Administrative Divisions 1999
Explore administrative divisions across 266+ countries with interactive maps and rankings to understand regional governance and demographics.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
- #1
Czech Republic
- #2
Algeria
- #3
Albania
- #4
Colombia
- #5
Afghanistan
- #6
American Samoa
- #7
Azerbaijan
- #8
Côte d'Ivoire
- #9
Burkina Faso
- #10
Brazil
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #212
Wallis and Futuna Islands
- #211
United States Virgin Islands
- #210
Tuvalu
- #209
Turks and Caicos Islands
- #208
Turkmenistan
- #207
Tonga
- #206
Tokelau
- #205
Tajikistan
- #204
Togo
- #203
Taiwan
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 1999, Slovenia led the world in the number of Administrative Divisions with a total of 136, while the global range spanned from 1 to 136. The global average for administrative divisions stood at 18.13, providing a benchmark for comparison among the 178 countries surveyed.
Understanding the Extremes: Slovenia's Leadership and Saint Helena's Minimalism
The wide disparity in administrative divisions across countries can often be attributed to historical, political, and geographic factors. Slovenia, with its 136 divisions, exemplifies a decentralized governance model that may be influenced by its efforts to manage diverse regional needs effectively. On the other hand, Saint Helena, with only 1 administrative division, represents the opposite end of the spectrum, likely due to its small geographic size and population, which reduces the necessity for complex administrative structures.
The presence of New Zealand and Thailand in the top tier with 93 and 76 divisions respectively, highlights how geographic spread and regional diversity can necessitate more localized governance. Conversely, countries like Luxembourg and Brunei Darussalam with 3 and 4 divisions respectively, demonstrate how smaller nations can manage with fewer divisions due to more homogeneous populations or centralized governmental systems.
Economic and Policy Influences on Administrative Structures
The number of administrative divisions within a country can be heavily influenced by economic and policy decisions. For example, the high number of divisions in Vietnam (58) and Philippines (72) can be attributed to their economic strategies that aim to empower local governance and support regional economic development. This decentralized approach helps in addressing the unique economic activities and needs of diverse regions within these countries.
In contrast, Pakistan and Tajikistan, with only 4 and 2 divisions respectively, reflect a more centralized approach. This could be due to historical governance models or current policy decisions aimed at maintaining greater control from the central government over national affairs, which can be crucial in maintaining stability in countries with complex socio-political landscapes.
Year-over-Year Trends: Significant Movers in Administrative Divisions
The year-over-year changes in administrative divisions reveal some intriguing dynamics. Czech Republic experienced a staggering increase of +65 divisions, an 812.5% rise, likely driven by policy reforms aimed at enhancing local governance following its post-communist transformation. Similarly, Vietnam saw an increase of +8 divisions, reflecting its ongoing administrative reforms to support economic growth.
On the flip side, Poland witnessed a sharp decline of -33 divisions, a decrease of -67.3%, possibly due to administrative consolidation efforts aimed at improving efficiency. Guinea and Togo also saw significant reductions, with decreases of -29 and -16 divisions respectively, suggesting similar centralization efforts or political restructuring.
The Implications of Administrative Division Variability
The variability in the number of administrative divisions across countries highlights the diverse approaches to governance and regional management. Countries with higher numbers of divisions, like Georgia (53) and Greece (51), often pursue decentralized models to cater to regional needs and cultural differences. This can enhance local governance and ensure more tailored public services.
In contrast, nations with fewer divisions may prioritize national unity and streamlined governance, potentially leading to more uniform policies across regions. However, this can sometimes result in a lack of attention to regional disparities, which could impact economic and social outcomes.
In conclusion, the number of administrative divisions within a country is a complex interplay of historical, economic, and policy factors. Understanding these divisions provides valuable insights into how countries manage regional governance and demographic diversity, impacting their overall governance effectiveness and regional development strategies.
Insights by country
El Salvador
In 1999, El Salvador had 14 Administrative Divisions, ranking #79 out of 212 countries. This number is relatively low compared to regional neighbors like Guatemala, which has 22 divisions. The structure of El Salvador's administrative divisions is influenced by its small geographic size and population density, which necessitate efficient governance and resource allocation.
Greenland
In 1999, Greenland ranked #172 globally with 3 Administrative Divisions. This number is notably low compared to many countries, reflecting its vast geographic area and sparse population, which limits the need for extensive administrative structures. The relatively small size of its divisions can be attributed to Greenland's unique governance model and the challenges posed by its harsh Arctic environment.
Mozambique
In 1999, Mozambique ranked #110 globally with 10 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to neighboring countries like South Africa, which has 9 provinces, indicating a more centralized administrative structure. The limited number of divisions in Mozambique can be attributed to its historical context, including the impact of colonialism and the civil war, which shaped its administrative organization and governance.
Faroe Islands
In 1999, the Faroe Islands ranked #187 with none for Administrative Divisions. This ranking reflects its status as a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, which distinguishes it from many other countries that have multiple administrative subdivisions. The unique political arrangement allows the Faroe Islands to maintain a degree of autonomy while benefiting from Denmark's governance and support, shaping its administrative structure.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan ranked #6 globally in 1999 with 59 Administrative Divisions. This number is significantly higher than many of its regional neighbors, reflecting the country's complex administrative structure. The high number of divisions is driven by Azerbaijan's diverse geography and the need for localized governance to manage its various ethnic and cultural groups effectively.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked #180 out of 212 countries for its Administrative Divisions in 1999, with two first-order administrative divisions: the Muslim/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska.
This division reflects the complex ethnic composition and historical conflicts within the country, which have shaped its political landscape. Additionally, the unresolved status of Brcko highlights ongoing territorial disputes that continue to influence governance and regional stability.
Guam
In 1999, Guam ranked #193 globally for Administrative Divisions with a value of none, as it is a territory of the United States. This lack of administrative divisions places Guam at the bottom tier compared to independent nations, many of which have defined regional governance structures. The unique political status of Guam, as an unincorporated territory, limits its autonomy and influences its local governance, which is primarily overseen by the U.S. federal government.
Chile
In 1999, Chile ranked #86 globally with 13 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to some neighboring countries, such as Argentina, which has 24 divisions. The structure of Chile's administrative divisions is influenced by its long, narrow geography, which necessitates a streamlined governance approach across diverse regions, from the Atacama Desert in the north to the temperate forests in the south.
Antigua and Barbuda
In 1999, Antigua and Barbuda ranked #145 globally with 6 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to larger Caribbean nations, which often have more subdivisions for governance. The limited number of divisions reflects the country's small land area and population, necessitating a more streamlined administrative structure to effectively manage local governance and services.
Niue
In 1999, Niue ranked #199 globally for Administrative Divisions with a value of none; the country has no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government. This places Niue among the lowest globally, as many nations feature multiple administrative layers for governance. Instead, Niue is organized into 14 villages, each with its own elected village council, reflecting its small population and localized governance structure.
Data Source
CIA World Factbook
The World Factbook, also known as the CIA World Factbook, was a reference resource produced by the US Central Intelligence Agency between 1962 and 2026 with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. From 1971 it was not classified, and available to the public in print since 1975, initially by the CIA, and later the Government Publishing Office.
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