County

A county is a territorial division within a country or state, often serving as a unit of local government. Its boundaries, powers, and name vary by jurisdiction.

Administrative division: A subdivision of a country or other territory created for administration or governance. A county is one kind of territorial subdivision.
County government: A local governing authority responsible for a county's public administration and services. It is the governing institution counties commonly provide.
Unitary authority: A local government that combines responsibilities otherwise divided among multiple local bodies. It can replace the county-and-district arrangement found elsewhere.
Shire: A historic territorial and administrative division, especially in England and parts of the English-speaking world. The English shire is a major historical predecessor of the county.
Counties of England: Territorial divisions of England used for administration, geography, and ceremonial purposes. England preserves several county types with distinct functions.
Local government: Public administration by authorities responsible for a limited geographic area. Counties often exercise local governing powers.
County court: A court associated with a county, whose jurisdiction and role vary by legal system. Courts may use county boundaries to organize local justice.
Parish: An administrative subdivision used in several countries, including as a local-government unit in parts of the United States. Some jurisdictions use parishes where others use counties.
Shire reeve: A royal official responsible for a shire, whose title developed into the word sheriff. The office linked early county administration with later local law enforcement.
Counties of Ireland: Historic territorial divisions of Ireland, still used in local government and cultural geography. Irish counties combine administrative roles with strong historic identities.

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