A ward is a local authority area, typically used for electoral purposes. Wards are usually named after neighbourhoods, thoroughfares, parishes, landmarks, geographical features and in some cases historical figures connected to the area. It is common in the United States for wards to simply be numbered. In Swahili/Kiswahili Local Ward is called Kata. In the case of a municipal amalgamation, the former cities and towns that make up the new metropolis may be referred to as wards.