A federated state, commonly simply referred to as a state, is a territorial and constitutional community forming part of a federal union.[1] Such states differ from sovereign states, in that they have transferred a portion of their sovereign powers to a federal government.[2] A federated state holds administrative jurisdiction over a defined geographic territory and is a form of regional government.
In some cases, a federation is created from a union of political entities, which are either independent, or dependent territories of another sovereign entity (most commonly a colonial power). In other cases, states have been created by a previously unitary government in a devolution of powers in order to allow for a federal constitution. Once a federal constitution is formed, the rules governing the relationship between federal and regional powers become part of the country's municipal law and not international law.
In countries with federal constitutions, sovereignty is shared between the federal government and its component states. These states are partially self-governing and are usually afforded a considerable degree of autonomy. In most cases, within its own territory, a federated state's administrative rights and powers cannot be over-ruled or vetoed by the federal government. However, the laws governing the relationship between federal and regional powers can be amended through the federal constitution and state constitutions.
Countries made up of federated states
Twelve countries are made up of federated states and use the English term state to refer the federated entities.[3][4]
- Australia consists of 6 states (as well as 2 major territories and several external territories);[5] see States and territories of Australia.
- Austria consists of 9 states (or Bundesländer);[6] see States of Austria.
- Brazil consists of 26 states (and 1 federal district);[7] see States of Brazil.
- Germany consists of 16 states (or Länder);[8] see States of Germany.
- India consists of 28 states (and 7 union territories);[9] see States and territories of India.
- Malaysia consists of 13 states (and 3 federal territories);[10] see States of Malaysia.
- Mexico consists of 31 states (and 1 federal district);[11] see States of Mexico.
- The Federated States of Micronesia consists of 4 states;[12] see Divisions of F.S.M..
- Nigeria consists of 36 states (and 1 federal territory);[13] see States of Nigeria.
- Sudan consists of 25 states;[14] see States of Sudan.
- The United States consists of 50 states (as well as 1 federal district and several territories);[15] see U.S. states.
- Venezuela consists of 23 states (as well as 1 federal dependency and 1 federal district;[16] see Subdivisions of Venezuela.
Equivalent federative terms
A number of countries are made up of federated states but do not use the English term state to refer the federated entities.[3][4]
- Argentina has a federal system which consists of 23 provinces (and 1 federal district);[17] see Provinces of Argentina.
- Belgium consists of a number of federated components;[18] see Divisions of Belgium.
- Canada has a federal system which consists of 10 provinces (and 3 territories);[19] see Provinces and territories of Canada.
- Ethiopia has a federal system that consists of 9 kililoch (and 3 chartered cities);[20] see Regions of Ethiopia.
- Iraq has a federal system that consists of 18 governorates;[21] see Governorates of Iraq.
- Pakistan has a federal system that consists of 4 provinces (and 4 federal territories);[22] see Administrative divisions of Pakistan.
- Russia has a federal system that consists of 83 federal subjects (of varying terms; and 2 federal cities);[23] see Federal subjects of Russia.
- Switzerland consists of 26 cantons;[24] see Cantons of Switzerland.
- The United Arab Emirates has a federal system that consists of 7 emirates;[25] see Emirates of the U.A.E..
References
- ^ The Australian National Dictionary: Fourth Edition, pg 1395. (2004) Canberra. ISBN 0-19-551771-7.
- ^ Constitution of the United States of America: Tenth Amendment, Reserved Powers
- ^ a b "Field Listing : Administrative Divisions". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 2009-10-01. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2051.html?countryName=&countryCode=®ionCode=&. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ a b "Federalism by Country". Forum of Federations. 2009-03-30. http://www.forumfed.org/en/federalism/by_country/index.php. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
- ^ Daniel, Kate; Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (2008). SBS World Guide: The Complete Fact File on Every Country, 16th ed.. Prahran, Victoria, Australia: Hardie Grant Books. pp. 827. p38. ISBN 9781740666480. http://books.google.com/books?id=wU1LMAAACAAJ&dq=SBS+World+Guide:+The+Complete+Fact+File+On+Every+Country.
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p46
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p101
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p275
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p328
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p460
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p481
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p486
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p537
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p687
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p774
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p798
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p26
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p74
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p132
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p239
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p346
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p549
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p600
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p700
- ^ SBS World Guide 2008, p760
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