what is the technical difference between a STATE, PROVINCE, TERRITORY and PROTECTORATE?

Answer 1

State and province are basically same as in they're both part of the country and thus have voting rights. Territories are areas where a country has significant presence and control. A protectorate is an area where another country offers its protection to said area.

EDIT: Also, most territories and protectorates have citizenship from that country but cannot vote in major elections.

Answer 2

Typically, state and province are synonyms for federal divisions of a nation. These units enjoy some degree of autonomy from their respective federal governments. For example, states divide Germany, Mexico, India, Pakistan and the US. Provinces divide Canada, China, Iraq and Russia.

Territories have more loosely defined boundaries (like the US Dakota and Oklahoma territories prior to statehood) or are less autonomous from the federal govt. Examples include the Yukon and NW Territories of Canada and the Northern Territory of Australia.

Russia has about 10 territories (called krai) including Kamchatka and Krasnoyarsk. These divisions are rather unorganized areas dependent directly on the federal authority, and most are in Siberia.

A Proctectorate is a territory of a sort, sometimes called a Dependency. Examples may include Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa of the United States. Protectorates are recognized by some special treaty, to the advantage of the nation doing the "protecting". They may have great strategic value too.

Answer 3

Azu got it right.....

and to the other guy...Guam, Samoa, PR ( and the US Virgin Islands) are by definition and law TERRITORIES, not protectorates!

Answer 4

This question reminds me of my stupid ******* professor.