  The characteristics of the cluster systems of the Magellanic Clouds, as
inferred from integrated properties, are compared with those from individual
cluster studies and from the field population. The agreement is generally
satisfactory though in the case of the LMC, the lack of clusters older than ~3
Gyr is not reflected in the field population. The possible origin(s) for this
cluster ``age-gap'' are discussed. The SMC cluster age-metallicity relation is
also presented and discussed.
