In Spanish, some of the names of the administrative demarcations or sub-state entities in different countries are the following (they may or may not coincide with the meaning and relevance of their equivalents in other languages):

Territorial subdivision is not a new process. The Greeks already distinguished between the Ecumene, the inhabited Earth, and the territory unknown to them[1] The Oecumene was then subdivided according to the countries.

Similarly, the Romans carefully compiled a cadastre of property, subdividing the territory into parcels and listing what was administratively relevant for tax purposes.

In L'obsession des frontières, M. Foucher describes four major periods in the subdivision of the world.[2]​ At the time of the Great Discoveries, the New World was arbitrarily subdivided between the Portuguese and Spanish under the Treaty of Tordesillas. Less well known, the same process took place in Asia, after Magellan's circumnavigation (Treaty of Zaragoza). Although M. Foucher considers it the beginning of the first globalization, it is also a distribution of the territory to be discovered. The end of the century was marked by the "distribution" of Africa at the Berlin Conference. European States actually subdivided African territory by drawing up groups of territories, a priori, based on their power relations and without taking into account the populations that lived there. This gave rise to true "book" divisions, as in Egypt. The Iron Curtain and the Cold War also gave rise to territorial subdivisions. The division of the city of Berlin into four occupation sectors is well known, but the implications of the Iron Curtain were deeper. Firstly, on a global scale, a distinction was made between developed countries, communist countries and developing countries. In Europe, borders were modified by the Yalta-Potsdam agreements, and the Third World suffered the consequences of these tensions even in their territories.

Decolonization led to the creation of borders based on ancient territorial subdivisions between Western countries. Finally, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 led to a reorganization of territorial subdivisions, often along previously existing lines.

The practices described here are not intended to constitute an exhaustive history of territorial subdivision. The essential thing is to note that the territory has always been subdivided, whatever the reasons for these subdivisions and the scales at which they occur.

In this regard, it is also important to separate federal States from other forms of State, with regard to the division of their territory. Historically, federal States have generally not had to subdivide their territory, since the central State is the result of the progressive aggregation of the entities that created it. Some examples are Switzerland (created by the cantons), Germany (created by the Länder) and the United States (created by the states). In these federal structures, territorial subdivisions already existed, by default, without these subgroups being fixed forever. In the other forms of State, the territorial division was still to be done: the action corresponded, therefore, to the central State. However, this separation between these two types of political regime is not an absolute truth, given the diversity of territorial situations in the world. This distinction only allows us to develop a very general model.

Contenido

Las divisiones administrativas se refieren a la manera en que un territorio se subdivide en unidades más pequeñas y manejables para fines de gobernanza, prestación de servicios y gestión territorial. Estas divisiones pueden ser moldeadas por una variedad de principios y criterios, que pueden variar dependiendo de los contextos políticos, históricos y culturales de cada país. Comprender los factores que influyen en estas divisiones es esencial para entender cómo se gobiernan y gestionan los territorios.

Political and legal principles

One of the main criteria for determining administrative divisions is political necessity. Governments often create divisions to improve administrative efficiency, enable local governance, and address the needs of various regions within the country. Administrative divisions are usually formalized through laws or constitutional provisions, specifying the limits, powers and responsibilities of each level of administration. For example, many countries are divided into provinces, regions or districts, each with specific administrative responsibilities.[3]​.

For example in the United States, the creation of states was largely driven by political necessity, as each state needed to have government structures to address the needs and peculiarities of its population and geography. The U.S. Constitution formalized the federal structure, with powers divided between the federal government and the individual states.[4]​ The process of creating new states, such as when territories such as California, Texas, and others[5]​ gained statehood, often reflected political negotiation and the need for effective local governance. These state divisions were formalized through constitutional provisions, balancing local autonomy with national governance. A specific example is the creation of the state of West Virginia during the Civil War in 1863 was politically motivated by the need to have a Union-aligned government in the western part of Virginia, which was pro-Union and had different political needs than the eastern part of the state.[6]​.

Political considerations, such as the need for political representation or the balance of power between various regions, also play an important role. Administrative divisions can be designed to ensure that all regions are adequately represented in national government structures, preventing a single area from dominating the political process.

Geographic and physical criteria

Geography is another critical factor in creating administrative divisions. Natural features such as rivers, mountains, and coastlines often serve as natural boundaries that simplify the delineation of divisions. These physical boundaries are easier to recognize and manage, ensuring clearer delimitation of responsibilities and facilitating communication between administrative units.[7]​.

Climate and resource distribution can also influence the creation of administrative divisions. For example, regions with distinctive agricultural patterns, natural resources, or environmental conditions may be given separate administrative units to specifically address these characteristics. This approach can improve the effectiveness of regional policies, especially in areas such as agriculture, environmental protection and land management.[7]​.

Sociocultural factors

Sociocultural factors, such as language, ethnicity, and historical identity, are important in defining administrative boundaries. In multiethnic or multilingual countries, divisions may be based on cultural or linguistic groups to ensure that local governance structures match the needs of these populations. This criterion can help foster social cohesion and mitigate ethnic tensions, as it offers communities a sense of representation and autonomy.[8]​.

For example after India gained independence in 1947, there was a strong movement to create states based on linguistic lines. The formation of linguistic states, such as Andhra Pradesh (for Telugu speakers) and Maharashtra (for Marathi speakers), was aimed at addressing the cultural and linguistic needs of different populations. The States Reorganization Act of 1956 established many states in India on the basis of language, recognizing the importance of linguistic identity in ensuring more effective government and fostering social cohesion. This approach helped reduce ethnic tensions and create a sense of belonging for diverse groups.[9]​.

Another example is the case of Belgium, which is a multilingual country with significant divisions based on language and ethnicity. The country is divided into three main regions: Flanders (Dutch-speaking), Wallonia (French-speaking) and Brussels (bilingual). These administrative divisions were established to reflect the linguistic and cultural identities of different populations. The Belgian state also created linguistic communities (Flemish, French and German-speaking) to manage cultural and educational policies. This division helps mitigate ethnic tensions and ensures that each community has representation and control over issues that affect their language and culture.[10]​.

Historically, administrative boundaries may also reflect pre-existing cultural territories, such as tribal or ethnic regions, that existed before the formation of the modern state. These divisions can be maintained or adapted to ensure respect for cultural heritage and traditions.

Economic considerations

Economic factors, including regional economic disparities, are also critical in establishing administrative divisions. Regions with distinctive economic functions, such as industrial areas, agricultural areas or tourism regions, may benefit from separate governance to address their specific economic needs[8]​. In some cases, administrative divisions are created to encourage economic development, allowing local authorities to adapt policies to the particular economic challenges and opportunities of their regions.[11]​.

Historical and administrative legacy

In many cases, administrative divisions are shaped by historical precedents. Colonial borders, for example, often created divisions that were not necessarily based on natural or cultural factors, but were the result of administrative convenience during colonization.[12] These divisions, although sometimes artificial, often persist due to the entrenched nature of administrative systems and resistance to modifying established boundaries.

As history suggests, the process of territorial subdivision can arise for very diverse reasons. There are many criteria that lead to drawing up subzones within a given territory. The coherence of this subdivision may be based on functional criteria, but may also have historical, administrative or political origins. In practice, the subdivision of territory is rarely based on a single criterion; On the contrary, these are often intersecting reasons. Likewise, the groupings formed may appear homogeneous or, on the contrary, be based on complementarities.

• - HASC (hierarchical administrative subdivision codes).

• - Population entity.

• - Entity with a territorial scope lower than the municipality.

• - Annex:Subnational entities by population.

• - Annex: Subnational entities by area.

• - Border.

• - Region.

• - Electoral district.

In Spanish, some of the names of the administrative demarcations or sub-state entities in different countries are the following (they may or may not coincide with the meaning and relevance of their equivalents in other languages):

Territorial subdivision is not a new process. The Greeks already distinguished between the Ecumene, the inhabited Earth, and the territory unknown to them[1] The Oecumene was then subdivided according to the countries.

Similarly, the Romans carefully compiled a cadastre of property, subdividing the territory into parcels and listing what was administratively relevant for tax purposes.

In L'obsession des frontières, M. Foucher describes four major periods in the subdivision of the world.[2]​ At the time of the Great Discoveries, the New World was arbitrarily subdivided between the Portuguese and Spanish under the Treaty of Tordesillas. Less well known, the same process took place in Asia, after Magellan's circumnavigation (Treaty of Zaragoza). Although M. Foucher considers it the beginning of the first globalization, it is also a distribution of the territory to be discovered. The end of the century was marked by the "distribution" of Africa at the Berlin Conference. European States actually subdivided African territory by drawing up groups of territories, a priori, based on their power relations and without taking into account the populations that lived there. This gave rise to true "book" divisions, as in Egypt. The Iron Curtain and the Cold War also gave rise to territorial subdivisions. The division of the city of Berlin into four occupation sectors is well known, but the implications of the Iron Curtain were deeper. Firstly, on a global scale, a distinction was made between developed countries, communist countries and developing countries. In Europe, borders were modified by the Yalta-Potsdam agreements, and the Third World suffered the consequences of these tensions even in their territories.

Decolonization led to the creation of borders based on ancient territorial subdivisions between Western countries. Finally, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 led to a reorganization of territorial subdivisions, often along previously existing lines.

The practices described here are not intended to constitute an exhaustive history of territorial subdivision. The essential thing is to note that the territory has always been subdivided, whatever the reasons for these subdivisions and the scales at which they occur.

In this regard, it is also important to separate federal States from other forms of State, with regard to the division of their territory. Historically, federal States have generally not had to subdivide their territory, since the central State is the result of the progressive aggregation of the entities that created it. Some examples are Switzerland (created by the cantons), Germany (created by the Länder) and the United States (created by the states). In these federal structures, territorial subdivisions already existed, by default, without these subgroups being fixed forever. In the other forms of State, the territorial division was still to be done: the action corresponded, therefore, to the central State. However, this separation between these two types of political regime is not an absolute truth, given the diversity of territorial situations in the world. This distinction only allows us to develop a very general model.

Contenido

Las divisiones administrativas se refieren a la manera en que un territorio se subdivide en unidades más pequeñas y manejables para fines de gobernanza, prestación de servicios y gestión territorial. Estas divisiones pueden ser moldeadas por una variedad de principios y criterios, que pueden variar dependiendo de los contextos políticos, históricos y culturales de cada país. Comprender los factores que influyen en estas divisiones es esencial para entender cómo se gobiernan y gestionan los territorios.

Political and legal principles

One of the main criteria for determining administrative divisions is political necessity. Governments often create divisions to improve administrative efficiency, enable local governance, and address the needs of various regions within the country. Administrative divisions are usually formalized through laws or constitutional provisions, specifying the limits, powers and responsibilities of each level of administration. For example, many countries are divided into provinces, regions or districts, each with specific administrative responsibilities.[3]​.

For example in the United States, the creation of states was largely driven by political necessity, as each state needed to have government structures to address the needs and peculiarities of its population and geography. The U.S. Constitution formalized the federal structure, with powers divided between the federal government and the individual states.[4]​ The process of creating new states, such as when territories such as California, Texas, and others[5]​ gained statehood, often reflected political negotiation and the need for effective local governance. These state divisions were formalized through constitutional provisions, balancing local autonomy with national governance. A specific example is the creation of the state of West Virginia during the Civil War in 1863 was politically motivated by the need to have a Union-aligned government in the western part of Virginia, which was pro-Union and had different political needs than the eastern part of the state.[6]​.

Political considerations, such as the need for political representation or the balance of power between various regions, also play an important role. Administrative divisions can be designed to ensure that all regions are adequately represented in national government structures, preventing a single area from dominating the political process.

Geographic and physical criteria

Geography is another critical factor in creating administrative divisions. Natural features such as rivers, mountains, and coastlines often serve as natural boundaries that simplify the delineation of divisions. These physical boundaries are easier to recognize and manage, ensuring clearer delimitation of responsibilities and facilitating communication between administrative units.[7]​.

Climate and resource distribution can also influence the creation of administrative divisions. For example, regions with distinctive agricultural patterns, natural resources, or environmental conditions may be given separate administrative units to specifically address these characteristics. This approach can improve the effectiveness of regional policies, especially in areas such as agriculture, environmental protection and land management.[7]​.

Sociocultural factors

Sociocultural factors, such as language, ethnicity, and historical identity, are important in defining administrative boundaries. In multiethnic or multilingual countries, divisions may be based on cultural or linguistic groups to ensure that local governance structures match the needs of these populations. This criterion can help foster social cohesion and mitigate ethnic tensions, as it offers communities a sense of representation and autonomy.[8]​.

For example after India gained independence in 1947, there was a strong movement to create states based on linguistic lines. The formation of linguistic states, such as Andhra Pradesh (for Telugu speakers) and Maharashtra (for Marathi speakers), was aimed at addressing the cultural and linguistic needs of different populations. The States Reorganization Act of 1956 established many states in India on the basis of language, recognizing the importance of linguistic identity in ensuring more effective government and fostering social cohesion. This approach helped reduce ethnic tensions and create a sense of belonging for diverse groups.[9]​.

Another example is the case of Belgium, which is a multilingual country with significant divisions based on language and ethnicity. The country is divided into three main regions: Flanders (Dutch-speaking), Wallonia (French-speaking) and Brussels (bilingual). These administrative divisions were established to reflect the linguistic and cultural identities of different populations. The Belgian state also created linguistic communities (Flemish, French and German-speaking) to manage cultural and educational policies. This division helps mitigate ethnic tensions and ensures that each community has representation and control over issues that affect their language and culture.[10]​.

Historically, administrative boundaries may also reflect pre-existing cultural territories, such as tribal or ethnic regions, that existed before the formation of the modern state. These divisions can be maintained or adapted to ensure respect for cultural heritage and traditions.

Economic considerations

Economic factors, including regional economic disparities, are also critical in establishing administrative divisions. Regions with distinctive economic functions, such as industrial areas, agricultural areas or tourism regions, may benefit from separate governance to address their specific economic needs[8]​. In some cases, administrative divisions are created to encourage economic development, allowing local authorities to adapt policies to the particular economic challenges and opportunities of their regions.[11]​.

Historical and administrative legacy

In many cases, administrative divisions are shaped by historical precedents. Colonial borders, for example, often created divisions that were not necessarily based on natural or cultural factors, but were the result of administrative convenience during colonization.[12] These divisions, although sometimes artificial, often persist due to the entrenched nature of administrative systems and resistance to modifying established boundaries.

As history suggests, the process of territorial subdivision can arise for very diverse reasons. There are many criteria that lead to drawing up subzones within a given territory. The coherence of this subdivision may be based on functional criteria, but may also have historical, administrative or political origins. In practice, the subdivision of territory is rarely based on a single criterion; On the contrary, these are often intersecting reasons. Likewise, the groupings formed may appear homogeneous or, on the contrary, be based on complementarities.

• - HASC (hierarchical administrative subdivision codes).

• - Population entity.

• - Entity with a territorial scope lower than the municipality.

• - Annex:Subnational entities by population.

• - Annex: Subnational entities by area.

• - Border.

• - Region.

• - Electoral district.