village

A village is a clustered human settlement smaller than a town or city, usually located in a rural setting and often distinguished by a close-knit community. Villages vary in size, but most have a few hundred to a few thousand residents and are organized around a central area such as a village green, a main street, or a church. They are typically part of a larger administrative region and may be governed by a parish council or local municipality.

Common village features include basic services and facilities intended to serve local residents, such as a church, a school, a shop or post office, a pub or social hall, and sometimes a small business or crafts workshop. The surrounding land is usually used for agriculture, forestry, or pasture, though some villages are positioned along waterways or transport routes that supported trade or commuting.

Historically, villages formed as agricultural communities that concentrated food production and social life in a single place. In many regions, the village functioned as the primary local unit of social organization, with patterns of land ownership, labor, and resource use linked to the wider countryside. In modern times, the economic base may diversify to include commuting to jobs in larger towns, tourism, small-scale manufacturing, or services.

Variations of the village concept exist around the world. In some countries, the term denotes a legally defined municipality; in others, it refers to an informal settlement. Villages face contemporary challenges such as aging populations, maintenance of infrastructure, and access to services. They are often recognized for preserving local heritage, landscapes, and traditions that contribute to regional identity.