noun
A defined geographical or administrative division, such as a city ward, commercial zone, or residential block. Often used in official contexts and news reports.
この地区には学校が三つあります。
There are three schools in this district.
商業地区に新しい店ができた。
A new shop opened in the commercial area.
Compound of 地 (chi, 'land') and 区 (ku, 'ward' or 'section'). The word follows standard Sino-Japanese word formation and has been used since the Meiji era for administrative divisions.