Venezuela is divided into 25 states, which constitute the primary administrative divisions of the country and represent the first of two levels of subnational government. These states function as autonomous political entities with their own governors and legislative councils, responsible for managing regional affairs including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and public safety within their territories. Each state has the authority to collect certain taxes, administer local programs, and coordinate with the federal government on national initiatives while maintaining jurisdiction over municipalities, which form the second administrative level. The states serve as the principal mechanism for decentralizing governance across Venezuela's diverse geographic regions, from coastal areas to the Andean highlands and the Llanos plains, allowing for administrative decisions tailored to local conditions and populations.