A province is a subdivision of a country . It is a kind of local government .

Some countries are divided into provinces . The word "province" comes from the Latin word provincia .

South Africa , Canada , the Netherlands , Pakistan , Spain , and Denmark are examples of countries that are divided into provinces.

In some countries, provinces have different names:

• Departement : France
• Canton : Switzerland
• State : United States , Mexico , Brazil , Australia
• Bundesland : Germany and Austria
• Voivodeship : Poland
• District : Serbia ( okrug ), Belize , Bhutan
• Prefectures (?): Japan
• Estados : Venezuela
• County : United Kingdom
• Suba : Pakistan
• Praant : Although Pradesh is the Hindi word for states : Republic of India
• Fylke : Norway
• Parish : Jamaica , Trinidad and Tobago

Departments usually have less power than provinces. States, Bundeslander and autonomous communities have more power than provinces.

Small countries like Singapore or Monaco are not divided.