What is an apiary?

An apiary refers specifically to a location where beehives are maintained and managed for the purpose of keeping bees, usually for honey production or pollination services. This area can vary in size, from a single hive to many hives spread over a larger area. The term is derived from the Latin word "apiarium," which signifies a place for bees, highlighting its focus on the containment and care of bee colonies.

In contrast, while processing honey, storing equipment, or selling honey products are all related to beekeeping, they do not define what an apiary is. An apiary is fundamentally about the living colonies of bees and their hives rather than the products derived from or tools used in their management.