Finland's 309 municipalities constitute the third and lowest level of administration in the country's governance structure. Municipalities hold significant autonomous authority and are responsible for providing most public services that directly affect residents' daily lives, including primary and secondary education, healthcare through municipal health centers, social services, urban planning and zoning, local infrastructure maintenance, and public utilities such as water and waste management. They possess independent taxation powers and elect their own councils through direct democratic elections held every four years. This strong municipal autonomy reflects the Nordic tradition of local self-governance, though municipalities often collaborate through joint municipal authorities to provide specialized services more efficiently, particularly in healthcare and social welfare.