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{{Short description|Territory ruled by an emir}}
{{About|the political term "emirate"||Emirates (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Islamic emirate||Islamic emirate (disambiguation)}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2018}}
{{Monarchism|expanded=Related}}

An '''emirate''' is a territory ruled by an [[emir]],<ref>{{cite web|title=The definition of emirate|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/emirate|website=Dictionary.com}}</ref> a title used by [[monarchs]] or high officeholders in the [[Muslim world]]. From a historical point of view, an emirate is a political-religious unit smaller than a [[caliphate]].<ref>{{cite web |date=6 August 2020 |title=What is the difference between an emirate and a caliphate? – Shakuhachi.net |url=https://www.shakuhachi.net/what-is-the-difference-between-an-emirate-and-a-caliphate/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003155448/https://www.shakuhachi.net/what-is-the-difference-between-an-emirate-and-a-caliphate/ |archive-date=3 October 2022 |access-date=6 February 2025 |url-status=usurped |website=Shakuhachi}}</ref> It can be considered equivalent to a [[principality]] in non-Muslim contexts.

Currently in the world, there are two emirates that are independent states ([[Kuwait]] and [[Qatar]]), one state ruled by an unrecognised emirate ([[Afghanistan]]), and a state that consists of a federation of seven emirates (the [[United Arab Emirates]]). A great number of previously independent emirates around the world are now part of larger states.

==Etymology==
Etymologically, '''emirate''' or '''amirate''' ({{Langx|ar|إمارة}} ''{{Transliteration|ar|ALA|imārah}}''<span style="margin-left:1px">,</span> plural: {{lang|ar|إمارات}} ''{{Transliteration|ar|ALA|imārāt}}''<span style="margin-left:2px">)</span> is the quality, dignity, office, or territorial competence of any [[emir]] (prince, commander, governor, etc.). In English, the term is pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|m|ər|ə|t|,_|-|ɪər|-|,_|-|ɪ|t|,_|-|eɪ|t}} or {{IPAc-en|ɛ|ˈ|m|ɪər|ə|t|,_|-|ɪ|t|,_|-|eɪ|t|,_|i|ˈ|-}} in British English and {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|m|ər|ə|t}} or {{IPAc-en|ɪ|ˈ|m|ɪər|ə|t}} in American English.<ref>{{citation|last=Wells|first=John C.|year=2008|title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary|edition=3rd|publisher=Longman|isbn=9781405881180}}</ref>

==Types==
===Monarchies===
The [[United Arab Emirates]] is a federal state that comprises seven federal emirates, each administered by a [[inheritance|hereditary]] emir, these seven forming the [[electoral college]] for the federation's president and prime minister.

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.

===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 [[emir]]) of the royal family, as in [[Saudi Arabia]]n governorates.

==List of present emirates==
[[File:Emiratos.PNG|350px|right|thumb|Location of Afghanistan (grey), Kuwait (red), Qatar (green), and the emirates of the United Arab Emirates]]
Current emirates with political autonomy are listed below:
*{{flag|Kuwait|name=State of Kuwait}} (since 14 May 1961)
*{{flag|Qatar|name=State of Qatar}} (since 3 September 1971)
*{{flag+link|United Arab Emirates|UAE}} (since 2 December 1971)
**{{flag|Abu Dhabi}}
**{{flag|Ajman}}
**{{flag|Dubai}}
**{{flag|Fujairah}}
**{{flag|Ras al-Khaimah}}
**{{flag|Sharjah}}
**{{flag|Umm al-Quwain}}

*{{flag|Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan}} (since 15 August 2021; unrecognized)

==List of former and integrated emirates==
These are the emirates that have either ceased to exist, are not recognized and hold no real power, or were integrated into another country and preserved as "traditional states". They are arranged by location and in order of the date of the first leader styled "emir."

===Africa===
====North Africa====
*[[Emirate of Nekor]], [[Rif]] region of modern [[Morocco]] 710–1019
*[[Aghlabids|Emirate of Ifriqiya]], Aghlabid [[Ifriqiya]] within modern [[Tunisia]], [[Algeria]], [[Sicily]], [[Morocco]], and [[Libya]] 800–909
*[[Hafsid dynasty|Emirate of Tunis]], Hafsid [[Ifriqiya]] within modern [[Tunisia]], [[Algeria]], and [[Libya]] 1229–1574
*[[Zab Emirate]], modern [[Algeria]] circa 1400 (short-lived)
*[[Emirate of Trarza]], modern southwest [[Mauritania]] 1640s–1910s
*[[Emirate of Cyrenaica]], modern eastern [[Libya]] 1949–1951 (became the [[Kingdom of Libya]])

<gallery widths=180>
File:Hafsid1400.png|Ifriqiya under the Hafsids
File:EthniesSénégal.jpg|Trarza (upper left)
File:Map of Cyrenaica.png|Cyrenaica in Libya
</gallery>

====Sub-Saharan Africa====
=====Ethiopia=====
*[[Emirate of Harar]], eastern [[Ethiopia]] 1647–1887

=====Ghana=====
*[[Zabarma Emirate]], northeastern [[Ghana]] 1860s–1897

=====Niger=====
*[[Emirate of Say]], southwestern [[Niger]] 19th century– (integrated)

=====Nigeria=====
*[[Fika Emirate]], northeastern Nigeria 15th century– (integrated)
*[[Gwandu]] Emirate, northwestern Nigeria 15th century to 2005 (integrated and then deposed)
*[[Kebbi Emirate]], northwestern Nigeria 1516– (integrated)
*[[Borgu Emirate]], westcentral Nigeria, formed from Bussa Emirate 1730–1954 and Kaiama Emirate 1912–54, unified 1954– (integrated)
*[[Gumel]] Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1749– (integrated)
*[[Yauri Emirate]], northwestern Nigeria 1799– (integrated)
*[[Gombe Emirate]], northeast Nigeria 1804– (integrated)
*[[Kano Emirate]], northcentral Nigeria 1805– (integrated)
*[[Bauchi Emirate]], northeast Nigeria 1805– (integrated)
*[[Daura Emirate]], northcentral Nigeria off and on 1805– (integrated)
*[[Katsina Emirate]], northcentral Nigeria 1806– (integrated)
*[[Katagum]] Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1807– (integrated)
*[[Zaria Emirate]], northcentral Nigeria 1808– (integrated)
*[[Potiskum Emirate]], northeastern Nigeria 1809– (integrated)
*[[Adamawa Emirate]], eastern Nigeria and formerly into western [[Cameroon]] 1809– (integrated where preserved)
*[[Ilorin Emirate]], southwestern Nigeria 1817– (integrated)
*[[Muri, Nigeria|Muri Emirate]], eastcentral Nigeria 1817– (integrated)
*[[Kazaure Emirate]], northcentral Nigeria 1819– (integrated)
*[[Lapai Emirate]], central Nigeria 1825– (integrated)
*[[Suleja Emirate]], central Nigeria 1828– (integrated)
*[[Agaie Emirate]], westcentral Nigeria 1832– (integrated)
*[[Bida Emirate]], westcentral Nigeria 1856– (integrated)
*[[Kontagora Emirate]], northcentral Nigeria 1858– (integrated)
*[[Borno Emirate]], northeastern Nigeria 1900– (integrated)
*[[Dikwa Emirate]], northeast Nigeria 1901– (integrated)
*[[Biu Emirate]], northeast Nigeria 1920– (integrated)

===Asia===
====Arabia====
* [[Sharifate of Mecca|Emirate of Mecca]], Western Arabia 967–1916
*[[Uyunid Emirate]], the modern [[Arabian Peninsula]] 1076–1253
* [[Jabrids|Jabrids Emirate]], Eastern and center Arabia 1417–1524
* [['Uyayna|Emirate of Al-Uyaynah]] central Arabia 1446–1760
* [[Bani Khalid Emirate]], Eastern Arabia 1669–1796
*[[Emirate of Beihan]], modern southern [[Yemen]] 1680–1967
*[[Emirate of Diriyah]], mainly in modern [[Saudi Arabia]] and the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] 1727–1818
*[[Emirate of Nejd]], center and eastern [[Arabia]] 1818–91
*[[Emirate of Dhala]], modern southern [[Yemen]] early 19th century to 1967
*[[Emirate of Jabal Shammar]], northcentral Arabia 1836–1921
*[[Emirate of Nejd and Hasa]], central Arabia 1902–21
*[[Idrisid Emirate of Asir]], [[Jizan]] in modern southwestern [[Saudi Arabia]] 1906–34
*[[Emirate of Bahrain]], 1971–2002 (before it was under a [[hakim (title)|hakim (ruler)]]; after under a [[malik|malik (king)]])
*[[Emirates of Saudi Arabia]], the thirteen provinces of [[Saudi Arabia]]

<gallery widths=180>
File:FederationOfSouthArabiaMap.jpg|Beihan and Dhala in South Arabia
File:First Saudi State Big.png|Diriyah
File:Second Saudi State Big.png|Nejd
File:Alrasheed hail english.png|Jabal Shammar
File:Sa mapa6.png|Asir at its height
File:LocationBahrain.svg|Bahrain
File:Saudi Arabia - province locator template.png|Saudi Arabian emirate divisions
</gallery>

====Central Asia====
*[[Emirate of Bukhara]], modern [[Uzbekistan]] 1785–1920
*[[First East Turkestan Republic#Establishment of the ETR|Khotan Emirate]], 1933 northwest China, merged into [[First East Turkestan Republic]]

<gallery widths=180>
File:Bukhara1850.png|Bukhara
File:First ETR in China.svg|Khotan in modern China
</gallery>

====South Asia====
*[[Emirate of Afghanistan]], [[Afghanistan]] 1823–1929
*[[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)]], first period of [[Taliban]] rule in [[Afghanistan]] ([[United States invasion of Afghanistan|overthrown]])
*[[Islamic Emirate of Kunar]], southern Afghanistan 1991–1991
*[[Emirate of Multan]]
*[[Habbari dynasty|Habbarid Emirate]]

<gallery widths=180>
File:LocationAfghanistan.svg|Emirate of Afghanistan
</gallery>

====Near East====
*Emirate of [[Mosul]] (see [[List of Emirs of Mosul|list of emirs for more]]), modern [[Iraq]] 905–1096, 1127–1222, 1254–1383, 1758–1918
*[[Emirate of Melitene]], modern central Turkey mid-ninth century to 934
*[[Marwanid|Emirate of Amida]], modern [[Turkey|Eastern Turkey]] 983–1085
*[[Karamanids|Karaman Emirate]], south-central [[Anatolia]] 1250–1487
*[[Emirate of Aydin]], state composed of [[Oghuz Turks]] in modern Turkey from the early 14th century to 1390
*[[Emirate of Dulkadir]], modern [[Turkey]] 1337–1522
*[[Emirate of Erzincan]], 14–15th centuries
*[[Ramadanids|Emirate of Ramazan]], modern [[Turkey]] 1352–1608
*[[Emirate of Mount Lebanon]], modern [[Lebanon]] 1516–1842
*[[Timurid Emirates]], [[Timur]]'s empire and the minor emirates left behind after the fall of the [[Timurid dynasty]] in the [[Middle East]], 1526-c.1550
*[[Soran Emirate]], modern northern Iraq 1816–35
*[[Az Zubayr]], town in [[Basra Governorate]], Iraq during 16th century
*[[Emirate of Transjordan]], modern [[Jordan]] 1921–46
*[[Islamic Emirate of Byara]], modern [[Kurdistan Region]], [[Iraq]], 2001–2003

<gallery widths=180>
File:Anatolia1300.png|Ottoman emirate in 1300, labeled 'Osman'
File:Timurid Dynasty 821 - 873 (AH).png|Timurid Emirate under the leadership of [[Timur]]
File:PalestineAndTransjordan.png|Transjordan
</gallery>

===Europe===
====Caucasus====
* [[The Emirate of Armenia]], [[Caucasus]] 637–884
* Emirate of Darband, [[Dagestan]] 869–1075
* [[Emirate of Tbilisi]], modern [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] 736–1080, nominally to 1122
* [[North Caucasian Emirate]], [[Chechnya]] and [[Dagestan]] in the [[Caucasus]] 1919–1920
* [[Caucasus Emirate]], [[Caucasus]] 2007–2017 (unrecognized)

<gallery widths="200px" heights="145px">
File:Shaddadid.gif|Darband, Azerbaijan
File:81ArabAbbasidPeriod750-885.gif|Armenia
</gallery>

====Iberia====
*[[Emirate of Córdoba]], modern Spain and Portugal 756–929 (title changed to [[caliph]] in 929)
*[[Emirate of Badajoz]], modern Portugal and western Spain 1009–1151
*[[List of Emirs of Almería|Emirate of Almería]], region of [[Almería]] and [[Cartagena, Spain|Cartagena]] in modern Spain off and on 1013–1091
*[[Jerez de la Frontera#History|Emirate of Jerez]], towns of [[Jerez de la Frontera]] and [[Arcos de la Frontera]] in modern southern Spain 1145–1147
*[[Emirate of Granada]], modern southern Spain 1228–1492

<gallery widths=180>
File:Coras del Emirato de Córdoba.png|Córdoba
File:Location map Taifa of Badajoz.svg|Badajoz
File:Reino de Granada.svg|Granada
</gallery>

====Mediterranean region====
*[[Emirate of Crete]], [[Crete]], modern Greece, 824 or 827/828 to 961
*[[Emirate of Bari]], city of [[Bari]] in southern Italy 847–871
*[[Emirate of Malta]], 870–1091
*[[Emirate of Sicily]], [[Sicily]] 965–1072
*[[Emirate of Qatansáar]],city of [[Catanzaro]] in southern Italy 903-1050
<gallery widths=180>
File:Periferia Kritis.png|Crete within modern Greece
File:Italy 1000 AD.svg|Sicily (at bottom)
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Caliphate]]
* [[Sultanate]]
* [[Khanate]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Arabic terms for country subdivisions}}
{{Islamic state}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Emirates| ]]
[[Category:Feudalism]]
[[Category:Monarchy]]