Symmetric federalism

Symmetric federalism is found in a federation in which the constituent states possess equal powers. This is in contrast to an asymmetric federation, where a distinction is made between constituent states.

United States

As far as the fifty proper states are concerned, the United States is a symmetric federation, where every state has the same powers. However, the U.S. has a number of insular areas directly under the control of the U. S. federal government, with various degrees of autonomy. The District of Columbia is not an insular area, but it is also directly controlled by the federal government with limited autonomy.