Administrative Divisions 1999

Explore administrative divisions across 266+ countries with interactive maps and rankings to understand regional governance and demographics.

212 data pointsGlobal CoverageCIA World Factbook

Interactive Map

Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
73
2
Algeria flag
Algeria
48
3
Albania flag
Albania
36
4
Colombia flag
Colombia
32
5
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
30
6
American Samoa flag
American Samoa
NaN
7
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
59
8
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
50
9
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
30
10
Brazil flag
Brazil
26
11
Argentina flag
Argentina
23
12
China flag
China
23
13
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
21
14
Croatia flag
Croatia
21
15
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
20
16
Angola flag
Angola
18
17
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
18
18
Burundi flag
Burundi
15
19
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
14
20
Chad flag
Chad
14
21
Cuba flag
Cuba
14
22
Chile flag
Chile
13
23
Barbados flag
Barbados
11
24
Belgium flag
Belgium
10
25
Botswana flag
Botswana
10
26
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
10
27
Canada flag
Canada
10
28
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
9
29
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
9
30
Andorra flag
Andorra
7
31
Anguilla flag
Anguilla
NaN
32
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
12
33
Austria flag
Austria
9
34
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
6
35
Aruba flag
Aruba
NaN
36
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
10
37
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
9
38
Congo flag
Congo
9
39
Cayman Islands flag
Cayman Islands
8
40
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
7
41
Australia flag
Australia
6
42
Belarus flag
Belarus
6
43
Belize flag
Belize
6
44
Benin flag
Benin
6
45
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
5
46
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
NaN
47
British Virgin Islands flag
British Virgin Islands
NaN
48
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
4
49
Comoros flag
Comoros
NaN
50
Cook Islands flag
Cook Islands
NaN
51
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
7
52
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
6
53
Denmark flag
Denmark
NaN
54
Georgia flag
Georgia
53
55
Greece flag
Greece
51
56
Japan flag
Japan
47
57
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
29
58
Egypt flag
Egypt
26
59
Ireland flag
Ireland
26
60
India flag
India
25
61
Iran flag
Iran
25
62
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
24
63
Iceland flag
Iceland
23
64
France flag
France
22
65
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
22
66
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
21
67
Italy flag
Italy
20
68
Hungary flag
Hungary
19
69
Honduras flag
Honduras
18
70
Iraq flag
Iraq
18
71
Germany flag
Germany
16
72
Estonia flag
Estonia
15
73
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
14
74
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
14
75
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
14
76
Jordan flag
Jordan
12
77
Dominica flag
Dominica
10
78
Ghana flag
Ghana
10
79
Guyana flag
Guyana
10
80
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
9
81
Gabon flag
Gabon
9
82
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
9
83
Haiti flag
Haiti
9
84
North Korea flag
North Korea
9
85
South Korea flag
South Korea
9
86
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
8
87
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
7
88
Kenya flag
Kenya
7
89
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
5
90
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) flag
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
NaN
91
Faroe Islands flag
Faroe Islands
NaN
92
Finland flag
Finland
6
93
Grenada flag
Grenada
6
94
Fiji flag
Fiji
4
95
French Guiana flag
French Guiana
NaN
96
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
NaN
97
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
6
98
Gambia flag
Gambia
5
99
Gibraltar flag
Gibraltar
NaN
100
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
5
101
Guinea flag
Guinea
4
102
Greenland flag
Greenland
3
103
Guadeloupe flag
Guadeloupe
NaN
104
Guam flag
Guam
NaN
105
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
93
106
Philippines flag
Philippines
72
107
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
44
108
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
40
109
Romania flag
Romania
40
110
Morocco flag
Morocco
37
111
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
34
112
Mexico flag
Mexico
31
113
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
30
114
Latvia flag
Latvia
26
115
Libya flag
Libya
25
116
Malawi flag
Malawi
24
117
Peru flag
Peru
24
118
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
20
119
Maldives flag
Maldives
19
120
Norway flag
Norway
19
121
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
18
122
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
18
123
Portugal flag
Portugal
18
124
Laos flag
Laos
16
125
Poland flag
Poland
16
126
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
15
127
Nauru flag
Nauru
14
128
Nepal flag
Nepal
14
129
Liberia flag
Liberia
13
130
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
13
131
Namibia flag
Namibia
13
132
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
12
133
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
12
134
Liechtenstein flag
Liechtenstein
11
135
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
10
136
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
10
137
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
9
138
Panama flag
Panama
9
139
Qatar flag
Qatar
9
140
Mali flag
Mali
8
141
Niger flag
Niger
7
142
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
6
143
Oman flag
Oman
6
144
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
5
145
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
3
146
Malta flag
Malta
NaN
147
Martinique flag
Martinique
NaN
148
Mayotte flag
Mayotte
NaN
149
Monaco flag
Monaco
NaN
150
Montserrat flag
Montserrat
3
151
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
NaN
152
Niue flag
Niue
NaN
153
Northern Mariana Islands flag
Northern Mariana Islands
NaN
154
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
4
155
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
NaN
156
Réunion flag
Réunion
NaN
157
Russia flag
Russia
NaN
158
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
136
159
Thailand flag
Thailand
76
160
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
58
161
United States flag
United States
50
162
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
47
163
Uganda flag
Uganda
39
164
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
26
165
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
25
166
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
24
167
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
23
168
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
23
169
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
22
170
Sweden flag
Sweden
21
171
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
19
172
Somalia flag
Somalia
18
173
Spain flag
Spain
17
174
Yemen flag
Yemen
17
175
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
14
176
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
14
177
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
13
178
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
12
179
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
12
180
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
11
181
Samoa flag
Samoa
11
182
Senegal flag
Senegal
10
183
Suriname flag
Suriname
10
184
South Africa flag
South Africa
9
185
Zambia flag
Zambia
9
186
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
8
187
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
2
188
Saint Helena flag
Saint Helena
1
189
Saint Pierre and Miquelon flag
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
NaN
190
San Marino flag
San Marino
9
191
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
8
192
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
8
193
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
8
194
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
7
195
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
7
196
Israel flag
Israel
6
197
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
6
198
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
6
199
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
4
200
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
3
201
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
3
202
Singapore flag
Singapore
NaN
203
Taiwan flag
Taiwan
NaN
204
Togo flag
Togo
5
205
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
2
206
Tokelau flag
Tokelau
NaN
207
Tonga flag
Tonga
NaN
208
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
5
209
Turks and Caicos Islands flag
Turks and Caicos Islands
NaN
210
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
NaN
211
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
NaN
212
Wallis and Futuna Islands flag
Wallis and Futuna Islands
NaN

Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Czech Republic flagCzech Republic
  2. #2Algeria flagAlgeria
  3. #3Albania flagAlbania
  4. #4Colombia flagColombia
  5. #5Afghanistan flagAfghanistan
  6. #6American Samoa flagAmerican Samoa
  7. #7Azerbaijan flagAzerbaijan
  8. #8Côte d'Ivoire flagCôte d'Ivoire
  9. #9Burkina Faso flagBurkina Faso
  10. #10Brazil flagBrazil

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #212Wallis and Futuna Islands flagWallis and Futuna Islands
  2. #211United States Virgin Islands flagUnited States Virgin Islands
  3. #210Tuvalu flagTuvalu
  4. #209Turks and Caicos Islands flagTurks and Caicos Islands
  5. #208Turkmenistan flagTurkmenistan
  6. #207Tonga flagTonga
  7. #206Tokelau flagTokelau
  8. #205Tajikistan flagTajikistan
  9. #204Togo flagTogo
  10. #203Taiwan flagTaiwan

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

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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.

7

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.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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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Historical Data by Year

Explore Administrative Divisions data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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