What Is a Community?

A community is a group of people who live and work in the same place.

People live in communities all over the world. One reason they live in communities is that they like to be with others. In a community, people feel that they belong.

The people who live in a community are called citizens. Citizens are part of a community.

The citizens of a community may belong to different groups. They may have different cultures. A culture is a way of life shared by members of a group. What people eat, how they speak and dress, and what they believe in are parts of their culture.

People depend on stores and other businesses in a community. In a business, workers make or sell things or do work for others.

Businesses help people in communities meet their wants. A want is something that people would like to have, such as a television. Some wants are needs. Food, clothing, and a place to live are all needs.

Businesses also provide jobs for people in the community. The money people earn from working can help them pay for their wants. In turn, businesses depend on people in a community to buy what the businesses sell.

Most communities have a government to make laws and see that they are followed. A government is a group of people that makes laws for a community, a state, or a country. In many communities, citizens choose the members of government. Government members meet to talk about and solve problems.

Most communities have places where people can come together. Schools are places where people come together to learn or hold meetings. People can also learn by using books and other materials at a library.

Communities also have places where people can spend their free time. These may include parks, community centers, and playgrounds.

Some communities have interesting places to visit. Theaters may offer movies, plays, and concerts. A community might also have museums.