Terms & Definitions
Archipelago
An archipelago (AR-kə-PEL-ə-goh) sometimes called an island group or island chain, is a chain, cluster, or collection of islands. An archipelago may be in an ocean, a sea, or a smaller body of water.
Barrier Island
Barrier islands are long, narrow stretches of land, composed primarily of sand, that lie parallel to the mainland shoreline and are separated from it by a shallow body of water like a lagoon or bay. They act as a natural buffer against storm surge, wave action, and erosion, protecting the mainland and surrounding ecosystems.
Census-Designated Place
A Census Designated Place (CDP) is an unincorporated community identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes. It’s essentially a populated area with a recognized name that isn’t formally incorporated with its own local government, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. CDPs are treated as statistical equivalents of incorporated cities to ensure they are included in population counts and data
City
An inhabited place of greater size, population, or importance than a town or village.
Coral Island
A coral island is a type of island formed from coral detritus and associated organic material. It occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas, typically as part of a coral reef which has grown to cover a far larger area under the sea.
County Seat
A county seat is the primary town or city within a county where the county government offices, such as the courthouse, are located. It serves as the administrative center for the county and where many essential county services are accessed.
Incorporated Village
An incorporated village is a type of local government unit, similar to a city or town, but typically smaller in size and with less autonomy. It is a defined area within a larger jurisdiction, often a town or county, that has its own elected officials and the power to enact local ordinances, levy taxes, and provide services.
Incorporated Town
An incorporated town or city in the United States is a municipality that is incorporated under state law. An incorporated town will have elected officials, as differentiated from an unincorporated community, which exists only by tradition and does not have elected officials at the town level.
Island
“Island” can refer to any landmass surrounded by water, including larger islands
Key (Cay)
The term “key” generally refers to a small, low-lying island formed from coral reefs and sand deposits. They are typically smaller and lower in elevation than other islands.
Master-Planned Community
A master-planned suburban city, or master-planned community (MPC), is a large-scale residential development that integrates various amenities, services, and land uses into a single, cohesive plan. These communities are designed to provide a higher quality of life for residents, often with a focus on convenience, safety, and a sense of community.
Neighborhood
A neighborhood is a geographically localized community within a larger town, city, suburb or rural area, sometimes consisting of a single street and the buildings lining it. Neighbourhoods are often social communities with considerable face-to-face interaction among members. Researchers have not agreed on an exact definition, but the following may serve as a starting point: “Neighbourhood is generally defined spatially as a specific geographic area and functionally as a set of social networks. Neighbourhoods, then, are the spatial units in which face-to-face social interactions occur—the personal settings and situations where residents seek to realise common values, socialise youth, and maintain effective social control.” – Wikipedia
Resort City
A resort town, resort city or resort destination is an urban area where tourism or vacationing is the primary component of the local culture and economy. A typical resort town has one or more actual resorts in the surrounding area. Wikipedia
Town
A town is an urban area that has a name, defined boundaries, and local government, and that is generally larger than a village and smaller than a city.
Unincorporated Area
An unincorporated area is a parcel of land that is not governed by a local general-purpose municipal corporation. They may be governed or serviced by an encompassing unit (such as a county) or another branch of the state (such as the military). May have fewer regulations than incorporated areas, but also may have limited access to services like public transportation, law enforcement, and other city-provided amenities.
Unincorporated Community
An unincorporated community is a settled area that is not legally incorporated as a municipality, meaning it’s not officially designated as a city or town. These communities exist within the jurisdiction of a larger entity, like a county, and are not serviced directly by an incorporated city. Instead, services are typically provided by the county or other governing body
Unincorporated Town
An unincorporated town is a community that doesn’t have its own separate, elected local government, like a city or town. Instead, it’s governed by the county. This means the community relies on the county for services like law enforcement, fire protection, and other municipal functions
Village
A village is a small, clustered human settlement, generally larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town. It’s typically found in rural areas, though the term can also apply to certain urban neighborhoods. Villages are characterized by relatively close-knit dwellings, often with a central point or linear layout.