Dependent territory Facts for Kids

A dependent territory is like a special area of land that belongs to a country but isn't fully part of it. Think of it as a smaller place that relies on a bigger country for things like defense or foreign affairs. It's not completely independent, meaning it doesn't have full control over everything.

For example, Greenland is a dependent territory of Denmark. This means Denmark helps Greenland with some big decisions, even though Greenland has its own government for daily life. Another example is Saint Helena, which is a dependent territory of the United Kingdom.

These territories are different from regular parts of a country, like a state or a province. They often have more freedom to govern themselves, even if they're not fully independent.

Countries with Dependent Territories
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Countries with Dependent Territories

This section lists territories that are not fully joined with the country that governs them. It includes some territories that are not on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories. Claims that are not widely recognized by other countries, like those in Antarctica, are shown in italic text.

New Zealand

New Zealand has one dependent territory called Tokelau. It also has a claim in Antarctica. New Zealand also has two self-governing associated states, which are almost like independent countries but still have a special link to New Zealand.

In free association	How they are governed
Cook Islands	These islands have been self-governing since 1965. They handle their own affairs, but New Zealand helps with foreign relations and defense if asked. People here are still New Zealand citizens.
Niue	Niue has been self-governing since 1974. Like the Cook Islands, it manages its own matters, and New Zealand helps with foreign relations and defense when requested. People here also keep New Zealand citizenship.
Territory	How it is governed
Tokelau	This is a territory of New Zealand. Tokelau is working towards becoming self-governing. They have voted on this in the past, but the votes didn't reach the number needed to change their status.
Ross Dependency	This is New Zealand's claim in Antarctica. No one lives here permanently. It is considered a part of New Zealand by its constitution.

Norway

Norway has one dependent territory and two claims in Antarctica.

Dependency	How it is governed
Bouvet Island	No one lives here permanently. This island is managed from Oslo by Norway's Ministry of Justice and the Police.
Peter I Island	No one lives here permanently. These are Norway's claims in Antarctica. They are managed from Oslo by the Ministry of Justice and the Police, following international agreements about Antarctica.
Queen Maud Land

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has 13 Overseas Territories. Most of these have their own governments, but some are only for military use or are uninhabited. The UK also has 3 Crown Dependencies, which are self-governing, and one claim in Antarctica.

Overseas Territories (with people living there)	How they are governed
Anguilla	The local assembly handles daily matters. The United Nations lists it as a non-self-governing territory.
Bermuda	The local Parliament manages its own affairs. The UK sees it as self-governing, and it's also on the UN list.
British Indian Ocean Territory	This territory is managed by a Commissioner who reports to the UK's Foreign Office. The original people were moved away, and now it's mainly for military personnel. Another country, Mauritius, also claims it.
British Virgin Islands	The local assembly handles daily matters. It's on the UN list of non-self-governing territories.
Cayman Islands	The local assembly handles daily matters. It's on the UN list of non-self-governing territories.
Falkland Islands	The local assembly handles daily matters. It's on the UN list of non-self-governing territories. Argentina also claims these islands.
Gibraltar	The local Parliament handles most of its own affairs. It's on the UN list of non-self-governing territories.
Montserrat	The local council handles daily matters. It's on the UN list of non-self-governing territories.
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands	The local council handles some matters, but decisions need approval from the Governor, who reports to the UK's Foreign Office. It's on the UN list.
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha	Local councils handle daily matters for each island. It's on the UN list of non-self-governing territories.
Turks and Caicos Islands	The local assembly handles some daily matters. It's on the UN list of non-self-governing territories.
Overseas Territories (no people living there)	How they are governed
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands	This territory is managed by a Commissioner who also governs the Falkland Islands. No one lives here permanently. Argentina also claims these islands.
British Antarctic Territory	This is the UK's claim in Antarctica. No one lives here permanently. It's managed by a Commissioner who reports to the UK's Foreign Office.
Sovereign Base Areas	How they are governed
Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia	These areas are managed by the Commander of British Forces in Cyprus, reporting to the UK's Ministry of Defence. There are Cypriot people living here, as well as British military families.
Crown dependencies	How they are governed
Bailiwick of Guernsey	The UK is responsible for their defense and international representation. The UK Parliament can make laws for them if needed.
Bailiwick of Jersey
Isle of Man

United States

The United States has 11 dependent territories and 2 claims. One uninhabited territory, Palmyra Atoll, is fully part of the U.S., unlike the others.

Unincorporated organized territories (with people living there)	How they are governed
Guam	This is a U.S. territory. Its relationship with the U.S. is handled by the Department of the Interior. It's on the UN list of non-self-governing territories.
Northern Mariana Islands	This is a commonwealth in a special union with the U.S. Federal funding is managed by the Department of the Interior.
Puerto Rico	This is a U.S. territory with commonwealth status. Its relationship with the U.S. is handled by the Office of the President.
U.S. Virgin Islands	This is a U.S. territory. Its relationship with the U.S. is handled by the Department of the Interior. It's on the UN list of non-self-governing territories.
Unincorporated unorganized territories (with people living there)	How they are governed
American Samoa	This is a U.S. territory managed by the Department of the Interior. It's on the UN list of non-self-governing territories.
Unincorporated unorganized territories (no people living there)	How they are governed
Baker Island	These are U.S. territories managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior.
Howland Island
Jarvis Island
[[File:\|22x20px\|border \|alt=\|link=]] Johnston Atoll
Kingman Reef
Midway Atoll	This is a U.S. territory managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. No one lives here permanently.
Navassa Island	This is a U.S. territory managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Haiti also claims this island.
Wake Island	This is a U.S. territory managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Marshall Islands also claim this island. No one lives here permanently.
Bajo Nuevo Bank	This area is managed by Colombia. The U.S. also claims it, as do Jamaica and Nicaragua (though Nicaragua's claim was settled in favor of Colombia).
Serranilla Bank	This area is managed by Colombia and has a naval base. The U.S. also claims it, as do Honduras, Jamaica, and Nicaragua (though Nicaragua's claim was settled in favor of Colombia).