List of municipalities and municipal districts of the Dominican Republic

The provinces of the Dominican Republic are divided into two or more municipalities (municipios singular municipio) with the exception of the Distrito Nacional which consist of only one municipality – Santo Domingo. They are the second-level political and administrative subdivisions of the country.

The division of the provinces into municipalities is laid down in the constitution (Titulo I Seccion II Art. 5 2002 constitution). and enacted by law. Currently by law 5220 about the territorial division of the Dominican Republic (Ley No. 5220 sobre División Territorial de la República Dominicana) issued 1959 and frequently amended to create new provinces, municipalities and lower level administrative units.

The municipalities are governed by municipal councils (ayuntamientos) and a mayor (Síndico) elected by their inhabitants as determined by the constitution (Titulo VIII Art. 82 2002 constitution) and law 3455 about the administration of municipalities (Ley 3455 de Organización Municipal).

When a municipality consists of more than one urban center those beside the municipality's seat can be elevated to the status of a municipal district (distrito municipal). A municipal council (Junta Municipal) for such a municipal district is nominated by the municipal council of the municipality to which it belongs (Ley 3455 Titulo I Capitulo IV).

The rural parts of a municipality are divided into districts (Secciones literally sections) which are further divided into neighborhoods (Parajes literally places). The municipal councils appoint district mayors (Alcalde pedáneo) which represent the municipal administration at district level (Ley 3455 Titulo I Capitulo V).

As the municipalities differ largely by population they or the urban centers of them may be cities (Ciudades), the capital of a province or with more than 10,000 inhabitants, towns (Villas), the seat of a municipality or with more than 1,000 inhabitants or villages (Poblados) with less than 1,000 inhabitants.

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