An unincorporated area is territory not within any municipality, where provincial government directly provides services that would otherwise be municipal responsibilities. Unincorporated areas exist mainly in northern regions with sparse populations where creating municipalities isn't practical. Local taxation districts or improvement districts may provide some services in unincorporated areas. Provincial staff deliver services like road maintenance while residents may access provincial services offices. Some provinces have very little unincorporated area while others (particularly those with vast northern territories) have substantial land outside municipal boundaries. Residents of unincorporated areas lack local elected representation for municipal-type services, instead relying on provincial administration. Unincorporated areas can incorporate as municipalities if populations grow enough to warrant local government.