Emirate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Etymologically an emirate or amirate (Arabic: إمارة transliteration: , plural: إمارات Imarat) is the quality, dignity, office or territorial competence of any Emir (prince, governor etc.).
Contents |
[edit] As monarchies
Generally speaking, an emirate designates a political territory that is ruled by a dynastic Arab Monarch styled emir. As most emirates have either disappeared, been integrated in a larger modern state or changed their rulers' styles, e.g. to Malik (Arabic for King) or Sultan, such true emirate-states have become rare.
An example of this use persists in the United Arab Emirates, a federal nation that comprises seven federal emirates, each administered by a hereditary emir, these seven forming the electoral college for the federation's President and PM.
[edit] As provinces
Furthermore, in Arabic the term can be generalized to mean any province of a country that is administered by a member of the ruling class, especially of a member (usually styled Sheikh) of the royal family, as in Saudi Arabian governorates.
[edit] List of independent Emirates
[edit] List of former and integrated emirates
- Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
- Islamic Emirate of Waziristan
- Az Zubayr
- Bahrain, became a kingdom in 2002
 |
This government-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
