A () or () is an administrative division in several Hispanophone and Lusophone nations, respectively. It is often translated as 'municipality' in English. It comes from mūnicipium (), meaning 'township'.
In English, a municipality is often defined as relating to a single city or town, but in Spanish, the term municipio may not refer to a single city or town but rather a jurisdiction with several towns and cities such as a township, county, borough or civil parish. The Italian term municipalità () refers to a single city or to a group of cities and towns in a township, and the term municipio () is used for city subdivisions. On the other hand, usage of município in Portuguese is almost entirely restricted to a cluster of cities or towns such as a county or township. However, in Brazil, a município is an independent city and a public corporation with the status of a federated entity. In the Philippines, a munisipyo () may refer to a town hall.
Overview Country Term Detailed article Administered by CommentAngolaMunicípio is usedMunicipalities of AngolaArgentinaMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of Argentina According to laws of the provincesBoliviaMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of Bolivia Below provincesBrazilMunicípio is usedMunicipalities of BrazilMunicípio with elected (Prefeito) (mayor) and Vereador (plural: Vereadores) (councilors).They are part of the federation De facto et De jureChileComuna is usedCommunes of ChileMunicipalidad with elected alcalde (mayor) and councilorsColombiaMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of ColombiaBelow departmentsCosta RicaMunicipalidad is usedMunicipalities of Costa RicaCoterminous with the CantonesCubaMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of CubaDominican RepublicMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of the Dominican Republicayuntamiento (elected municipal council) and síndico (mayor)East TimorMunicípio is usedMunicipalities of East TimorAutoridade Municipal (Municipal Authority), with a president (presidente), along with a Municipal Council (Concelho Municipal)EcuadorCantón is usedCantons of EcuadorMunicipio or Municipalidad with elected alcalde (mayor) and concejales (councilors)Below provinces. Further subdivided into urban and rural parishes.El SalvadorMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of El SalvadorAlcaldeBelow departmentsEquatorial GuineaMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of Equatorial GuineaAlcaldeGuatemalaMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of GuatemalaMunicipalidadBelow departmentsHondurasMunicipalidad is usedMunicipalities of HondurasAlcaldeBelow departmentsItalyComune is used; in some parts of Italy the municipio is the building housing the administration of the comune; elsewhere it is simply called comune. A municipalità may be a subdivision of comuneMunicipalities of Italy Consiglio comunale, headed by a sindacoMexicoMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of MexicoAyuntamiento, headed by a municipal presidentBelow statesMozambiqueMunicípio is used Municipalities of MozambiqueNicaraguaMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of NicaraguaAlcaldeBelow departmentsParaguayMunicipalidad is usedMunicipalities of ParaguayPeruMunicipalidad is usedMunicipalities of PeruPhilippinesMunicipio (munisipyo) and sometimes municipalidad (municipalidad) are usedMunicipalities of the PhilippinesElected alcalde (alkalde, “mayor”) as the executive, vicealcalde (bise alkalde, “vice mayor”) and concejales (konsehal, “councilor”) of the Sangguniang Bayan (Ayuntamiento, “Municipal Council”).Below provinces (except Pateros); equivalent to a town; has a lower income than a city (ciudad). Like a city, it is also further subdivided into barangays. PortugalMunicípio is used (also called concelho)Municipalities of PortugalCâmara Municipal (executive) and Assembleia Municipal (legislative)Puerto RicoMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of Puerto RicoAlcalde and municipal legislatureSpainMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of SpainAyuntamiento (municipal corporation) or Concejo abierto, headed by an alcaldeUruguayMunicipio is used Municipalities of UruguayAlcaldía (municipal council), headed by an alcaldeVenezuelaMunicipio is usedMunicipalities of VenezuelaConsejo Municipal (municipal council) with separately elected alcalde and independent comptrollerBelow state
See also Municipalidad Commune (country subdivision)
Notes
References