municipio (in Mexico)
According to SpanishDict's translation, "municipio" is a town or municipality (which is a town); I thought "municipio" was an area like a county; (e.g. there is Ocotlan the town and there is Ocotlan the municipio, which is a geographical area including several villages and ranchos; there is Huajuapan de Leon, the town and there is Huajuapan the municipio which is the area around the town. Do i have it wrong?
4 Answers
"Municipio" in México, is a legal term to define a territorial demarcation. It is a political administrative unit (the smallest). A "municipio" may include many towns or just a few.
Mexicali, is a city. Mexicali is also a "municipio", and a large one. It reaches from the U.S. border to a point about 210 km. south, and includes many towns.
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Definición.com.mx has a thorough definition of "municipio" as it is used in Mexico. It can refer only to the specific town or to the town plus the surrounding areas.
In English a person might say "the city of Los Angeles" to refer to the specific city vs. "greater Los Angeles" to refer to the city plus the surrounding areas. In Mexico, "el municipio de Los Angeles" would be used for both, at least in the state of Jalisco.
I have noticed the same thing regarding "municipio" in Mexico; a person needs to be alert regarding context.
Hi...It all started with the Spaniards. I found a great article on municipios (see link below). Hope this helps! link text
Abuelala, I looked up "municipio" in my dictionary and it also says "municipality". In the US, that means an incorporated (by the laws of the state) entity that is self-governed (i.e. makes ordinances, commissions law enforcement, provides judicial system, streets, sewers, fire protection and other government services).
That is my understanding. Hope it helps!
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