Canton (country subdivision)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A canton is a territorial subdivision of a country, e.g., region or state. The word is derived from the Latin canto "section of a country." Cantons are generally relatively small in terms of area and population when compared to areas such as counties, departments or provinces.
The most internationally well-known cantons, which are the most politically important in their country's political system are those of Switzerland. The Swiss cantons are theoretically partially sovereign states.
[edit] Cantons in specific countries
Cantons exist in the following countries:
- Cantons of Belgium
- Cantons of Bosnia and Herzegovina: a subdivision of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Canada: Canadian French equivalent for the English word "township", since the translation municipalité is already used for a different level of government (see township).
- Cantons of Costa Rica
- Cantons of Ecuador: subdivisions below the provinces of Ecuador
- Cantons of France: a subdivision of arrondissements and departments of France, grouping several municipalities (communes)
- Cantons of Luxembourg: a subdivision of the districts of Luxembourg
- Cantons of Switzerland: each a state within Switzerland
- subdivisions of vingtaines in Jersey.
- In the Ottoman Empire, a "kaza" was a district within a province, sometimes called a canton.
In 1873, Cantonalists took over the city of Cartagena, Spain, a haven for the Spanish Navy, and declared the city independent.
es:Cantón (entidad subnacional) eo:Kantono id:Kanton (pembagian negara) no:Kanton nds:Kanton sv:Kanton tr:Kanton
