Sweden is divided into 21 counties (län), which constitute the first level of administrative division in the country's two-tier system. Each county is governed by a county administrative board (länsstyrelse) appointed by the national government, responsible for coordinating state-level functions and implementing national policies at the regional level. Counties handle matters including regional development, environmental protection, public health oversight, cultural heritage preservation, and coordination of emergency services. They serve as an intermediary between the national government and Sweden's 290 municipalities, ensuring that state interests are represented while supporting local governance. Additionally, each county has an elected regional council that manages healthcare services and public transportation, though these councils operate separately from the county administrative boards.