BASIC FACTS OF CHINA | ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION | GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
NATURAL RESOURCES | CLIMATE | POPULATION AND ETHNIC GROUPS

 

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION


 

Municipalities Directly Under the Central Government

Province
Autonomous Rregions Special Administrative Regions
Divisions of Administrative Areas in China (End of 2000)
 
 




According to the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the administrative division of China is as follows:

1. The country is divided into provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government;

2. Provinces and autonomous regions are divided into autonomous prefectures, counties, autonomous counties and cities; and

3. Counties, autonomous counties and cities are divided into townships, ethnic townships, and towns.

All autonomous regions, autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties are ethnic autonomous areas. The state may establish special administrative regions when necessary. Currently, there are 34 provincial-level administrative areas in China-four municipalities directly under the Central Government, 23 provinces, five autonomous regions and two special administrative regions.