List of autonomous areas by country

It is typical for it to be geographically distant from the country, or to be populated by a national minority.

Countries that include autonomous areas are often federacies.

[1] The autonomous areas differ from federal units and independent states in the sense that they, in relation to the majority of other sub-national territories in the same country, enjoy a special status including some legislative powers, within the state (for a detailed list of federated units, see federated state).

[2] This list includes areas that are internationally recognized, as well as some that are generally unrecognized.

Notes: Gilgit-Baltistan (2009) A number of entities are also officially called "autonomous", though they do not have an exceptional freedom from external authority, and would not fall under the definition of autonomous area.