A municipal district (MD) is a form of rural municipality in Alberta, providing local government for areas outside cities and towns. Municipal districts govern large geographic areas with relatively sparse populations, delivering services appropriate to rural settings including road maintenance, agricultural services, and land use planning. MD councils are elected by residents within defined divisions. Relationships between municipal districts and adjacent urban municipalities can be complex, involving issues like annexation pressures, intermunicipal development plans, and service agreements. Alberta has approximately 60 municipal districts, some covering thousands of square kilometres with substantial agricultural and resource industry activity.