What's the different between Embassy and Consulate?

Question

If there's a difference, does every country have the two?

Answer 1

An embassy is always based in the Capital city of another country. This is where the Ambassador (the representative of the foreign government) is based and the embassy is the official representative of the foreign government. It is through the embassy which official negotiations and deals are made, as well as services for their citizens. Consulates are sort of an honorary embassy. They are always based in a city outside of the capital. Usually, their primary goal is to help their citizens who are in the country. Consulates are headed by Consular-Generals, who report to the Ambassador who is accredited to that country. However, this is not always the case, e.g the Consular-General of Hong Kong for the UK does not report to the Ambassador in Beijing.

Sometimes the consulate is the only official representative of that country in foreign countries. This is rare but usually happens when a small country decides to be represented in the largest city or the city with the highest amount of it's citizens, as opposed to the capital. This could also happen when foreign governments do not recognise their capital as the capital (eg several countries do not recognise Jerusalem as the capital and instead send their delegations to Tel Aviv).

Sometimes countries only set up an embassy as it is to expensive to set up a seperate consulate in another city.

Answer 2

An embassy is in the national capital, a consulate usually is in another city (unless of course there is no embassy in the capital.)    An Embassy represents the Head of State.  A Consulate is more for lower-level relations, issuing visas, assisting business etc.

Answer 3

Ambassador is an authorised  Representative of a Nation  out side a Nation.  His job is to take care of his Nationals abroad, their wellfare, grievances and or other important Business relating to the Nation, as per the Foreign Ministers advice.  The Consulate too is a representative of the Foreign Mission Office but his grade is under the Ambassador and his duty,  same refer ed above but in other parts of the states other than the capitol of a Nation and or as agreed with the Foreign Ministers advice? The decision of sending an emissary depends upon the Population of a Nation and the relation of the Nation being sent to, .  If the population & the area is small can also be sent as High Commissioner, or other wise as an Authorised Agent for the Nation (In commercial requirement  court etc.)  This depends on  each Nation open. provided they have adequate Financial capacity to send more than one and that too,   if necessity urges?