The Dependent area reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Dependent area

Dependent areas are territories that for some reason do not enjoy full independence or sovereignty as states. There are varying degrees and forms of such a dependence.

Dependent territories are commonly distinguished from subnational entities of the same country since they in most cases represent a different orders of separation. A subnational entity typically represents a division of the country proper, while a dependent territory might be an overseas territory that enjoys a greater degree of autonomy.

The areas separately referred to as non-independent are territories that are disputed, occupied, having a government in exile or with a non-negligible independence movement.

See further:

• List of dependent territories that enjoy some form of autonomy, like colonies and UK overseas territory
• List of subnational entities that represent subdivisions of a country
• List of non-independent areas like disputed or occupied territories
• List of countries

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