Administrative centre facts for kids

An administrative centre is a special place where the main offices for a government area are located. Think of it like the headquarters for a city, county, or region. This is where important decisions are made and where the people who run the local government usually work.

What is an Administrative Centre?

An administrative centre is the main town or city that serves as the heart of a specific area. It's where the local government's offices are found. These offices might include the mayor's office, the city council, or other departments that manage public services.

For example, if you live in a county, the administrative centre is often called the county town. This is where the county government operates from. It's the central spot for managing things like roads, schools, and public safety for that whole area.

Different Names Around the World

Administrative centres can have different names depending on the country. Even though the name changes, their purpose is usually the same: to be the main hub for local government.

Chef-lieu

In countries like France, Belgium, Switzerland, Algeria, Luxembourg, and Tunisia, an administrative centre is often called a chef-lieu. This term means "chief place" or "head place." It's the main town of a canton, district, or other administrative division.

County Seat

In the United States, the administrative centre for a county is known as a county seat. This is where the county government buildings are located. These buildings often include the courthouse and other offices that serve the county's residents.

County Town

In Ireland and the United Kingdom, the main town of a county is called a county town. This town is historically and currently important as the centre for the county's administration and often its legal system.

Images for kids

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  Évian-les-Bains, administrative centre of the canton of Évian-les-Bains in Haute-Savoie, France

See also

In Spanish: Centro administrativo para niños