A Rural Municipality (RM) is a type of local government in the Prairie provinces (Saskatchewan and Manitoba) governing rural areas including farmland, villages, and small towns. RMs cover larger geographic areas than urban municipalities, with sparse populations spread across the territory. RMs are governed by elected councils led by a reeve or mayor. They provide services adapted to rural needs: gravel road maintenance, drainage, land use planning for agricultural areas, and sometimes fire protection. In Saskatchewan, over 290 RMs cover the southern agricultural region. The term reflects the distinct history of Prairie settlement and the continuing importance of agriculture and resource industries in these areas.