Municipalities constitute the second and lowest administrative level in the Netherlands, with 352 such divisions currently in operation. Dutch municipalities serve as the primary point of contact between citizens and government, holding responsibility for a wide range of local services and governance functions. These include spatial planning and building permits, public infrastructure maintenance, primary and secondary education facilities, social services and welfare programs, environmental management, and local taxation. Each municipality is governed by a directly-elected municipal council, which appoints executive aldermen and works alongside a mayor appointed by the Crown. Municipalities possess significant autonomy in implementing national policies and addressing local needs, though they operate within the framework of provincial and national legislation. The size and population of Dutch municipalities vary considerably, ranging from small rural communities to major cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam.