City vs. Province — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 4, 2023

A city is an urban area with defined boundaries and local governance, while a province is a territorial division within a country, often encompassing multiple cities.

Difference Between City and Province

Table of Contents

➝ Key Differences ➝ Comparison Chart ➝ Definitions ➝ FAQs

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Key Differences

One of the key factors distinguishing cities is their dense population and bustling activity. Provinces, by virtue of their size, possess a more varied population density, with some areas being densely populated, and others, especially in rural or natural areas, having fewer inhabitants.

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The governance structure of a city often includes a mayor, city council, and various local agencies. In contrast, a province typically has a governor or equivalent head, with an administrative setup that oversees the entire region, including its multiple cities and towns.

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A city is generally recognized as a significant urban center, populated with residents, businesses, and cultural establishments. A province, on the other hand, refers to a larger territorial region within a country, often comprising several cities, towns, and villages.

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Cities often boast infrastructure like roads, public transportation, and buildings, reflecting the concentrated human activity. Provinces, encompassing a broader area, vary greatly in their landscape, containing urban centers, rural areas, forests, and sometimes even deserts or mountains.

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Economically, cities often act as hubs for industries, commerce, and services. Provinces, depending on their size and diversity, can have multiple economic hubs (cities) and can also derive revenue from agriculture, mining, or other regional resources.

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Comparison Chart

Definition

A large and permanent human settlement.

A principal administrative division in a country.

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Scale

Smaller, localized

Larger, regional

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Governance

Typically has a mayor or city council.

Typically overseen by a governor or equivalent.

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Composition

Primarily urban structures and residents.

Mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas.

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Economic Focus

Centered on urban industries and services.

Diverse, ranging from urban industries to agriculture.

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Definitions

City

A large human settlement with a structured system of governance.

New York City is one of the most populous cities in the U.S.

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Province

A territorial unit within a country, often larger than a city or county.

British Columbia is a province in Canada.

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City

A designated area with its own municipal government.

The city council met to discuss the upcoming budget.

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Province

An area that can contain multiple cities, towns, and rural regions.

The province was home to three major cities and numerous small towns.

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City

An area differentiated from the countryside due to its developed infrastructure.

The city's skyline was dominated by tall skyscrapers.

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Province

A geographical region with cultural or historical significance.

The province is known for its traditional festivals and customs.

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City

A center for commerce, culture, and education.

The city was renowned for its art galleries and theaters.

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Province

A region characterized by its administrative or governmental functions.

The province has its own set of regulations distinct from the national laws.

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City

An urban area that's typically more densely populated than its surrounding areas.

The city was bustling with activity from dawn to dusk.

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Province

An area governed by a provincial or regional authority.

The governor of the province announced new infrastructure projects.

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City

A city is a large human settlement. It can be defined as a permanent and densely settled place with administratively defined boundaries whose members work primarily on non-agricultural tasks.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman provincia, which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions outside Italy.

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City

A large town

One of Italy's most beautiful cities

The city council

Mar 25, 2018

Province

A principal administrative division of a country or empire

Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province

Mar 25, 2018

City

Short for City of London

Mar 25, 2018

Province

The whole of a country outside the capital, especially when regarded as lacking in sophistication or culture

I made my way home to the dreary provinces by train

Mar 25, 2018

City

A center of population, commerce, and culture; a town of significant size and importance.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

An area of special knowledge, interest, or responsibility

She knew little about wine—that had been her father's province

Mar 25, 2018

City

An incorporated municipality in the United States with definite boundaries and legal powers set forth in a charter granted by the state.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

A territory governed as an administrative or political unit of a country or empire.

Mar 25, 2018

City

A Canadian municipality of high rank, usually determined by population but varying by province.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

(Ecclesiastical) A division of territory under the jurisdiction of a metropolitan.

Mar 25, 2018

City

A large incorporated town in Great Britain, usually the seat of a bishop, with its title conferred by the Crown.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

Provinces Areas of a country situated away from the capital or population center.

Mar 25, 2018

City

The inhabitants of a city considered as a group.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

An area of knowledge, activity, or interest

A topic falling within the province of ancient history.

Mar 25, 2018

City

An ancient Greek city-state.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

The range of one's proper duties and functions; scope.

Mar 25, 2018

City

(Slang) Used in combination as an intensive

The playing field was mud city after the big rain.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

(Ecology) An area of land, less extensive than a region, having a characteristic plant and animal population.

Mar 25, 2018

City

City The financial and commercial center of London. Used with the.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

Any of various lands outside Italy conquered by the Romans and administered by them as self-contained units.

Mar 25, 2018

City

A large settlement, bigger than a town; sometimes with a specific legal definition, depending on the place.

São Paulo is the largest city in South America.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

A region of the earth or of a continent; a district or country.

Mar 25, 2018

City

(UK) A settlement granted special status by royal charter or letters patent; traditionally, a settlement with a cathedral regardless of size.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

An administrative subdivision of certain countries, including Canada and China.

Mar 25, 2018

City

(Australia) The central business district; downtown.

I'm going into the city today to do some shopping.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

(Roman history) An area outside Italy which is administered by a Roman governor.

Mar 25, 2018

City

(slang) A large amount of something used after the noun.

It’s video game city in here!

Mar 25, 2018

Province

(Christianity) An area under the jurisdiction of an archbishop, typically comprising a number of adjacent dioceses.

Mar 25, 2018

City

A large town.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

(Roman Catholicism) An area under the jurisdiction of a provincial within a monastic order.

Mar 25, 2018

City

A corporate town; in the United States, a town or collective body of inhabitants, incorporated and governed by a mayor and aldermen or a city council consisting of a board of aldermen and a common council; in Great Britain, a town corporate, which is or has been the seat of a bishop, or the capital of his see.

A city is a town incorporated; which is, or has been, the see of a bishop; and though the bishopric has been dissolved, as at Westminster, it yet remaineth a city.

When Gorges constituted York a city, he of course meant it to be the seat of a bishop, for the word city has no other meaning in English law.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

The parts of a country outside its capital city.

Mar 25, 2018

City

The collective body of citizens, or inhabitants of a city.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

An area of activity, responsibility or knowledge; the proper concern of a particular person or concept.

Mar 25, 2018

City

Of or pertaining to a city.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

A country or region, more or less remote from the city of Rome, brought under the Roman government; a conquered country beyond the limits of Italy.

Mar 25, 2018

City

A large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts;

Ancient Troy was a great city

Mar 25, 2018

Province

A country or region dependent on a distant authority; a portion of an empire or state, esp. one remote from the capital.

Mar 25, 2018

City

An incorporated administrative district established by state charter;

The city raised the tax rate

Mar 25, 2018

Province

A region of country; a tract; a district.

Over many a tractof heaven they marched, and many a province wide.

Other provinces of the intellectual world.

Mar 25, 2018

City

People living in a large densely populated municipality;

The city voted for Republicans in 1994

Mar 25, 2018

Province

A region under the supervision or direction of any special person; the district or division of a country, especially an ecclesiastical division, over which one has jurisdiction; as, the province of Canterbury, or that in which the archbishop of Canterbury exercises ecclesiastical authority.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

The proper or appropriate business or duty of a person or body; office; charge; jurisdiction; sphere.

The woman'sprovince is to be careful in her economy, and chaste in her affection.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

Specif.: Any political division of the Dominion of Canada, having a governor, a local legislature, and representation in the Dominion parliament. Hence, colloquially, The Provinces, the Dominion of Canada.

Mar 25, 2018

Province

The territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation;

His state is in the deep south

Mar 25, 2018

Province

The proper sphere or extent of your activities;

It was his province to take care of himself

Mar 25, 2018

FAQs

What is a City?

A city is a large, established human settlement with its own governance.

Sep 04, 2023

How is governance different between a City and a Province?

Cities are governed by mayors and city councils, while provinces are overseen by governors or equivalent authorities.

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What is a Province?

A province is a territorial division within a country, often encompassing multiple cities and towns.

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Can a Province have more than one major City?

Yes, many provinces have multiple major cities within their boundaries.

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Is every urban area considered a City?

Not necessarily; urban areas can be towns, boroughs, or other designations based on size and governance.

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Can a City be bigger than a Province?

Typically, a city is smaller than a province, but some major cities can have populations comparable to smaller provinces.

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What's the difference between a Province and a State?

The terms are used interchangeably in some countries, but in others, provinces have more local autonomy, while states have sovereign governmental powers.

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What denotes the boundary of a City?

Boundaries can be historically, geographically, or administratively set, often defined by local or provincial governments.

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Is every part of a Province developed?

No, provinces often contain a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas.

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Can a City span multiple Provinces?

Rarely, but it's possible for metropolitan areas to span provincial or state borders.

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How do Cities and Provinces manage resources?

Cities manage local resources and infrastructures, while provinces oversee larger regional resources and developments.

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How are Provinces named?

Provinces can be named historically, geographically, or culturally, depending on the country's traditions.

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Do Cities have their own laws?

Cities can have local ordinances or bylaws, but they typically fall under the broader laws of the province or country.

Sep 04, 2023

Can the name of a City and a Province be the same?

Yes, in some places, a city within a province can share the same name, such as New York City in New York state.

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Which is more economically significant, a City or a Province?

It depends; cities can be economic hubs, but provinces, due to their size and diversity, can have vast economic resources.

Sep 04, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.