Ecuador is divided into 24 provinces, which serve as the primary administrative divisions of the country. As the first level of subnational government, provinces function as intermediaries between the national government and local municipalities. Provincial governments are responsible for coordinating regional development, managing infrastructure projects that span multiple municipalities, and overseeing services such as inter-municipal transportation networks and regional healthcare facilities. Each province is administered by a prefect and a provincial council, who work to implement national policies while addressing regional needs. Provinces also play a role in environmental management, agricultural development, and tourism promotion within their jurisdictions. This administrative structure allows Ecuador to balance centralized governance with regional autonomy, ensuring that policies can be adapted to the diverse geographic and demographic characteristics found across the country's coastal, highland, and Amazonian regions.