Autonomous prefecture


Autonomous prefectures are one type of autonomous administrative division in China, existing at the prefectural level, with either ethnic minorities forming over 50% of the population or being, most commonly, the historic home of significant minorities. The official name of an autonomous prefecture includes the most significant minority in that region, sometimes two, rarely three. For example, a prefecture with a large number of Kazakhs may be called a Kazak Autonomous Prefecture. Like all other prefectural level divisions, autonomous prefectures are divided into county level divisions. There is one exception: Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture contains two prefectures of its own. Under the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, autonomous prefectures cannot be abolished.

Autonomous administrative divisions

The PRC's autonomous administrative divisions may be found in the first to third levels of its national administrative divisions thus:
LevelTypeChinesePinyinNumber as of June 2005
Province Autonomous regions自治区5
Prefecture Autonomous prefectures自治州30
County Autonomous counties自治县117
County Autonomous banners自治旗3

List of autonomous prefectures

Ethnic composition of autonomous prefectures

Former autonomous prefectures of China