What Is a Prefecture? Administrative Divisions in Various Countries

A prefecture is a regional administrative unit in several nations:

• France: Seat of a department; headed by a prefect (state representative).
• Japan: Top-level local government (47 prefectures), akin to a state/province.
• Greece: Former division (replaced by regions in 2010).
• Italy: Provincial office in provinces lacking a prefect.
• Turkey: Seat of a province (il); headed by a governor (vali).