Turkey's 81 provinces (iller) serve as the country's primary administrative divisions, functioning as Level 1 units in a two-tier system of local government. Each province is headed by a governor (vali) appointed by the central government, who acts as the representative of the Turkish state and coordinates national ministries at the provincial level. Provinces handle a wide range of administrative functions including public security, education, health services, infrastructure development, and the implementation of national policies. They also oversee the collection of certain taxes and maintenance of civil registries. The provincial administration works alongside elected municipal governments, with the governor maintaining authority over law enforcement and representing central government interests while elected mayors handle local municipal services within cities and towns.