@cstross It's weird to me how the UK insists that its constituent parts are "countries" not provinces. Similar to how the USA insists its provinces are actually "states".
Otherwise, this whole situation is pretty similar for most countries. One big province where most of the people live, especially the rich people, that bullies everyone else: Ontario, Ile de France, CDMX, Tokyo. A rural province with a much smaller population that often feels bullied (often this is where you find separatist movements and/or anti-immigrant movements). And then there's the problem child that just doesn't fit in: Quebec, French Guiana, Norfolk Island, Puerto Rico, Xinjiang...