A federal constitutional monarchy is a federation of states with the executive under the authority of a constitutional monarch. A monarchy run as a federation of smaller units is generally governed by constitutional convention, unlike in a unitary state which can accommodate both constitutional and absolute monarchs. There are divisions between both the powers and duties of all levels of the federation and the responsibility of the monarch in each jurisdiction. The monarchical form of federation is contrasted with the federal republic. Canada, Australia and Malaysia are examples of this system of government. A map displaying todays federations. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Federal Republic of Germany and its sixteen Bundesländer (federal states) A federal republic is a federation of states with a republican form of government. ...