Territory (geographic region)

A territory is a type of political administrative division, usually an area that is under the jurisdiction of a state. In U.S. terminology, it refers to an organized division of an area that is under control of a country but not formally developed into, or incorporated into, a political unit of that country of equal status to other political units such as states or provinces.

Types

Common types of territory include:

• Capital territory
• Federal territory
• Overseas territory
• Unorganized territory

Capital territory

A capital territory is normally a specially designated territory where a country's seat of government is located. As such, in the federal model of government, no one state or territory takes pre-eminence because the capital lies within its borders. A capital territory can be one specific form of federal district.

• In Australia, the capital Canberra lies within the Australian Capital Territory.
• The National Capital Territory is where New Delhi, the capital of India is located.
• In Pakistan, the capital city Islamabad lies within the Islamabad Capital Territory.
• Nigeria has its capital Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory.

Overseas territory

Overseas territory is a designation for a territorial entity that is separated from the country that governs it by an ocean.

Examples include:

• Overseas territory (France)
• British Overseas Territories

Country

• Territories of Australia
• Territories of Canada
• Territories of the United States

The Territories of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are not unincorporated units, but are regular subdivisions of the country.

See also

• Territories under military occupation
• List of overseas territorial entities