What are the characteristics of an empire?

I think one of them is owning land in seperate areas

Centralized Leadership. Imperial rulers maintain control over large swaths of territory by constructing large bureaucracies based in the empire's capital. Imperial governments tend to resemble either a monarchy (rule by a king or queen) or an oligarchy (authoritarian rule by a small group of elites).

Standardized Currency. Empires maintain a unified economy by making sure their subjects all use the same currency.

Ethnic Diversity. Most empires have subjects from multiple civilizations and cultures.

Expansionism. Empires seek to expand their power into new territories, either through military conquest or colonization. This expansionism allows them to increase the geographic size of their empires and acquire new subjects and natural resources.

Centralized Power-Empires administer rule through a centralized system of leadership. Typically, empires were ruled by a monarch or a group of oligarchs. Centralized bureaucracies make significant decisions concerning the well-being of the empire.

Vast Territory-Empires typically rule over extensive portions of land and various territories. Some empires conquer neighboring territories and annex those areas, while others seek territories overseas and establish colonial rule.

Imperialist Agenda-Empires are ruled by individuals with imperialist agendas who wish to extend their country's influence through military force or diplomacy.

Diversity-Empires are made up of different ethnicities, nationalities, cultures, religions, and races.

Strong Military-Empires typically result from successful military conquests. Superior military strength allows various empires to conquer weaker nations which enable the centralized government to make territorial gains and expand the empire.

Currently, as of february 2016, an american traveling in france would be by the exchange rate. the weakness of the euro and the strength of the us dollar means that items in france cost less to an american than they otherwise would. of course, if this trend reverses and the us dollar weakens and the euro strengthens, such as was happening in early 2008, an american traveling in france would have an adverse experience because items would cost relatively more.