A municipality is a geographic area with its own local government, created under provincial legislation to provide services and governance at the community level. Municipalities include cities, towns, villages, rural municipalities, counties, and regional districts, with specific types and names varying by province. Each municipality has defined boundaries, an elected council, authority to levy taxes, and responsibility for local services. Municipalities range from tiny villages of a few hundred people to metropolitan centres with millions of residents. While municipalities vary greatly in size and capacity, they share common functions of providing local infrastructure, delivering community services, and representing residents' interests in local governance.