 October 1983 Present day: [[Chifeng]] (prefecture-level city)
|-
|[[Josutu|Jost]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠵᠣᠰᠤᠲᠤ ᠶᠢᠨ}} || ''Jôstiin''||卓索图||Zhuósuǒtú||[[Chaoyang, Liaoning|Chaoyang]] ([[Shuangta District]])|| Dissolution: 10 October 1911 Present day: [[Fuxin]], [[Chaoyang, Liaoning|Chaoyang]], and part of [[Chifeng]] (prefecture-level city)
|-
|[[Chahar Province|Chahar]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠴᠠᠬᠠᠷ}} || ''Qahar''||察哈尔||Cháhā'ěr||[[Baochang, Taibus Banner|Baochang]]|| Dissolution: 1 October 1958 merged into [[Xilingol]] and [[Ulanqab]]
|-
|[[Ulanqab]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠤᠯᠠᠭᠠᠨᠴᠠᠪ}} || ''Ulaanqab''||乌兰察布||Wūlánchábù||Jining ([[Jining District]])|| Dissolution: 1 December 2003 Present day: [[Ulanqab]] (prefecture-level city), [[Baotou]] (1954), & Bayannur (1954)
|-
|[[Ordos City|Ih Ju]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠶᠡᠺᠡ ᠵᠣᠤ}} || ''Ih Jûû''||伊克昭||Yīkèzhāo||Dongsheng ([[Dongsheng District]])|| Dissolution: 26 February 2001 Present day: [[Ordos City|Ordos]] (prefecture-level city)
|-
|colspan="7" align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey"|'''Heilongjiang (present day northern part of Inner Mongolia)'''
|-
|{{nowrap|Hulunbuir–Nunmoron}}||{{MongolUnicode|ᠬᠥᠯᠦᠨᠪᠤᠶᠢᠷ ᠨᠤᠨ ᠮᠥᠷᠡᠨ}}|| {{nowrap|''Holon Bûir–Nûûn Moron''}} ||呼伦贝尔纳文慕仁 / 呼纳||{{nowrap|Hūlúnbèi'ěr–Nàwénmùrén /}} Hūnà||Hailar ([[Hailar District]])|| Dissolution: 1 April 1953 merge into [[Inner Mongolia Eastern Administrative Zone]]
|-
|[[Hulunbuir]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠬᠥᠯᠦᠨᠪᠤᠶᠢᠷ}}|| ''Holon Bûir'' ||呼伦贝尔||Hūlúnbèi'ěr||Hailar ([[Hailar District]])|| Dissolution: 11 April 1949 Merged into Hulunbuir-Nunmoron Re-established: 21 May 1954 Dissolution: 10 October 2001 (present day greater [[Hulunbuir]])
|-
|Nun Moron||{{MongolUnicode|ᠨᠤᠨ ᠮᠥᠷᠡᠨ}}|| ''Nûûn Moron'' ||纳文慕仁||Nàwénmùrén||[[Zhalantun]]|| Dissolution: 11 April 1949 merge into [[Hulunbuir|Hulunbuir–Nunmoron]]
|}

==Original leagues of the Qing==

===The 6 leagues under Inner Mongolia===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%;"
|-
!Name !! [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]] !! Transcription and IPA (Chakhar Mongolian) !! [[Simplified Chinese|Simplified]] Chinese !! [[Pinyin]] !! Tribes & Banners !! Notes
|-
|[[Tongliao|Jirem]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠵᠢᠷᠢᠮ}} || ''Jirem''||哲里木||Zhélǐmù||4 tribes 10 banners||
|-
|[[Josutu|Jost]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠵᠣᠰᠤᠲᠤ ᠶᠢᠨ}} || ''Jôstiin''||卓索图||Zhuósuǒtú||2 tribes 5 banners||
|-
|[[Chifeng|Ju Ud]] ''Ju'ud''||{{MongolUnicode|ᠵᠤᠤ ᠤᠳᠠ}} || ''Jûû Ûd''||昭乌达||Zhāowūdá||8 tribes 11 banners||
|-
|[[Xilingol]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠰᠢᠯᠢ ᠶᠢᠨ ᠭᠣᠤᠯ}} || ''Xiliin Gôl''||锡林郭勒||Xīlínguōlè||5 tribes 10 banners||
|-
|[[Ulanqab]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠤᠯᠠᠭᠠᠨᠴᠠᠪ}} || ''Ulaanqab''||乌兰察布||Wūlánchábù||4 tribes 6 banners||
|-
|[[Ordos City|Ih Ju]] ''Ihju''||{{MongolUnicode|ᠶᠡᠺᠡ ᠵᠣᠤ}} || ''Ih Jûû''||伊克昭||Yīkèzhāo||1 tribe 7 banners||
|}

===Other league===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Name !! [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]] !! Transcription and IPA (Chakhar Mongolian) !! [[Simplified Chinese|Simplified]] Chinese !! [[Pinyin]] !! Tribes & Banners !! Notes
|-
|[[Chahar Province|Chahar]]||{{MongolUnicode|ᠴᠠᠬᠠᠷ}} || ''Qahar''||察哈尔||Cháhā'ěr||8 banners||
|}

===Changes===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year(s) !! Leagues
|-
| 1636–1928 (Qûûlgan)
| Jirem, Ju Ud, Jost, Xilingol, Ulanqab, and Ih Ju
|-
| 1928–1938 (Qûûlgan and Province)
| Jirem, Ju Ud, Jost, Xilingol, Chahar Province (Qahar), Ulanqab, and Ih Ju
|-
| 1938–1945 (ROC)
| Jirem, Ih Ju
|-
| 1938–1945 (Mengjiang)
| Ju Ud, Xilingol, Chahar (Qahar), Ulanqab, Bayantala (Bayantal)
|-
| 1945–1948 (Aimag)
| Nun Moron, Jirem, Ju Ud, Jost, Xilingol, Qahar, Ulanqab, and Ih Ju
|-
| 1948–1949 (Aimag)
| Hulunbuir, Nun Moron, Jirem, Ju Ud, Jost, Xilingol, Qahar, Ulanqab, and Ih Ju
|-
| 1949 (Aimag)
| Hulunbuir, Nun Moron, Jirem, Ju Ud, Jost, Xilingol, Qahar, Ulanqab, and Ih Ju
|-
| 1949–1953 (Aimag)
| Hulunbuir–Nun Moron, Hinggan, Jirem, Ju Ud, Xilingol, Qahar
|-
|1953 (Aimag)
| Ju Ud, Xilingol, Qahar
|-
|1953–1956 (Aimag)
| Hulunbuir, Jirem, Ju Ud, Xilingol, Qahar, Ulanqab, Ih Ju
|-
|1956–1958 (Aimag)
| Hulunbuir, Jirem, Ju Ud, Xilingol, Qahar, Ulanqab, Ih Ju, Bayannur
|-
|1958–1969 (Aimag)
| Hulunbuir, Jirem, Ju Ud, Xilingol, Ulanqab, Ih Ju, Bayannur
|-
|1969–1979 (Inner Mongolia)
| Xilingol, Ulanqab, Ih Ju, Bayannur
|-
|1969–1979 (Heilongjiang)
| Hulunbuir
|-
|1969–1979 (Jilin)
| Jirem
|-
|1979–1980 (Aimag)
| Hulunbuir, Jirem, Ju Ud, Xilingol, Ulanqab, Ih Ju, Bayannur, Alxa
|-
|1980–1983 (Aimag)
| Hulunbuir, Hinggan, Jirem, Ju Ud, Xilingol, Ulanqab, Ih Ju, Bayannur, Alxa
|-
|1983–1999 (Aimag)
| Hulunbuir, Hinggan, Jirem, Xilingol, Ulanqab, Ih Ju, Bayannur, Alxa
|-
|1999–2001 (Aimag)
| Hulunbuir, Hinggan, Xilingol, Ulanqab, Ih Ju, Bayannur, Alxa
|-
|2001–2003 (Aimag)
| Hinggan, Xilingol, Ulanqab, Bayannur, Alxa
|-
|2003–present (Aimag)
| Hinggan, Xilingol, Alxa
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
* [[Administrative divisions of Mongolia during Qing]]
* [[Administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China]]
* [[Prefecture of China]]
* [[List of prefecture-level divisions of China]]
* [[Banner (Inner Mongolia)]]
* [[Eight Banner system]]
* [[List of administrative divisions of Inner Mongolia]]
* [[Aimag]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leagues Of Inner Mongolia}}

[[Category:Prefecture-level divisions of the People's Republic of China]]
[[Category:Geography of Inner Mongolia]]
[[Category:Administrative divisions in Asia|China]]
[[Category:Articles containing Mongolian script text]]

People's commune

2025-10-29T17:08:53Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: - Category:Administrative divisions of China + Category:Former administrative divisions of China

{{Short description|Former rural administrative division of the People's Republic of China (1958–83)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
[[File:People's commune canteen2.jpg|thumb|296x296px|A collective meal as pictured in ''The 10th Anniversary Photo Collection of the PRC 1949-1959'']]

The ''' people's commune''' ({{lang-zh|c={{linktext|人民公社}}|p=rénmín gōngshè}}) was the highest of three administrative levels in rural areas of the [[People's Republic of China]] during the period from 1958 to 1983, until they were replaced by [[Townships of the People's Republic of China|township]]s. Communes, the largest [[Collective farming|collective]] units, were divided in turn into [[production brigade]]s and [[Production team (China)|production teams]]. The people's commune collectivized living and working practices. Many individual homes were abolished in favour of communal residences, with many houses taken apart and demolished.<ref name=":9">{{Citation |last1=Yanni |first1=Wang |title=An Introduction to the ABCs of Communization: A Case Study of Macheng County |date=2011-01-01 |pages=150–153 |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.59962/9780774817288-009/html |access-date= |publisher=University of British Columbia Press |language=en |doi=10.59962/9780774817288-009 |isbn=978-0-7748-1728-8 |last2=Mundstein |first2=Sascha |last3=Mackie |first3=Robert|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Regardless of age or relationship, many men and women lived separately, and often, multiple families were placed in the same communal homes.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJyoX_vrlns |title=China A Century of Revolution 1949 - 1976 |date=2016-01-31 |last=Richie Hogan |access-date=2024-06-02 |via=YouTube}}</ref> One's land, tools, resources were pooled together, with working hours and farming practices completely dictated by the CCP.<ref name=":10" />

The scale of the commune and its ability to extract income from the rural population enabled commune administrations to invest in large-scale mechanization, infrastructure, and industrial projects. The communes did not, however, meet many of their long-term goals, such as facilitating the construction of full Communism in the rural areas, fully liberating women from housework, and creating sustainable agriculture practices in the countryside. They also had governmental, political, and economic functions during the [[Cultural Revolution]]. They ranged in number from 50,000 to 90,000.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gabriel|first=Satya J.|date=1998|title=Political Economy of the Great Leap Forward: Permanent Revolution and State Feudal Communes|url=https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/sgabriel/economics/china-essays/4.html#note2|access-date=|website=[[Mount Holyoke College]]|archive-date=27 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727092936/https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/sgabriel/economics/china-essays/4.html#note2|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[File:Pat Nixon in China.jpg|thumb|296x296px|Former [[First Lady of the United States|United States First Lady]] [[Pat Nixon]] at a people's commune in Beijing during [[Richard Nixon]]'s [[1972 visit by Richard Nixon to China|1972 visit to China]]]]

==History==

=== Precedents and Collectivization in the Early PRC ===
Before the people's communes were established, the [[Chinese Communist Party]] (CCP) had experimented with and promoted other, smaller forms of collectivized agriculture. Before 1949, landlords owned almost half of the land in rural China and leased it out to tenant farmers. Many farms were relatively small, family-operated enterprises. Farmers generally went through cycles of busyness during harvest season and relative idleness during off seasons.<ref>Joshua Eisenman, ''Red China's Green Revolution: Technological Innovation, Institutional Change, and Economic Development Under the Commune'', (Columbia University Press, 2018), 32.</ref> During the [[Chinese Civil War|Civil War]] era and continuing into the early years of the People's Republic of China, the CCP implemented wide-ranging [[Land Reform Movement (China)|land reforms]], attempted to identify and classify the rural population, and redistributed land from the landlords to the middle peasants and poor peasants to revolutionize the [[social structure of China]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=DeMare |first=Brian James |url= |title=Land wars : the story of China's agrarian revolution |date=2019 |publisher=[[Stanford University Press]] |isbn=978-1-5036-0952-5 |location=Stanford, California |pages=18–19, 93, 162 |oclc=1083673008}}</ref> After the completion of the Land Reform, individual families owned the land they farmed, paid taxes as households, and sold grain at prices set by the state.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Harrell |first=Stevan |title=An Ecological History of Modern China |date=2023 |publisher=[[University of Washington Press]] |isbn=978-0-295-75171-9 |location=Seattle}}</ref>{{Rp|page=109}}

Rural collectivization began soon after the CCP announced its 1953 "general line for the transition to socialism."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lin |first=Chun |title=The transformation of Chinese socialism |date=2006 |publisher=[[Duke University Press]] |isbn=978-0-8223-3785-0 |location=Durham [N.C.] |pages=78–79 |oclc=63178961}}</ref> Over the next six years, collectivization took several incrementally progressing forms: mutual aid groups, primitive cooperatives, and people's communes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Lin |first=Chun |title=The transformation of Chinese socialism |date=2006 |publisher=[[Duke University Press]] |isbn=978-0-8223-3785-0 |location=Durham [N.C.] |pages=79 |oclc=63178961}}</ref>

With state coordination, many families—up to 68 million by 1954—joined Mutual Aid Teams. These Mutual Aid Teams helped farming families coordinate the sharing of labor, farming technology, and other resources. Some Mutual Aid Teams also formed, or were consolidated into, Agricultural Producer Cooperatives (APCs), larger institutions at the village or subvillage level that pooled resources and collectively managed land.

During 1954–1955, farmers in many areas began pooling their land, capital resources, and labor into beginning-level agricultural producers' cooperatives.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=109}} In the complex system of beginning-level agricultural producers' cooperatives, farmers received a share of the harvest based on a combination of how much labor and how much land they contributed to the cooperative.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|pages=109–110}}

By June 1956, over 60% of rural households had been collectivized into higher-level agricultural producers' cooperatives, a structure that was similar to Soviet collective farmering via ''[[kolkhozy]]''.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=110}} In these cooperatives, tens of households pooled land and draft animals.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=110}} Adult members of the cooperative were credited with work points based on how much labor they had provided at which tasks.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=110}} At the end of the year, the collective deducted taxes and fixed-price sales to the state, and the cooperative retained seed for the next year as well as some investment and welfare funds.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=110}} The collective then distributed to the households the remainder of the harvest and some of the money received from sales to the state.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=110}} The distribution was based partly on work points accrued by the adult members of a household, and partly at a standard rate by age and sex.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=110}} These cooperatives also lent small amounts of land back to households individually on which the households could grow crops to consume directly or sell at market.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|pages=110–111}} Apart from the large-scale communization during the Great Leap Forward, Higher-level Agricultural Producers' Collectives (HAPCs) were generally the dominant form of rural collectivization in China.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=111}} These cooperatives also created new administrative and economic issues, but the CCP proceeded with the collectivizing process.<ref>Eisenman, 34.</ref>

In 1958, in the aftermath of the [[Hundred Flowers Campaign]] and [[Anti-Rightist Campaign]], Mao Zedong shifted course from emphasizing economic growth toward emphasizing the rapid establishment of communism. Achieving communism, for Mao, also required economic growth but had to, at the same time, involve further collectivization and the elimination of old (or feudal) ways of living. Party propaganda outlets publicized an enormous collective in Xushui, Hebei as a "commune," in which "peasant" households had given way to communal living, and people did not have to worry about money or food. Mao visited Xushui and similar larger, purportedly very productive units in Henan province and declared, "People's communes are good." Mao and his allies in the CCP leadership continued to promote the communes both in propaganda and party meetings, and the construction of communes quickly became party line and a central pillar of the Great Leap Forward.<ref>Edward Friedman et al., ''Chinese Village, Socialist State'' (Yale University Press, 1991), 217-218.</ref>

As the Great Leap Forward got underway, the state consolidated HAPCs into about 26,000 communes, each containing on average 4,500 hectares of land, 24,000 people, and 5,200 households.<ref>Eisenman, ''Red China's Green Revolution'', 35-37.</ref> The sizes of different communes varied widely across different regions but they were consistently much larger than HAPCs had been, and the communes encompassed on average about thirty HAPCs and up to one hundred.<ref>Eisenman, 37.</ref> The communes were supposed to be instrumental to the PRC's goal of "[[Exceeding the UK, catching the USA|surpassing Britain and catching up to the US]]" in steel production.

=== Ideological and economic motivations ===
Over the summer of 1958, agricultural producers' collectives were merged into much larger collectives which comprised tens of thousands of people, typically encompassing a market town and its surrounding villages.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=123}} CCP leadership called these giant administrative and economic regions "People's Communes" (人民公社), in line with the socialist and communist idea of the "commune." This term “commune” traces back to Western Europe, originally referring to autonomous cities or towns.<ref name=":4">{{Citation |last1=Yanni |first1=Wang |title=An Introduction to the ABCs of Communization: A Case Study of Macheng County |date=2011-01-01 |pages=163 |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.59962/9780774817288-009/html |access-date= |publisher=University of British Columbia Press |language=en |doi=10.59962/9780774817288-009 |isbn=978-0-7748-1728-8 |last2=Mundstein |first2=Sascha |last3=Mackie |first3=Robert|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Under the influence of [[Robert Owen]], [[Friedrich Engels]] used this term to refer to the basic unit of organization in a [[Communism|Communist]] society, and it was seen by [[Karl Marx]] as a form of proletariat governance. Influenced by both Marx and Engels, [[Mao Zedong|Mao]] envisioned the People's Communes to be the basic unit of Chinese society made up of and ruled by the working class.<ref name=":4" />

For Mao, these communes were to be characterized by their size and publicity. He wrote, <blockquote>"They're called people's communes, first, because they're big and, second because they're public. Lots of people, a vast area of land, large scale of production, and all their undertakings are done in a big way. They integrate government administration with commune management to establish public mess halls, and private plots are eliminated."<ref name=":6">{{Citation |last=Cheek |first=Timothy |title=Talks at the Beidaihe Conference August 1958 |date=2002 |work=Mao Zedong and China’s Revolutions |pages=162 |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-1-137-08687-7_9 |access-date= |place=New York |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-1-137-08687-7_9 |isbn=978-1-349-63485-9|url-access=subscription }}</ref></blockquote>In addition to this, the CCP's communes were defined by three main factors, especially during the Great Leap Forward: first, an emphasis on industrialization and productivity; second, a militarization of society, in which commune members were mobilized through military-style campaigns and exhorted to act with rigid discipline, devotion, and selflessness; and third, an ideal of self-reliance or local autonomy, such that each commune would be able to produce most of the supplies and technology that it needed to function.<ref>See Chapter 6 and Chapter 9 of Riskin, ''China's Political Economy''.</ref> China hoped that people's communes would mobilize peasant labor to overcome the lack of industrialization in rural China.<ref name=":Kindler2" />{{Reference page|page=134}}

This emphasis on efficient, independent, organized production and industrialization was driven by the CCP's desire to demonstrate the PRC's superiority over foreign powers. In their earlier years of rule in 1955–56, the CCP was determined to “surpass Britain and catch up with the United States.”<ref>Bo Yibo, ''Ruogan zhongdao juece yu shijian de huiyi'' [Reflections on Some Major Policy-making Decisions and Events] (Beijing: Zhongyang Dangxiao Chubanshe, 1991), p. 692</ref> By 1958, this competitive mindset was also applied to the Soviet Union.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last1=Shen |first1=Zhihua |last2=Xia |first2=Yafeng |date=November 2011 |title=The Great Leap Forward, the People's Commune and the Sino-Soviet Split |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10670564.2011.604505 |journal=Journal of Contemporary China |language=en |volume=20 |issue=72 |pages=867 |doi=10.1080/10670564.2011.604505 |issn=1067-0564 |via=Taylor & Francis Library SSH - CRKN|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Mao was optimistic that the PRC would reach the true Communist society before the Soviet Union did, by increasing their productivity through a change in their production system.<ref name=":5" /> The People's Communes were a means to this end; the Central Committee of the CCP stating in the 'Resolution on Setting up the People's Communes in the Countryside' that China "should actively apply the method of the People’s Communes in search of a practical way to make the transition to communism now."<ref>''Jianguo yilai zhongyao wenxian xuanbian'' [Selected Documents of Importance since the Founding of the PRC] (Beijing: Zhongyang Wenxian Chubanshe, 1995), vol. 11, p. 450.</ref>

As the CCP Politburo declared at the [[Beidaihe Conference (1958)|1958 Beidahe Conference]], the communes were meant to bring together all key occupations and professions into one unit and, by merging them, bring about "socialist construction":<ref name=":6" /><blockquote>
"The establishment of people's communes with all-round management of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, side occupations, and fishery, where industry (the worker), agriculture (the peasant), exchange (the trader), culture and education (the student), and military affairs (the militiaman) merge into one, is the fundamental policy to guide the peasant to accelerate socialist construction, complete the building of socialism ahead of time, and carry out the gradual transition to communism."<ref name=":7">Carl Riskin, ''China's Political Economy: The Quest for Development since 1949'', Economies of the World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987), 124.</ref></blockquote>By "socialist construction," the resolution referred to the process in which the PRC was supposed to build up its industry under the vanguard Communist Party and, through the process of industrialization, accumulate enough capital and power to advance toward [[Communism|full communism]].<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Citation |last=Peng |first=Lü |title=Chapter Seven 1958–1978: From the Great Leap Forward to Great Cultural Revolution |date=2023 |work=A History of China in the 20th Century |pages=896 |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-981-99-0734-2_9 |access-date= |place=Singapore |publisher=Springer Nature Singapore |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-981-99-0734-2_9 |isbn=978-981-99-0733-5|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=":6" /> This meant the completion of two transitions. First, the transition from collective ownership to ownership by the whole people. Second, from distribution according to ability or labor to distribution according to need, with the self-rule of the proletariat (see also: [[Primary stage of socialism]]).<ref>Jinlin sheng dang‘an’guan [Jilin Provincial Archive], 1/1-14/71, pp. 6–11.</ref><ref name=":5" />

In October 1958, Mao stated that if people's communes were run well, "there is a thorough road for women's liberation. The People's communes are carrying out a wage system and a supply system under which wages are paid to each individual, not to the family head. This makes women and young people happy, and it's a way of smashing the patriarchal system, and the ideology of [[bourgeois right]]."<ref name=":Kindler2">{{Cite book |last=Kindler |first=Benjamin |title=Writing to the Rhythm of Labor: Cultural Politics of the Chinese Revolution, 1942-1976 |date=2025 |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |isbn=978-0-231-21932-7 |location=New York City, NY}}</ref>{{Reference page|page=30}}

Mao hoped that the communes would create an "industrial army" out of the countryside, essentially turning the rural workforce into a well-disciplined engine of production.<ref>Zhonggong zhongyang wenxian yanjiushi, ed. ''Jianguo yilai zhongyao wenxian xuanbian'' [Selected Important Documents since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China] (Beijing: Zhonggong zhongyang wenxian chubanshe, 1996), 11:618.</ref><ref>Zhonggong zhongyang wenxian yanjiushi, ed. Jianguo yilai Mao Zedong wengao, 7:573.</ref><ref name=":8" /> He thought this militarization would be the key to efficient production, given the supposed ease of management and control, and its potential to bolster the motivation of peasants and the working class to work.<ref name=":8" />

Other members of the CCP leadership were more wary of Mao's plan for rapid agricultural modernization, and they pointed out the potentially prohibitive costs of this process and resources that it would require (such as iron, steel, and petroleum), and they argued that agricultural modernization might lead to unemployment given that rural workers would not necessarily be able to find other jobs in the countryside and urban industry remained relatively small.<ref>Eisenman, ''Red China's Green Revolution'', 37.</ref> Nevertheless, Mao's faction won out.

These debates, and the communes themselves, were oriented toward a question facing the Chinese economy in the 1950s: how could the PRC grow its industrial base when most of the population remained tied to agricultural work and small-scale sideline production for subsistence?<ref>Riskin, ''China's Political Economy'', 114-116.</ref> The communes would require a great deal of coordination and at times coercion but would also, in theory, address this basic issue. By forcing people to move into these large units, the commune leadership could coordinate larger infrastructural and industrial projects more effectively, extract income from the commune residents, and allocate this capital income to the larger projects, which would in turn make the commune more productive and efficient and free up labor for further development.<ref>Eisenman, ''Red China's Green Revolution,'' 34.</ref> Thus, one of the goals of the people's commune was to improve agricultural productivity such that fewer people had to work in agriculture and could instead use their energy and resources for industrialization.

=== During the Great Leap Forward ===
In their first few years of existence, the communes created a wide range of economic, social, and administrative issues and exacerbated the Great Leap Forward famine. The CCP leadership then made major reforms to the commune structure after the Great Leap and again in the decades that followed in order to make them more stable, productive, and efficient. Regardless of the stated goals of the communes, however, the PRC economy at the time was not oriented toward the countryside. Most productive industry was already located in the cities, and urban residents—those with jobs in key enterprises and industries—were the best-paid and best-fed in the country. As a result, the communes existed, above all, to extract grain from the countryside to support both consumption and production in the cities, and to employ surplus population when the cities grew too large.<ref>Felix Wemheuer, ''Famine Politics in Maoist China and the Soviet Union'', Yale Agrarian Studies Series (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2014), 43-46.</ref>

Communization proceeded on a largely voluntary basis, avoiding both the violence and sabotage that occurred during the Soviet collectivization.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":322">{{Cite book |last=Hammond |first=Ken |title=China's Revolution and the Quest for a Socialist Future |publisher=1804 Books |year=2023 |isbn=9781736850084 |location=New York, NY |pages=}}</ref>{{Rp|page=46}} According to academic Lin Chun, China's collectivization proceeded smoothly because, unlike the Soviet experience, a network of state institutions already existed in the countryside.<ref name=":0" /> Academic Ken Hammond attributes the comparatively non-contentious process of collectivization in China to its gradual process in which productivity gains appeared to be made at each step.<ref name=":322" />{{Rp|page=45}}

=== After the Great Leap Forward ===
The communes also changed shape considerably over time. To address some of the early shortcomings, the central leadership quickly adopted major reforms. During the Great Leap, the leadership revised the free supply system back into a labor-based system of distribution.<ref>Xin Yi, 140.</ref> In late 1960, the unit of accounting through which labor and income were allocated was devolved from the people's commune to the production brigade.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=139}} In many cases, these brigades corresponded to the high level agricultural producers' cooperatives that had preceded the people's communes.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=139}}

In 1961, the average size of the communes was reduced to one-third of the original, and the basic accounting unit (i.e., the unit at which productivity was measured and work points were allocated) devolved from the commune to the brigade to, in 1962, the production team.<ref>Riskin, 123-124.</ref> In the aftermath of the Great Leap Forward, as Mao Zedong retreated from guiding the economic course of the PRC, other members of the leadership enacted additional reforms to the commune. Particularly important was the reintroduction of the "Three Freedoms": private household plots, sideline industries, and small-scale animal husbandry. These "freedoms" enabled commune residents to maintain some basic subsistence measures outside of their commune work, and, as the communes became more efficient, commune residents were increasingly able to spend more time developing their own projects.<ref>Eisenman, 133-138.</ref> Newly built communes did not retain the collectivized living arrangements and allowed for separate family spaces, even if residents still lived in large, central complexes.<ref>Cheng and Jacoby, 29.</ref>

The production team remained the unit of account until agricultural was totally decollectivized between 1979 and 1982.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=139}}
== Commune life ==
[[File:People's commune kitchen.jpg|thumb|295x295px|A kitchen in a people's commune from 1958 during the food's preparation]]
=== Layout and provision of services ===
People's communes were much more communal than the collectives that had been merged into them.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=123}} In their most ambitious Great-Leap form, the communes were supposed to make nearly all domestic labor (cooking, taking care of children, education, washing, etc.) communal. In the early stages of the Great Leap Forward, the communes supplied some goods and services for free, such that food in the communal dining halls would be available for whoever wanted it rather than allocated based on workpoints or one's own household possessions. This system was known as "free supply."<ref>Xin Yi, "On the Distribution System of Large-Scale People's Communes," in ''Eating Bitterness: New Perspectives on China's Great Leap Forward and Famine'', ed. Felix Wemheuer and Kimberley Ens Manning, (Vancouver: UBC Press, 2011), 142.</ref>

Mao also considered militias and military-style organization essential to the success of the communes, and he promoted communization as a process of "militarization, combatization, and disciplinization."<ref>Friedman et al., ''Chinese Village, Socialist State'', 219.</ref> As Mao saw it, a spirit of militarized organization, sacrifice, dedication, and selflessness would enable the Chinese people to overcome production bottlenecks through sheer effort.<ref name=":8">Wang, "The ABCs of Communization," 164-165.</ref> Each commune had a "people's militia," a group of commune members who took on military-style roles, adopted military terminology, and were responsible for organizing the commune population, defending the commune, and ensuring that commune members followed directives and maintained appropriate political behavior.<ref>Friedman et al., 256; Eisenman, ''Red China's Green Revolution'', 167-169.</ref> The height of militarized fervor subsided after the Great Leap Forward, but the "people's militias" continued to shape commune life and organization thereafter, especially during the Cultural Revolution.<ref>Eisenman, 169.</ref>

During the Great Leap Forward, the process of bringing people into the communes, or communization, successfully uprooted traditional ways of farming and living but often failed to replace them with viable or productive alternatives. People had to give up their personal belongings, including everyday items such as farming and kitchen tools to smelt in "backyard steel furnaces." These items were supposed to be useless scrap materials, but cadres and other zealous commune members encouraged people to contribute more and more items, to the extent that some communities melted down all of their pots and pans. The resulting steel and iron was mostly useless, and people who had to make steel could not spend as much time working in the fields. When, for a variety of structural and environmental factors (see also: [[Great Leap Forward]]), a larger famine set in, this shift from agricultural work to unproductive industrial labor only worsened conditions in the communes.<ref>Friedman et al., 227-228; Wemheuer, ''Famine Politics in Maoist China and the Soviet Union'', 21.</ref>

Some communes, such as the Macheng commune in Hubei (which was held up as a "model commune" at the national level, see also: [[Macheng]]), also demolished tens of thousands of private residences in order to bring about collective living arrangements and improve production efficiency. Macheng commune leaders also destroyed gravesites in order to open up more land for cultivation. Such destruction, the relative lack of compensation, and the lack of actual production increases all made the communization process incredibly disruptive and even deadly.<ref>Wang, "The ABCs of Communization," 150-157; see also: Xin Yi, "On the Distribution System of Large-Scale People's Communes," 142.</ref> In Raoyang Village in Hebei Province, the communization process also alienated villagers as cadres ended the temple fair, destroyed temples, cut back on traditional opera, and forced the local market to mostly close, all of which prevented villagers from engaging in traditional rites and celebrations. In the process of enforcing these new regulations, some cadres also abused their power and assaulted or humiliated villagers.<ref>Friedman et al., 238.</ref>

Communes were supposed to rationalize the working lives of rural residents, for example by spacing out new residential areas evenly rather than adhering to traditional village boundaries. With these new spatial plans, commune administrations aimed to reduce the amount of walking time required for farmers to get to their fields.<ref>程婧如, "作为政治宣言的空间设计——1958—1960中国人民公社设计提案," 新建筑, no. 05 (2018): 29–33.</ref> But, in the frenzied and militarized atmosphere of the Great Leap Forward, rural residents were organized into "production armies" and might spend most of their time walking around between work sites, as they were tasked with too many different non-agricultural projects at once.<ref>Wang, "The ABCs of Communization," 161.</ref>

Conditions varied widely from commune to commune. The most immediate constraint on communal "free supply" was the availability of resources and the commune members' willingness to participate in the new collective institutions. Commune members had a range of reasons to resist or express discontent with the communization process, largely due to either the inadequacies and inefficiencies of the commune system itself or the disruptive and destructive process by which the communes were first created. Some issues that arose for commune members included: overwork on non-agricultural projects (at the expense of subsistence-oriented farming), inefficient or counterproductive infrastructure projects (such as the [[backyard furnace]]s), lack of food at the communal dining halls, negligent educational and childcare services which created additional housework burdens for women, excessive and obligatory political study sessions, and confusing incentive structures for production.<ref>Riskin,123; Eisenman, 40-41, 96-97; Xin Yi, 140-142; Gail Hershatter, ''The Gender of Memory: Rural Women and China's Collective Past'' (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011), Chapter 7.</ref> Additionally, because markets were closed and sideline industries were banned, people could not turn to some of the traditional methods of dealing with economic and agricultural hardship.

Despite these instances of resistance, there were no large-scale uprisings against the commune system as a whole. Scholars such as Joshua Eisenman{{additional citation needed|reason=More scholars of the same opinion|date=August 2025}} write that this lack of massive resistance indicates that the commune system, with its post-Great Leap Forward adjustments, ended up serving the basic purposes of, first, feeding the countryside, and, second, extracting enough income from rural residents to fund modernizing projects and free up labor.<ref>Eisenman, 97.</ref> Restrictions on individuals' mobility, however, would have made it extremely difficult for potential dissidents to coordinate resistance to the communes at a regional or provincial level, and the Anti-Rightist Movement had severely undermined people's willingness to openly criticize the party.<ref>Eisenman, 76; Friedman et al., 240; Wemheuer, 73.</ref>

The conditions on communes varied considerably by geographic location. Different provincial administrations were more or less zealous in pursuing communization. Different provinces also did not have the same resources at their disposal for communization, and the Great Leap famine's severity depended on local weather, grain extraction for exports (or requisitioning for internal trade), and the response or lack thereof from local officials.<ref>Xin Yi, "On the Distribution System of Large-Scale Communes"; Chris Bramall, ''Chinese Economic Development'' (Abingdon: Routledge, 2009), 126-132.</ref> At the commune level, variation might also depend on the local geography or the layout that the commune organizers preferred. For example, some communes such as the Panyu people's commune in Guangdong province were organized around a central spatial axis such as a main road or a mountain range, and residences were built near the main production facilities.<ref>Sam Jacoby and Jingru (Cyan) Cheng, "Collective Forms in China: An Architectural Analysis of the People's Commune, Danwei, and Xiaoqu," in ''The Socio-Spatial Design of Community and Governance: Interdisciplinary Urban Design in China'', ed. Sam Jacoby and Jingru (Cyan) Cheng (Singapore: Springer, 2020), 20-26.</ref> Other communes were built instead with a focus on public facilities such as canteens, performance spaces, and community centers. These differences in spatial organization could then affect the daily lives of commune residents, as they might spend more time working on industrial projects as opposed to in political or cultural meetings, or, depending on the layout of their commune, they might spend additional time transiting between the two.<ref>See: 程婧如, "作为政治宣言的空间设计——1958—1960中国人民公社设计提案."</ref>

=== Rural healthcare ===
For a number of years after the establishment of the people's communes, healthcare stations were developed as fee-for-service hospitals to cover several large production brigades.<ref name=":0222">{{Cite book |last=Lin |first=Shuanglin |title=China's Public Finance: Reforms, Challenges, and Options |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |year=2022 |isbn=978-1-009-09902-8 |edition= |location=New York, NY |pages= |doi=10.1017/9781009099028}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=269–270}}

During the Cultural Revolution, Mao emphasized the need to improve [[Healthcare in China|medical care]] in rural China.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=270}} The Rural Cooperative Medical System (RCMS) developed in the late 1960s.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=270}} In this system, each large production brigade established a medical cooperative station staffed by [[barefoot doctor]]s.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=270}} The medical cooperative stations provided primary health care.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=270}} For treatment of major diseases, rural people traveled to state-owned hospitals.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=270}}

=== Urban communes ===
During the Great Leap Forward, the CPC central leadership also pushed cities to create communes of their own, modeled on the one set up in Zhengzhou, Henan. As with the rural communes, the urban communes were supposed to improve production and social cohesion by: collectivizing living arrangements and socializing domestic labor (i.e., making housework collective in order to free up female labor for other work); combining many different social, economic, cultural, and political institutions in the same space (i.e., the commune); and thereby pushing the PRC forward on the road to socialism. As the CCP Central Committee put it,<blockquote>The urban people's commune will be the tool for transforming old cities into new socialist cities and the organizer of production, exchange, distribution and welfare in people's lives, as well as the social organization which would combine industrial, agricultural, military, educational and trade circles and eventually merge government administration with commune management.<ref>Zhang Jie and Wang Tao, "The 'Great Leap Forward' and Readjustment: Seeking a Road for Self-Development (1958-1965)," in ''Modern Urban Housing in China: 1840-2000'', ed. Lu Junhua, Peter G. Rowe, and Zhang Jie (Munich: Prestel, 2001), 163.</ref></blockquote>Production and labor, especially female labor, were essential to these "socialist cities," as the first Zhengzhou Commune statute made clear: the commune would "[push] forward the elimination of private property and the complete liberation of productive forces, in particular women's productive force."<ref>Fabio Lanza, "The Search for a Socialist Everyday: The Urban Communes," in ''Routledge Handbook of Revolutionary China'' (Routledge, 2019), 76.</ref> To view the communes as liberatory, the CCP leadership had to assume that the labor women already did inside and outside the home was not sufficiently or meaningfully productive, and that the act of working in factories or other industrial projects would free women from patriarchal household structures.<ref>Lanza, 76.</ref>

The urban communes did create new communal institutions and these institutions garnered some popularity, but the main outcome of the urban communes in the short run was—in addition to new services—disorder, inefficiency, and frustration. According to official statistics from 1960, the urban communes created: 53,000 public canteens, 50,000 nurseries, and 55,000 service centers that provided for other daily needs (such as laundry, repairing, and cleaning).<ref>Chuang Collective, "Sorghum and Steel: The Socialist Developmental Regime and the Forging of China," ''Chuang'', no. 1 (2016): 98.</ref> The boundaries between workers and managers were loosened and the welfare benefits associated with a [[Work unit|work unit (''danwei'')]] were extended to migrants and women through a large employment program. Such changes represented an enormous expansion of urban welfare benefits, in contrast with the relatively restricted welfare policy the PRC pursued before and after this period.<ref>Chuang, 98-99; Nara Dillon, ''Radical Inequalities: China's Revolutionary Welfare State in Comparative Perspective'', (Cambridge: Harvard University Asia Center, 2015), 244-251.</ref>

The communes, and the state as a whole, were not able to sustain such expansion either financially or organizationally. At the same time, the members of the communes, as in the countryside, were mobilized to achieve huge production quotas and other political and manual work. The urban communes were relatively productive, even with some waste and overproduction, but in cities such as [[Beijing]] and [[Shanghai]], people began to complain that the commune services were subpar or incompetent and the work was excessive (especially for women who often continued to have to do housework), and the expenditure on welfare made the communes unprofitable as a whole.<ref>Lanza, "Toward a Socialist Everyday," 79-80; Dillon, ''Radical Inequalities'', 251-255.</ref> By late 1961, many people in these cities had stopped using commune services, and the communes closed down some of their amenities. Ultimately, although the communes were economically unsustainable and socially disruptive, some city residents lamented their closure, as they had provided jobs or amenities that the existing, more limited welfare system did not.<ref>Lanza, 82-83. Compare with: Dillon, 255.</ref>

In addition to the failure of the communes to provide the services they had intended to collectivize, the urban communes also ran up against economic issues surrounding housing and urban construction. Three developments were particularly important: first, during the Great Leap Forward, a large proportion of public funding was allocated for capital construction (e.g., factories, mines) rather than housing construction, and so cities had relatively little money with which to construct new, durable housing. Second, the construction of housing was especially pressing because the Great Leap Forward had freed up a great deal of the rural workforce to move into the cities to work in industry, leading to a shock of urbanization. And third, Great Leap-era plans for urban construction were highly ambitious, both in the scope of construction and the economizing techniques that builders were supposed to rely on, given that more resources were being directed to industrial projects. Thus, Great Leap Forward policies exacerbated demand for new urban housing but did not provide funding to meet that demand and instead pushed the construction projects to rely on non-industrial materials (such as bricks) and the recycling of materials, either from demolished buildings or leftover from other projects.<ref>Zhang Jie and Wang Tao, "The 'Great Leap Forward' and Readjustment: Seeking a Road for Self-Development (1958-1965)," in ''Modern Urban Housing in China: 1840-2000'', ed. Lu Junhua, Peter G. Rowe, and Zhang Jie (Munich: Prestel, 2001), 152-174; see also: Wang Jun, ''Beijing Record: A Physical and Political History of Planning Modern Beijing'', Illustrated edition (Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Company, 2011), 387.</ref> The idea that urban communes would both promote production and reorganize living space within the same institutions ran up against an economic contradiction, namely that Great Leap policies provided resources for the former (production) but not the latter (living space). Hence, when the central leadership decided to address the economic crisis, one of the major steps they took to lessen the cost of welfare provision was to lay off urban workers and step up the process of "ruralization," sending these workers to the countryside.<ref>Dillon, 255-258.</ref>

Unlike the rural communes, the urban ones did not last after the Great Leap Forward.<ref>Riskin, 125.</ref> The urban communes, however, still had lasting effects on urban planning, as, for example, with the Beijing city plan of 1958. This plan featured radical changes to the urban landscape, including an emphasis on communal construction and the destruction of walls, and, although the central leadership never officially approved this plan, urban planners continued relying on it up until the Cultural Revolution.<ref>Wang Jun, ''Beijing Record'', 322.</ref> The urban communes also represented the peak of the PRC's urban welfare provision, and the economic untenability of this system led the CCP leadership to enact policies reinforcing and sharpening the rural-urban divide.<ref>Dillon, 233-237, 257-258, 263-267.</ref>

In the people's commune, many things were shared. Private kitchens became redundant, and in some counties items in the private kitchen such as tables, chairs, cooking utensils and pans were contributed to the commune's kitchen. Private cooking was discouraged<ref>{{Cite book|title=Mao's Great Famine|last=Dikotter|first=Frank|publisher=Walker & Co.|year=2010|isbn=978-0-8027-7768-3|location=New York|pages=54, 60, 286, 311}}</ref> and supplanted by communal dining.

== Impact ==
The rural cooperative movement replaced village power structures influenced by kinship and community elites with a formalized administrative system.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=Cai |first1=Xiang |url= |title=Revolution and its narratives : China's socialist literary and cultural imaginaries (1949-1966) |last2=蔡翔 |date=2016 |publisher=[[Duke University Press]] |others=Rebecca E. Karl, Xueping Zhong, 钟雪萍 |isbn=978-0-8223-7461-9 |location=Durham |pages= |oclc=932368688}}</ref>{{Rp|page=66}} The process linked families and individuals to national policies, creating what academic Cai Xiang describes as a new social space.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=66}}

Collective labor created possibilities from women to leave the home and increase their personal and economic independence.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=297}}

During the Great Leap Forward, the communes contributed to the widespread famine conditions, as the communes overworked their residents, confiscated necessary everyday items, and misallocated labor and resources on unproductive projects over basic foodstuffs. With the adjustments made to the communes after the Great Leap, however, they did contribute to the PRC's relatively substantial growth in agricultural productivity over the remaining years before decollectivization.<ref>Eisenman, 21-24.</ref> The work point system did not always provide clear incentive structures for commune workers but the value of the work points was calculated in such a way that the commune took roughly half the laborer's income before they turned the work points into material goods. Using this extracted capital, the communes were able to invest in mechanization, infrastructure, irrigation, soil reclamation, and other large-scale projects that required large amounts of investment and labor. Moreover, the communes continued to provide some basic services such as education and health services, and the industrial projects built on some communes gave commune members technical skills they would not have gotten otherwise.

The communes also had lasting negative effects. The experiences associated with communization and the Great Leap Forward created lasting traumas for whole communities and especially the women who were responsible for taking on additional labor and were often the first in a family to go hungry.<ref>Hershatter, ''The Gender of Memory'', 210-235.</ref> Destruction of gravesites made it difficult for families to continue forms of ancestor worship that they had been practicing for centuries, even after the Great Leap ended.<ref>Wang, "The ABCs of Communization," 160-162.</ref> Some of the land reclamation and irrigation projects successfully made agricultural land more productive, but the top-down nature of the commune structure often meant that commune or brigade leadership determined these projects without consulting the commune members on whether these projects were useful to them.<ref>Micah S Muscolino, "The Contradictions of Conservation: Fighting Erosion in Mao-Era China, 1953–66," ''Environmental History'' 25, no. 2 (April 1, 2020): 246-258.</ref> Moreover, some of the projects that communes undertook to make their land more productive, such as the use of pesticides and chemical experiments, could also have had deleterious long-term effects on the environment and the local population.<ref>Eisenman, 92-93.</ref>

During the years between the end of the Great Leap Forward and decollectivization in the early 1980s, the PRC's agricultural productivity, rural school enrollment, infant mortality rates, and life expectancy all improved.<ref>Eisenman, 128-141; Riskin, 138; Bramall, 154, 220-226, 236-239; Chuang, 114.</ref> Collectivization of land via the commune system also facilitated China's rapid industrialization through the state's control of food production and procurement.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |title=CPC Futures The New Era of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics |date=2022 |publisher=[[National University of Singapore Press]] |isbn=978-981-18-5206-0 |editor-last1=Pieke |editor-first1=Frank N |location=Singapore |pages=55 |doi=10.56159/eai.52060 |oclc=1354535847 |editor-last2=Hofman |editor-first2=Bert |doi-access=free}}</ref> This allowed the state to accelerate the process of [[capital accumulation]], ultimately laying the successful foundation of physical and [[human capital]] for the economic growth of China's [[reform and opening up]].<ref name=":1" />

In a 1959 analysis, [[Arrigo Cervetto]] argued that the People's Communes in China represented a transitional phase toward capitalism rather than an immediate step toward socialism. He contended that while the communes appeared pre-capitalist in structure, their financial centralization and industrialization efforts aligned with capitalist development. According to this perspective, the communes facilitated the concentration of resources and labor necessary for economic modernization, reflecting a broader historical process in which societies must develop capitalist structures before progressing toward socialism.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cervetto|first=Arrigo|date=1959|title=The «People's Communes» and the Development of Capitalism in China|url=https://www.theinternationalism.org/p/peoples-communes-capitalism-in-china.html|access-date=18 March 2025|website=Internationalism: Journal of Marxist Analysis|archive-date=18 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318084347/https://www.theinternationalism.org/p/peoples-communes-capitalism-in-china.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="200" heights="130">
File:People's commune Nursery school.jpg|Children eating at a nursery school in a people's commune
File:Visit to the People's Commune, Ferenc Sarkadi Kovács journalist.jpg|Hungarian journalist Ferenc Sarkadi Kovács at a people's commune
File:Visit to the People's Commune named Chinese-Hungarian Friendship-9.jpg|A meal being eaten during a state visit of [[Hungarian People's Republic|Hungary]] to China inside a people's commune during meal hour.
File:Visit to the People's Commune named Chinese-Hungarian Friendship-3.jpg|An example of a people's commune collective farm
File:CIA Archives Chinas Great Leap Forward Part 4 1958.ogv|A CIA film on life in a people's commune from 1958
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Work unit]], China
* [[Chinese Peasants' Association]]
* [[Nanjie]], reported to be the last Maoist village in China
* [[Zhoujiazhuang Township]], reported to be the last remaining people's commune in China
{{commons|Chinese People's commune}}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References and further reading==
* Yang, Dali. ''Calamity and Reform in China: State, Rural Society, and Institutional Change since the Great Leap Famine''. Stanford University Press, 1996.
* {{cite book |last = Schurmann |first = Franz|year = 1966 |title = ''[[Ideology and Organization in Communist China (book)|Ideology and Organization in Communist China]]'' |publisher = University of California Press| location = Berkeley|isbn = 9780520011519|ref = none}}
{{Country study}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:People's Commune}}

[[Category:Former administrative divisions of China]]
[[Category:Economic history of the People's Republic of China]]
[[Category:Campaigns of the Chinese Communist Party]]
[[Category:Maoist China]]
[[Category:Housing in China]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:20th century in China]]
[[Category:Great Leap Forward]]

Autonomous communities of Spain

2025-10-29T16:53:30Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:89A6:22A5:AB8C:BE35: Category:Autonomous communities of Spain is already a subcategory of Category:Autonomous administrative divisions

{{Short description|First-level administrative divisions of Spain}}
{{Redirect|Regions of Spain}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024 }}
{{Infobox subdivision type
| name = Autonomous communities 
<div style="font-size:85%;font-weight:normal;">
{{langx|es|comunidad autónoma}}{{efn|{{IPA|es|komuniˈðað awˈtonoma|small=no}}}} 
{{langx|an|comunidat autonoma}} 
{{langx|ast|comunidá autónoma}} 
{{langx|eu|autonomia erkidegoa}}{{efn|{{IPA|eu|autonomi.a erkiðeɣo|small=no}}}} 
{{langx|ca|comunitat autònoma}}{{efn|{{IPA|ca|kumuniˈtat əwˈtɔnumə|small=no}}, {{IPA|ca-valencia|komuniˈtat awˈtɔnoma|small=no}}}} 
{{langx|gl|comunidade autónoma}}{{efn|{{IPA|gl|komuniˈðaðɪ awˈtɔnʊmɐ|small=no}}}} 
{{langx|oc|comunautat autonòma}}
</div>
| alt_name =
| map = {{Autonomous regions of Spain}}
| category = [[Autonomous administrative division]]
| territory = [[Spain|Kingdom of Spain]]
| upper_unit =
| start_date = 1979–1983
| legislation_begin = [[Constitution of Spain|Spanish Constitution of 1978]]
| legislation_end =
| end_date =
| current_number = [[#List of autonomous communities|17 autonomous communities]] [[#Autonomous cities|2 autonomous cities]]
| number_date =
| type =
| status =
| exofficio =
| population_range = Autonomous communities: 324,184 ([[La Rioja]]) – 8,631,862 ([[Andalusia]]) Autonomous cities: 83,179 ([[Ceuta]]) – 85,985 ([[Melilla]])
| area_range = Autonomous communities: 4,992 km2 ([[Balearic Islands]]) – 94,223 km2 ([[Castile and León]]) Autonomous cities: 12.3 km2 ([[Melilla]]) – 18.5 km2 ([[Ceuta]])
| government = [[Autonomous Communities Administration|Autonomous governments]]
| government2 = [[Government of Spain|National government]]
| subdivision = [[Provinces of Spain|Provinces]]
| subdivision1 = [[Comarcas of Spain|Comarcas]]
| subdivision2 = [[Municipalities of Spain|Municipalities]]
}}

The '''autonomous communities'''<ref>M. Z. Dankowski, ''Zagadnienie stołeczności miast w regionach autonomicznych Hiszpanii, Przegląd Prawa Konstytucyjnego,'' s. 173-187.</ref> ({{langx|es|comunidad autónoma}}) are the first-level [[political divisions of Spain|administrative divisions]] of [[Spain]], created in accordance with the [[Constitution of Spain|Spanish Constitution of 1978]], with the aim of guaranteeing limited autonomy to the [[nationalities and regions of Spain|nationalities and regions]] that make up Spain.{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Articles 2, 143}}

There are 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities ([[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]]) that are collectively known as "'''autonomies'''".{{efn-lr|"Autonomies" (in Spanish: ''autonomías'', in Basque: ''autonomien'', in Catalan/Valencian: ''autonomies'', in Galician: ''autonomías'').}} The two autonomous cities have the right to become autonomous communities.

The autonomous communities exercise their right to self-government within the limits set forth in the constitution and [[Organic Law (Spain)|organic laws]] known as [[Statute of Autonomy|Statutes of Autonomy]],{{efn-lr|"Statutes of Autonomy" (in Spanish: ''Estatutos de Autonomía'', in Basque: ''Autonomia Estatutuen'', in Catalan/Valencian: ''Estatuts d'Autonomia'', in Galician: ''Estatutos de Autonomía'').}} which broadly define the powers that they assume.

Each statute sets out the devolved powers ({{langx|es|competencia}}) for each community; typically those communities with stronger local nationalism have more powers, and this type of devolution has been called ''asymmetrical'' which is on the whole seen as advantageous, able to respond to diversity.<ref name=tanja>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j1YzvIIiOAYC|title=States and Regions in the European Union|last=Börzel|first=Tanja A|publisher=University Press, Cambridge|pages=93–151|year=2002|access-date=20 October 2012|isbn=978-0521008600}}</ref>

Despite the Constitution not setting a mandatory [[legislative chamber]] framework, all autonomous communities have chosen [[unicameralism]]. All such governments have legislative and executive branches of government but not judicial.

==Decentralisation model==
{{main|Political_divisions_of_Spain#Decentralisation_model|l1=Political divisions of Spain}}
The Spanish model is generally considered by foreign political scientists and scholars as "a federal system with certain peculiarities".{{sfn|Colino|2020|p=75}} However it is also described as a decentralised<ref name="sinopsis145">{{cite web|url=https://app.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/sinopsis/sinopsis.jsp?art=145&tipo=2|title=Sinópsis of Article 145|work=Constitución española (con sinópsis)|last=Bacigalupo Sagesse|first=Mariano|publisher=[[Congress of Deputies (Spain)|Congress of the Deputies]]|date=June 2005|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref>{{sfn|Ruíz-Huerta Carbonell|Herrero Alcalde|2008|p=ix}} unitary country. While sovereignty is vested in the nation as a whole, represented in the central institutions of government, the nation has, to varying degrees, [[devolution|devolved]] power to the communities.

This unique framework of territorial administration has been labeled by the [[Constitutional Court of Spain|Constitutional Court]] as the "State of Autonomous Communities",{{efn-lr|"State of Autonomies" (in Spanish: ''Estado de las Autonomías'', in Basque: ''Autonomien Estatuaren'', in Catalan/Valencian: ''Estat de les Autonomies'', in Galician: ''Estado das Autonomías''). Also known as "Autonomous State"{{sfn|Arbós Marín|2013|page=375}} (in Spanish: ''Estado Autonómico'', in Basque: ''Autonomia Estatuko'', or ''Estatuaren'', in Catalan/Valencian: ''Estat Autonòmic'', in Galician: ''Estado Autonómico'')}} to avoid implying either a [[Unitary state|unitary]] or [[federation|federal]] model.<ref>{{cite web |title=Synopsis of Article 137 of the Spanish Constitucion |url=https://app.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/sinopsis/sinopsis.jsp?art=137&tipo=2 |publisher=Congreso de los Diputados [Congress] |access-date=11 June 2023 |year=2011 |language=Spanish |ref={{harvid| Synopsis of Article 137|2011}}}} paragraph 2-4</ref> Some scholars have referred to the resulting system as a federal system in all but name, or a "federation without federalism".{{sfn|Arbós Marín|2013|page=375}}

== List of autonomous communities ==
The official names of the autonomous communities can be in Spanish only (which applies to the majority of them), in the co-official language in the community only (as in the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands), or in both Spanish and the co-official language (as in the Basque Country, Navarre and Galicia). Since 2006, [[Occitan language|Occitan]]—in its [[Aranese language|Aranese dialect]]—is also a co-official language in Catalonia, making it the only autonomous community whose name has three official variants (Spanish: ''Cataluña'', Catalan: ''Catalunya'', Occitan: ''Catalonha'').
{{mw-datatable}}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-datatable"
|-
! class="unsortable" style="width:50px" | Flag
! Autonomous community
! Capital
! colspan="2" | [[President (Autonomous Community of Spain)|President]]
! Legislature
! Government coalition
! [[Senate of Spain|Senate]] seats
! Area (km2)
! Pop. (2024)<ref name=population2024>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Tabla.htm?t=67988|title=Annual population census 2021-2024|website=ine.es|access-date=29 January 2025}}</ref>
! Density (/km2)
! [[Gross regional product|GRP]] per capita ([[euro|€]]) 2023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ine.es/dyngs/Prensa/en/CRE2023.htm | title=Spanish Regional Accounts 2000-2023 Series|website=ine.es}}</ref>
! Status
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Andalusia|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Andalusia]]
| [[Seville]]
| [[Juan Manuel Moreno]] ([[People's Party (Spain)|PP]])
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party (Spain)}};"|
| [[Parliament of Andalusia|Parliament]]
| [[People's Party of Andalusia|PP]]
| 41 (9 RA, 32 DE)
| align="right" | 87,268 (17.2%)
| align="right" | 8,631,862
| align="right" | 96
| align="center" | 23,218
| Nationality
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Aragon|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Aragon]]
| [[Zaragoza]]
| [[Jorge Azcón]] (PP)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party (Spain)}};"|
| [[Cortes of Aragon|Cortes]]
| [[People's Party of Aragon|PP]], [[Vox (political party)|Vox]] (until July 2024)
PP (since July 2024)
| 14 (2 RA, 12 DE)
| align="right" | 47,719 (9.4%)
| style="text-align:right" | 1,351,591
| align="right" | 28
| align="center" | 34,658
| Nationality
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Asturias|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Asturias]]
| [[Oviedo]]
| [[Adrián Barbón]] ([[Spanish Socialist Workers' Party|PSOE]])
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Spanish Socialist Workers' Party}};"|
| [[General Junta of the Principality of Asturias|General Junta]]
| [[Asturian Socialist Federation|FSA–PSOE]], [[United Left of Asturias|IU–IX]], [[Asturian Left|IAS]]
| 6 (2 RA, 4 DE)
| align="right" | 10,604 (2.1%)
| style="text-align:right" | 1,009,599
| align="right" | 96
| align="center" | 28,130
| Historical community
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Balearic Islands|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Balearic Islands]]
| [[Palma de Mallorca|Palma]]
| [[Marga Prohens]] (PP)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party (Spain)}};"|
| [[Parliament of the Balearic Islands|Parliament]]
| [[People's Party of the Balearic Islands|PP]]
| 7 (2 RA, 5 DE)
| align="right" | 4,992 (1%)
| style="text-align:right" | 1,231,768
| align="right" | 230
| align="center" | 34,381
| Nationality
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Basque Country|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]]
| [[Vitoria-Gasteiz]] (''[[de facto]]'' seat of institutions)
| [[Imanol Pradales]] ([[Basque Nationalist Party|PNV]])
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Basque Nationalist Party}};"|
| [[Basque Parliament|Parliament]]
| [[Basque Nationalist Party|PNV]], [[Socialist Party of the Basque Country–Basque Country Left|PSE-EE (PSOE)]]
| 15 (3 RA, 12 DE)
| align="right" | 7,234 (1.4%)
| style="text-align:right" | 2,227,684
| align="right" | 305
| align="center" | 39,547
| Nationality
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Canary Islands|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Canary Islands]]
| [[Las Palmas]], [[Santa Cruz de Tenerife|Santa Cruz]]
| [[Fernando Clavijo Batlle]] ([[Canarian Coalition|CC]])
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Canarian Coalition}};"|
| [[Parliament of the Canary Islands|Parliament]]
| [[Canarian Coalition|CC]], [[People's Party of the Canary Islands|PP]], [[Gomera Socialist Group|ASG]], [[Independent Herrenian Group|AHI]]
| 14 (3 RA, 11 DE)
| align="right" | 7,447 (1.5%)
| style="text-align:right" | 2,238,754
| align="right" | 289
| align="center" | 24,345
| Nationality
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Cantabria|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Cantabria]]
| [[Santander, Spain|Santander]]
| [[María José Sáenz de Buruaga]] (PP)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party (Spain)}};"|
| [[Parliament of Cantabria|Parliament]]
| [[People's Party of Cantabria|PP]]
| 5 (1 RA, 4 DE)
| align="right" | 5,321 (1%)
| style="text-align:right" | 590,851
| align="right" | 109
| align="center" | 28,461
| Historical community
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Castile and León|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Castile and León]]
| [[Valladolid]] (''[[de facto]]'' seat of institutions)
| [[Alfonso Fernández Mañueco]] (PP)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party (Spain)}};"|
| [[Cortes of Castile and León|Cortes]]
| [[People's Party of Castile and León|PP]], [[Vox (political party)|Vox]] (until July 2024)
PP (since July 2024)
| 39 (3 RA, 36 DE)
| align="right" | 94,223 (18.6%)
| style="text-align:right" | 2,391,682
| align="right" | 25
| align="center" | 29,698
| Historical community
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Castile-La Mancha|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Castilla–La Mancha]]
| [[Toledo, Spain|Toledo]]
| [[Emiliano García-Page]] (PSOE)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Spanish Socialist Workers' Party}};"|
| [[Cortes of Castilla–La Mancha|Cortes]]
| [[Socialist Party of Castilla–La Mancha|PSOE]]
| 23 (3 RA, 20 DE)
| align="right" | 79,463 (15.7%)
| style="text-align:right" | 2,104,433
| align="right" | 26
| align="center" | 25,758
| Region
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Catalonia|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Catalonia]]
| [[Barcelona]]
| [[Salvador Illa]] ([[Socialists' Party of Catalonia|PSC]])
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Socialists' Party of Catalonia}};"|
| [[Parliament of Catalonia|Parliament]]
| [[Socialists' Party of Catalonia|PSC]]
| 24 (8 RA, 16 DE)
| align="right" | 32,114 (6.3%)
| style="text-align:right" | 8,012,231
| align="right" | 239
| align="center" | 35,325
| Nationality
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Extremadura|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Extremadura]]
| [[Mérida, Spain|Mérida]]
| [[María Guardiola]] (PP)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party (Spain)}};"|
| [[Assembly of Extremadura|Assembly]]
| [[People's Party of Extremadura|PP]], [[Vox (political party)|Vox]] (until July 2024)
PP (since July 2024)
| 10 (2 RA, 8 DE)
| align="right" | 41,634 (8.2%)
| style="text-align:right" | 1,054,681
| align="right" | 26
| align="center" | 23,604
| Region
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Galicia|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]]
| [[Santiago de Compostela]]
| [[Alfonso Rueda]] (PP)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party (Spain)}};"|
| [[Parliament of Galicia|Parliament]]
| [[People's Party of Galicia|PP]]
| 19 (3 RA, 16 DE)
| align="right" | 29,574 (5.8%)
| style="text-align:right" | 2,705,833
| align="right" | 91
| align="center" | 28,644
| Nationality
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|La Rioja (Spain)|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[La Rioja]]
| [[Logroño]]
| [[Gonzalo Capellán]] (PP)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party (Spain)}};"|
| [[Parliament of La Rioja|Parliament]]
| [[People's Party of La Rioja|PP]]
| 5 (1 RA, 4 DE)
| align="right" | 5,045 (1%)
| style="text-align:right" | 324,184
| align="right" | 63
| align="center" | 32,828
| Region
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Community of Madrid|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Community of Madrid|Madrid]]
| [[Madrid|City of Madrid]]
| [[Isabel Díaz Ayuso]] (PP)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party (Spain)}};"|
| [[Assembly of Madrid|Assembly]]
| [[People's Party of the Community of Madrid|PP]]
| 11 (7 RA, 4 DE)
| align="right" | 8,028 (1.6%)
| style="text-align:right" | 7,009,268
| align="right" | 830
| align="center" | 42,198
| Region
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Region of Murcia|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Region of Murcia|Murcia]]
| [[Murcia|City of Murcia]]
| [[Fernando López Miras]] (PP)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party (Spain)}};"|
| [[Regional Assembly of Murcia|Regional Assembly]]
| [[People's Party of the Region of Murcia|PP]], [[Vox (political party)|Vox]] (until July 2024)
PP (since July 2024)
| 6 (2 RA, 4 DE)
| align="right" | 11,313 (2.9%)
| style="text-align:right" | 1,568,492
| align="right" | 132
| align="center" | 25,887
| Region
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Navarre|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Navarre]]
| [[Pamplona]]
| [[María Chivite]] (PSOE)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Spanish Socialist Workers' Party}};"|
| [[Parliament of Navarre|Parliament]]
| [[Socialist Party of Navarre|PSN-PSOE]], [[Geroa Bai|GBai]], [[Contigo Navarra|CN-ZN]]
| 5 (1 RA, 4 DE)
| align="right" | 10,391 (2%)
| style="text-align:right" | 678,333
| align="right" | 63
| align="center" | 37,088
| Nationality
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Valencian Community|size=75px|text=none}}
| [[Valencian Community|Valencia]]
| [[Valencia|City of Valencia]]
| [[Carlos Mazón]] (PP)
| width="1" style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|People's Party (Spain)}};"|
| [[Corts Valencianes|Corts]]
| [[People's Party of the Valencian Community|PP]], [[Vox (political party)|Vox]] (until July 2024)
PP (since July 2024)
| 17 (5 RA, 12 DE)
| align="right" | 23,255 (4.6%)
| style="text-align:right" | 5,319,285
| align="right" | 215
| align="center" | 26,453
| Nationality
|}

''RA: Regionally Appointed''

''DE: Directly Elected''

=== Autonomous cities ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-datatable"
|-
! class="unsortable" style="width:50px" | Flag
! class="unsortable" style="width:50px" | Coat of arms
! Autonomous city
! Mayor-President
! Legislature
! Government coalition
! [[Senate of Spain|Senate]] seats
! Area (km2)
! Pop. (2024)<ref name=population2024>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Tabla.htm?t=67988|title=Annual population census 2021-2024|website=ine.es|access-date=29 January 2025}}</ref>
! Density (/km2)
! [[Gross regional product|GRP]] per capita ([[euro|€]]) 2023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ine.es/dyngs/Prensa/en/CRE2023.htm | title=Spanish Regional Accounts 2000-2023 Series|website=ine.es}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Ceuta|size=75px|text=none}}
| {{Coat of arms|Ceuta|size=50px|text=none}}
| [[Ceuta]]
| [[Juan Jesús Vivas]] (PP)
| [[Assembly of Ceuta|Assembly]]
| [[People's Party of Ceuta|PP]]
| 2 (DE)
| align="right" | 18.5
| align="right" | 83,179
| align="right" | 4,583
| align="right" | 22,751
|-
| align="center" | {{Flagdeco|Melilla|size=75px|text=none}}
| {{Coat of arms|Melilla|size=50px|text=none}}
| [[Melilla]]
| [[Juan José Imbroda]] (PP)
| [[Assembly of Melilla|Assembly]]
| [[People's Party of Melilla|PP]]
| 2 (DE)
| align="right" | 12.3
| align="right" | 85,985
| align="right" | 7,031
| align="right" | 20,479
|}

''DE: Directly Elected''

==History==
{{Main|History of the territorial organization of Spain|Nationalities and regions of Spain}}

===Background===
[[File:España1757.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|A map of [[Iberia]] in 1757]]
Spain is a diverse country made up of several different regions with varying economic and social structures, as well as different languages and historical, political and cultural traditions.<ref name=villar>{{cite web|url=http://www.stormingmedia.us/46/4624/A462453.html|last=Villar|first=Fernando P.|title=Nationalism in Spain: Is It a Danger to National Integrity?|publisher=Storming Media, Pentagon Reports|date=June 1998|access-date=3 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927225951/http://www.stormingmedia.us/46/4624/A462453.html|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=shabad>{{cite journal|title=Language, Nationalism and Political Conflict in Spain|journal = Comparative Politics|volume = 14|issue = 4|pages = 443–477|last1=Shabad|first1=Goldie|last2=Gunther|first2=Richard|publisher=Comparative Politics Vol 14 No. 4|date=July 1982|jstor = 421632|doi = 10.2307/421632}}</ref> While the entire Spanish territory was united under one crown in 1479, this was not a process of national homogenization or amalgamation. The constituent territories—be they crowns, kingdoms, principalities or dominions—retained much of their former institutional existence,{{sfn|Moreno|2007|loc=}} including limited legislative, judicial or fiscal autonomy. These territories also exhibited a variety of local customs, laws, languages and currencies until the mid 19th century.{{sfn|Moreno|2007|loc=}}

From the 18th century onwards, the [[Spanish royal family|Bourbon kings]] and the government tried to establish a more centralized regime. Leading figures of the [[Spanish Enlightenment]] advocated for the building of a Spanish nation beyond the internal territorial boundaries.{{sfn|Moreno|2007|loc=}} This culminated in 1833, when Spain was [[1833 territorial division of Spain|divided]] into 49 (now 50) [[provinces of Spain|provinces]], which served mostly as transmission belts for policies developed in Madrid.

Spanish history since the late 19th century has been shaped by a dialectical struggle between Spanish nationalism and peripheral nationalisms,{{sfn|Conversi|2002|loc=}}{{sfn|Moreno Fernández|2008|loc=}} mostly in Catalonia and the Basque Country, and to a lesser degree in [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]].

In a response to Catalan demands, limited autonomy was granted to the [[Commonwealth of Catalonia]] in 1914, only to be abolished in 1925. It was granted again in 1932 during the [[Second Spanish Republic]], when the [[Generalitat of Catalonia|Generalitat]], Catalonia's mediaeval institution of government, was restored. The constitution of 1931 envisaged a territorial division for all Spain in "autonomous regions", which was never fully attained—only [[Autonomous Region of Catalonia (1931–1939)|Catalonia]], the Basque Country and Galicia had approved "[[Statute of Autonomy|Statutes of Autonomy]]"—the process being thwarted by the [[Spanish Civil War]] that broke out in 1936, and the victory of the rebel Nationalist forces under [[Francisco Franco]].{{sfn|Conversi|2002|loc=}}

[[Francoist Spain|Franco's dictatorial regime]] strongly believed that the only way of preserving the "unity of the Spanish nation" was by ruling Spain as a highly centralized state.{{sfn|Conversi|2002|loc=}} Peripheral nationalism, along with communism and atheism, were regarded by his regime as the main threats.<ref name=frans/> His attempts to fight separatism with heavy-handed but sporadic repression,<ref name=shabad/> and his often severe suppression of language and regional identities<ref name="shabad"/> backfired: the demands for democracy became intertwined with demands for the recognition of a pluralistic vision of Spanish nationhood.{{sfn|Conversi|2002|loc=}}{{sfn|Moreno Fernández|2008|pages=78,79}}

When Franco died in 1975, Spain entered into a phase of [[Spanish transition to democracy|transition to democracy]]. The most difficult task of the newly democratically elected {{Lang|es|[[Cortes Generales]]|italic=no}} (the Spanish Parliament) in 1977 acting as a Constituent Assembly was to transition from Franco's rigid centralism to a more decentralized model{{sfn|Colomer|1998|loc=}} in a way that would satisfy the demands of the peripheral nationalists.<ref name=mundo>{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/especiales/2005/06/espana/estatutos_autonomia/historia.html|title=Café para Todos|work=La España de las Autonomías. Un Especial de elmundo.es|last=Aparicio|first=Sonia|access-date=29 January 2012}}</ref><ref name=portero>{{Cite book |last=Portero Molina |first=José Antonio |title=El Estado Autonómico: Integración, Solidaridad, Diversidad. |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Administración Pública |year=2005 |isbn=978-8478799770 |editor-last=Vidal Beltrán |editor-first=José María |volume=1 |pages=39–64 |trans-title=The Autonomous State: Integration, Solidarity, Diversity. |chapter=El Estado de las Autonomías en Tiempo de Reformas |trans-chapter=The State of the Autonomies in the time of reforms |oclc=83606618 |editor-last2=García Herrera |editor-first2=Miguel Ángel}}</ref>

The [[Prime Minister of Spain]], [[Adolfo Suárez]], met with [[Josep Tarradellas]], president of the [[Generalitat of Catalonia]] in exile. They agreed to restore the Generalitat and transfer limited powers while the constitution was still being written. Shortly after, the government allowed the creation of "assemblies of members of parliament" made up of deputies and senators of the different territories of Spain, so that they could constitute "pre-autonomic regimes" for their regions as well. {{citation needed|date=December 2015}}

The [[Fathers of the Constitution]] had to strike a balance between the opposing views of Spain—on the one hand, the centralist view inherited from monarchist and nationalist elements of Spanish society,{{sfn|Colomer|1998|loc=}} and on the other hand [[federalism]] and a pluralistic view of Spain as a "nation of nations";<ref name=sinopsis2>{{cite web |url=http://www.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/sinopsis/sinopsis.jsp?art=2&tipo=2|title=Sinópsis artículo 2|work=Constitución española (con sinópsis) |last=Delgado-Ibarren García-Campero|first=Manuel| publisher=[[Congress of Deputies (Spain)|Congress of the Deputies]]|date=June 2005|access-date=28 January 2012}}</ref> between a uniform decentralization of entities with the same powers and an asymmetrical structure that would distinguish the nationalities. Peripheral nationalist parties wanted a multinational state with a federal or confederal model, whereas the governing [[Union of the Democratic Centre (Spain)|Union of the Democratic Centre]] (UCD) and the [[People's Alliance (Spain)|People's Alliance]] (AP) wanted minimum decentralization; the [[Spanish Socialist Workers' Party]] (PSOE) was sympathetic to a federal system.<ref name=frans/>

In the end, the constitution, published and ratified in 1978, found a balance in recognizing the existence of "nationalities and regions" in Spain, within the "indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation". In order to manage the tensions present in the Spanish transition to democracy, the drafters of the current Spanish constitution avoided giving labels such as 'federal' to the territorial arrangements,<ref>[https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/03/18/why-talk-of-federalism-wont-help-peace-in-syria-assad/ Why Talk of Federalism Won't Help Peace in Syria]. ''[[Foreign Policy]]''</ref> while enshrining in the constitution the right to autonomy or self-government of the "nationalities and regions", through a process of asymmetric [[devolution]] of power to the "autonomous communities" that were to be created.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mreza-mira.net/wp-content/uploads/Devolution-in-Spain-May-2014.pdf |title=Devolution of Powers in Spain |access-date=2016-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012014346/http://www.mreza-mira.net/wp-content/uploads/Devolution-in-Spain-May-2014.pdf |archive-date=2016-10-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.brandeis.edu/departments/politics/researchcircle/publications/docs/chernyha-burgpaper.pdf Devolution and Democracy: Identity, Preferences, and Voting in the Spanish "State of Autonomies"]</ref>

===Constitution of 1978===
{{Main|Spanish Constitution of 1978}}
{{See also|Political divisions of Spain}}
[[File:Primera página de la Constitución española de 1978, con escudo de 1981.jpg|thumb|First page of the Spanish Constitution.]]
The starting point in the territorial organization of Spain was the second article of the constitution,<ref name=perez>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4SnZBb6pIZkC|title=El Funcionamiento del Estado Autonómico|chapter=Desarrollo y Evolución del Estado Autonómico: El Proceso Constituyente y el Consenso Constitucional|trans-title=The Functioning of the Autonomous State|trans-chapter=Development and Evolution of the Autonomous State: The Constituent Process and the Constitutional Consensus|last=Pérez Royo|first=Javier|editor-last=Hernández Lafuente|editor-first=Adolfo|pages=50–67|publisher=Ministerio de Administraciones Públicas|date=December 1999|access-date=7 October 2012|isbn=978-8470886904|language=es}}</ref> which reads:

{{Blockquote|The Constitution is based on the indissoluble unity of the Spanish Nation, the common and indivisible homeland of all Spaniards; it recognizes and guarantees the right to self-government of the nationalities and regions of which it is composed and the solidarity among them all.|Second Article of the Spanish Constitution of 1978}}

The constitution was rather ambiguous on how this was to take place.{{sfn|Colomer|1998|loc=}}<ref name=nunez/> It does not define, detail, or impose the structure of the state;<ref name=portero/><ref name=perez/> it does not tell the difference between "nation" and "nationality"; and it does not specify which are the "nationalities" and which are the "regions", or the territories they comprise.<ref name=perez/><ref name=clavero>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundacioncajamar.es/mediterraneo/revista/me1003.pdf |title=Un balance del Estado de las Autonomías |last=Clavero Arévalo |first=Manuel |work=Colección Mediterráneo Económico, num. 10. |publisher=Fundación Caja Rural Intermediterránea |year=2006 |access-date=7 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409105900/http://www.fundacioncajamar.es/mediterraneo/revista/me1003.pdf |archive-date=April 9, 2010 }}</ref> Rather than imposing, it ''enables'' a process towards a decentralized structure based on the exercise that these "nationalities and regions" would make of the right to self-government that they were granted.<ref name=perez/> As such, the outcome of this exercise was not predictable<ref name=barberia>{{cite news|url=http://sociedad.elpais.com/sociedad/2012/09/30/actualidad/1349028022_631925.html|title=¿Reformamos la Constitución?|last=Barbería|first=José Luis|date=30 September 2012|newspaper=[[El País]]|access-date=23 September 2012}}</ref> and its construction was deliberately open-ended;<ref name=frans>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u8gZklxHTMUC|title=Regionalism after Regionalisation. Spain, France and the United Kingdom|first=Frans|last=Schrijver|publisher=Vossiupers UvA. Amsterdam University Press|date=30 June 2006|isbn=978-9056294281|access-date=14 October 2012}}</ref> the constitution only created a process for an eventual [[devolution]], but it was voluntary in nature: the "nationalities and regions" themselves had the option of choosing to attain self-government or not.<ref name=sinopsis143>{{cite web |url=http://www.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/sinopsis/sinopsis.jsp?art=143&tipo=2|title=Sinópsis artículo 143|work=Constitución española (con sinópsis) |last=Alonso de Antonio|first=José Antonio| publisher=[[Congress of Deputies (Spain)|Congress of the Deputies]]|date=June 2003|access-date=29 January 2012}}</ref>

In order to exercise this right, the constitution established an open process whereby the "nationalities and regions" could be constituted as "autonomous communities". [[provinces of Spain|Provinces]] would serve as the building blocks and constituent parts of the autonomous communities. The 50 provinces were a pre-existing territorial division of the liberal centralizing regime of the 19th century created for purely administrative purposes (and in the 1978 Constitution were defined as groupings of [[municipalities of Spain|municipalities]]). The constitution stipulated that the following could be constituted as autonomous communities:{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Articles 143-158}}
* Two or more adjacent provinces with common historical, cultural and economic characteristics
* Insular territories
* A single province with a "historical regional identity"

It also allowed for exceptions to the above criteria, in that the Spanish Parliament could:{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Article 143}}
* authorize, in the nation's interest, the constitution of an autonomous community even if it was a single province without a historical regional identity (which allowed for example, the creation of the [[Community of Madrid]], which had been part of the historical region of [[Castile–La Mancha]]); and to
* authorize or grant autonomy to entities or territories that were not provinces (which allowed for the creation of two autonomous cities, Spanish exclaves in North Africa).

[[File:Parlamento_Vasco.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Basque Parliament]] or the ''Eusko Legebiltzarra'', in session.]]

The constitution also established two "routes" to accede to autonomy. The "fast route" or "fast track",<ref name=nunez/> also called the "exception",<ref name=perez/> was established in article 151, and was implicitly reserved for the three "historical nationalities"<ref name=clavero/><ref name=sinopsisDT2>{{cite web|url=http://www.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/sinopsis/sinopsis.jsp?art=2&tipo=4|title=Sinópsis Disposición Transitoria 2|publisher=[[Congress of Deputies]]|first=José Antonio|last=Alonso de Antonio|date=December 2003|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref><ref name=brit>"[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-70303/Spain Regional Government]". Spain. ''Encyclopædia Britannica Online'' Accessed 10 December 2007</ref>—[[Catalonia]], the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]] and [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]], regions with strong regional identities{{sfn|Keating|2006|p=22}}—in that the very strict requirements to opt for this route were waived for those territories that had approved a "Statute of Autonomy" during the [[Second Spanish Republic]] (1931–1936).<ref name=sinopsisDT2/> Otherwise, the constitution required the approval of three-fourths of the municipalities involved whose population would be at least the majority of the electoral census of each province, and required the ratification through a [[referendum]] with the affirmative vote of the absolute majority of the electoral census of each province (that is, of all registered citizens, not only of those who would vote).

While the constitution was still being drafted, and self-government seemed likely to be granted only to the "historical nationalities", there was a popular outcry in [[Andalusia]], demanding self-government as well, which led to the creation of a quicker process for that region, which eventually self-identified as a "historical nationality" as well. In the end, the right to self-government was extended to any other region that wanted it.{{sfn|Keating|2006|p=22}}

The "slow route" or "slow track",<ref name=nunez/> also called the "norm",<ref name=perez/> was established in Article 143. This route could be taken—via the first transitory disposition—by the "pre-autonomic regimes" that had been constituted in 1978, while the constitution was still being drafted, if approved by two-thirds of all municipalities involved whose population would sum up to at least the majority of the electoral census of each province or insular territory. These communities would assume limited powers ({{langx|es|competencias}}) during a provisional period of 5 years, after which they could assume further powers, upon negotiation with the central government. However, the constitution did not explicitly establish an institutional framework for these communities. They could have established a parliamentary system like the "historical nationalities", or they could have not assumed any legislative powers and simply established mechanisms for the administration of the powers they were granted.<ref name=perez/>

The constitution also explicitly established that the institutional framework for these communities would be a [[parliamentary system]], with a Legislative Assembly elected by [[universal suffrage]], a [[cabinet (government)|cabinet]] or "council of government", a president of such a council, elected by the Assembly, and a High Court of Justice. They were also granted a maximum level of devolved powers.

[[File:Carles_Puigdemont_el_10_d'octubre_de_2017.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Parliament of Catalonia]] or the ''Parlament de Catalunya'', in 2017.]]

While the constitution did not establish how many autonomous communities were to be created, on 31 July 1981, [[Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo]], then the [[prime minister of Spain]] and [[Felipe González]], leader of the opposition in Parliament, signed the "[[First Autonomic Pacts]]" (''Primeros pactos autonómicos'' in Spanish), in which they agreed to the creation of 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities, with the same institutions of government, but different competences.<ref name=pactos>Aparicio, Sonia. [http://www.elmundo.es/especiales/2005/06/espana/estatutos_autonomia/historia2.html Los Pactos Autonómicos]. El Mundo. España</ref> By 1983, all 17 autonomous communities were constituted: [[Andalusia]], [[Aragon]], [[Asturias]], the [[Balearic Islands]], the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]], the [[Canary Islands]], [[Cantabria]], [[Castile and León]], [[Castile–La Mancha]], [[Catalonia]], the [[Community of Madrid]], [[Extremadura]], [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]], [[La Rioja (Spain)|La Rioja]], [[Navarra]], the [[Region of Murcia]] and the [[Valencian Community]]. The two autonomous cities, [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]] were constituted in 1995.

Once the autonomous communities were created, Article 145 prohibits the "federation of autonomous communities".{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Article 145}} This was understood as any agreement between communities that would produce an alteration to the political and territorial equilibrium that would cause a confrontation between different blocks of communities, an action incompatible with the principle of solidarity and the unity of the nation.<ref name=gonzalez>{{cite web|url=http://congreso.us.es/cidc/Ponencias/federalismo/IgnacioGonzalez.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091222190640/http://congreso.us.es/cidc/Ponencias/federalismo/IgnacioGonzalez.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 December 2009|title=La Prohibición de la Federación entre Territorios Autónomos en el Constitucionalismo Español|last=González García|first=Ignacio|publisher=Congreso Iberoamericano de Derecho Constitucional|access-date=20 October 2012}}</ref>

The so-called "additional" and "transitory" dispositions of the constitution allowed for some exceptions to the above-mentioned framework. In terms of territorial organization, the fifth transitory disposition established that the cities of [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]], Spanish exclaves located on the northern coast of Africa, could be constituted as "autonomous communities" if the absolute majority of the members of their city councils would agree on such a motion, and with the approval of the Spanish Parliament, which would exercise its prerogatives to grant autonomy to other entities besides provinces.<ref name=transitorias>{{cite web|url=http://www.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/titulos/articulos.jsp?ini=1&fin=9&tipo=4|title=Disposiciones transitorias|work=Constitución española|author=Congreso de los Diputados|year=1978|access-date=22 October 2012}}</ref>

However [[Autonomous communities of Spain#Degree of financial autonomy|one aspect of this asymmetry]] in powers between regions is a cause of friction, namely that the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]] and [[Navarre]] can raise their own taxes and negotiate a transfer to Madrid to pay for common services and hence, unlike the other regions, do not contribute to fiscal equalisation across Spain.{{sfn|Keating|2006|p=22}} These two regions or communities are known as "chartered" territories,{{efn-lr|name=lurraldeak|"Historical territories" or "chartered territories" (in Spanish: ''territorios históricos'' or ''territorios forales'', in Basque: ''lurralde historikoak'' or ''foru lurraldeak'').}}<ref name=adicionales>{{cite web|url=http://www.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/titulos/articulos.jsp?ini=1&fin=4&tipo=3|title=Disposiciones transitorias|work=Constitución española|author=Congreso de los Diputados|year=1978|access-date=22 October 2012}}</ref>
In all other communities, all taxes are levied and collected by or for the central government and then redistributed among all.

===Autonomic pacts===
[[File:Conferencia_de_Presidentes,_17_de_enero_de_2017_-_32219744902.jpg|right|thumb|350px|The Conference of Presidents in 2017, is the meeting between the [[Government of Spain]] or ''Gobierno de la Nación'' and the presidents of the Autonomous communities of Spain.]]

The Statutes of Autonomy of the Basque Country and Catalonia were sanctioned by the Spanish Parliament on 18 December 1979. The position of the party in government, the [[Union of the Democratic Centre (Spain)|Union of the Democratic Centre]] (UCD), was that only the three "historical nationalities" would assume full powers, while the rest would accede to autonomy via article 143, assuming fewer powers and perhaps not even establishing institutions of government.<ref name=rebollo>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Auv9-CI_Mv8C|last=Rebollo|first=Luis Martín|chapter=Consideraciones sobre la Reforma de los Estatutos de Autonomía de las Comunidades Autónomas|editor=Ministerio de Justicia|title=La Reforma Constitucional: XXVI Jornadas de Estudio (27, 28 y 29 de octubre de 2004)|year=2005|access-date=3 November 2012|publisher=Dirección del Servicio Jurídico del Estado|isbn=978-84-7787-815-5}}</ref> This was firmly opposed by the representatives of [[Andalusia]], who demanded for their region the maximum level of powers granted to the "nationalities".<ref name=clavero/><ref>{{cite news |date=9 December 1979 |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1979/12/09/espana/313542004_850215.html |title=El referéndum de iniciativa, barrera no exigida a las nacionalidades históricas |language=es |newspaper=El País |access-date=16 December 2019}}</ref>

After a massive rally in support of autonomy, a referendum was organized for Andalusia to attain autonomy through the strict requirements of article 151, or the "fast route"—with UCD calling for abstention, and the main party in opposition in Parliament, the [[Spanish Socialist Workers' Party]] (PSOE) calling for a vote in favour.<ref name=clavero/> These requirements were not met, as in one of the eight provinces, [[province of Almería|Almería]], votes in favour — although the plurality — did not amount to half of the electoral census as required. Yet, in general, the results of the referendum had been clear and unequivocal.<ref name=perez/>

After several months of discussion, the then prime minister of Spain, [[Adolfo Suárez]] and the [[Leader of the Opposition (Spain)|leader of the opposition]], [[Felipe González]], reached an agreement to resolve the Andalusian issue, whereby the Parliament approved an amendment to the law that regulated referendums, and used a prerogative of article 144c of the constitution, both actions which combined would allow Andalusia to take the fast route. They also agreed that no other region would take the "fast route", but that all regions would establish a parliamentary system with all institutions of government.<ref name=clavero/> This opened a phase that was dubbed as {{lang|es-ES|[[café para todos]]}}, "coffee for all".<ref name=tanja/> This agreement was eventually put into writing in July 1981 in what has been called the "first autonomic pacts".<ref name=nunez>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogvsITQ0cmwC|chapter=The awakening of peripheral nationalisms and the State of the Autonomous Communities|last=Núñez Seixas|first=Xosé M|author-link=Xosé Manoel Núñez Seixas|editor1-last=Álvarez Junco|editor1-first=José|editor-link=José Álvarez Junco|editor2-last=Schubert|editor2-first=Adrian|title=Spanish History since 1808|publisher=Arnold Publishers|year=2000|access-date=9 October 2008|pages=315–330|isbn=978-0340662298}}</ref>

These "autonomic pacts"{{efn-lr|"Autonomic pacts" or "autonomic agreements" (in Spanish: ''pactos autonómicos'' or ''acuerdos autonómicos'').}} filled in the gap left by the open character of the constitution. Among other things:<ref name=perez/><ref name=acuerdos>{{cite web|url=http://www.idpbarcelona.net/docs/recerca/ccaa/pdf/documentos/acuerd_auton_gob_psoe_1981.pdf|title=Acuerdos Autonómicos firmados por el Gobierno de la Nación y el Partido Socialista Obrero Español el 31 de julio de 1981|date=31 July 1981|access-date=11 October 2012}}</ref>
* They described the final outline of the territorial division of Spain, with the specific number and name of the autonomous communities to be created.
* They restricted the "fast route" to the "historical nationalities" and Andalusia; all the rest had to take the "slow route".
* They established that all autonomous communities would have institutions of government within a parliamentary system.
* They set up a deadline for all the remaining communities to be constituted: 1 February 1983.

[[File:Daoiz o Velarde.jpg|right|thumb|The Spanish Parliament, Congress of Deputies]]

In the end, 17 autonomous communities were created:
* Andalusia, and the three "historical nationalities"—the Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia—took the "fast route" and immediately assumed the maximum set of powers allowed in the constitution; the rest took the "slow route".
* [[Aragon]], [[Castilla-La Mancha]], [[Castile and León]], [[Extremadura]] and the [[Valencian Community]] acceded to autonomy as communities made up of two or more provinces with common historical, economic and cultural characteristics.
* The [[Balearic Islands]] and the [[Canary Islands]] acceded to autonomy as insular territories, the latter made up of two provinces.
* [[Asturias|Principality of Asturias]], [[Cantabria]], [[La Rioja (Spain)|La Rioja]] and [[Region of Murcia|Murcia]] acceded to autonomy as single provinces with historical identity (also called "uniprovincial" autonomous communities).
* [[Navarre]], as a single province, acceded to autonomy through the recognition, update and improvement of its historical and local "law" (charters; Spanish ''fueros''), and as such, it is known as a "chartered community".
* The province of Madrid, home to the national capital, was removed from Castilla-La Mancha (formerly [[New Castile (Spain)|New Castile]]), to which it previously belonged, and constituted as a single-province autonomous community in the "national interest", the ''[[Community of Madrid]]''.

Special provisions were made for the Valencian Community and the Canary Islands in that, although they took the "slow route", through the subsequent approval of specific organic laws, they were to assume full autonomy in less than 5 years, since they had started a process towards the "fast route" prior to the approval of the "autonomic pacts".

On the other hand, Cantabria and La Rioja, although originally part of [[Old Castile]]—and both originally included in the "pre-autonomic regime" of Castile and León—were granted autonomy as single provinces with historical identity, a move supported by the majority of their populations.{{sfn|Conversi|2002|loc=}}<ref name="clavero"/><ref name=garciaruiz>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7eOCDrlpOC0C|title=Estudios sobre descentralización territorial. El caso particular de Colombia|editor1-last=García Ruíz|editor1-first=José Luis|editor2-last=Girón Reguera|editor2-first=Emilia|chapter=Dos siglos de cuestión territorial: de la España liberal al Estado de las autonomías|last=García Ruíz|first=José Luis|pages=109–126|publisher=Servicio de Publicaciones. Universidad de Cádiz|isbn=978-8498280371|year=2006|access-date=21 October 2012}}</ref> The "autonomic pacts" give both Cantabria and La Rioja the option of being incorporated into Castile and León in the future, and required that the Statutes of Autonomy of all three communities include such a provision.<ref name=acuerdos/> León, a historical kingdom and historical region of Spain, once joined to [[Old Castile]] to form Castile and León, was denied secession to be constituted as an autonomous community on its own right.{{sfn|Moreno Fernández|2008|p=66}}

During the second half of the 1980s, the central government seemed reluctant to transfer all powers to the "slow route" communities.<ref name="mundo" /> After the five years set up by the constitution, all "slow route" communities demanded the maximum transfer guaranteed by the constitution. This led to what has been called the "second autonomic pacts" of 1992, between the then prime minister of Spain [[Felipe González]] from PSOE and the leader of the opposition, [[José María Aznar]] from the newly created [[People's Party (Spain)|People's Party]] (PP), successor to the [[People's Alliance (Spain)|People's Alliance party]]. Through these agreements new powers were transferred, with the reforms to many Statutes of Autonomy of the "slow-route" communities with the aim of equalizing them to the "fast route" communities.<ref name=mundo/> In 1995, the cities of [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]] were constituted as "autonomous cities" without legislative powers, but with an autonomous assembly{{clarify|reason=How can an autonomous assembly not have legislative powers?|date=October 2014}} not subordinated to any other province or community.

The creation of the autonomous communities was a diverse process, that started with the constitution, was normalized with the autonomic pacts and was completed with the Statutes of Autonomy.<ref name=perez/> It is, however, an ongoing process; further devolution—or even the return of transferred powers—is always a possibility. This has been evidenced in the 2000s, at the beginning with a wave of approval of new Statutes of Autonomy for many communities, with many considering the recentralization of some powers after the [[2008 financial crisis]]. Nonetheless, Spain is now a decentralized country with a structure unlike any other, similar but not equal to a [[federation]],<ref name=perez/> even though in many respects the country can be compared to countries which are undeniably federal.{{sfn|Arbós Marín|2013|page=381}} The unique resulting system is referred to as "Autonomous state", or more precisely "State of Autonomies".{{sfn|Colomer|1998|loc=}}

===Current state of affairs===

With the implementation of the Autonomous Communities, Spain went from being one of the most centralized countries in the [[OECD]] to being one of the most decentralized; in particular, it has been the country where the incomes and outcomes of the decentralized bodies (the Autonomous Communities) has grown the most, leading this rank in Europe by 2015 and being fifth among OECD countries in tax devolution (after Canada, Switzerland, the United States and Austria).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2017/03/15/opinion/1489609169_575022.html|title=Cataluña: Por una descentralización creíble|author=Ramon Marimon|newspaper=El País|date=23 March 2017|access-date=24 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.oecd.org/publications/fiscal-federalism-2016-9789264254053-en.htm|title=Fiscal Federalism 2016: Making Decentralization Work|date=20 June 2016 |publisher=OCDE}}</ref> By means of the State of Autonomies implemented after the Spanish Constitution of 1978, Spain has been quoted to be "remarkable for the extent of the powers peacefully devolved over the past 30 years" and "an extraordinarily decentralized country", with the central government accounting for just 18% of public spending,<ref name="Mallet">{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/de6c00f0-8c25-11de-b14f-00144feabdc0 |title=Flimsier footings |last=Mallet |first=Victor |date=18 August 2010 |newspaper=Financial Times |access-date=25 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822075253/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/de6c00f0-8c25-11de-b14f-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=22 August 2009 |url-status=live }}{{Registration required}}</ref> 38% by the regional governments, 13% by the local councils, and the remaining 31% by the [[social insurance|social security system]].<ref name="economist.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/specialreports/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12501023|title=A survey of Spain: How much is enough?|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|access-date=25 August 2010|date=6 November 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090910071548/http://www.economist.com/specialreports/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12501023| archive-date=10 September 2009| url-status= live}}{{Subscription required}}</ref>

In terms of personnel, by 2010 almost 1,350,000 people or 50.3% of the total [[civil servants]] in Spain were employed by the autonomous communities;<ref>[http://www.mpt.gob.es/servicios/empleo_publico/boletin/boletin/document_es/documento.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904064839/http://www.mpt.gob.es/servicios/empleo_publico/boletin/boletin/document_es/documento.pdf|date=4 September 2011}}</ref> city and provincial councils accounted for 23.6% and those employees working for the central administration (police and military included) represented 22.2% of the total.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/sociedad/funcionario/le/cunda/elpepisoc/20110730elpepisoc_1/Tes |title=Que al funcionario le cunda más | Edición impresa | EL PAÍS |publisher=Elpais.com |date=2011-07-30 |access-date=2012-04-30|newspaper=El País }}</ref>

== Movement for further autonomy ==
{{See also|Galician independence movement}}
Peripheral nationalism continues to play a key role in Spanish politics. Some peripheral nationalists view that there is a vanishing practical distinction between the terms "nationalities" and "regions",{{sfn|Keating|2006|loc=}} as more powers are transferred to all communities in roughly the same degree and as other communities have chosen to identify themselves as "nationalities". In fact, it has been argued that the establishment of the State of Autonomies "has led to the creation of "new regional identities",<ref name=smith>{{cite web|url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/sites/constitution_unit/files/64.pdf|title=Regional Government in France and Spain|last1=Smith|first1=Andy|last2=Heywood|first2=Paul|publisher=University College London|date=August 2000|access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref><ref name=junco>{{cite news|url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2012/09/28/opinion/1348855849_016658.html|title=El sueño ilustrado y el Estado-nación|last=Junco|first=José Álvarez|newspaper=[[El País]]|date=3 October 2012|access-date=23 October 2012}}</ref> and "invented communities".<ref name=junco/>
Many in Galicia, the Basque Country, and Catalonia view their communities as "nations", not just "nationalities", and Spain as a "plurinational state" or a "nation of nations", and they have made demands for further devolution or secession.

=== Basque Country ===
{{Main|Basque Country independence}}
In 2004 the Basque Parliament approved the [[Ibarretxe Plan]], whereby the Basque Country would approve a new Statute of Autonomy containing key provisions such as shared sovereignty with Spain, full independence of the [[judiciary]], and the right to [[self-determination]], and assuming all powers except that of the [[Spanish nationality law]], defense, and monetary policy. The plan was rejected by the Spanish Parliament in 2005 and the situation has remained largely stable in that front so far.

=== Catalonia ===
{{Main|Catalan independence movement}}
{{multiple image
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| footer = Pro-Catalan independence (left) and pro-Spanish unity demonstrations in [[Barcelona]].
}}A particularly contentious point – especially in Catalonia – has been the one of fiscal tensions, with Catalan nationalists intensifying their demand for further financing during the 2010s. In this regard, the new rules for fiscal decentralisation in force since 2011 already make Spain one of the most decentralized countries in the world also in budgetary and fiscal matters,<ref name="Piketty">{{cite web|url=http://piketty.blog.lemonde.fr/2017/11/14/the-catalan-syndrom/ |title=The Catalan Syndrom |publisher=lemonde.fr |first=Thomas|last=Piketty|date=2017-11-14 |access-date=2017-11-14}}</ref> with the base for income tax split at 50/50 between the Spanish government and the regions (something unheard of in much bigger federal states such as Germany or the United States, which retain the income tax as an exclusively or primarily federal one).<ref name="Piketty"/> Besides, each region can also decide to set its own income tax bands and its own additional rates, higher or lower than the federal rates, with the corresponding income accruing to the region which no longer has to share it with other regions.<ref name="Piketty"/> This current level of fiscal decentralisation has been regarded by economists such as [[Thomas Piketty]] as troublesome since, in his view, "challenges the very idea of solidarity within the country and comes down to playing the regions against each other, which is particularly problematic when the issue is one of income tax as this is supposed to enable the reduction of inequalities between the richest and the poorest, over and above regional or professional identities".<ref name="Piketty"/>

==== Catalan independence ====
The severe [[Economy of Spain|economic crisis in Spain]] that started in 2008 produced different reactions in the different communities. On one hand, some began to consider a return of some responsibilities to the central government<ref name=abc>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.es/20110729/espana/abcp-varias-autonomias-meditan-devolver-20110729.html|title=Varias autonomías meditan devolver competencias por el bloqueo del gobierno|publisher=[[ABC (Spain)|ABC]]|date=29 July 2011|access-date=29 January 2012}}</ref> while, on the other hand, in Catalonia debate on the fiscal deficit—"Catalonia being one of the largest net contributors in taxes"{{Citation needed|date=June 2018}}—led many to support secession.<ref name=nextstate>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2012/09/22/europes-next-independent-state|title=Catalonia: Europe's next state. A row about money and sovereignty|newspaper=The Economist|date=22 September 2012|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref><ref name=guardianfabric>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/28/spain-cultural-fabric-tears-austerity-cuts|title=Spain's cultural fabric tearing apart as austerity takes its toll|last1=Tremlett|first1=Giles|last2=Roberts|first2=Martin|newspaper=The Guardian|date=28 September 2012|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> In September 2012, [[Artur Mas]], then Catalonia's president, requested from the central government a new "fiscal agreement", with the possibility of giving his community powers of fiscal autonomy equal to those of the [[Communities of chartered regime|chartered communities]], but prime minister [[Mariano Rajoy]] refused. Mas dissolved the Catalan Parliament, called for new elections, and promised to conduct a referendum on independence within the next four years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Two thirds of the Catalan Parliament approve organising a self-determination citizen vote within the next 4 years |url=http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/politics/two-thirds-catalan-parliament-approve-organising-self-determination-citizen-vote-withi |publisher=Catalan News Agency |date=28 September 2012 |access-date=29 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001020028/http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/politics/two-thirds-catalan-parliament-approve-organising-self-determination-citizen-vote-withi |archive-date=1 October 2012 }}</ref>

Rajoy's government declared that they would use all "legal instruments"—current legislation requires the central executive government or the [[Congress of Deputies (Spain)|Congress of Deputies]] to call for or sanction a binding referendum—<ref name=ley>{{cite web|url=http://noticias.juridicas.com/base_datos/Admin/lo2-1980.html|title=Ley Orgánica 2/1980, de 18 de enero, sobre Regulación de las Distintas Modalidades de Referéndum|publisher=Congress of the Deputies, Spain|date=18 January 1980|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> to block any such attempt.<ref name=clash>{{cite news|title=Spain heads towards confrontation with Catalan parliament|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/27/spain-heads-towards-confrontation-catalan?INTCMP=SRCH|newspaper=The Guardian|date=27 September 2012|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and its [[Socialist Party of Catalonia|counterpart in Catalonia]] proposed to reopen the debate on the territorial organization of Spain, changing the constitution to create a true [[federation|federal system]] to "better reflect the singularities" of Catalonia, as well as to modify the current taxation system.<ref name=estadofederal>{{cite news|url=http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2012/09/24/actualidad/1348472542_065250.html|title=Rubalcaba, a favor de cambiar la Constitución para ir a un Estado federal|newspaper=[[El País]]|date=24 September 2012|access-date=29 September 2012|last1=Calvo|first1=Vera Gutiérrez|last2=País|first2=El}}</ref><ref name=navarro>{{cite web|url=http://www.elperiodico.cat/ca/noticias/politica/navarro-candidatura-psc-eleccions-autonomiques-terrassa-2214254|title=Navarro presenta la seva candidatura aquesta tarda a Terrassa|publisher=El Periódico de Catalunya|date=28 September 2012|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref>

In 2017 and 2018 the situation developed into [[2017–2018 Spanish constitutional crisis|constitutional crisis]]. Following a highly fraught attempted [[2017 Catalan independence referendum|referendum]], on Friday 27 October 2017 the Catalan Parliament voted on the independence of Catalonia; the result was 70 in favor, 10 against, 2 neither, with 53 representatives not present in protest. In the following days, the members of the Catalan government either fled or were imprisoned.

One scholar summarises the current situation as follows:

<blockquote>the autonomous state appears to have come full circle, with reproaches from all sides. According to some, it has not gone far enough and has failed to satisfy their aspirations for improved self-government. For others it has gone too far, fostering inefficiency or reprehensible linguistic policies.{{sfn|Arbós Marín|2013|page=395}}
</blockquote>

=== Possible rearrangements ===
Besides [[List of territorial disputes|the territorial disputes]] that Spain holds with [[disputed status of Gibraltar|the United Kingdom]], [[plazas de soberanía|Morocco]] and [[Olivenza#Claims of sovereignty|Portugal]], some forces have campaigned for the redistribution of territories among communities:
* There are independence movements pleading for secession from Spain in [[Catalan independentism|Catalonia]], [[Basque independence|the Basque Country and Navarre]], [[Galician independence movement|Galicia]] and [[Canarian independence|the Canary Islands]].
* The [[Basque Statute of Autonomy]] and the {{ill|Fourth transitory provision|es|Disposición transitoria cuarta|lt=fourth transitory provision of the 1978 Spanish Constitution}} provide a pathway for the integration of Navarre in the Basque autonomous community. The [[Parliament of Navarre]] has not entertained the possibility.
* The [[Treviño enclave]] (formed by the municipalities of [[Condado de Treviño]] and [[La Puebla de Arganzón]]) is part of the province of Burgos (in the autonomous community of Castile and León) but is surrounded by Álava (Basque autonomous community). There is [[Treviño enclave dispute|a dispute]] in which the Castilian-Leonese government support the status quo and the Basque Government and much of the local population support integration in Álava and the Basque Country.<ref name="Treviño">{{cite news|title=Treviño quiere ser vasco|url=http://www.publico.es/espana/451845/trevino-quiere-ser-vasco|publisher=Público|date=8 March 2013}}</ref>
* Similarly, [[Valle de Villaverde]] is part of the autonomous community of Cantabria but surrounded by Biscay, in the Basque autonomous community. Lately local support for integration in the Basque Country has diminished.
* [[Leonesism]] pleads for the establishment of the autonomous community of León separating the provinces of León, Zamora and Salamanca (or in a restricted sense, just the province of León) from the rest of the provinces of the autonomous community of Castile and León, pursuant to the configuration of the former [[Region of León]].
* The [[Ayuntamiento (Spain)|Ayuntamiento]] of [[La Línea de la Concepción]] has asked for permission to call a referendum on the secession of the municipality from the [[province of Cádiz]] in the autonomous community of Andalusia to become a standalone autonomous community,<ref name="EDLínea">{{cite news |title=El 'procés' de La Línea de la Concepción para independizarse de Andalucía muere en el Supremo |url=https://www.eldiario.es/andalucia/cadiz/proces-linea-concepcion-independizarse-andalucia-muere-supremo_1_10552188.html |access-date=28 September 2023 |work=elDiario.es |date=28 September 2023 |language=es}}</ref> citing the special case of bordering Gibraltar.

==Constitutional and statutory framework==
The State of Autonomies, as established in Article 2 of the constitution, has been argued to be based on four principles: willingness to accede to autonomy, [[unity in diversity]], autonomy but not sovereignty of the communities, and solidarity among them all.<ref name=carreras/> The structure of the autonomous communities is determined both by the devolution allowed by the constitution and the powers assumed in their respective Statutes of Autonomy. While the autonomic agreements and other laws have allowed for an "equalization" of all communities, differences still remain.

===The Statute of Autonomy===
{{Main|Statute of Autonomy}}

The Statute of Autonomy is the basic institutional law of the autonomous community or city, recognized by the Spanish constitution in article 147. It is approved by a parliamentary assembly representing the community, and then approved by the {{Lang|es|[[Cortes Generales]]|italic=no}}, the Spanish Parliament, through an "Organic Law", requiring the favourable vote of the absolute majority of the [[Congress of Deputies (Spain)|Congress of Deputies]].

For communities that acceded to autonomy through the "fast route", a [[referendum]] is required before it can be sanctioned by the Parliament. The Statutes of Autonomy must contain, at least, the name of the community, its territorial limits, the names, organization and seat of the institutions of government, the powers they assume and the principles for their bilingual policy, if applicable.

The Constitution establishes that all powers not explicitly assumed by the State (the central government) in the constitution, can be assumed by the autonomous community in their Statutes of Autonomy; but also, all powers not explicitly assumed by the autonomous community in their Statutes of Autonomy are automatically assumed by the State.{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Article 143}} In case of conflict, the constitution prevails.{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Article 143}} In case of disagreement, any administration can bring the case before the [[Constitutional Court of Spain]].

===Institutional organization===
All autonomous communities have a parliamentary system based on a division of powers comprising:
* A Legislative Assembly, whose members are elected by universal suffrage according to a system of [[proportional representation]], in which all areas that integrate the territory are fairly represented
* A Council of Government, with executive and administrative powers, headed by a prime minister, whose official title is "president",{{efn|name=lehendakari|In the Basque Country, the head of government is officially known as ''[[lehendakari]]'' in Basque, or by the Spanish rendering of the title, ''lendakari''.}}{{efn-lr|"Autonomic president", "regional president", or simply "president" (in Spanish: ''presidente autonómico'', ''presidente regional'', or simply ''presidente''; in Catalan/Valencian: ''president autonòmic'', ''president regional'', or simply ''president''; in Galician: ''presidente autonómico'', ''presidente rexional'', or simply ''presidente''). In the Basque language ''lehendakari'' is not translated.}} elected by the Legislative Assembly—usually the leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Assembly—and nominated by the [[King of Spain]]
* A High Court of Justice, hierarchically under the [[Supreme Court of Spain]]

[[File:Oviedo03.jpg|thumb|Regional Palace, seat of the [[General Junta]], the Parliament of the [[Asturias|Principality of Asturias]]]]
The majority of the communities have approved regional electoral laws within the limits set up by the laws for the entire country. Despite minor differences, all communities use [[proportional representation]] following the [[D'Hondt method]]; all members of regional parliaments are elected for four-year terms, but the president of the community has the faculty to dissolve the legislature and call for early elections. Nonetheless, in all communities except for the Basque Country, Catalonia, Galicia, and Andalusia, elections are held the last Sunday of May every four years, concurrent with municipal elections in all of Spain.<ref name=carreras>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zkclm60b_yoC|first=Francesc|last=de Carreras Serra|chapter=El Estado de las Autonomías en España|title=Descentralización en Perspectiva Comparada: España, Colombia y Brasil|publisher=Plural Editores|year=2005|access-date=12 October 2012|isbn=978-9990563573}}</ref>

The names of the Council of Government and the Legislative Assembly vary between communities. In some autonomous communities, these institutions are restored historical bodies of government or representation of the previous kingdoms or regional entities within the Spanish Crown—like the Generalitat of Catalonia—while others are entirely new creations.

In some, both the executive and the legislature, though constituting two separate institutions, are collectively identified with a single specific name. A specific denomination may not refer to the same branch of government in all communities; for example, ''junta'' may refer to the executive office in some communities, to the legislature in others, or to the collective name of all branches of government in others.

Given the ambiguity in the constitution that did not specify which territories were nationalities and which were regions, other territories, besides the implicit three "historical nationalities", have also chosen to identify themselves as nationalities, in accordance with their historical regional identity, such as Andalusia, Aragon, the [[Balearic Islands]], the [[Canary Islands]], and the [[Valencian Community]].

{{Anchor|Autonomous cities}}The two autonomous cities have more limited powers than autonomous communities, but less limited than other municipalities. The executive is exercised by a president, who is also the mayor of the city. In the same way, limited legislative power is vested in a local assembly in which the deputies are also the city councillors.

===Legal powers===
The autonomic agreements of 1982 and 1992 tried to equalize powers ({{langx|es|competencias}}) devolved to the 17 autonomous communities, within the limits of the constitution and the differences guaranteed by it. This has led to an "asymmetrical homogeneity".<ref name=perez/> In the words of the [[Constitutional Court of Spain]] in its ruling of 5 August 1983, the autonomous communities are characterized by their "homogeneity and diversity...equal in their subordination to the constitutional order, in the principles of their representation in the Senate, in their legitimation before the Constitutional Court, and in that the differences between the distinct Statutes [of Autonomy] cannot imply economic or social privileges; however, they can be unequal with respect to the process to accede to autonomy and the concrete determination of the autonomic content of their Statute, and therefore, in their scope of powers. The autonomic regime is characterized by an equilibrium between homogeneity and diversity ... Without the former there will be no unity or integration in the state's ensemble; without the latter, there would not be [a] true plurality and the capacity of self-government".<ref name=sinopsis137>{{cite web|url=http://www.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/sinopsis/sinopsis.jsp?art=137&tipo=2|title=Sinópsis artículo 137|first=Julio|last=Castelao|work=Constitución española (con sinópsis)| publisher=[[Congress of Deputies (Spain)|Congress of the Deputies]]|date=June 2005|access-date=14 October 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Ertzaintza Volkswagen Bilbao.jpg|thumb|An {{Lang|eu|[[Ertzaintza]]}} police car in the Basque Country]]
The asymmetrical devolution is a unique characteristic of the territorial structure of Spain, in that the autonomous communities have a different range of devolved powers. These were based on what has been called in Spanish as ''hechos diferenciales'', "differential facts" or "differential traits".{{efn-lr|"Differential facts", or, "traits" (in Spanish: ''hechos diferenciales'', in Basque: ''eragin diferentziala'', in Catalan/Valencian: ''fets diferencials'', in Galician: ''feitos diferenciais'').}}<ref name=aja>{{cite web|url=http://congreso.us.es/cidc/Ponencias/federalismo/eliseo%20AJA.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091222073845/http://congreso.us.es/cidc/Ponencias/federalismo/eliseo%20AJA.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 December 2009|title=El Estado Autonómico de España a los 25 años de su constitución|last=Aja|first=Eliseo|publisher=Congreso Ibeoramericano de Derecho Constitucional|year=2003|access-date=22 October 2012}}</ref>

This expression refers to the idea that some communities have particular traits, with respect to Spain as a whole. In practice these traits are a native "language proper to their own territories" separate from Spanish, a particular financial regime or special civil rights expressed in a code, which generate a distinct political personality.<ref name=aja/> These ''hechos diferenciales'' of their distinct political and historical personality are constitutionally and statutorily (i. e., in their Statutes of Autonomy) recognized in the exceptions granted to some of them and the additional powers they assume.<ref name=aja/>

However a doctrine that came to be called [[café para todos]] (coffee for everyone), sought to harmonise the autonomy model across Spain while simultaneously reinforcing the primacy of the central government and dilute claims of ethno-territorial distinctiveness from the historic nationalities. In particular, the organic law on the Harmonisation of the Autonomy Process (LOAPA) in 1982 not only extended powers to the other communities to achieve similar powers as the historic nationalities, but showed an intention to reverse already devolved powers.{{sfn|Anderson|2020|p=4}}

The powers to be exercised can be divided into three groups: exclusive to the State or central government, shared powers, and devolved powers exclusive to the communities. Powers can also be "executive", meaning the autonomous community may have exclusive responsibility for the administration of a policy area but may only have executive (i. e., carries out) powers as far as the policy itself is concerned, meaning it must enforce policy and laws decided at the national level.

The Constitution states which powers are exclusive to the central government: international relations, defense, administration of justice, commercial, criminal, civil, and labour legislation, customs, general finances and state debt, public health, basic legislation, and general coordination.{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Article 149}}{{sfn|Ruíz-Huerta Carbonell|Herrero Alcalde|2008|p=4,5}} As the Constitution had not set clearly defined methods for power sharing, particularly over shared powers, there had been major conflict because the real power of an autonomous community depended upon how far the State wanted to legislate.{{sfn|Arzoz|2012|p=182}} There is now a large body of case-law produced by the Constitutional Court to clarify ambiguities.{{sfn|Moreno|2016|page=183}}{{sfn|Anderson|2020|p=8}}

All autonomous communities have the power to manage their own finances in the way they see fit, and are responsible for the administration of education—school and universities—health and social services and cultural and urban development.<ref name=howmuch>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/special-report/2008/11/08/how-much-is-enough|url-access=subscription|title=How much is enough? Devolution has been good for Spain, but it may have gone too far|newspaper=The Economist|date=6 November 2008|access-date=1 April 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428050210/http://www.economist.com/node/12501023|archive-date=28 April 2012}}</ref> Yet there are differences as stipulated in their Statutes and the constitution:<ref name=carreras/>
* Aragon, the Balearic Islands, the Basque Country, [[Civil Code of Catalonia|Catalonia]], Galicia and the Valencian Community have a regional civil code
* Basque Country, Catalonia, and Navarre have their own police corps—the {{Lang|eu|[[Ertzaintza]]}}, the [[Mossos d'Esquadra]] and the [[Policía Foral|Nafarroako Foruzaingoa]], respectively; other communities have them too, but not fully developed (adscribed to the Spanish National Police) {{dubious|date=October 2020}}
* The Canary Islands have a special financial regime in virtue of its location as an overseas territories, while the Basque Country and Navarre have a distinct financial regime called "chartered regime"
* The Balearic Islands, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Galicia, Navarre, and the Valencian Community have a co-official language and therefore a distinct linguistic regime<ref name=carreras/>

The powers of the autonomous communities are not homogeneous.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seap.minhap.es/es/areas/politica_autonomica/Estatutos_Autonomia/estatutos_materias.html |title=Estatutos de Autonomía comparados por materias |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093822/http://www.seap.minhap.es/es/areas/politica_autonomica/Estatutos_Autonomia/estatutos_materias.html |archive-date=6 October 2014 |work=Secretaría de Estado de Administraciones Públicas |publisher=Ministerio de Hacienda y Administraciones Públicas |language=es |agency=[[Gobierno de España]]}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"
! Power
! Basque Country
! Galicia
! Catalonia
! Others
|-
| '''Law, Order & Justice'''
|
|
|
|
|-
| Police||Partial||Partial||Partial||Partial
|-
| Public Safety (Civil protection, Firearms, gambling)||Shared||Shared||Shared||Shared
|-
| Civil & Administrative Law (Justice, Registries, Judicial Appointments)||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Child & Family Protection ||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Consumer Protection||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Data protection||Shared||Shared||Shared||
|-
| Civil registry & Statistics||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| '''Health, Welfare & Social Policy'''
|
|
|
|
|-
| Social Welfare ||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Equality||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||[[Andalusia|AN]] (Exclusive)
|-
| Social Security||Shared||Shared||Shared||Shared
|-
| Employment||Shared||Shared||Shared||Shared
|-
| Health Care||Shared||Shared||Shared||Shared
|-
| Benevolent/Mutual Societies||Administrative||Administrative||Shared||[[Andalusia|AN]], [[Navarre|NA]], [[Valencian Community|VC]] (Shared)
|-
| '''Economy, Transport & Environment'''
|
|
|
|
|-
| Public Infrastructure (Road, Highways)||Exclusive||Shared||Shared||
|-
| Public Infrastructure (Rail, Airports)||Shared||Shared||Shared||Shared
|-
| Environment (Nature, Contamination, Rivers, Weather)||Exclusive||Exclusive||Shared||Shared
|-
| Economic Planning & Development||Exclusive||Exclusive||Shared||
|-
| Advertising, Regional Markets and regional controlled origin designations||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Professional associations||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Workplace & Industrial safety||Partial||Partial||Partial||Partial
|-
| Financial (Regional Cooperative Banks, & Financial Markets)||Exclusive||Exclusive||Shared||Exclusive
|-
| Press & Media||Shared||Shared||Shared||Shared
|-
| Water (Local drainage Basin)||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Regional Development (Coast, Housing Rural Services)||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Public Sector & Cooperative Banks||Shared||Shared||Shared||Shared
|-
| Energy & Mining||Exclusive||Exclusive||Shared||Shared
|-
| Competition ||Partial||Partial||Partial||Partial
|-
| Agriculture and Animal welfare||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Fisheries||Shared||Shared||Shared||Shared
|-
| Hunting & Fishing||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||
|-
| Local Transport & Communications (Road Transport, Maritime Rescue)||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Tourism||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| '''Culture & Education'''
|
|
|
|
|-
| Culture (libraries, museums, Film industry, Arts & crafts)||Shared||Shared||Shared||Shared
|-
| Culture (Language Promotion, R & D Projects)||Shared||Shared||Exclusive||Shared
|-
| Culture (Sports, Leisure, Events)||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Education (Primary, secondary, University, Professional & Language)||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| Religious Organizations||||Shared||Exclusive||
|-
| Cultural, Welfare, & Education Associations Regulation||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive||Exclusive
|-
| International Relations (Culture & language, Cross border relations)||Partial||Partial||Partial||
|-
| '''Resources & Spending'''
|
|
|
|
|-
| Own Tax resources||Yes||Yes||Yes||Yes
|-
| Allocation by Central Government||No||Convergence Funds||Convergence Funds||Convergence Funds (except [[Navarre|NA]])
|-
| Other resources||Co-payments (Health & Education)||Co-payments (Health & Education)||Co-payments (Health & Education)||Co-payments (Health & Education)
|-
| Resources||100%||60%||60%||60%
|-
|Devolved Spending as % of total public spending
|colspan="4"|36% (Average for all autonomous communities)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seap.minhap.gob.es/dms/es/areas/politica_autonomica/info_basica/1finccaa/modelo_financia/finan_tot_ccaa/LIQUIDACION-MODELO-FINANCIACION-2009 |work=Ministerio de Política Territorial y Administración Pública |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318171929/http://www.seap.minhap.gob.es/dms/es/areas/politica_autonomica/info_basica/1finccaa/modelo_financia/finan_tot_ccaa/LIQUIDACION-MODELO-FINANCIACION-2009 |archive-date=18 March 2015 |title=EL MODELO DE FINANCIACIÓN DE LAS COMUNIDADES AUTÓNOMAS DE RÉGIMEN COMÚN. Liquidación definitiva 2009 |date=November 2011 |language=es |access-date=2 December 2018 |pages=13 |format=PDF}}</ref>
|}

===Degree of financial autonomy===
{{Main|Communities of chartered regime}}

How the communities are financed has been one of the most contentious aspects in their relationship with the central government.<ref name=smith/> The constitution gave all communities significant control over spending, but the central government retained effective control of their revenue supply.<ref name=smith/> That is, the central government is still charge of levying and collecting most taxes, which it then redistributes to the autonomous communities with the aim of producing "[[fiscal equalization]]". This applies to all communities, with the exception of the Basque Country and Navarre, which level all taxes and pay an annual quote for the public services provided by the State.{{sfn|Ruíz-Huerta Carbonell|Herrero Alcalde|2008|p=7}}

This financial scheme is known as the "common regime" and applies to the other 15 autonomous communities.{{sfn|Ruíz-Huerta Carbonell|Herrero Alcalde|2008|p=7}} In essence, fiscal equalization implies that richer communities become net contributors to the system, while poorer communities become net recipients. The two largest net contributors to the system are the Balearic Islands and the Community of Madrid, in percentage terms, or the Community of Madrid and Catalonia in absolute terms.<ref name=cinco>{{cite web|url=http://www.cincodias.com/articulo/economia/madrid-aporta-estado-doble-cataluna/20071129cdscdieco_1/|title=Madrid aporta al Estado más del doble que Cataluña|publisher=Cinco Días|date=29 November 2007|access-date=1 April 2012}}</ref>

Central government funding is the main source of revenue for the communities of "common regime". Redistribution, or [[transfer payments]], are given to the communities of common regime to manage the responsibilities they have assumed. The amount they receive is based upon several calculations which include a consideration for population, land area, administrative units, dispersal of population, relative poverty, fiscal pressure and insularity.<ref name=tanja/> The central government is committed to returning a specific percentage of taxes to all communities with common regime, within the differences allowed for fiscal equalization. The communities of common regime have the ability to add a surcharge to the so-called "ceded taxes"—taxes set at the central level, but collected locally—and they can lower or raise personal income taxes up to a limit.<ref name=smith/>

The Basque Country and Navarre were granted an exception in the fiscal and financial system through the first additional disposition of the constitution that recognizes their historical "charters"{{efn-lr|"Charters" (in Spanish: ''fueros'', in Basque: ''foruak'').}} —hence they are known as "[[communities of chartered regime]]" or "foral regime".<ref name=smith/> Through their "chartered regime", these communities are allowed to levy and collect all so-called "contracted taxes", including income tax and corporate tax, and they have much more flexibility to lower or raise them.<ref name=smith/> This "chartered" or "foral" contract entails true financial autonomy.<ref name=smith/>

Since they collect almost all taxes, they send to the central government a pre-arranged amount known as ''cupo'', "quota" or ''aportación'', "contribution", and the treaty whereby this system is recognized is known as ''concierto'', "treaty", or ''convenio'', "pact".<ref name=hacienda>{{cite web|url=http://www.minhap.gob.es/es-ES/Areas%20Tematicas/Financiacion%20Autonomica/Paginas/Regimen%20foral.aspx|title=Régimen foral|author=Ministerio de Hacienda y Administraciones Públicas (Ministry of the Treasury and Public Administrations)|access-date=1 April 2012}}</ref> Hence they are also said to have ''[[concierto económico]]'', an "economic treaty". Since they collect all taxes themselves and only send a prearranged amount to the central government for the powers exclusive to the State, they do not participate in "fiscal equalization", in that they do not receive any money back.

===Spending===
As more responsibilities have been assumed by the autonomous communities in areas such as social welfare, health, and education, public expenditure patterns have seen a shift from the central government towards the communities since the 1980s.<ref name=smith/> In 2005, autonomous communities accounted for 35% of all public expenditure in Spain, a percentage that is even higher than that of states within a federation.{{sfn|Ruíz-Huerta Carbonell|Herrero Alcalde|2008|p=6}} With no legal constraints to balance budgets, and since the central government retains control over fiscal revenue in the communities of common regime, these are in a way encouraged to build up debt.<ref name=smith/>

The [[Council on Fiscal and Financial Policy]], which includes representatives of the central government and of the autonomous communities, has become one of the most efficient institutions of coordination in matters of public expenditures and revenue.<ref name=toboso>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-870986501.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518201932/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-870986501.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 May 2013|title=Un Primer Análisis Cuantitativo de la Organización Territorial de las Tareas de Gobierno en España, Alemania y Suiza|last=Toboso|first=Fernando|publisher=El Trimestre Económico|date=1 April 2001|access-date=21 October 2012}}</ref> Through the Council several agreements of financing have been agreed, as well as limits to the communities' public debt. The Organic Law of the Financing of Autonomous Communities of 1988 requires that the communities obtain the authorization of the central Ministry of Finance to issue public debt.<ref name=toboso/>

===Linguistic regimes===
[[File:BilingualSign Spain.svg|thumb|Bilingual signs, showing the names of the city known as [[Pamplona]] in both Spanish and Iruña in Basque]]
The preamble to the constitution explicitly stated that it is the nation's will to protect "all Spaniards and the peoples of Spain in the exercise of human rights, their cultures and traditions, languages and institutions".<ref name=preamble>Preamble to the Constitution. {{cite web|url=https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/espana/leyfundamental/paginas/index.aspx |title=Spanish Constitution |author=[[Cortes Generales]] |date=27 December 1978 |publisher=President of the Government of Spain and the Council of Ministers |access-date=6 August 2022}}</ref> This is a significant recognition not only in that it differed drastically from the restrictive linguistic policies during the Franco era, but also because part of the distinctiveness of the "historical nationalities" lies on their own regional languages.<ref name="villar"/><ref name="shabad"/> The nation is thus openly multilingual,{{sfn|Conversi|2002|loc=}} in which [[Names given to the Spanish language|Castilian]]—that is, Spanish—is the official language in all territories, but the "other Spanish languages" can also be official in their respective communities, in accordance with their Statutes of Autonomy.

Article 3 of the constitution ends up declaring that the "richness of the distinct linguistic modalities of Spain represents a patrimony which will be the object of special respect and protection".{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Article 3}} Spanish remains the only official language of the State; other languages are only co-official with Spanish in the communities that have so regulated. In addition, knowledge of the Spanish language was declared a right and an obligation of all Spaniards.

Spanish legislation, most notably in the Statutes of Autonomy of the bilingual communities, use the term "own language", or "language proper to a community",{{efn-lr| "Own language (of a community)" or "language proper [to a community]" (in Spanish: ''lengua propia'', in Basque: ''berezko hizkuntza'', in Catalan/Valencian: ''llengua pròpia'', in Galician: ''lingua propia'').}} to refer to a language other than Spanish that originated or had historical roots in that particular territory. The Statutes of Autonomy of the respective autonomous communities have declared [[Basque language|Basque]] the language proper to the Basque Country and Navarre, [[Catalan language|Catalan]] the language proper to Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and the Valencian Community—where it is historically, traditionally and officially known as [[Valencian language|Valencian]]—and [[Galician language|Galician]] to be the language proper to Galicia. There are other protected regional languages in other autonomous communities. As a percentage of total population in Spain, [[Basque language|Basque]] is spoken by 2%, [[Catalan language|Catalan/Valencian]] by 17%, and [[Galician language|Galician]] by 7% of all Spaniards.<ref name=cia>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/spain/|title=Spain|work=The CIA World Factbook|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|access-date=22 October 2012}}</ref> A 2016 Basque Government census revealed 700,000 fluent speakers in Spain (51,000 in Basque counties in France) and 1,185,000 total when passive speakers are included.<ref>VI Enquete Euskal Herria 2016, in French</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"
|+ Co-official or protected languages of Spain
|-
! Language
! Status
! Speakers in Spain{{efn|All figures as reported on ''[[Ethnologue]]'' for the number of speakers in Spain only.}}
|-
| [[Aragonese language|Aragonese]]
| Not official but recognised in [[Aragon]]
| 11,000<ref name=aragonese>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=arg|title=Aragonese|work=Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth Edition|editor=Lewis, M. Paul|year=2009|location=Dallas, TX|publisher=[[SIL International]]|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref>
|-
| [[Astur-Leonese languages|Asturleonese]]
| Not official but recognised in [[Asturias]] and in [[Castile and León]]{{efn|In the Statute of Autonomy of Castile and León, the Astur-Leonese dialect spoken therein is referred to as [[Leonese language|Leonese]].}}
| 100,000<ref name=asturian>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=ast|title=Asturian|work=Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth Edition|editor=Lewis, M. Paul|year=2009|location=Dallas, TX|publisher=[[SIL International]]|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref>
|-
| [[Basque language|Basque]]
| Official in the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]] and [[Navarre]]
| 580,000<ref name=basque>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=eus|title=Basque|work=Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth Edition|editor=Lewis, M. Paul|year=2009|location=Dallas, TX|publisher=[[SIL International]]|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref>
|-
| [[Catalan language|Catalan/Valencian]]
| as ''Catalan'', official in [[Catalonia]] and [[Balearic Islands]], and as ''Valencian'', in the [[Valencian Community]];{{efn|The Catalan dialect spoken in the Valencian Community is historically, traditionally and officially referred to as [[Valencian language|Valencian]].}} Not official but recognised in [[Aragon]]
| around 10 million,<ref name=catalan>{{cite web|url=http://www.llull.cat/catala/cultura/llengua_catala.cfm |title=Catalan|work=Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth Edition|editor=Lewis, M. Paul|year=2009|location=Dallas, TX|publisher=[[SIL International]]|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref> including 2nd language speakers
|-
| [[Galician language|Galician]]
| Official in [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] and recognised in some municipalities in Castile and León that border [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]]
| 2.34 million<ref name=galician>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=glg|title=Galician|work=Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth Edition|editor=Lewis, M. Paul|year=2009|location=Dallas, TX|publisher=[[SIL International]]|access-date=25 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328094338/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=glg|archive-date=28 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[Occitan language|Occitan]]
| Official in [[Catalonia]]
| 4,700
|-
| [[Fala language|Fala]]
| Not official but recognised as a "[[Bien de Interés Cultural]]" in [[Extremadura]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2001-7994 | title=BOE.es – Documento BOE-A-2001-7994}}</ref>
| 11,000
|}

===Subdivisions===
{{Main|Political divisions of Spain}}
{{See also|Local government in Spain|Comarcas of Spain|Provinces of Spain|Municipalities of Spain}}

{|class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"
|+ Provinces of each autonomous community
|-
! Autonomous community
! Provinces{{efn|name=lurraldeak}}
|-
| {{flag|Andalusia}}
| [[Province of Almería|Almería]], [[Province of Cádiz|Cádiz]], [[Province of Córdoba (Spain)|Córdoba]],{{efn|name=CO|Also spelled "Cordova" in English.}} [[Province of Granada|Granada]], [[Province of Huelva|Huelva]], [[Province of Jaén (Spain)|Jaén]], [[Province of Málaga|Málaga]] and [[Province of Seville|Seville]]
|-
| {{flag|Aragon}}
| [[Province of Huesca|Huesca]], [[Province of Teruel|Teruel]] and [[Province of Zaragoza|Zaragoza]]{{efn|name=Z|Also spelled "Saragossa" in English.}}
|-
| {{flag|Asturias}}
| (Asturias){{efn|Previously known as Oviedo.}}
|-
| {{flag|Balearic Islands}}
| (Balearic Islands)
|-
| {{flag|Basque Country}}
| [[Álava]], [[Biscay]], and [[Gipuzkoa]]{{efn|name=lurraldeak|The Basque provinces and Navarre are officially known as "historical territories" or "chartered territories".{{efn-lr|name=lurraldeak}}}}
|-
| {{flag|Canary Islands}}
| [[Province of Las Palmas|Las Palmas]] and [[Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife|Santa Cruz de Tenerife]]
|-
| {{flag|Cantabria}}
| (Cantabria){{efn|Previously known as Santander.}}
|-
| {{flag|Castilla-La Mancha}}
| [[Province of Albacete|Albacete]], [[Province of Ciudad Real|Ciudad Real]], [[Province of Cuenca (Spain)|Cuenca]], [[Province of Guadalajara|Guadalajara]] and [[Province of Toledo|Toledo]]
|-
| {{flag|Castile and León}}
| [[Province of Ávila|Ávila]], [[Province of Burgos|Burgos]], [[Province of León|León]], [[Province of Palencia|Palencia]], [[Province of Salamanca|Salamanca]], [[Province of Segovia|Segovia]], [[province of Soria|Soria]], [[province of Valladolid|Valladolid]] and [[province of Zamora|Zamora]]
|-
| {{flag|Catalonia}}
| [[Province of Barcelona|Barcelona]], [[Province of Girona|Girona]], [[Province of Lleida|Lleida]] and [[Province of Tarragona|Tarragona]]
|-
| {{flag|Extremadura}}
| [[Province of Badajoz|Badajoz]] and [[province of Cáceres|Cáceres]]
|-
| {{flag|Galicia}}
| [[Province of A Coruña|A Coruña]], [[Province of Lugo|Lugo]], [[Province of Ourense|Ourense]] and [[Province of Pontevedra|Pontevedra]]
|-
| {{flag|La Rioja (Spain)|name=La Rioja}}
| (La Rioja){{efn|Previously known as Logroño.}}
|-
| {{flag|Madrid}}
| (Madrid)
|-
| {{flag|Murcia}}
| (Murcia)
|-
| {{flag|Navarre}}
| (Navarre){{efn|Previously known as Pamplona.}}
|-
| {{flag|Valencia|name=Valencian Community}}
| [[Province of Alicante|Alicante]], [[province of Castellón|Castellón]] and [[province of Valencia|Valencia]]
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Spain}}
* [[Autonomous administrative division]]
* [[Autonomous Communities Administration]]
* [[Autonomous Regions of Portugal]]
* [[History of the territorial organization of Spain]]
* [[List of current presidents of the autonomous communities of Spain]]
* [[List of Spanish autonomous communities by gross domestic product]]
* [[List of Spanish autonomous communities by Human Development Index]]
* [[Manuel Clavero]]
* {{annotated link|National and regional identity in Spain}}
* [[Political divisions of Spain]]
* [[President (Autonomous Community of Spain)|President (Autonomous community)]]
* [[Composition of the Spanish autonomous parliaments]]
* [[Ranked lists of Spanish autonomous communities]]
* [[Singular population entity]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist|3}}

=== Translation of terms ===
{{notelist-lr|3}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite journal|title=Decentralisation at a crossroads: Spain, Catalonia and the Territorial Crisis |first=Paul |last=Anderson |journal=Ethnopolitics |volume=19 |year=2020| issue=4 |location=London |publisher=Routledge |pages=342–355|doi=10.1080/17449057.2020.1795470 |language=en | issn=1744-9065|oclc=300873767|url=https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/download/08de36fe281562b260890afcb48ed7e443ec7cf8a7e309319c7f0f5f9442485f/259158/Catalonia%20final%20paper%20PDF.pdf}}
* {{cite journal|title=New developments in Spanish federalism |first=Xabier |last=Arzoz |journal=L'Europe en Formation |year=2012| volume=363 |issue=1 |publisher= Centre international de formation européenne |pages=179–188 |doi=10.3917/eufor.363.0179 |language=en | issn= 2410-9231|oclc=1404651662|url=https://shs.cairn.info/article/EUFOR_363_0179/pdf?lang=en}}
* {{cite book|chapter=The Federal Option and Constitutional Management of Diversity in Spain| first=Xavier |last=Arbós Marín| pages=375–399| title=The Ways of Federalism in Western Countries and the Horizons of Territorial Autonomy in Spain| volume=2| editor-first1=Alberto |editor-last1=López-Basaguren |editor-first2= Leire |editor-last2=Escajedo San Epifanio|publisher=[[Axel Springer SE|Springer]]|isbn=978-3-642-27717-7|url=https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/libro?codigo=559187|doi=10.1007/978-3-642-27717-7_27|year=2013}}
* {{cite journal|title=The Spanish 'state of autonomies': non-institutional federalism|last=Colomer|first=Josep M.|author-link1=Josep Colomer|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54171792.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518204854/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54171792.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 May 2013|journal=[[West European Politics]] | volume =21 |issue=4 |pages=40–52 |date=1 October 1998|access-date=4 June 2024|oclc=41125258|publisher=Frank Cass|location=Essex |doi=10.1080/01402389808425270 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Colino |first=César |chapter=Decentralization in Spain |pages=62–81 |editor-first1=Diego |editor-last1=Muro |editor-first2=Ignacio |editor-last2=Lago |year=2020 |title=The Oxford Handbook of Spanish Politics |publisher=Oxford University Press |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BtjODwAAQBAJ |isbn=978-0-19-882693-4}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Conversi |first=Daniele |year=2002 |title=The smooth transition: Spain's 1978 Constitution and the nationalities question |url=http://danieleconversi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The_smooth_transition_Spains_1978_consti.pdf |journal=National Identities |publisher=Carfax Publishing, Inc. |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=223–244 |bibcode=2002NatId...4..223C |doi=10.1080/1460894022000026105 |issn=1460-8944 |oclc=4893678333 |s2cid=145731993 |access-date=4 June 2024}}
* {{cite journal |last=Keating |first=Michael |year=2006 |title=Federalism and the Balance of Power in European States |journal=Support for Improvement in Governance and Management |url=http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/61/8/37890628.pdf|publisher=[[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]], Inc. |access-date=4 June 2024}}
* {{Cite book |last=Moreno Fernández |first=Luis Miguel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OVzC9t5sxBMC |title=La federalización de España. Poder político y territorio |publisher=Siglo XXI España Editores |year=2008 |isbn=978-8432312939 |edition=2nd |pages=98, 99 |language=es |trans-title=The federalisation of Spain. Political power and territory. |orig-year=April 1997}}
* {{cite book |last1=Moreno |first1=Angel M. |editor1-last=Merloni |editor1-first=Francesco |title=Regionalisation Trends in European Countries 2007-2015: Spain |date=June 2016 |publisher=Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of The Council of Europe |pages=183–191 |url=https://rm.coe.int/168071aa29|language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Moreno |first=Luis |year=2007 |title=Multinational Federations |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-41490-6 |editor-last=Burgess |editor-first=Michael |pages=86–107 |chapter=Federalisation in Multinational Spain |hdl=10261/177010 |oclc=1257713892 |access-date=19 October 2023 |editor-last2=Pinder |editor-first2=John |chapter-url=https://digital.csic.es/handle/10261/177010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308234940/https://digital.csic.es/handle/10261/177010 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |last1=Ruíz-Huerta Carbonell|first1=Jesús|last2=Herrero Alcalde|first2=Ana|chapter=Fiscal Equalization in Spain|pages=147–168|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ngoAEwlqMIsC|title=Fiscal Federalism and Political Decentralization: Lessons from Spain, Germany and Canada|editor1-last=Bosch|editor1-first=Núria|editor2-last=Durán|editor2-first=José María|publisher=Edward Elgar Publisher Limited|year=2008|location=Cheltenham|isbn=9781847204677|access-date=15 October 2012}}
* {{cite web |title=The Spanish Constitution |url=https://www.tribunalconstitucional.es/es/tribunal/normativa/normativa/constitucioningles.pdf |publisher=Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado [National Agency of the [[Boletín Oficial del Estado|Official State Gazette]]]|access-date=10 June 2022 |language=English |date=1978|ref={{harvid|Spanish Constitution|1978}}}}

==External links==
* [http://www.rulers.org/spanautc.html Information about Spain's Autonomous Communities from rulers.org]
* [http://www.citymayors.com/government/spain_government.html Relations between tiers – CityMayors feature]

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