A welcome sign (or gateway sign) is a road sign at the border of a region that introduces or welcomes visitors to the region. Examples of welcome signs can be found near political borders, such as when entering a state, province, county, city, or town, and they are increasingly found in neighborhoods and private communities. In European countries under the Schengen Agreement, a welcome sign may be found at borders between countries. Its purpose is partly informational, to inform drivers where they are, and partly for tourism, as it affords an opportunity to advertise features within the region to people who are entering it. A welcome sign is a type of town sign — a sign placed at the entrance to and exit from a city, town, or village. In many jurisdictions, the format of town signs is stan