District

A district is a territorial unit within a country or region established for administrative, electoral, or organizational purposes. The term originates in Old French district and Medieval Latin districtus, referring to a drawn or divided area. In modern use, districts vary greatly in size and power and may sit below provinces, states, or counties, or be equivalent to them.

Common types include administrative districts, electoral districts or constituencies, school districts, and special-purpose districts such as transit or water districts. Administrative districts organize local government and public services. In India, districts are the main administrative subdivisions under states; in the United States, congressional or state legislative districts determine representation; school districts organize education.

Districts provide governance and service delivery, manage planning and zoning, and administer taxes and regulatory powers within their boundaries. Their size and authority depend on national and subnational law. In some countries, districts are the primary unit of local government; in others they function mainly as electoral or administrative zones.

Boundaries are defined by law and can be altered through redistricting to reflect demographic changes. Redistricting raises issues of representation and fairness, including concerns about gerrymandering where boundaries are drawn to favor particular groups or political outcomes. The concept of a district is used across governance, law enforcement, education, and public utilities, making it a common framework for organizing public administration and citizen representation.