Prefecture vs. Province: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss || Updated on May 20, 2024
A prefecture is an administrative division typically used in countries like Japan and France, while a province is a similar division found in countries like Canada and China.
Key Differences
A prefecture is an administrative division often found in countries such as Japan, where it serves as the primary subdivision of the nation. Japan has 47 prefectures, each governed by an elected governor. In France, prefectures refer to administrative regions headed by a prefect appointed by the national government.
A province is another type of administrative division, used in countries like Canada and China. In Canada, provinces are significant political entities with considerable autonomy, each governed by a premier and a provincial legislature. In China, provinces are major administrative regions, each governed by a provincial government under the central authority.
Prefectures in Japan are relatively uniform in their governance structure, focusing on regional administration and local governance. In contrast, provinces, especially in countries like Canada, often have more political power and legislative autonomy, handling many areas independently of the federal government.
In historical contexts, both prefectures and provinces have been used to describe various administrative regions. Prefectures often refer to regions governed by appointed officials, while provinces have historically been territories with varying degrees of self-governance or influence.
The terminology and structure of prefectures and provinces can vary significantly depending on the country and its administrative needs. Prefectures often indicate a more centralized form of administration, whereas provinces suggest a degree of federalism or decentralized governance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Administrative division in countries like Japan and France
Administrative division in countries like Canada and China
Governance
Governed by an appointed or elected official
Governed by a provincial government with significant autonomy
Usage Context
Japan, France
Canada, China
Historical Context
Governed by appointed officials
Territories with varying degrees of self-governance
Administrative Role
Focus on regional administration
Often have political power and legislative autonomy
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Prefecture and Province Definitions
Prefecture
An administrative division in Japan.
Tokyo is one of Japan's 47 prefectures.
Province
A region with administrative responsibilities.
The province managed its education system independently.
Prefecture
A district under the authority of a prefect in France.
The prefecture handled the regional administration tasks.
Province
A subdivision of a country with local governance.
The province enacted new environmental laws.
Prefecture
An area governed by a regional authority.
The policies varied from prefecture to prefecture.
Province
A historical territorial unit.
The Roman Empire was divided into several provinces.
Prefecture
An administrative region in some countries.
Prefectures in ancient China were similar to today's provinces.
Province
A primary administrative division in Canada.
Ontario is a province in Canada.
Prefecture
The district administered or governed by a prefect.
Province
A major territorial unit in China.
Sichuan is a province in southwestern China.
Prefecture
An administrative district of some countries, especially China or Japan.
Province
A territory governed as an administrative or political unit of a country or empire.
Prefecture
The office or authority of a prefect.
Province
(Ecclesiastical) A division of territory under the jurisdiction of a metropolitan.
Prefecture
The residence or housing of a prefect.
Province
Provinces Areas of a country situated away from the capital or population center.
Prefecture
The office or position of a prefect.
Province
An area of knowledge, activity, or interest
A topic falling within the province of ancient history.
Prefecture
The jurisdiction of a prefect; the region administered by a prefect, especially as a translation of certain French, Chinese, and Japanese administrative divisions.
Province
The range of one's proper duties and functions; scope.
Prefecture
The office, position, or jurisdiction of a prefect; also, his official residence.
Province
(Ecology) An area of land, less extensive than a region, having a characteristic plant and animal population.
Prefecture
The district administered by a prefect (as in France or Japan or the Roman Empire)
Province
Any of various lands outside Italy conquered by the Romans and administered by them as self-contained units.
Prefecture
The office of prefect
Province
A region of the earth or of a continent; a district or country.
Prefecture
A jurisdiction overseen by a prefect.
The prefecture issued new regulations on urban planning.
Province
An administrative subdivision of certain countries, including Canada and China.
Province
(Roman history) An area outside Italy which is administered by a Roman governor.
Province
(Christianity) An area under the jurisdiction of an archbishop, typically comprising a number of adjacent dioceses.
Province
(Roman Catholicism) An area under the jurisdiction of a provincial within a monastic order.
Province
The parts of a country outside its capital city.
Province
An area of activity, responsibility or knowledge; the proper concern of a particular person or concept.
Province
A country or region, more or less remote from the city of Rome, brought under the Roman government; a conquered country beyond the limits of Italy.
Province
A country or region dependent on a distant authority; a portion of an empire or state, esp. one remote from the capital.
Province
A region of country; a tract; a district.
Over many a tractof heaven they marched, and many a province wide.
Other provinces of the intellectual world.
Province
A region under the supervision or direction of any special person; the district or division of a country, especially an ecclesiastical division, over which one has jurisdiction; as, the province of Canterbury, or that in which the archbishop of Canterbury exercises ecclesiastical authority.
Province
The proper or appropriate business or duty of a person or body; office; charge; jurisdiction; sphere.
The woman'sprovince is to be careful in her economy, and chaste in her affection.
Province
Specif.: Any political division of the Dominion of Canada, having a governor, a local legislature, and representation in the Dominion parliament. Hence, colloquially, The Provinces, the Dominion of Canada.
Province
The territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation;
His state is in the deep south
Province
The proper sphere or extent of your activities;
It was his province to take care of himself
FAQs
What is a province?
A province is an administrative division found in countries like Canada and China.
Where are prefectures commonly found?
Prefectures are commonly found in Japan and France.
What is a prefecture?
A prefecture is an administrative division used in countries like Japan and France.
How is a prefecture governed?
Prefectures are governed by an appointed or elected official, such as a governor.
How is a province governed?
Provinces typically have a provincial government with significant autonomy and a legislature.
What is an example of a prefecture?
e.g., Tokyo is a well-known prefecture in Japan.
What is the role of a prefect in France?
A prefect in France oversees the administration of a prefecture, implementing national policies.
How many provinces are there in Canada?
Canada has 10 provinces.
What is the role of a premier in a Canadian province?
The premier is the head of the provincial government and oversees its administration.
Where are provinces commonly found?
Provinces are commonly found in Canada and China.
Do provinces have legislative power?
Yes, provinces often have significant legislative power and can enact laws independently.
What is an example of a province?
e.g., Ontario is a well-known province in Canada.
Can prefectures be found in ancient contexts?
Yes, prefectures have historical significance, such as in ancient China.
What is the primary function of a province?
The primary function is to manage local governance with a degree of autonomy.
Do prefectures have legislative power?
Prefectures usually have administrative power but less legislative autonomy compared to provinces.
How many prefectures are there in Japan?
There are 47 prefectures in Japan.
What is the primary function of a prefecture?
The primary function is regional administration and governance.
Do prefectures exist in other countries besides Japan and France?
Yes, other countries may also use the term, though it is less common.
Do provinces have different levels of autonomy?
Yes, the level of autonomy can vary significantly depending on the country's federal structure.
Can provinces be found in historical contexts?
Yes, provinces have been used as administrative divisions in various historical empires.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
