Government

Federal Emergency Relief Administration New Deal agency created in 1933 to provide federal funds for immediate relief and work projects; administered grants and employment programs until replaced by the WPA in 1935.

Federal government of the United States Overview of the U.S. federal government: its constitutional structure, the three branches, checks and balances, historical origins, functions, and relationship with the states.

Federal Hall (New York City) Federal Hall Historic site on Wall Street where the First Congress met and George Washington took the presidential oath; original 18th‑century capitol was demolished and later replaced by a Gre…

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Federal Highway Administration U.S. federal agency within the Department of Transportation responsible for highway policy, funding, safety oversight, research, and technical support to state and local highway pr…

Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) Federal Information Processing Standards FIPS are United States government standards, published by NIST, that specify security, interoperability, and technical requirements for non-military federal agencies and contractor…

Federal judiciary of the United States An overview of the United States federal judiciary: its constitutional basis, court structure, types of judges, jurisdictional powers, history, and how it fits in the system of che…

Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (Germany) Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport German federal ministry responsible for transport systems and national digital policy; based in Berlin with a large second office in Bonn and a role supporting the eastern federal…

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Germany's federal ministry responsible for national economic policy, industry, trade, energy transition and climate-related economic measures; evolved through multiple reorganizati…

Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Germany) Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Germany's federal ministry leading international development policy and cooperation, managing bilateral and multilateral aid, sustainable-development programs, and coordination wit…

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety & Consumer Protection Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection German federal ministry responsible for environmental policy, nature conservation, nuclear safety and consumer protection; based in Bonn with a second seat in Berlin and oversight…

Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany) Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung) is the civilian ministry responsible for the Bundeswehr, defence policy, procurement and military operati…

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany) Overview of the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF): its role in German education and research policy, main responsibilities, locations, and relationship with states…

Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Germany) Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Germany's cabinet ministry responsible for family policy, eldercare, gender equality and youth affairs; sets programmes, advises government, funds services and coordinates federal…

Federal Ministry of Finance (Germany) Germany's Federal Ministry of Finance (Bundesministerium der Finanzen) prepares the federal budget, shapes tax and fiscal policy, manages public debt, and represents Germany in EU…

Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Germany) Germany's federal ministry responsible for agricultural policy, food and nutrition issues, and rural development; headquartered in Bonn with a second seat in Berlin.

Federal Ministry of Health (Germany) The Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, BMG) develops and oversees national health policy in Germany, setting regulations, coordinating public-health agen…

Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (Germany) Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Germany's federal ministry responsible for labour market policy, social security and welfare, pensions, occupational safety and inclusion; coordinates agencies and legislation at n…

Federal Ministry of Marshall Plan Affairs (Federal Republic of Germany) Federal Ministry of Marshall Plan Affairs Short-lived West German ministry that managed the allocation and oversight of Marshall Plan aid during the early Federal Republic, later renamed the Federal Ministry for Economic C…

Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (Germany) Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community Germany's federal interior ministry is responsible for internal security, federal police, civil protection, public administration and related areas; headquarters in Berlin with a s…

Federal monarchy: structure, history and modern examples Federal monarchy A federal monarchy is a federation of states under a single monarch while constituent states may retain their own monarchs or republican governments. Covers structure, history and…

Federal republic A federal republic is a political system that combines a federated division of powers with a republican form of government, protecting subnational authority under a written constit…

Federal Republic of Central America (United Provinces of Central America) Federal Republic of Central America A short-lived federal state formed from former Spanish Central America after 1821 independence; it united five core provinces and collapsed amid regional conflicts by the early 184…

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1992–2003) Federal Republic of Yugoslavia The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was a federation of Serbia and Montenegro formed in 1992 after the breakup of socialist Yugoslavia, later reconstituted as the State Union of Ser…

Federal Reserve (United States central bank) Federal Reserve Overview of the Federal Reserve: its structure, functions, history, tools of monetary policy, and role in the U.S. financial system and economy.

Federal Security Service (FSB) Federal Security Service Russia's principal domestic security agency, successor to parts of the KGB, responsible for counter‑intelligence, border security, counter‑terrorism, surveillance and major crimina…

Federal Senate (Brazilian National Congress) Federal Senate The Federal Senate is the upper chamber of Brazil's National Congress. It represents the country's federal units equally, has 81 members with staggered eight-year terms, and exerci…

Federal subjects of Russia The federal subjects are the primary constituent entities of the Russian Federation. They differ by legal status, autonomy and governance, and are grouped into federal districts fo…

Federalism in the United States An organized summary of U.S. federalism: its constitutional basis, the division of powers between national and state governments, historical development, modern disputes, and signi…

Federation: concept, structure, history and global examples Federation A federation is a political system in which self-governing units share power with a central government under a constitution. This article explains how federations work, their histo…

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina One of the two political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, composed of ten cantons with shared and devolved institutions; formed in the 1990s to accommodate Bosniak and Croat com…

Fiefdom (Feudal Fief) Fiefdom A fiefdom was a grant of land, rights, or offices in medieval feudal systems given by a lord to a vassal in return for service and duties, shaping politics, economy and social rela…

Finance (Legislative Council functional constituency) Finance (constituency) A Hong Kong Legislative Council functional constituency representing the financial sector; composed of eligible members of financial associations and institutions and electing one…

Financial statements: purpose, main components, preparation and use Financial statements Structured reports that present an entity's financial position, performance and cash flows—used by investors, managers, creditors and regulators to evaluate and decide.

Fire services in the United Kingdom Overview of the United Kingdom's fire and rescue services: their roles, organization, history, appliances, training and public-safety responsibilities.

First Geneva Convention (1864): Protection of Wounded Combatants First Geneva Convention The 1864 First Geneva Convention set rules to ensure humane care for wounded soldiers, protect medical personnel and facilities, and established the Red Cross emblem—foundational t…

First Lady (title) First Lady Informal title for the spouse of a non-monarchical head of state or chief executive, with cultural roles, variations (First Gentleman, First Spouse), historical development and com…

First Lady of the United States The First Lady (FLOTUS) is the White House hostess and presidential spouse whose informal role has evolved into public advocacy, ceremonial duties, and institutional support across…

First Minister Leader of a government in certain parliamentary systems, now most commonly the head of a devolved administration in the United Kingdom (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland).

First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland The First Minister and deputy First Minister jointly lead Northern Ireland's executive. This article explains their roles, equal powers, appointment, history since the 1998 settlem…

First Minister of Scotland Head of the Scottish Government and leader of the Scottish Cabinet, responsible for policy direction, ministerial appointments and representing Scotland. Established after devoluti…

First Minister of Wales Head of the Welsh Government, responsible for leading devolved policy, appointing ministers and representing Wales; nominated by the Senedd and formally appointed by the monarch.

First Spouses of Indonesia Overview of the ceremonial and social role of Indonesia's presidential spouses (Ibu Negara/Bapak Negara), their history, notable holders, customary duties, and legal status.

Flag of Alabama The state flag of Alabama, adopted in 1895, is a simple white field crossed by a crimson St. Andrew's saltire. It serves as a government emblem and has generated discussion about i…

Flag of Albania The national flag of Albania is a red field bearing a black double-headed eagle. Its design traces to medieval heraldry and national liberation, and it appears in state, military a…

Flag of American Samoa Territorial flag combining American and Samoan symbols: a white triangle with red edge containing a bald eagle holding traditional Samoan insignia on a blue field.

Flag of Antigua and Barbuda The national flag of Antigua and Barbuda, designed by Sir Reginald Samuel and adopted 27 February 1967, features a rising sun and distinctive colors that symbolize heritage, enviro…

Flag of Arkansas The state flag of Arkansas: a red field with a white diamond edged in blue, 29 stars, and the name ARKANSAS. Its design reflects the state’s geology, history, and entry in the Unio…

Flag of Austria Overview of the national flag of Austria: its red‑white‑red design, variants, historical origins, symbolism, and common uses and protocols.