what is the difference between consulate and embassy and also between high commisioner and ambassador?

Question

what is the role of a consulate in contrast to an embassy

Answer 1

In the instance provided it is just a difference between British English and American English -- they are the same thing (e.g., elevator or lift; petrol or gasoline). However, when using American English, the embassy is the main office of the ambassador while a consulate is a branch office. The British (and Canadians, Australians, South Africans and New Zealanders) use High Commission for embassy and consulate for a branch office. So an American ambassador (who is at the American embassy) is the equivalent of a South African High Commissioner (who can be found at the South African High Commission).

Answer 2

Cranura is right, except for one detail: A High Commission is a representative office in a country of the former British Commonwealth. In every other country, the British government's official representation to the host government is just called an embassy or consulate

Answer 3

Embassy : There will be only one representative ofice for a county mostly in the Capital city of another Country where the Ambassador stays and works.

Consulate: Apart from the above, any number of offices in a country at the permisssion of that country can be opened to service the requirement of the country of origin. Here Consulars are entrusted with different jobs. Actually one can say consulars are the Chief Managers and upto certain extend they are the deciding authority.

High Commission: All the common wealth Countries' representatives as above will call their offices as High Commission. Also it is an exactly alternative expression for Embassy only. The Incharge of the entireshow is called a High Commisssioner an alternative word for Ambassador.

The roll is the one and the same for both the offices - To represent the country of origin in a foreign land for all good and legal activities.

Answer 4

I think Sheshadri has given a better answer. Only difference is that representations of members of the Commonwealth group of nations in their respective countries are called High Commissions and the heads are called High Commissioners. Therefore there is an Indian High Commission in London and a US or Chinese Embassy in London. Also, it is the British Embassy in US and the British High Commission in Canada