Category:Populated places by period of establishment

This is a container category. Due to its scope, it should contain only subcategories.

Where reliable foundation dates exist, articles describing populated places (including cities, towns and villages) should be categorised by year for 1500 and later, by decade from the 1200s to the 1490s, by century from the 10th century BC to the 13th century and by millennium for the 2nd millennium BC and earlier. Prior to 1500, where greater dating accuracy exists, articles should also be placed in the appropriate Establishments by year category. For any period in history, if reliable information does not narrow down the point of foundation beyond a given time period then articles should only be categorised by the most specific time period (i.e. decade, century or millennium) as indicated by reliable sources and without breaking the aforementioned scheme.

Details such as when a place was first mentioned in historical records, was incorporated or otherwise underwent a reorganization of its local government are not considered as dates of foundation.