A consulate is a type of diplomatic mission that represents a country in a foreign country, usually subordinate to the states main representation in the capital of that foreign country, which is usually an embassy. Consulates are usually located in major cities other than the capital, where the embassy is situated. They provide many of the same services and carry out the same official functions as the embassy, but on a smaller scale. The activities of a consulate include protecting the interests of their citizens temporarily or permanently resident in the host country, issuing passports, issuing visas to foreigners, and public diplomacy. The principal role of a consulate lies traditionally in promoting trade, assisting companies to invest and to import and export goods and services both inwardly to their home country and outward to their host country. Consulates also work with U.S. and foreign law enforcement agencies to combat international crime, verify records, and track human rights abuses.