North America is home to countries with different systems of government and territorial organisation. Some are divided into states or provinces, while others use departments, districts, parishes, municipalities or autonomous regions.
The continent includes Northern America, Central America and the Caribbean under the United Nations Statistics Division’s geographical classification. This broad definition includes Mexico, the countries of Central America and the Caribbean island nations, not just Canada and the United States. [1]
Understanding these divisions helps readers interpret maps, government records, election results, population statistics and international news.
What are administrative divisions?
Administrative divisions are geographical units governments use to organise public services, local government and national administration. The names and responsibilities of these units differ between countries. [2]
Common examples include:
- States: Major political units used in countries such as the United States and Mexico.
- Provinces: Major subdivisions used in countries such as Canada and Costa Rica.
- Departments: Administrative areas used in countries such as El Salvador and Guatemala.
- Districts: Units used for local administration in countries such as Belize and the Bahamas.
- Parishes: Divisions used in several Caribbean countries, including Jamaica and Barbados.
- Municipalities: Local government areas responsible for services within towns, cities or wider communities.
A country may have more than one level of administration. For example, a state or province may contain counties, districts or municipalities. These lower-level units should not be confused with the main divisions listed in the table. [2]
Table of North American countries and their main administrative divisions
The table covers the 23 sovereign countries commonly included in broad lists of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. It identifies the principal administrative division or structure used in each country. [1, 2]
| No. | Country | Main administrative division |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antigua and Barbuda | Parishes and dependencies |
| 2 | Bahamas | Local government districts |
| 3 | Barbados | Parishes |
| 4 | Belize | Districts |
| 5 | Canada | Provinces and territories |
| 6 | Costa Rica | Provinces |
| 7 | Cuba | Provinces and special municipality |
| 8 | Dominica | Parishes |
| 9 | Dominican Republic | Provinces and National District |
| 10 | El Salvador | Departments |
| 11 | Grenada | Parishes and dependencies |
| 12 | Guatemala | Departments |
| 13 | Haiti | Departments |
| 14 | Honduras | Departments |
| 15 | Jamaica | Parishes |
| 16 | Mexico | States and Mexico City |
| 17 | Nicaragua | Departments and autonomous regions |
| 18 | Panama | Provinces and indigenous comarcas |
| 19 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Parishes |
| 20 | Saint Lucia | Districts |
| 21 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Parishes |
| 22 | Trinidad and Tobago | Regional corporations, municipalities and Tobago’s autonomous administration |
| 23 | United States | States, the federal district and territories |
Note: The table focuses on the main administrative structure, not every subdivision by name. The legal status, number and responsibilities of divisions vary by country. Territories and dependencies that are not sovereign countries are discussed separately below.
Administrative divisions by region
1. Northern America
Canada
Canada has 10 provinces and three territories. Its provinces are Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Its territories are Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. [2]
United States
The United States has 50 states and the federal district of Washington, DC. It also administers territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands. States, the federal district and territories do not have identical constitutional or political status.
Mexico
Mexico has 32 federal entities: 31 states and Mexico City. These are subdivided into municipalities, while Mexico City uses territorial divisions for local administration. Mexico’s national statistics institute provides geographical information and data for these entities and their subdivisions. [3]
2. Central America
Belize: The country is divided into six districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek and Toledo.
Costa Rica: Its seven provinces are San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón.
El Salvador: The country has 14 departments, including San Salvador, Santa Ana, La Libertad, Sonsonate and San Miguel.
Guatemala: Guatemala has 22 departments, including Guatemala, Petén, Alta Verapaz, Escuintla and Quetzaltenango.
Honduras: The country is divided into 18 departments, including Francisco Morazán, Cortés, Atlántida, Colón and Olancho.
Nicaragua: Its administrative structure includes 15 departments and two autonomous regions on the Caribbean coast.
Panama: Panama has provinces and indigenous comarcas, which provide distinct territorial arrangements for Indigenous communities. Its administrative structure includes the provinces of Panamá, Chiriquí, Colón, Coclé, Darién, Herrera, Los Santos, Veraguas, Bocas del Toro and Panamá Oeste.
3. The Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda: The country has six parishes on Antigua, while Barbuda and Redonda have distinct territorial arrangements.
Bahamas: Local government districts are used to organise administration across the country’s islands.
Barbados: The island is divided into 11 parishes.
Cuba: Cuba has 15 provinces and the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud.
Dominica: The country has 10 parishes.
Dominican Republic: Its administrative structure includes 31 provinces and the National District, which contains the capital, Santo Domingo.
Grenada: The country has six parishes on Grenada, alongside the dependency of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
Haiti: Haiti is divided into 10 departments.
Jamaica: Jamaica has 14 parishes.
Saint Kitts and Nevis: The country uses parishes as administrative divisions across its two main islands.
Saint Lucia: The island is divided into districts for administrative and statistical purposes.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: The country has six parishes, covering Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Trinidad and Tobago: Trinidad uses regional corporations and municipalities for local government, while Tobago has its own autonomous administration through the Tobago House of Assembly.
Countries, territories and dependencies: what is the difference?
Not every geographical area in North America is an independent country. The United Nations distinguishes countries and areas in its statistical classifications, and the inclusion of an area in a geographical region does not necessarily indicate sovereign independence. [1]
Examples of territories and dependencies in the wider region include:
| Territory or area | Political relationship |
|---|---|
| Greenland | An autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark |
| Bermuda | A British Overseas Territory |
| Puerto Rico | A US territory |
| Cayman Islands | A British Overseas Territory |
| Aruba | A constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| Curaçao | A constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| Guadeloupe | An overseas department and region of France |
| Martinique | An overseas territorial collectivity of France |
| British Virgin Islands | A British Overseas Territory |
| US Virgin Islands | A US territory |
| Saint Pierre and Miquelon | A French overseas collectivity |
These areas may have their own local administrations, legislatures or territorial divisions. Their constitutional relationships with the countries responsible for them differ, so they should not automatically be described as independent sovereign states. [1]
Myths and facts about North American administrative divisions
Myth: North America consists only of Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Fact: The wider continent also includes Central America and the Caribbean. The United Nations geographical classification explicitly includes Northern America, Central America and the Caribbean within North America. [1]
Myth: Every North American country uses states or provinces.
Fact: Countries use different systems. Belize uses districts, Jamaica uses parishes, El Salvador uses departments, and Trinidad and Tobago uses regional corporations, municipalities and a distinct arrangement for Tobago.
Myth: Every territory in the Caribbean is an independent country.
Fact: The region includes independent countries as well as territories and dependencies linked to the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Denmark. Their political and constitutional status differs. [1]
Myth: An administrative division always has its own elected government.
Fact: Some divisions have elected governments and substantial local powers, while others mainly perform administrative or statistical functions. Their responsibilities depend on each country’s constitution and laws. [2]
Why administrative divisions matter
Administrative divisions help countries organise government and make decisions about their territory. Their main uses include:
- Public services: Organising schools, hospitals, roads, water services and local facilities.
- Planning and budgeting: Allocating resources and coordinating development projects.
- Elections: Defining or supporting electoral arrangements, although constituencies do not always match administrative boundaries.
- Statistics: Collecting population, economic and social data for different parts of a country.
- Travel and business: Identifying locations, understanding government jurisdictions and navigating official procedures.
The importance and responsibilities of each division depend on the country’s political system. A province in a federal country may have different powers from a district in a more centralised system. [2]
How to verify administrative information
Administrative boundaries and government structures can change. For reliable and current information:
- Consult the country’s official government directory or national statistics agency.
- Check legislation when the legal status or powers of a division matter.
- Use the United Nations M49 classification to understand international geographical groupings.
- Consult national statistical agencies for updated names, boundaries and geographical codes.
- Check the publication date of the information before using it for research, journalism or official purposes. [1, 2, 3]
Conclusion
North America has a wide range of administrative systems. Canada uses provinces and territories, Mexico has states and Mexico City, and countries across Central America and the Caribbean use departments, districts, parishes, provinces and other territorial arrangements.
Knowing these differences helps readers understand the continent’s geography, governance and political organisation. The table provides a practical overview, but official national sources should be consulted when exact boundaries, legal powers or recently changed administrative units are required.
Readers are welcome to contact us with corrections or updated official information for review.
