pobladas

Pobladas is the feminine plural form of the Spanish adjective poblado, used to describe places that are inhabited or populated. In geographic, urban planning, and demographic language, the term indicates that a given area has residents and human activity, as opposed to despobladas or deshabitadas, which denote empty or sparsely populated areas. The phrase zonas pobladas or áreas pobladas is common in maps, census reports, and planning documents to delineate towns, villages, neighborhoods, or other settlements where housing and services are present.

Etymology: from the verb poblar "to populate," derived from Latin populare and Latin populus meaning "people," through Old Spanish forms. The participle poblado- forms the feminine plural pobladas to modify feminine plural nouns.

Usage: In many Spanish-speaking countries, recognitions of what counts as "pobladas" depend on population thresholds, which vary by country or agency; some classifications consider density, continuity of houses, or functional urban areas. The term can function as an adjective or as a shorthand noun in context—e.g., una zona poblada—without implying a specific legal status.

Note: "Pobladas" is rarely used as a proper name; there is no universally recognized geographic entity with that standalone name in major reference works. When encountered, it almost always refers to the populated character of a place rather than to a distinct place.