Original: A Territorial collectivity ( and sometimes collectivité locale) within the French Republic, is the generic name for all subnational entities and dependent areas which have an elected local government and (per article #72 of the French constitution) a "certain freedom of administration".
Simplified: A Territorial collectivity ( or sometimes called collectivité locale) in the French Republic, is a name for all dependent areas. They have an elected local government and (per article #72 of the French constitution) a "certain freedom of administration".