Slovakia's administrative structure divides the country into 8 regions, which form the highest tier of its three-level territorial organization. These regions serve as self-governing units responsible for regional development, healthcare facilities, secondary education, cultural institutions, and transportation infrastructure. Each region operates through an elected regional council and governor, managing public services that extend beyond municipal capacity but remain below national jurisdiction. The regional governments coordinate spatial planning, maintain regional roads, oversee specialist healthcare facilities, and administer upper-secondary schools and cultural venues such as galleries, theaters, and libraries. This intermediate level of administration bridges the gap between local municipalities and the central government in Bratislava, facilitating more efficient delivery of public services across geographically and economically distinct areas of the country.