Which part of the flag is commonly referred to as the "canton"?

The canton of a flag refers specifically to the upper left corner section that contains the stars in the U.S. flag. This distinction is significant as the canton has historical and symbolic importance, representing the original thirteen colonies and their unity, as well as the current fifty states. The area is often a focal point of the flag, where the stars are displayed prominently against a contrasting background. Understanding the terminology related to flag parts is important for recognizing the design elements and historical significance of the flag. The other parts mentioned, such as the bottom stripe, the middle section, or the area surrounding the flagpole, do not correspond to the recognized term "canton" and therefore are not relevant to this question.