Consul

Consul, official appointed by one country to look after its commercial and cultural interests in another country. Not to be confused with ambassadors, whose primary purpose is to further political understandings with the country to which they are appointed, consuls attend primarily to business and cultural matters. The term consul was originally given to the highest magistrates of ancient Rome. At the beginning of the 19th century, the consular system developed universally. Consuls are ranked in importance as consul general, consul, vice or honorary consul.