SafekipediaDependent territory
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
A dependent territory is a place that is not fully independent and is controlled by another country. It is not part of the main country like a state or province, but it often has some freedom to make its own decisions. These areas usually have their own special rules and sometimes even their own country codes.
Historically, many colonies were considered dependent territories because they were controlled by larger nations but had some level of self-governance. Today, some places like Åland, which is an autonomous region of Finland, or Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, have unique statuses that give them extra autonomy, even though they are officially part of another country. These special arrangements often come from international treaties or agreements.
Summary
The lists below show different kinds of areas that are not fully independent countries but are linked to larger nations.
- Two states in free association, one dependent territory, and one Antarctic claim in the listing for New Zealand
- One uninhabited territory and two Antarctic claims in the listing for Norway
- 13 overseas territories (ten autonomous, two used primarily as military bases, and one uninhabited), three Crown dependencies, and one Antarctic claim in the listing for the United Kingdom
- 13 unincorporated territories (five inhabited and eight uninhabited) and two claimed but uncontrolled territories in the listing for the United States
The lists also include similar kinds of areas:
- Six external territories (three inhabited and three uninhabited) and one Antarctic claim in the listing for Australia
- Two special administrative regions in the listing for China
- Two self-governing territories with autonomy in internal affairs in the listing for Denmark
- One autonomous region governed according to an act and international treaties in the listing for Finland
- Five autonomous overseas collectivities, one sui generis collectivity, and two uninhabited overseas territories (one of which includes an Antarctic claim) in the listing for France
- Three constituent countries with autonomy in internal affairs in the listing for the Netherlands
- One internal territory with limited sovereignty in the listing for Norway
Lists of dependent territories
This list shows areas that are not fully part of the country that governs them. These places are not completely independent but are still controlled by another nation. Some places, like those in Antarctica, are special and listed in italics.
New Zealand
Main article: Realm of New Zealand
New Zealand has two areas that govern themselves, one territory it controls, and a claim in Antarctica.
Norway
Main article: Dependencies of Norway
Norway has one territory it controls and two claims in Antarctica. Norway also has islands called Svalbard where its control is not total.
United Kingdom
Main articles: British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies
The United Kingdom has three special areas called "Crown Dependencies", thirteen areas known as "Overseas Territories", and one claim in Antarctica.
United States
Main article: Territories of the United States
Further information: Insular area and United States Minor Outlying Islands
The United States controls 13 territories that are not fully part of the country and has two areas it claims but does not fully control. The U.S. Constitution does not apply completely to these areas.
| Associated state | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
|---|---|---|
 Cook Islands | Self-governing state in free association with New Zealand since 1965. Cook Islands' status is considered to be equivalent to independence for international law purposes, and the country exercises full sovereignty over its internal and external affairs. Under the terms of the free association agreement, however, New Zealand retains some responsibility for the foreign relations and defence of the Cook Islands. These responsibilities confer no rights of control and are exercised only at the request of the Cook Islands Government. The government of New Zealand does not consider it appropriate for the Cook Islands to have a separate seat at the United Nations, due to its continued use of the right of Cook Islanders to have New Zealand citizenship. | CK |
 Niue | Self-governing state in free association with New Zealand since 1974. Niue's status is considered to be equivalent to independence for international law purposes, and the country exercises full sovereignty over its internal and external affairs. Under the terms of the free association agreement, however, New Zealand retains some responsibility for the foreign relations and defence of Niue. These responsibilities confer no rights of control and are exercised only at the request of the Government of Niue. The government of New Zealand does not consider it appropriate for Niue to have a separate seat at the United Nations, due to its continued use of the right of Niueans to have New Zealand citizenship. | NU |
| Dependent territory | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
 Tokelau | Territory of New Zealand. A UN-sponsored referendum on self-governance in February 2006 did not produce the two-thirds supermajority necessary for changing the current political status. Another one was in October 2007, which failed to reach the two-thirds margin. Appears on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories. | TK |
| Dependent territory (uninhabited, claimed) | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
 Ross Dependency | This is New Zealand's Antarctic claim. Unlike Tokelau and the associated states (Cook Islands and Niue), the Ross Dependency is, according to the New Zealand government, constitutionally part of New Zealand. | No unique ISO 3166 country codes |
| Dependent territory (uninhabited) | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
|---|---|---|
 Bouvet Island | Dependency administered from Oslo by the Polar Affairs Department of the Ministry of Justice and the Police. | BV |
| Dependent territory (uninhabited, claimed) | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
| Peter I Island | Dependencies (subject to the Antarctic Treaty System) administered from Oslo by the Polar Affairs Department of the Ministry of Justice and the Police. | No unique ISO 3166 country codes |
| Queen Maud Land |
| Unincorporated organized territory | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
|---|---|---|
 Guam | Unincorporated organized territory of the U.S.; policy relations conducted through the Office of Insular Affairs of the Department of the Interior. Appears on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories | GU or US-GU |
 Northern Mariana Islands | Unincorporated organized territory of the U.S. with Commonwealth status; federal funding administered by the Office of Insular Affairs of the Department of the Interior | MP or US-MP |
 Puerto Rico | Unincorporated organized territory of the U.S. with Commonwealth status; local government and residents are under the plenary authority of the U.S. Congress | PR or US-PR |
 U.S. Virgin Islands | Unincorporated organized territory of the U.S. Policy relations conducted by the Office of Insular Affairs of the Department of the Interior. Appears on the Department of the Interior | VI or US-VI |
| Unincorporated unorganized territory | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
 American Samoa | Unincorporated unorganized territory administered by the Office of Insular Affairs of the Department of the Interior. Appears on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories | AS or US-AS |
| Unincorporated unorganized territory (uninhabited) | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
 Baker Island | Unincorporated unorganized territories of the U.S. administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior | UM-81 |
| Howland Island | UM-84 | |
| Jarvis Island | UM-86 | |
 Johnston Atoll | UM-67 | |
| Kingman Reef | UM-89 | |
 Midway Atoll | UM-71 | |
| Navassa Island | Unincorporated unorganized territory of the U.S. administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior from the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico | UM-76 |
 Wake Island | Unincorporated unorganized territory of the U.S. administered by the U.S. Air Force under an agreement with the Department of the Interior | UM-79 |
| Unincorporated unorganized territory (uninhabited, claimed) | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
| Bajo Nuevo Bank | Administered by Colombia. Claimed by the United States (under the Guano Islands Act) and Jamaica. A claim by Nicaragua was resolved in 2012 in favor of Colombia by the International Court of Justice, although the U.S. was not a party to that case and does not recognize the court's compulsory jurisdiction. | |
| Serranilla Bank | Administered by Colombia; site of a naval garrison. Claimed by the United States (since 1879 under the Guano Islands Act) and Jamaica. A claim by Nicaragua was resolved in 2012 in favor of Colombia by the International Court of Justice, although the United States was not a party to that case and does not recognize the court's compulsory jurisdiction. A claim by Honduras was settled in a 1986 treaty over maritime boundaries with Colombia. |
Lists of similar entities
The following areas are part of a larger country but have many features of dependent territories. This list includes areas that are either covered by international treaties, have no people living there, or have a special level of self-rule in areas other than international matters. It does not include areas without unique self-rule.
Australia
Main article: States and territories of Australia § External territories
Australia manages six external territories and one claim in Antarctica. There is debate about whether these external territories are fully part of Australia. Norfolk Island had self-government from 1979 to 2016. These territories are often treated separately from Australia itself.
China
Main article: Special administrative regions of China
The People's Republic of China (PRC) has two special administrative regions (SARs) that are governed by their own laws. These SARs differ from Mainland China in many ways. The PRC claims sovereignty over Taiwan but does not control it directly, so it is not listed here.
Denmark
Main article: Danish Realm
The Kingdom of Denmark includes two autonomous territories with their own governments and parliaments.
Finland
Main article: Regions of Finland
Further information: Administrative divisions of Finland and Åland Islands dispute
See also: Special territories of members of the European Economic Area § Åland
Finland has one autonomous region that is also covered by international treaties.
France
Main article: Overseas France
Further information: Overseas collectivity and Overseas territory (France)
See also: Overseas country of France
France has six overseas autonomous collectivities and two uninhabited territories. This does not include its standard overseas regions (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Réunion), which have the same status as regions in metropolitan France. All of France's overseas areas are considered part of the French Republic.
Netherlands
Main article: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Further information: Dutch Caribbean
The Kingdom of the Netherlands includes three autonomous countries in the Caribbean and one country in Europe (the Netherlands). The European part is part of the European Union, Customs Union, and Eurozone, while the Caribbean areas have a different status.
Norway
Main article: List of possessions of Norway
Further information: Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Norway has one inhabited archipelago in the Arctic, Svalbard, where Norwegian sovereignty has some limits. Norway also has an uninhabited archipelago in the Arctic, Jan Mayen, but it is not included here as it is directly managed by Nordland County Municipality.
| External territory | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
|---|---|---|
 Christmas Island | Administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts | CX |
 Cocos (Keeling) Islands | CC | |
 Norfolk Island | NF | |
| External territory (uninhabited) | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
 Ashmore and Cartier Islands | Administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts | No unique ISO 3166 country codes |
| Coral Sea Islands | ||
| Heard Island and McDonald Islands | Administered from Canberra by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment | HM |
| External territory (uninhabited, claimed) | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
| Australian Antarctic Territory | Administered from Canberra by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment | No unique ISO 3166 country codes |
| Special administrative region | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
|---|---|---|
 Hong Kong | Former British colony. Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China since 1997 according to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, an international treaty registered with the United Nations. The Hong Kong Basic Law purports to provide for the territory to enjoy a "high degree" of autonomy per the "one country, two systems" model under the central government of China. Although the territory is not part of mainland China, it is officially considered an integral part of the People's Republic of China. | HK or CN-HK |
 Macau | Former Portuguese colony. Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China since 1999 according to the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration, an international treaty registered with the United Nations. The Macao Basic Law provides for the territory to enjoy a high degree of autonomy per the "one country, two systems" model under the central government of China. Although the territory is not part of mainland China, it is officially considered an integral part of the People's Republic of China. | MO or CN-MO |
| Autonomous territory | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
|---|---|---|
 Faroe Islands | Autonomous since 1948. A constituent part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but not of the European Union. Although it is not part of metropolitan Denmark, it is officially considered an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark. | FO |
 Greenland | Autonomous since 1979. A constituent part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but withdrew from the European Economic Community in 1985. Although it is not part of metropolitan Denmark, it is officially considered an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark. | GL |
| Autonomous region | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
|---|---|---|
 Åland | Åland is governed according to the Act on the Autonomy of Åland and international treaties. These laws guarantee the islands' autonomy in Finland, which has ultimate sovereignty over them, as well as a demilitarised status. | AX or FI-01 |
| Overseas collectivity | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
|---|---|---|
 French Polynesia | Overseas collectivity since 2003; overseas country since 2004. Appears on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories | PF or FR-PF |
 Saint Barthélemy | Seceded from Guadeloupe to become an overseas collectivity in 2007 | BL or FR-BL |
 Saint Martin | Seceded from Guadeloupe to become an overseas collectivity in 2007. It is the only overseas collectivity that is fully part of the European Union. | MF or FR-MF |
 Saint Pierre and Miquelon | Territorial collectivity since 1985. Overseas collectivity since 2003 | PM or FR-PM |
 Wallis and Futuna | Overseas territory since 1961. Overseas collectivity since 2003 | WF or FR-WF |
| Sui generis collectivity | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
 New Caledonia | "Sui generis" collectivity since 1998. Appears on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories | NC or FR-NC |
| Overseas state private property (uninhabited) | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
| Clipperton Island | The island is administered under the direct authority of the French government by the French Minister of the Overseas. | FR-CP |
| Overseas territory (uninhabited) | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
 French Southern and Antarctic Lands | TAAF (Terres australes et antartiques françaises) is an overseas territory since 1955, administered from Paris by an Administrateur Supérieur. The territory includes the Antarctic claim of Adélie Land and several islands in the Indian Ocean, including Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands and Scattered Islands | TF or FR-TF |
| Constituent country | Administration | ISO 3166 country code |
|---|---|---|
 Aruba | Defined as a "country" ("land") within the Kingdom by the Statute of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba obtained full autonomy in internal affairs upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986. Part of the Kingdom but not in Europe, its citizenship nonetheless includes status as citizens of the European Union (the Kingdom government coincides almost exactly with the Government of the Netherlands, and is responsible for defence, foreign affairs, and nationality law). | AW or NL-AW |
 Curaçao | Defined as a "country" ("land") within the Kingdom by the Statute of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao and Sint Maarten were part of the Netherlands Antilles until it was dissolved in October 2010. Part of the Kingdom but not in Europe, their citizenship nonetheless includes status as citizens of the European Union (the Kingdom government coincides almost exactly with the Government of the Netherlands, and is responsible for defence, foreign affairs, and nationality law). | CW or NL-CW |
 Sint Maarten | SX or NL-SX |
Description
Three special areas called Crown Dependencies work closely with the United Kingdom. They handle their own local matters, but the British Government protects them and speaks for them in other countries. These areas are not part of the UK and do not send representatives to the UK Parliament.
Some places, like Bermuda and Gibraltar, are called British Overseas Territories. They have their own local leaders and small defense forces, while the UK protects them and deals with their affairs in other countries.
Other places, such as the Cook Islands and Niue, share a special connection with New Zealand, including the same monarch and governor-general.
Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands have special ties to the United States. They are not fully independent but have some self-government and U.S. citizenship. The Kingdom of the Netherlands also has special areas in the Caribbean, like Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, which govern themselves but are part of the kingdom. Similarly, the Faroe Islands and Greenland have self-rule within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Overview of inhabited dependent territories
Dependent territories are areas that are not fully independent countries. They belong to larger nations but have some of their own rules and leaders. These places can still have their own cultures, languages, and traditions.
| Name | Population (2016) | Area (km2) | Area (mi2) | UN region | UN subregion | Sovereign state | Legal status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Akrotiri and Dhekelia | 15,700 | 254 | 98 | Asia | Western Asia | United Kingdom | Overseas territory (Sovereign Base Areas) |
| Åland | 29,013 | 1,580 | 610 | Europe | Northern Europe |  Finland | Autonomous region |
| American Samoa | 54,194 | 199 | 77 | Oceania | Polynesia | United States | Unincorporated unorganized territory |
 Anguilla | 15,100 | 91 | 35 | Americas | Caribbean | United Kingdom | Overseas territory |
| Aruba | 113,648 | 178.91 | 69.08 | Americas | Caribbean |  Netherlands | Constituent country |
 Bermuda | 70,537 | 53.2 | 20.5 | Americas | Northern America | United Kingdom | Overseas territory |
 British Virgin Islands | 34,232 | 153 | 59 | Americas | Caribbean | United Kingdom | Overseas territory |
 Cayman Islands | 57,268 | 264 | 101.9 | Americas | Caribbean | United Kingdom | Overseas territory |
| Christmas Island | 2,205 | 135 | 52 | Oceania | Australia and New Zealand | Australia | External territory |
| Cocos (Keeling) Islands | 596 | 14 | 5.4 | Oceania | Australia and New Zealand | Australia | External territory |
| Cook Islands | 18,100 | 240 | 93 | Oceania | Polynesia | New Zealand | Associated state |
| Curaçao | 158,986 | 444 | 171 | Americas | Caribbean | Netherlands | Constituent country |
 Falkland Islands | 2,931 | 12,173 | 4,700 | Americas | South America | United Kingdom | Overseas territory |
| Faroe Islands | 49,188 | 4,167 | 540 | Europe | Northern Europe |  Denmark | Autonomous territory |
| French Polynesia | 285,735 | 1,399 | 1,609 | Oceania | Polynesia | France | Overseas collectivity (Overseas country) |
 Gibraltar | 29,328 | 6.5 | 2.5 | Europe | Southern Europe | United Kingdom | Overseas territory |
| Greenland | 56,483 | 2,166,086 | 836,330 | Americas | Northern America | Denmark | Autonomous territory |
| Guam | 162,742 | 544 | 210 | Oceania | Micronesia | United States | Unincorporated organized territory |
 Guernsey | 63,026 | 65 | 25 | Europe | Northern Europe | United Kingdom | Crown Dependency |
| Hong Kong | 7,374,000 | 2,755 | 1,064 | Asia | Eastern Asia |  China | Special administrative region |
 Isle of Man | 88,195 | 572 | 221 | Europe | Northern Europe | United Kingdom | Crown Dependency |
 Jersey | 98,069 | 118.2 | 45.6 | Europe | Northern Europe | United Kingdom | Crown Dependency |
| Macau | 650,900 | 115.3 | 44.5 | Asia | Eastern Asia | China | Special administrative region |
 Montserrat | 5,267 | 101 | 39 | Americas | Caribbean | United Kingdom | Overseas territory |
| New Caledonia | 275,355 | 18,576 | 7,172 | Oceania | Melanesia | France | Sui generis collectivity |
| Niue | 1,190 | 261.46 | 100.95 | Oceania | Polynesia | New Zealand | Associated state |
| Norfolk Island | 2,210 | 34.6 | 13.4 | Oceania | Australia and New Zealand | Australia | External territory |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 53,467 | 464 | 179 | Oceania | Micronesia | United States | Unincorporated organized territory (Commonwealth) |
 Pitcairn Islands | 57 | 43 | 17 | Oceania | Polynesia | United Kingdom | Overseas territory |
| Puerto Rico | 3,411,307 | 9,104 | 3,515 | Americas | Caribbean | United States | Unincorporated organized territory (Commonwealth) |
| Saint Barthélemy | 7,209 | 25 | 9.7 | Americas | Caribbean | France | Overseas collectivity |
| Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | 5,633 | 394 | 152 | Africa | Western Africa | United Kingdom | Overseas territory |
| Saint Martin | 31,949 | 53.2 | 20.5 | Americas | Caribbean | France | Overseas collectivity |
| Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 5,595 | 242 | 93 | Americas | Northern America | France | Overseas collectivity |
| Sint Maarten | 41,486 | 37 | 14 | Americas | Caribbean | Netherlands | Constituent country |
| Svalbard | 2,667 | 61,022 | 23,561 | Europe | Northern Europe | Norway | Unincorporated area |
| Tokelau | 1,499 | 10 | 3.9 | Oceania | Polynesia | New Zealand | Dependent territory |
 Turks and Caicos Islands | 51,430 | 430 | 166 | Americas | Caribbean | United Kingdom | Overseas territory |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 102,951 | 346.36 | 133.73 | Americas | Caribbean | United States | Unincorporated organized territory |
| Wallis and Futuna | 15,664 | 142 | 55 | Oceania | Polynesia | France | Overseas collectivity |
Images
Related articles
This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Dependent territory, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.