Districts represent the third and most localized level of administrative division in Costa Rica, with 488 districts comprising the country's territorial organization. As the smallest official subdivision, districts form the basic units for local governance and serve primarily administrative and electoral functions. They facilitate the delivery of municipal services, including civil registration, public works maintenance, and community development programs. Districts operate under the authority of their parent canton's municipal government rather than maintaining independent administrative bodies, though they may have local representatives or councils that coordinate with municipal authorities. This structure enables more targeted resource allocation and allows residents to access government services closer to their communities. Districts also function as the fundamental geographic units for census data collection, electoral organization, and the implementation of national policies at the grassroots level.