Anglo-American Freemasonry (Also self-described as Regular Freemasonry) is a term used to describe a loose network of overlapping chains of mutually recognized Grand Lodges that (for the most part) trace their descent from one of "original" British Grand Lodges (the Premier Grand Lodge of England, the Antients Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and the Grand Lodge of Ireland); with mutual recognition based on adherence to certain core values, rules and membership requirements (known as Landmarks).
Different branches of Freemasonry
Freemasonry is often said to consist of two branches not in mutual regular amity:
The majority of Masonic jurisdictions around the world follow the Anglo-American style (The United Grand Lodge of England lists 194 Grand Lodges which it considers to be Regular; and the Grand Lodge of New York lists 202 which it considers to be Regular, while the umbrella organisation for Liberal Freemasonry, CLIPSAS, lists 72 members.) The Anglo-American style is especially dominant in the United States, and the countries that once formed the British Empire. It has a minority presence in France and most Latin American countries. The Anglo-American branch has several noteworthy sub-branches, most notably Prince Hall Freemasonry (a legacy of past racial segregation in the United States, and so predominantly found in that country). The Swedish Rite (which is exclusively open for confessors of the Christian faith, and has a significant presence in Scandinavia), although recognised by this branch of masonry, is best viewed as a separate rite.
The Continental Style dominates in France, and has a majority presence in several European countries and in most Latin American countries. It has a minority presence in other parts of the world.
There are three core issues that separate the Anglo-American Branch and the Continental Branch of Freemasonry: