Wikimedia chapters are independent organizations founded to support and promote the Wikimedia projects within a specified geographical region, such as a country or state. Like the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF), they aim to "empower and engage people around the world to collect and develop educational content under a free license or in the public domain, and to disseminate it effectively and globally".
As of April 2013, there are 39 chapters which currently exist, with at least one Chapter on every continent of the world (except Antarctica). Existing chapters sign an agreement, known as Chapter Agreements with the Wikimedia Foundation. Individual chapters can seek help from fellow chapters via the Wikimedia Chapters Association. New chapters are created via the Affiliations Committee (also known as Wikimedia Chapcom).