Subdivisión

Subdivisión is a term used in several languages to denote the act or result of dividing something into smaller parts. In geography and public administration, a subdivision typically refers to an administrative unit within a larger jurisdiction, such as regions, provinces, states, departments, districts, counties, or municipalities. The exact levels, names, and powers of subdivisions vary by country, but they generally serve to organize governance, taxation, public services, and statistical data collection. Subdivisions create a hierarchical structure that enables local representation, planning, and administration within a national framework.

In land development and urban planning, a subdivision is the process of dividing a tract of land into smaller parcels for sale or construction. This involves creating a plat, securing regulatory approvals, designing roads and utilities, and ensuring compliance with zoning and environmental rules. Subdivision regulations govern parcel sizes, street layouts, and the provision of public infrastructure to support new neighborhoods or commercial areas.

In mathematics and computer graphics, subdivision refers to methods for refining a shape or mesh by iteratively subdividing its elements to produce smoother curves or surfaces. Subdivision schemes are used in modeling, animation, and geometric design, enabling higher levels of detail from a coarse initial structure.

The term also appears in everyday usage to describe a division within an organization, project, or dataset. In Spanish and Portuguese-speaking contexts, subdivisión is commonly used to denote an administrative or organizational subdivision, with specific meanings shaped by local legal and institutional frameworks.