"Subnational entity", "administrative unit", "administrative area" and "regional government" redirect here.
This article is about the country subdivisions generally used in regional and local government. For "administrative division" in the sense of a company department, see Administration (business) and Administration.
Administrative divisions are divisions of a political division. In other words, they are designated portions of a country. They are also called subnational entities. They are each granted a certain degree of autonomy, and are required to manage themselves through their own local governments. Countries are divided up into these smaller units to make managing their land and the affairs of their people easier. For example, a country may be divided into provinces, which in turn are divided into counties, which in turn may be divided in whole or in part into municipalities. These are only a few of the names given to administrative subdivisions; more examples are provided below.
Administrative divisions are a type of country subdivision, and can overlap with the other types. The other types of country subdivision generally don't have governments.
Administrative divisions are conceptually separate from dependent areas, in that the former are included in the core or mainland of the respective state.
