Shiretowns are administrative centers in England typically located in historic counties. Other words that can be used synonymously with shiretowns include county seats, county towns, and capital cities. These terms are often used interchangeably, however, they can differ in their exact meanings. County seats are the locations where county government is conducted, whereas county towns may refer to any town within a county. Capital cities, on the other hand, usually refer to the official city where the government is located. Other synonyms for shiretowns may include administrative centers, government hubs, or regional centers. Regardless of the synonym used, shiretowns play a significant role in the governance and the history of English counties.