Tanit  +  508407 Fri, 02 May 08 10:17 AM Hi, I was wondering if there's a term or expression in English for what in Italian we'd call (if that were to be literally translated) an "administrative island". A quick search on google seems to suggest that this expression exists, but with a meaning different from the one I'd want to convey. Municipalities are administrative units; their territory can be displayed on a map by means of borders. Usually, in a map we have one polygon for each municipality. Now, let's say that a part of this administrative unity is completely separated from the rest, but it is not an island in the sea or in the middle of a lake/river ... this is quite common in Italy for historical reasons. What would you call it? (If my attempt to describe what I'm looking for does not make any sense, please feel free to ask for more information ). Many thanks in advance! Tanit Joined on Mon, Jul 31 2006 Senior Member 3,009 There is no greater pain than to remember a happy time when one is in misery. (Dante)

	Philip  +  508515 Fri, 02 May 08 02:44 PM I've never heard the term, but I think that within a context such as you have given, "administrative island" would be perfectly understoon.  It is isolated, figuratively,  from the others. Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,612 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen

	Grammar Geek  +  508564 Fri, 02 May 08 03:59 PM Could you call it a non-continguous portion? Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,506 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Delmobile  +  508574 Fri, 02 May 08 04:09 PM Will "enclave" do?   Delmobile Joined on Wed, Jan 2 2008 Contributing Member 1,017

	CalifJim  +  508709 Fri, 02 May 08 09:27 PM  Sounds like Alaska or Hawaii with respect to the U.S. I'm with GG on this one.  I'd use the word 'non-contiguous' -- something like 'non-contiguous territory'. territory, area, zone -- whatever.  CJ  CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,128 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Tanit  +  508876 Sat, 03 May 08 09:06 AM CalifJim “ Sounds like Alaska or Hawaii with respect to the U.S.” Yep! Exactly. On a much smaller scale, though! Seems there's no standard expression for this, right? Thank you very much, Philip, Barb, Del and CJ. I will probably use all of your suggestions, so as not to bore the readers. Tanit