Definition of municipality

The word "municipality" originated in Latin during the Roman Empire. The Latin term "municipium" referred to a self-governing city or town established by the Roman government. The municipia were granted greater autonomy than regular coloniae (colonies), and they elected their own officials instead of being appointed by the Roman Senate. The concept of a municipality evolved over time, and during the Middle Ages, it became associated with a town governed by its own laws and customs, rather than as a subordinate of a larger feudal entity. In the 14th century, the English introduced the term "borough" for towns granted certain rights and privileges, and this term supplanted "municipality" in English-speaking countries until the 19th century. In modern times, the term "municipality" has been standardized to refer to a specific form of local government. According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a municipality is "an administrative unit, normally with corporate status and powers of self-government, serving a urban, urbanized or rural community." The ISO definition includes both urban and rural municipalities, unlike the older, more restrictive, urban-centric meaning. Today, municipalities cover a wide range of sizes and populations, ranging from small villages to major cities like New York, London, or Shanghai, depending on the context.