Kazakhstan is divided into 17 regions that serve as the country's primary administrative divisions at Level 1 of its 2-tier system. These regions function as intermediate governing units between the national government and local districts, with responsibility for implementing state policies, managing regional budgets, and coordinating public services across their territories. Regional administrations oversee matters such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and economic planning within their jurisdictions. Each region is headed by an akim (governor) appointed by the president, who acts as the representative of central authority while addressing local needs and priorities. This administrative structure allows Kazakhstan to balance centralized governance with regional management across its vast geographic expanse.