Province

Province is a territorial unit, almost always an administrative division, within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman provincia, which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions outside Italy.

Etymology

The word province is derived from the Latin word provincia, which was originally used by the Romans to refer to the sphere of authority of a magistrate, in particular, to a foreign territory.

History

The concept of a province has evolved over time, and its definition varies from country to country. In ancient Rome, a province was a conquered territory under the administration of a Roman governor. In the Middle Ages, a province could refer to a major ecclesiastical jurisdiction under a bishop. Today, a province is typically a level of government within a unitary state, such as Canada or China, or a territorial entity within a federal state, such as a U.S. state or a German Land.

Modern provinces

In many countries, a province is a subdivision of the national government, similar to a state in the United States. In some countries, including several in Western Europe, the term province is used for a region within a country, similar to a county in the United States. In other countries, such as China and Russia, a province is a large territorial unit with its own local government.

See also

• Administrative division
• Region
• State (polity)
• Territory (subdivision)

References

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Province

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  Map of the Roman Empire around 400 AD
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  Map of Pirkanmaa