GRAPHIC: 119 autonomous regions in 40 countries

Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir only one example of autonomous special status in world

By Iftikhar Gilani

ANKARA (AA) - India is not the only country that granted a degree of autonomy to its only Muslim-majority region, Jammu and Kashmir.

Autonomy measures were incorporated in the country's constitution half a century ago, as a concession to the leaders of the Muslim-majority region, who in 1947 opted to accede to Hindu-majority India, instead of Muslim-majority Pakistan, when both countries gained independence.

On Aug. 5, India stripped the region of its autonomy, which was meant to preserve its unique demography and cultural identity.

Anadolu Agency compiled a list of 121 regions that enjoy varying degrees of autonomy granted them by 39 countries, in order to help preserve their ethnic and cultural distinctiveness.

Russia tops the list with 26 regions granted self-rule, followed by the U.K. and France with 11 regions. China and Italy have seven such regions apiece.

1. China

Hong Kong, Macau, Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Tibet

2. Canada

Quebec

3. Finland

Aland Islands

4. Norway

Svalbard

5. New Zealand

Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

6. Netherlands

Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten

7. Germany

Heligoland, Busingen am Hochrhein

8. Antigua and Barbuda

Barbuda

9. Australia

Torres Strait Islands

10. Azerbaijan

Nakhchivan

11. Denmark

Faroe Islands, Greenland

12. Fiji

Rotuma

13. France

New Caledonia, Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna, French Polynesia. Mayotte, French Guiana, Martinique, Corsica, Alsace

14. Georgia

Abkhazia, Adjara, South Ossetia

15. Greece

Mount Athos

16. Indonesia

Yogyakarta, Aceh, Papua, West Papua

17. Iraq

Kurdish Regional Government

18. Italy

Campione d'Italia, Aosta Valley, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sardinia, Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige/Sudtirol, South Tyrol, Trentino

19. Mauritius

Rodrigues

20. Mexico

Mexico City

21. Moldova

Gagauzia, Transnistria

22. Myanmar

Danu Self-Administered Zone, Kokang Self-Administered Zone, Naga Self-Administered Zone, Pa Laung Self-Administered Zone Pa-O Self-Administered Zone, Wa Self-Administered Division

23. Nicaragua

Atlantico Norte, Atlantico Sur

24. Panama

Embera-Wounaan, Kuna de Madugani, Kuna de Wargandi, Kuna Yala, Ngobe-Bugle

25. Papua New Guinea

Bougainville

26. Philippines

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region

27. Portugal

Azores, Madeira

28. Russia

Adygea, Altai Republic, Bashkortostan, Buryatia, Chechnya, Chuvashia, Republic of Crimea Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Kalmykia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Karelia, Khakassia, Komi, Mari El, Mordovia, North Ossetia-Alania, Sakha Republic, Tatarstan, Tuva, Udmurtia, Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Chukotka, Khanty-Mansi, Nenets, Yamalo-Nenets

29. Saint Kitts and Nevis

Nevis

30. Sao Tome and Príncipe

Autonomous Region of Príncipe

31. Serbia

Vojvodina

32. Somalia

Puntland

33. South Korea

Jejudo

34. Tajikistan

Gorno-Badakhshan