Cabo Verde's 22 municipalities (concelhos) constitute the second administrative level in the country's three-tier governance structure. These municipalities serve as the primary units of local government, positioned between the national government and the individual parishes (freguesias) below them. Each municipality is governed by a municipal council and assembly, responsible for delivering essential public services including urban planning, waste management, local infrastructure maintenance, and civil registration. Municipalities also oversee local taxation, market regulation, and community development initiatives within their jurisdictions. This administrative framework reflects Cabo Verde's Portuguese colonial heritage, as the municipal system follows similar patterns established in other Lusophone countries. The municipalities vary considerably in geographic size and population, ranging from smaller island communities to larger urban centers like Praia and Mindelo, requiring different approaches to service delivery and resource allocation.