enclave

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɛnkleɪv/

noun

  • a portion of territory surrounded by a larger territory whose inhabitants are culturally or ethnically distinct: the besieged Muslim enclave of Srebrenica
  • a place or group that is different in character from those surrounding it: the engineering department is traditionally a male enclave

Origin:

mid 19th century: from French, from Old French enclaver 'enclose, dovetail', based on Latin clavis 'key'