Jamaica is divided into 14 parishes, which constitute the country's primary administrative divisions at Level 1 of its two-tier territorial structure. These parishes serve as the principal units for local governance and public administration, handling matters such as land registration, tax collection, and the delivery of essential government services to residents. Each parish operates under the oversight of parish councils that manage local infrastructure, sanitation, public markets, and community facilities. The parish system, established during the colonial era, remains the framework through which national policies are implemented at the local level and through which citizens access most government services. Parish boundaries also define jurisdictions for various national agencies, including the police force and the court system, making them integral to both civil administration and the maintenance of public order throughout Jamaica.