In everyday usage it applies to the ranking government representative stationed in a foreign |capital. The host country typically allows the ambassador control of specific territory called an [[embassy]], whose territory, staff, and even vehicles are generally afforded diplomatic immunity in the host country. Historically, officials representing their countries abroad were termed ''ministers'', but this term was also applied to diplomats of the second rank. The ''Congress of Vienna'' of 1815 formalized the system of diplomatic rank under international [[law]]: | In everyday usage it applies to the ranking government representative stationed in a foreign |capital. The host country typically allows the ambassador control of specific territory called an [[embassy]], whose territory, staff, and even vehicles are generally afforded diplomatic immunity in the host country. Historically, officials representing their countries abroad were termed ''ministers'', but this term was also applied to diplomats of the second rank. The ''Congress of Vienna'' of 1815 formalized the system of diplomatic rank under international [[law]]: |