Belgium's eleven provinces function as intermediate administrative divisions between the federal regions and the municipalities. Positioned at the second level of the country's four-tier administrative structure, provinces handle matters such as territorial planning, economic development, cultural affairs, and provincial road maintenance. Each province is governed by a provincial council elected every six years and an executive body headed by a governor appointed by the regional government. The provinces facilitate coordination between local municipalities and implement regional policies within their territories. However, their role has diminished over time as the federal regions have assumed many of their former responsibilities, particularly in Flanders where provincial competencies have been significantly reduced in favor of direct regional administration.