Since 1995, Ethiopia is constitutionally formed by a federation of nine ethnically-based regional states (plural: kililoch; singular: kilil) and two chartered cities (plural: astedader akababiwach; singular: astedader akabibi). These administrative regions replaced the older system of provinces. The word "kilil" more specifically means "reservation" or "protected area". The ethnic basis of the regions and choice of the word "kilil" has drawn fierce criticism from those in opposition to the ruling party who have drawn comparisons to the bantustans of apartheid South Africa.