Country vs. Emirate — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 20, 2024
A country is a sovereign state with its own government and borders, while an emirate is a territory ruled by an emir, often within a larger country or federation.
Difference Between Country and Emirate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Countries are defined by their sovereignty, having a centralized government that exercises authority over its territory and population. In contrast, an emirate is typically a region or territory governed by an emir, which can be part of a larger sovereign state or a federation of states.
While countries have a wide range of governmental structures, such as democracies, monarchies, and republics, emirates are usually monarchies with leadership passed down through hereditary lines within a ruling family.
Countries are recognized on the international stage with defined borders, engaging in diplomacy and international relations. Emirates, however, may not have distinct international recognition separate from the country or federation they belong to.
The legal and administrative systems in countries vary widely, reflecting their unique constitutions, laws, and governance structures. Emirates generally follow traditional governance and legal systems, often influenced by Islamic law and customs, especially if they are part of a larger Islamic country.
Countries manage their own economies, security, and policies independently, whereas emirates might have some degree of autonomy but are often integrated into the broader economic and security systems of the country or federation they are part of.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A sovereign state with its own government and borders
A territory ruled by an emir, often part of a larger state
Government Structure
Can vary (democracy, monarchy, republic, etc.)
Monarchy, with leadership often hereditary
International Recognition
Recognized as sovereign entities
Part of a larger sovereign state or federation
Legal System
Diverse, depending on the country's constitution
Often influenced by Islamic law and traditions
Autonomy
Full sovereignty over internal and external affairs
Limited, depending on the structure of the parent country or federation
Compare with Definitions
Country
Recognized as independent with full control over its territory.
France is a country with its defined territory and government.
Emirate
A territory ruled by a monarchical figure.
Abu Dhabi is an emirate within the United Arab Emirates.
Country
Can be a democracy, republic, monarchy, etc.
The United Kingdom is a country with a constitutional monarchy.
Emirate
Often shares currency and defense with the larger state it's part of.
Emirates in the UAE use the Emirati dirham and are protected by the UAE's military.
Country
Engages in global diplomacy and agreements.
Japan, as a country, participates in international organizations like the UN.
Emirate
Leadership typically passes down through a ruling family.
The emir of Kuwait inherits his position based on family lineage.
Country
Manages its economy, currency, and trade policies independently.
Canada has its economic policies and currency.
Emirate
Often part of a federation or a larger country.
The emirates are integral parts of the UAE's federal structure.
Country
Has its own constitution, laws, and judicial system.
The United States operates under a constitution that outlines the country's laws and governance.
Emirate
May follow traditional governance and Islamic law.
Sharia law influences the legal systems within many emirates.
Country
A country is a distinct territorial body or political entity (i.e. a nation).
Emirate
An emirate is a territory ruled by an emir, a title used by monarchs or high officeholders in the Muslim world. There are three emirates that are independent states (Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Qatar); and the unrecognized Taliban state in Afghanistan is (and was) also styled as an emirate.
Country
A nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory
The country's increasingly precarious economic position
Spain, Italy, and other European countries
Emirate
The office of an emir.
Country
Districts and small settlements outside large urban areas or the capital
A country lane
The airfield is right out in the country
Emirate
The nation or territory ruled by an emir.
Country
An area or region with regard to its physical features
A tract of wild country
Emirate
A country ruled by an emir.
Country
Short for country music
Emirate
The office of an emir.
Country
A nation or state.
Emirate
The domain controlled by an emir
Country
The territory of a nation or state; land.
Emirate
The office of an emir
Country
The people of a nation or state; populace
The whole country will profit from the new economic reforms.
Country
The land of a person's birth or citizenship
Foreign travel is restricted in his country.
Country
A region, territory, or large tract of land distinguishable by features of topography, biology, or culture
Hill country.
Bible country.
Country
An area or expanse outside cities and towns; a rural area
A vacation in the country.
Country
The people of a district who are eligible for jury service.
Country
A jury.
Country
(Informal) Country music.
Country
Of, relating to, or typical of the country
A country road.
Country cooking.
Country
Of or relating to country music.
Country
(chiefly British) An area of land; a district, region.
Country
A set region of land having particular human occupation or agreed limits, especially inhabited by members of the same race, speakers of the same language etc., or associated with a given person, occupation, species etc.
Country
The territory of a nation, especially an independent nation state or formerly independent nation; a political entity asserting ultimate authority over a geographical area; a sovereign state.
Country
A rural area, as opposed to a town or city; the countryside.
Country
Ellipsis of country music
A country song
A country singer
A country festival
Country
(mining) The rock through which a vein runs.
Country
From or in the countryside or connected with it.
Country
Of or connected to country music.
Country
Originating in India rather than being imported from Europe or elsewhere.
Country
A tract of land; a region; the territory of an independent nation; (as distinguished from any other region, and with a personal pronoun) the region of one's birth, permanent residence, or citizenship.
Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred.
I might have learned this by my last exile,that change of countries cannot change my state.
Many a famous realmAnd country, whereof here needs no account
Country
Rural regions, as opposed to a city or town.
As they walked, on their way into the country.
God made the covatry, and man made the town.
Only very great men were in the habit of dividing the year between town and country.
Country
The inhabitants or people of a state or a region; the populace; the public. Hence: (a) One's constituents. (b) The whole body of the electors of state; as, to dissolve Parliament and appeal to the country.
All the country in a general voiceCried hate upon him.
Country
A jury, as representing the citizens of a country.
Country
The rock through which a vein runs.
Country
Pertaining to the regions remote from a city; rural; rustic; as, a country life; a country town; the country party, as opposed to city.
Country
Destitute of refinement; rude; unpolished; rustic; not urbane; as, country manners.
Country
Pertaining, or peculiar, to one's own country.
She, bowing herself towards him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language.
Country
The territory occupied by a nation;
He returned to the land of his birth
He visited several European countries
Country
A politically organized body of people under a single government;
The state has elected a new president
African nations
Students who had come to the nation's capitol
The country's largest manufacturer
An industrialized land
Country
The people who live in a nation or country;
A statement that sums up the nation's mood
The news was announced to the nation
The whole country worshipped him
Country
An area outside of cities and towns;
His poetry celebrated the slower pace of life in the country
Country
A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography);
It was a mountainous area
Bible country
Common Curiosities
How does governance differ between a country and an emirate?
Countries can have varied forms of governance, while emirates are usually monarchies with hereditary leadership.
Do emirates participate in international relations independently?
Emirates usually do not engage in international relations independently; such matters are handled by the larger country or federation they are part of.
What legal systems do emirates follow?
Emirates often follow traditional governance systems and may be influenced by Islamic law, especially if part of an Islamic state.
Can an emirate be considered a country?
Typically, emirates are not considered independent countries as they are part of a larger sovereign state or federation, lacking full autonomy.
What role does an emir play in an emirate?
An emir is the monarchical ruler of an emirate, often holding significant authority over governance, though this can vary based on the country's structure.
What is the difference between a country and an emirate?
A country is a sovereign state with full control over its affairs, while an emirate is a region ruled by an emir, often part of a larger country or federation.
Are there any emirates that are also countries?
The term "emirate" can also refer to countries ruled by emirs, like Kuwait or Qatar, but these are fully sovereign states, not territories within another country.
How do emirates fit into the federal structure of a country?
In federations like the UAE, emirates have a degree of autonomy but are integrated into the country's broader legal and economic systems.
Do emirates have their currencies?
Emirates typically use the currency of the larger state they are part of, though they may have some financial autonomy.
What is the role of culture and tradition in an emirate's governance?
Culture and tradition play a significant role in an emirate's governance, often influencing laws and leadership.
Can a country have multiple emirates within it?
Yes, a country can have multiple emirates within its territory, each ruled by its own emir, as seen in the United Arab Emirates.
How do people become citizens of an emirate?
Citizenship rules in emirates depend on the laws of the parent country or federation, often involving birthright, descent, or naturalization.
Are emirates always part of a larger Muslim country?
While many emirates are part of larger Muslim countries, this is not a strict requirement; the term relates more to the governance structure than to religion.
How does the autonomy of an emirate compare to that of a country?
An emirate's autonomy is limited, especially in foreign affairs and defense, compared to a country's full sovereignty over its affairs.
Can an emirate's borders change?
An emirate's borders can change, usually through legal agreements within the parent country or federation.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
