Guatemala is divided into 22 departaments, which serve as the country's primary administrative divisions at the first level of territorial organization. These departaments function as intermediate governing units between the national government and the 340 municipalities that comprise the second administrative level. Each departament is headed by a governor appointed by the President of Guatemala, who acts as the central government's representative in the region. Departaments coordinate the implementation of national policies, oversee public services such as health and education within their jurisdictions, and facilitate communication between municipal governments and federal authorities. They also manage regional infrastructure projects and maintain public order through departmental police forces. While municipalities handle local governance and direct service delivery to citizens, departaments provide broader administrative oversight and ensure consistency in the application of national programs across their territories.