Municipalities represent the second and final administrative level in Brazil's territorial organization, with 5,570 municipalities currently comprising the entire national territory. Brazilian municipalities function as autonomous political entities with their own elected mayors and legislative chambers, holding constitutional authority over local matters including urban planning, public transportation, primary healthcare, elementary education, and local tax collection. They manage essential services such as waste management, street maintenance, local licensing, and zoning regulations. The Brazilian Constitution of 1988 granted municipalities significant autonomy, establishing them as members of the federation alongside states and the federal government—a distinctive feature among Latin American countries. Municipal governments operate with independent budgets derived from local taxes, state transfers, and federal funds, allowing them to address the specific needs of their populations, which range from small rural communities of a few thousand residents to major metropolitan centers like São Paulo with over 12 million inhabitants.