How does a sphere of influence differ from a colony? - Answers

A sphere of influence refers to a region where a particular country or power exerts significant cultural, economic, or political influence without direct governance or territorial control. In contrast, a colony is a territory that is directly governed and controlled by a foreign power, often involving settlement and exploitation of resources. While spheres of influence can allow for indirect influence and cooperation, colonies typically involve a more direct and often oppressive relationship between the colonizer and the colonized.