Colombia is divided into 33 departments, which constitute the country's primary level of administrative division in a two-tiered subnational system. Departments function as intermediate governing units between the national government and municipalities, exercising authority over regional planning, infrastructure development, healthcare coordination, and education oversight within their territories. Each department maintains its own governor, elected by popular vote, along with a departmental assembly that legislates on local matters and approves budgets. These entities manage public services that extend beyond municipal capacity, including secondary roads, regional hospitals, and agricultural programs. Departments also serve as conduits for implementing national policies at the regional level and collecting certain taxes, though they operate with less fiscal autonomy than municipalities.