The World's Largest Country Subdivisions

A sub-division or sub-national entity is a part of the nation or any other region that is delineated for administrative purposes. These subdivisions have a certain degree of autonomy, and they manage themselves via their local governments. Some of the most significant sub-divisions and autonomous territories in the world include:

The 6 Largest Country Subdivisions in the World

1) The Sakha Republic

Sakha is a subject of the Russian Federation with a population of over 958,528 (as per the 2010 census) which is mainly made up of Russians and Yakuts. The Sakha Republic is the most significant sub-national governing body in the world by area at 1,190,555 sq mi. Sakha is the eighth largest territory on earth. It is roughly the same size as Argentina. The capital of the Sakha Republic is Yakutsk. 

2) Western Australia

Western Australia occupies the western third of Australia. It is bordered by South Australia to the southeast, the Northern Territory to the northeast, the Southern Ocean to the south and the Indian Ocean on the west and north. Occupying an area of approximately 976,790 sq mi, Western Australia is the largest territory or state in the country and the second largest sub-divison in the world. The state has a population of over 2.6 million people with 92% of the population living in the southwestern corner of Western Australia.

3) Krasnoyarsk Krai

Krasnoyarsk Krai is another subject of the Russian Federation with its administrative center in Krasnoyarsk (one of the largest Siberian cities). Krasnoyarsk Krai is the third largest division on the globe and the second largest subject of the Russian Federation. The state occupies approximately 903,400 sq mi area which is about 25% of Canada's size. Krai is at the center of Siberia plus it covers almost half of the federal district of Siberia.

4) Greenland

Greenland is an independent constituent nation of Denmark. It is on the eastern part of the Arctic Archipelago of Canada. The state has been culturally and politically associated with Europe for thousands of years. Greenland is the largest island on earth, and ice sheet covers 75% of this state. Greenland occupies an area of roughly 836,330 sq mi.

5) Nunavut

Nunavut is the most largest and newest Canadian territory. It split from the Northwest Territories via the Nunavut act of April 1, 1999. The boundary was drawn in 1993, and the creation of this state was the first principal change on the political map of Canada. Nunavut is the largest and second-least populated territory in Canada with a population of about 35,944. The state is about 680,000 sq mi in size which is almost the same size as Mexico.

6) Queensland

Queensland is the third most populated and the second-largest state in Australia. Queensland is the sixth largest sub-division in the world occupying an area of about 715,309 sq mi with a population of over 4.75 million people. Queensland’s warm tropical climate promotes tourism, the major industry in the state. The region is named after Queen Victoria who signed the letters which separate the land from the New South Wales on June 6, 1859.

The Benefits of the Country Sub-Division

Subdividing a country into different territories or provinces makes it easier for the central government to rule the region through the local governments. Subdividing a country can also make it possible for the central government to distribute national infrastructures equally.