The administrative structure of the Republic of Türkiye is a unitary system organized into several hierarchical levels of territorial governance. It combines centralized state oversight with local self-governance. The framework is defined primarily by the 1982 Constitution, Law No. 5442 on Provincial Administration, and Law No. 5216 on Metropolitan Municipalities, along with various sector-specific laws.
Türkiye is divided into 81 provinces (il), which are further subdivided into districts (ilçe), municipalities (belediye), and neighborhoods (mahalle) or villages (köy). Each province is overseen by a centrally appointed governor, while local governance is carried out by elected mayors and municipal councils.
Provinces (İller)
Türkiye consists of 81 provinces, each serving as the highest-level administrative unit. Each province has a capital district, typically bearing the same name (e.g., Izmir province and Izmir city). Provinces are governed by a Governor (Vali), appointed by the President based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Interior. The legal basis for provincial administration is Law No. 5442.
Location Codes
Each province has a designated two-digit location code that is featured on license plates. The first 67 were assigned alphabetically to existing provinces in 1962. All urban centers, which were recognized as provinces later, have been assigned the following available number. As of 2025, Türkiye's provinces have the following location codes:
01 - Adana
02 - Adıyaman
03 - Afyonkarahisar
04 - Ağrı
05 - Amasya
06 - Ankara
07 - Antalya
08 - Artvin
09 - Aydın
10 - Balıkesir
11 - Bilecik
12 - Bingöl
13 - Bitlis
14 - Bolu
15 - Burdur
16 - Bursa
17 - Çanakkale
18 - Çankırı
19 - Çorum
20 - Denizli
21 - Diyarbakır
22 - Edirne
23 - Elazığ
24 - Erzincan
25 - Erzurum
26 - Eskişehir
27 - Gaziantep
28 - Giresun
29 - Gümüşhane
30 - Hakkari
31 - Hatay
32 - Isparta
33 - Mersin
34 - İstanbul
35 - İzmir
36 - Kars
37 - Kastamonu
38 - Kayseri
39 - Kırklareli
40 - Kırşehir
41 - Kocaeli
42 - Konya
43 - Kütahya
44 - Malatya
45 - Manisa
46 - Kahramanmaraş
47 - Mardin
48 - Muğla
49 - Muş
50 - Nevşehir
51 - Niğde
52 - Ordu
53 - Rize
54 - Sakarya
55 - Samsun
56 - Siirt
57 - Sinop
58 - Sivas
59 - Tekirdağ
60 - Tokat
61 - Trabzon
62 - Tunceli
63 - Şanlıurfa
64 - Uşak
65 - Van
66 - Yozgat
67 - Zonguldak
68 - Aksaray
69 - Bayburt
70 - Karaman
71 - Kırıkkale
72 - Batman
73 - Şırnak
74 - Bartın
75 - Ardahan
76 - Iğdır
77 - Yalova
78 - Karabük
79 - Kilis
80 - Osmaniye
81 - Düzce
Districts (İlçeler)
Provinces are subdivided into 973 districts. Each district is governed by a District Governor (Kaymakam), also appointed by the central government. Districts may include both urban and rural areas.
Municipalities (Belediyeler)
Municipalities are the principal units of local governance. They are classified as:
• Metropolitan Municipalities (Büyükşehir Belediyesi) – Found in 30 of the 81 provinces.
• District Municipalities (İlçe Belediyesi) – Operating within metropolitan provinces.
• Town Municipalities (Belde Belediyesi) – Serving smaller settlements.
Municipalities are led by elected Mayors (Belediye Başkanı) and Municipal Councils (Belediye Meclisi), who serve five-year terms. Local governance is primarily regulated by Law No. 5393 on Municipalities and Law No. 5216 on Metropolitan Municipalities.
Metropolitan Municipality System
In Türkiye’s largest urban centers, a two-tiered system applies: a central Metropolitan Municipality coordinates citywide services, while each district has its own elected District Mayor. The Metropolitan Mayor oversees services such as public transport, water management, waste disposal, and large infrastructure projects. This system is governed by Law No. 5216.
As of 2025, there are 30 metropolitan municipalities in Türkiye (in alphabetical order):
1. Adana
2. Ankara
3. Antalya
4. Aydın
5. Balıkesir
6. Bursa
7. Denizli
8. Diyarbakır
9. Erzurum
10. Eskişehir
11. Gaziantep
12. Hatay
13. Istanbul
14. Izmir
15. Kahramanmaraş
16. Kayseri
17. Kocaeli
18. Konya
19. Malatya
20. Manisa
21. Mardin
22. Mersin
23. Muğla
24. Ordu
25. Sakarya
26. Samsun
27. Şanlıurfa
28. Tekirdağ
29. Trabzon
30. Van
Neighborhoods and Villages (Mahalle & Köy)
Neighborhoods (Mahalle) are the smallest administrative units in urban areas. Each is represented by a Muhtar, elected by residents. Villages (Köy) are the rural counterparts and are also headed by a Muhtar and a Village Council (İhtiyar Heyeti). While muhtars are elected, they do not have legislative or financial authority.
Central Oversight and Autonomy
Despite elements of local self-governance, Türkiye maintains a highly centralized administrative system. Governors and district governors serve as representatives of the central state and supervise the legality and functionality of local governments. The Ministry of Interior has broad authority to inspect, audit, and if necessary, suspend or replace local officials under investigation.
Role in Public Services
Local governments manage services such as public transportation, zoning, sanitation, cultural and recreational services, and some infrastructure projects. Core sectors—education, policing, healthcare, and social welfare—remain under central government control.
