Administrative Divisions 2003
Explore administrative divisions across 266+ countries with interactive maps and rankings to understand regional governance and demographics.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
- #1
Aruba - #2
North Macedonia - #3
Philippines - #4
Azerbaijan - #5
Russia - #6
Algeria - #7
Romania - #8
Morocco - #9
Nigeria - #10
Afghanistan
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #216
Eswatini - #215
Zimbabwe - #214
Zambia - #213
Samoa - #212
Wallis and Futuna Islands - #211
Holy See - #210
United States Virgin Islands - #209
British Virgin Islands - #208
United Kingdom - #207
Taiwan
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2003, Slovenia led the world with the highest number of Administrative Divisions at 182, while Saint Helena had the fewest with just 1. The data spans 183 countries, showcasing a wide range of administrative structures. The global average number of divisions is 18.26, with a median of 12, providing a snapshot of how regional governance is structured across different nations.
Understanding the Extremes: High and Low Administrative Divisions
The disparity in the number of administrative divisions among countries can often be attributed to geographic size, population density, and governance models. Slovenia, with its 182 divisions, exemplifies a highly granular approach to regional governance, possibly reflecting a desire for localized administration and efficient public service delivery. In contrast, countries like Saint Helena and Tajikistan, with only 1 and 2 divisions respectively, may prioritize centralized governance due to their smaller geographic or population size.
In countries like Turkey and Thailand, with 81 and 76 divisions respectively, the number reflects both their large geographic areas and diverse populations, necessitating a more distributed administrative structure to manage regional needs effectively.
Economic and Political Drivers of Administrative Division Structures
Economic factors and political considerations play a significant role in shaping the administrative division landscape. For instance, Turkey and Thailand both have thriving economies and substantial populations that demand complex administrative frameworks to support infrastructure, education, and health services. The number of divisions in these nations is indicative of their need to facilitate economic growth and maintain political stability through localized governance.
On the other hand, Uganda and Greece, with 56 and 51 divisions respectively, reflect a balance between centralized control and regional autonomy, aiming to address both economic development and regional disparities. This balance is crucial for ensuring equitable resource distribution and fostering regional development.
Year-over-Year Changes: Significant Increases and Decreases
The year-over-year changes in administrative divisions highlight shifts in governance strategies. Burkina Faso experienced a significant increase of 15 divisions, a 50.0% rise, suggesting a strategic move to enhance regional governance possibly due to internal demographic changes or decentralization policies. Similarly, Uganda increased its divisions by 11, a 24.4% jump, indicating a governmental response to evolving regional needs or population growth.
Conversely, Botswana saw a decrease of 1 division, a 10.0% reduction. This decrease might reflect a consolidation effort to streamline governance or adapt to changing administrative demands. Countries like Slovenia, North Macedonia, and Turkey maintained their division numbers, indicating stability in their administrative frameworks.
Implications of Administrative Division Structures
The structure of administrative divisions has profound implications for governance, public policy, and citizen engagement. Countries with a high number of divisions, such as Slovenia and North Macedonia, may benefit from increased citizen participation and tailored local policies. However, they also face challenges in maintaining consistency and efficiency across regions.
In contrast, nations with fewer divisions like Saint Helena and Sao Tome and Principe might experience streamlined decision-making processes but could struggle with adequately addressing regional disparities. The balance of administrative divisions is thus a critical factor in achieving effective governance and fostering national cohesion.
Insights by country
Colombia
In 2003, Colombia ranked #21 globally with 32 Administrative Divisions. This number is significant as it reflects Colombia's complex administrative structure, which includes departments and districts, and is higher than the regional average for South America. The divisions are driven by Colombia's diverse geography and the need for local governance in a country marked by various cultural and economic regions.
Peru
In 2003, Peru had 24 Administrative Divisions, ranking #36 out of 216 countries. This number is relatively high compared to some of its neighbors, such as Ecuador, which has 24 divisions as well, reflecting a similar administrative structure in the region. The diverse geography of Peru, which includes coastal, mountainous, and jungle areas, necessitates a complex administrative framework to manage the various local needs and governance challenges.
Seychelles
Seychelles ranked #42 globally in 2003 with 23 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively high compared to many small island nations, which often have fewer divisions due to their limited land area. The diverse geography of Seychelles, consisting of 115 islands, necessitates multiple administrative divisions to effectively manage local governance and resources.
Denmark
In 2003, Denmark ranked #190 globally with 14 counties and 2 boroughs as its Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to neighboring Sweden, which has 21 counties, indicating a more streamlined administrative structure. Denmark's efficient governance is driven by its small population and geographic size, allowing for effective local administration and service delivery.
Myanmar
In 2003, Myanmar ranked #143 globally with 7 Administrative Divisions. This number is notably lower than regional neighbors such as Thailand, which has 76 divisions, illustrating a more centralized administrative structure. The limited number of divisions can be attributed to Myanmar's historical governance policies and ethnic diversity, which have influenced the administrative landscape and regional governance approaches.
Pakistan
In 2003, Pakistan ranked #172 globally with 4 Administrative Divisions. This number is notably lower than many neighboring countries, which often have more subdivisions to manage regional governance effectively. The limited number of divisions can be attributed to Pakistan's historical administrative structure and the centralization of power, which has influenced local governance and resource distribution.
Nepal
In 2003, Nepal had 14 administrative divisions, ranking #83 out of 216 countries. This number is relatively low compared to neighboring India, which has 28 states and union territories, reflecting Nepal's unique geographic and administrative landscape. The country's mountainous terrain and diverse ethnic composition necessitate a decentralized governance approach, influencing the establishment and management of its administrative divisions.
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Democratic Republic of the ranked #107 globally with 10 Administrative Divisions in 2003. This number is relatively low compared to neighboring countries like Angola, which has more extensive administrative structures. The limited number of divisions can be attributed to the country's vast geographic size and diverse ethnic composition, which complicates administrative governance and resource allocation.
Lebanon
In 2003, Lebanon ranked #159 globally with 6 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to regional neighbors like Syria, which has more complex administrative structures. The limited number of divisions in Lebanon can be attributed to its small geographic size and the historical context of its political divisions, which have been influenced by sectarian considerations and civil conflict.
Bahrain
In 2003, Bahrain ranked #93 globally with 12 Administrative Divisions. This number is relatively low compared to larger regional neighbors, which typically have more extensive administrative structures. Bahrain's small land area and population density have led to a streamlined governance model, allowing for effective local administration despite its limited divisions.
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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