administrative area map level

(Data West Research Agency definition: see GIS glossary.) A map definition level of a virtual map. It describes the planning and operational areas used in daily municipal operations. Boundary lines for administrative areas generally follow street segments, but may cut street or even parcel boundaries at times. Each administrative area definition is established independent of the other; rarely will any two sets of districts be the same. The map stores descriptive and digital boundary identifications that can be related to facility, legal and base geography area definitions as required. Examples of administrative area definitions are: census tracts, health districts, police beats or districts, fire response areas, planning districts, transportation zones, etc.