Dependent territory A dependent territory , dependent area or dependency is a territory that does not possess full political independence or sovereignty as a sovereign state yet remains politically outside of the controlling state ' s integral area . A dependency is commonly distinguished from other subnational entities in that they are not considered to be part of the integral territory of the governing State . A subnational entity typically represents a division of the State " proper " , while a dependent territory often maintains a great degree of autonomy from the controlling State . Historically , most colonies were considered to be dependencies of their controlling State . Most of these have either become independent , by joining neighbouring independent countries , or assimilated into the conquering state . The dependencies that remain generally maintain a very high degree of political autonomy . Although dependencies retain a degree of autonomy , not all autonomous entities are considered to be dependencies . Many political entities have a special position recognized by international treaty or agreement resulting in a certain level of autonomy or differences in immigration rules . These are sometimes considered dependencies , but are officially considered by their controlling states to be integral parts of the state . Examples are Åland ( Finland ) , Hong Kong ( China ) , and Macau ( China ) . Lists of dependent territories . Dependency claims without general international recognition , including all claims in Antarctica , are listed in " italics " . The list includes several territories that are not included in the list of non - self - governing territories listed by the General Assembly of the United Nations . This list includes territories that have not been legally incorporated into their governing state . Lists of other entities . The following entities have been legally included as a full part of their governing country , but are often described as dependencies . Most inhabited territories have their own country codes . Australia . Although all territories of Australia are considered to be fully integrated in its federative system , and the official status of an external territory does not differ largely from that of a mainland territory ( except in regards to immigration law ) , debate remains as to whether the external territories are integral parts of Australia , due to their not being part of Australia in 1901 , when its constituent states federated . They are often listed separately for statistical purposes . Description . Three Crown dependencies are in a form of association with the UK . They are independently administrated jurisdictions , although the British Government is solely responsible for defence and international representation , and has ultimate responsibility for ensuring good government . They do not have diplomatic recognition as independent states , but they are not an integrated part of the UK , nor do they form part of the European Union . The UK Parliament retains the ability to legislate for the Crown dependencies even without the agreement of the insular legislatures . None of the Crown dependencies has representatives in the UK Parliament . Bermuda and Gibraltar have similar relationships to the UK as the Crown dependencies . While Britain is officially responsible for defence and international representation , these jurisdictions maintain their own militaries and have been granted limited diplomatic powers , in addition to having internal self - government . Nevertheless , they are British overseas territories . New Zealand and dependencies share the same Governor - General and constitute one realm . The Cook Islands and Niue are officially termed associated state s . Puerto Rico ( since 1952 ) and the Northern Mariana Islands ( since 1986 ) are non - independent states freely associated with the United States . The mutually negotiated Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ( CNMI ) in Political Union with the United States was approved in 1976 . The Covenant was fully implemented November 3 , 1986 , pursuant to Presidential Proclamation no . 5564 , which conferred United States citizenship on legally qualified CNMI residents . Under the Constitution of Puerto Rico , Puerto Rico is described as a Commonwealth and Puerto Ricans have a degree of administrative autonomy similar to citizens of a U . S . state . Puerto Ricans " were collectively made U . S . citizens " in 1917 as a result of the Jones - Shafroth Act . The commonly used name in Spanish of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , " Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico " , literally " Associated Free State of Puerto Rico " , which sounds similar to " free association " particularly when loosely used in Spanish , is sometimes erroneously interpreted to mean that Puerto Rico ' s relationship with United States is based on a Compact of Free Association and at other times erroneously held to mean that Puerto Rico ' s relationship with United States is based on an Interstate compact . This is a constant source of ambiguity and confusion when trying to define , understand and explain Puerto Rico ' s political relationship with the United States . For various reasons Puerto Rico ' s political status differs from that of the Pacific Islands that entered into Compacts of Free Association with the United States . As sovereign states , these islands have full right to conduct their own foreign relations , while the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has territorial status subject to United States congressional authority under the Constitution ' s Territory Clause , “ to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory … belonging to the United States . ” . Puerto Rico does not have the right to unilaterally declare independence , and at the last referendum ( 1998 ) the narrow majority voted for " none of the above " , which was a formally undefined alternative used by commonwealth supporters to express their desire for an " enhanced commonwealth " option . This kind of relationship also can be found in the Kingdom of the Netherlands , which is a federacy . The continental part is organized like a unitary state but the status of its territories ( Aruba , since 1986 , and the Netherlands Antilles , since 1954 until 2010 ) can be considered dependencies or " associated non - independent states " . After the split - up of the Netherlands Antilles , Curaçao and Sint Maarten are separate associated states like Aruba . Additionally , Denmark operates in a similar manner to a federacy . The Faroes and Greenland are two self - governing territories , or regions within the Kingdom . The relationship between Denmark proper and the two territories is semi - officially termed the " Rigsfællesskabet " .