In too many cases to mention, NEWSDAY (as do most efforts to cover the
history of Long Island) gets an "F" for geographic literacy.

Among the many geographic errors committed by NEWSDAY (and still committed by
NEWSDAY as well as many others), towns are called "townships", villages as
well as hamlets are called "towns", hamlets are referred to as unincorporated
villages and a place's mailing address community is confused for its true
community.  [I.E., The county seat of Nassau County is NOT in "Mineola"; it's
in the Village of Garden City (Mineola P.O.)]

I'm including (after my name) a NYS Geographic Glossary with the NYS
definitions of county, city, town, village, hamlet and postal zone.

I hope this information is useful or, at least, interesting.


Regards,

Walter Greenspan


There Are No Townships Here

.                The ZIP-zapping of New York State

Most people confuse terminology.  Many times a town is called "township" and
as many times, a hamlet is referred to as a town or village.  Adding to the
problem, there is great confusion between a community's border and the
border(s) of the (several) postal zone(s) that service that or part of that
community.

The LOCAL GOVERNMENT HANDBOOK, published by the State of New York Department
of State provides some useful help as it has the official definition of
cities, towns and villages.  (Townships and boroughs do not exist in New York
State and information about them is not included here.)  Copies of this
highly recommended publication can be obtained by eMailing
"[log in to unmask]".

     Cities, Towns, Villages, Hamlets and Postal Zones in New York State

New York State is divided into counties.

County
A county is a municipal corporation, a subdivision of the state, created to
perform state functions; a "regional" government  All counties are divided
into cities, towns and Indian reservations.

City
A city is a unique governmental entity with its own special charter.  Cities
are not sub-divided, except into neighborhoods which are informal geographic
areas.

Town
A town is a municipal corporation and encompasses all territory within the
state except that within cities or Indian reservations.  Towns can be
sub-divided into villages and hamlets.

Village
A village is a general purpose municipal corporation formed voluntarily by
the residents of an area in one or more towns to provide themselves with
municipal services.  The pattern of village organization is similar to those
of a city.  A village is divided into neighborhoods, which are informal
geographic areas.

Hamlet
A hamlet is an unincorporated area in one or more towns that is governed
at-large by the town(s) it is in.  A hamlet is divided into neighborhoods,
which are informal geographic areas.

Postal Zone "City" and "Town"
A postal zone "City" and "Town" is an administrative district established by
the U.S. Postal Service to deliver the mail.  Postal zone "City" and "Town"
may not (but are encouraged to) conform to municipal or community borders.
Thus, postal zone location does not always determine city, village or hamlet
location.


Please be aware:  In many areas of New York State, the problem of
non-conforming postal zones leads to a situation where the majority of places
have a different community name in their mailing address than the community
where that place is actually located.