An Autonomous Region is a designated area within a country that has a degree of self-governance and independence from the central government. These regions often have their own local governments and can make decisions on various issues, such as education and transportation, while still being part of the larger nation. Examples include Catalonia in Spain and Tibet in China. The purpose of creating autonomous regions is to recognize and accommodate the unique cultural, ethnic, or historical characteristics of specific groups. This arrangement allows for greater local control and can help reduce tensions between different communities within a country.