* A chemical compound: It's formed from the elements calcium (Ca), carbon (C), and oxygen (O).
* An inorganic compound: It doesn't contain carbon bonded to hydrogen, which is the defining characteristic of organic compounds.
* A salt: It's formed by the reaction of a base (calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2) and an acid (carbonic acid, H2CO3).
* A mineral: It occurs naturally in various forms like calcite, aragonite, and vaterite.
* A rock-forming mineral: It's a major component of many rocks, including limestone, marble, and chalk.
So, depending on the context, calcium carbonate can be categorized in many ways.