Just one thing that I missed from the last post:

A "Ranchería" is a collection of ranchos.

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "Victor Villarreal" <vela_este@y...> 
wrote:
> Emilie,
> 
> In Mexico every State has a constitution that sets its own laws and 
> codes, including the definition and requirements of 
their "Political-
> Administrative Categories".  For example, I found on the Internet 
> some code from the State of Chiapas, which I believe is very much 
> like the code from other Mexican States.  What follows is a summary 
> as far as inhabitants is concerned:
> 
> Name            Inhabitants
> Ciudad (City) at least 10,000 
> Villa (Village) at least 5,000 
> Pueblo (Town) at least 2,500
> Rancherías, Etc. at least 300
>