Dependent areas are territories that for some reason do not enjoy full independence or sovereignty as states. There are varying degrees and forms of such a dependence.

Dependent territories are commonly distinguished from subnational entities of the same country since they in most cases represent a different orders of separation. A subnational entity typically represents a division of the country proper, while a dependent territory might be an overseas territory that enjoys a greater degree of autonomy.

The areas separately referred to as non-independent are territories that are disputed, occupied, having a government in exile or with a non-negligible independence movement.

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