I understand that Bitcoin is a distributed system based on the blockchain, and I understand that transfers/transactions are stored in the blockchain, which exists on many servers around the internet.
But where are wallet/account addresses stored?
I understand that there are different kinds of wallet apps, local, online, etc. But the number/string that represents the wallet address within the Bitcoin ecosystem: where does that primarily live? When you create a wallet and produce that address number, do you take dibs on it in some way such that nobody else can get the same address number? What prevents duplication? Is there a null transaction recorded in the blockchain everytime a new wallet is created for the purpose of taking dibs on the wallet address?
I have no idea what I'm saying or talking about--please elucidate!