Spain's 19 autonomous communities constitute the country's first-level administrative division, forming the primary tier in a three-level governance structure. These communities exercise substantial self-governance powers under Spain's 1978 Constitution, managing key areas such as education, healthcare, urban planning, social services, and regional economic development. Each community has its own parliament and executive government, with competencies that vary according to their respective statutes of autonomy. The communities collect certain taxes, administer public services, and maintain their own police forces in some cases. This decentralized system recognizes Spain's historical, cultural, and linguistic diversity while maintaining national unity under the central government in Madrid.