What is a County?

A county is a geographical and administrative division of a larger state or country. It is typically smaller than a state or province and serves as a subdivision of the larger entity. Counties are often responsible for providing local government services such as law enforcement, education, and infrastructure maintenance to the communities within their boundaries.

In the United States, counties are the primary political subdivisions of each state and serve as the intermediate level of government between the state and local municipalities. Each county has its own government, with an elected board of supervisors or commissioners, and may provide a range of services such as law enforcement, health and human services, transportation, and land use planning.

In other countries, the equivalent of a county may be called a district, province, or region, and may have different levels of autonomy and responsibilities. The specific functions and organization of counties can vary depending on the country and state or province in which they are located.