What is the difference between a state and a province? is it just a different word,

[raccoon]

but other than that, things are pretty much the same?

[Little Star]

1. Here's a pretty good short answer to your question...

Difference Between Province and State

Ever wondered why some countries have provinces as smaller geographical units, while others have states? Is it just difference in nomenclature or provinces have different structures of administration than states? Are states in US the same as provinces in Canada? What is the actual difference between a province and state? This article looks at the features of the two geographical units to find out differences.

If one looks up a dictionary, province is defined as a unit of a country that is created with administrative point of view. On the other hand, a state is also defined as a smaller territory that adds up to make a federation, such as US. However, this definition does not clear up the situation.

Read more: http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-province-and-vs-state/#ixzz1wvy8Z4ig

[raccoon]

3. Thank you, thank you. nt

[bluedigger]

2. And what's up with commonwealths, prefectures, and oblasts?

[HopeHoops]

8. Commonwealth means exactly what it sounds like: for the common good.

KY, PA, MA, and VA are all commonwealths, but having been in all four of those states I'm not sure I would say they live up to the designation. A prefecture is essentially a county but under a religious authority. Oblasts are essentially provinces or territories but the word is of Slavic origin, but I think it sounds like something Rush Limbaugh probably has on his substantial hind quarters.

[Art_from_Ark]

10. I live in a prefecture, and I have yet to figure out what distinguishes it from a state

However, when the prefecture system here (in Japan) was introduced in the 1870s, the prefectures had very little autonomy from Tokyo, and the governors/prefects were appointed rather than elected.

[Scuba]

4. Some States have Counties. Some have Parishes.

[raccoon]

5. I think only LA has parishes. nt

[Scuba]

7. I think you're right, but haven't researched.

[TexasProgresive]

6. I don't know why Mexico and India call their smaller units states

but ours goes back to the beginning. What I remember is that the southern colonies wanted a loose confederation of nation states with sovereign rights much like the European Union, whereas the northern colonies were more inclined to a stronger central government. This is where we get into the issue of "states' rights."

I could be wrong and welcome someone who can cite references that hold my thinking up or knock it down. I don't have the time to research the issue.

[HopeHoops]

9. Correct about the US history. Mexico and India both have states.

[raccoon]

11. Most interesting....I'd guess that from many antebellum wealthy Southerners' POV, it was

a mistake to ever get into any such agreement.

[Art_from_Ark]

12. In the case of Canada, at least, a province seems to have more autonomy

than a US state. For example, Canadian provinces can set their own immigration regulations.

[lange19]

13. Let me know if Im wrong

I have lived in the US for 4 years, and as a social studies teacher there I got to understand the way their government worked pretty well. I am originally from South Africa which uses provincial governments. As far as I can tell the biggest difference between a state and a province is that a state has an independent constitution from the federal government, whereas a province adopts the federal constitution. Therefore a state has more authority in creating and enforcing laws than a province would. If you break a law in a province you are tried by the federal judicial system, whereas in a state you would be tried by the state judicial system. If I'm wrong please let me know. Having said that I believe most countries that still have provincial governments are bastardized, in that they haven't been allowed the opportunity to develop independently from their colonial rulers.