Political divisions of the United States: Difference between revisions
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Each [[Indian Reservation]] is subdivided in various ways. For example, the [[Navajo Nation]] is subdivided into agencies and [[Chapter house (Navajo Nation)|Chapter houses]], while the [[Blackfeet Indian Reservation|Blackfeet Nation]] is subdivided into [[Blackfeet Indian Reservation|Communities]]. The Federal government also maintains exclusive jurisdiction over [[military bases|military installations]] and American [[embassy|embassies]] and [[consulate]]s located in foreign countries. Other special purpose divisions exist separately from those for general governance, examples of which include [[conservation district]]s and [[Congressional district]]s. |
Each [[Indian Reservation]] is subdivided in various ways. For example, the [[Navajo Nation]] is subdivided into agencies and [[Chapter house (Navajo Nation)|Chapter houses]], while the [[Blackfeet Indian Reservation|Blackfeet Nation]] is subdivided into [[Blackfeet Indian Reservation|Communities]]. The Federal government also maintains exclusive jurisdiction over [[military bases|military installations]] and American [[embassy|embassies]] and [[consulate]]s located in foreign countries. Other special purpose divisions exist separately from those for general governance, examples of which include [[conservation district]]s and [[Congressional district]]s. |
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==Other defined areas== |
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In addition to general-purpose government entities legislating at the state, county, and city level, special-purpose areas may exist as well. [[Conservation district]]s are one such type of special purpose area, created for the purpose of conserving land, natural scenery, flora, and fauna. [[Congressional district]]s are another example, formed for the purpose of electing members to the [[United States Congress]]. |
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There are also numerous "[[Special district (United States)|special district governments]]" in existence throughout the various states. According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], such governments are: {{quote|independent, special-purpose governmental units (other than [[school district]] governments) that exist as separate entities with substantial administrative and fiscal independence from general-purpose local governments. Special district governments provide specific services that are not being supplied by existing general-purpose governments. Most perform a single function, but, in some instances, their enabling legislation allows them to provide several, usually related, types of services. The services provided by these districts range from such basic social needs as hospitals and fire protection to the less conspicuous tasks of mosquito abatement and upkeep of cemeteries. The Census Bureau classification of special district governments covers a wide variety of entities, most of which are officially called districts or authorities.<ref>{{cite report| last=U.S. Census Bureau| title=2002 Census of Governments, Vol 1, Number 1, Government Organization, GC02(1)-1| publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office| date=2002| location=Washington, D.C.| pages=vii–viii| url=https://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/gc021x1.pdf| access-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref>}} |
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Additionally, U.S. courts have ruled that there are smaller areas which are to be considered as fulfilling government functions, and should therefore be bound by the same restrictions placed on "traditional" local government bodies. These include [[homeowners association]]s (determined in ''[[Shelley v. Kraemer]]'', ''Loren v. Sasser'', ''Committee for a Better Twin Rivers v. Twin Rivers Homeowners' Association''), and company-owned towns (both for employees and for consumers, decided in the [[United States Supreme Court|USSC]] case ''[[Marsh v. Alabama]]'' in 1946). Many homeowners' and neighborhood associations are considered [[non-profit organization]]s, but have the ability to raise [[taxes]] or fees, fine members for infractions against association-rules, and initiate lawsuits. The question of [[civil rights]] in such communities has not yet been conclusively determined, and varies from state to state. |
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Revision as of 17:15, 8 September 2021
REMAINING CONTENT WILL BE MERGED INTO Local government in the United States, per talk page. -- Beland (talk) 08:04, 8 September 2021 (UTC)
The various states are then typically subdivided into counties. Louisiana uses the term parish and Alaska uses the term borough for what the U.S. Census Bureau terms county equivalents in those states.
Counties and county equivalents may be further subdivided into townships. Towns in New York, Wisconsin and New England are treated as equivalents to townships by the Census Bureau. Townships or towns are used as subdivisions of a county in 20 states, mostly in the Northeast and Midwest.[1]
Population centers may be organized into incorporated cities, towns, villages, and other types of municipalities. Municipalities are typically subordinate to a county government, with some exceptions. Certain cities, for example, have consolidated with their county government as consolidated city-counties. In Virginia, cities are completely independent from the county in which they would otherwise be a part. In some states, particularly in New England, towns form the primary unit of local government below the state level, in some cases eliminating the need for county government entirely.
Each of the five permanently inhabited U.S. territories is also subdivided into smaller entities. Puerto Rico has 78 municipalities, and the Northern Mariana Islands has 4 municipalities.[2] Guam has villages, the U.S. Virgin Islands has districts, and American Samoa has districts and unorganized atolls.[2][3][4]
Each Indian Reservation is subdivided in various ways. For example, the Navajo Nation is subdivided into agencies and Chapter houses, while the Blackfeet Nation is subdivided into Communities. The Federal government also maintains exclusive jurisdiction over military installations and American embassies and consulates located in foreign countries. Other special purpose divisions exist separately from those for general governance, examples of which include conservation districts and Congressional districts.
- ^ 2002 Census of Governments, Individual State Descriptions (PDF)
- ^ a b "US Census Bureau Geography 2010 FIPS Code Files for Counties and County Equivalent Entities". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
- ^ "Chamorro Villages in Guam | Chamorro Culture". www.visitguam.com. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
- ^ Legislature of the Virgin Islands Legvi.org. Retrieved July 7, 2018.