A diplomatic mission typically refers to an embassy or a consulate. These missions aim to represent their home country in a foreign nation, fostering international relations and facilitating diplomatic services between their citizens and the host country.
Differences Between Embassies and Consulates
While "embassy" and "consulate" are often used interchangeably, they have distinct roles and characteristics:
Embassy:
- A large-scale diplomatic mission focused on creating positive cultural, scientific, and economic relations between two countries.
- Headed by an ambassador. Only one embassy per country.
Consulate:
- A smaller branch office of an embassy with a more limited scope of work.
- Headed by a consul.
- Multiple consulates can exist within a country.
Locations of Embassies and Consulates
Embassies are always located in the capital city of the host country. Consulates, however, are usually found in large, populous cities that are major tourist destinations and economically developed areas. Therefore, if you need to visit an embassy, you should look in the capital city of the country you are visiting. For consulates, check the major cities.