Lima province in the context of "Provinces of Peru"

The departments (Spanish: departamentos), informally called regions (Spanish: regiones), are the first-level administrative subdivisions of Peru. According to the Organic Law of Regional Governments, each department is administered by a regional government and a legislature responsible for administration, economic planning, and public services. These governments operate with autonomy while still coordinating with national authorities. Each department is led by a regional governor, who is elected by popular vote for a four-year term, and is responsible for implementing regional policies, managing budgets, and overseeing infrastructure projects. The governor is supported by a regional legislative council, composed of elected representatives from different provinces within the department. This council approves budgets, monitors public investments, and ensures government accountability.

There are 24 departments in total, as well as two provinces that operate under a special regime: Callao and Lima. The former does not belong to any department since 1836, but is nevertheless administered by a regional government of its own. The latter is administered by the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima, which is equal in status to a regional government.

Callao (Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈʎao]) is a seaside city and constitutional province in Peru. Located next to the Pacific Ocean, it forms part of the Lima metropolitan area alongside Lima province. Its autonomous status dates back to 1836, when it was declared a Littoral Province of the Peru–Bolivian Confederation, after which it was declared a Constitutional Province by the government of Ramón Castilla in 1857.

Callao is Peru's chief seaport and home to its main airport, Jorge Chávez International Airport. Founded in 1537 by the Spaniards, the city has a long naval history as one of the main ports in Latin America and the Pacific, having been a vital Spanish town during the colonial era. Central Callao is about 15 km (9.3 mi) west of the Historic Centre of Lima.

The regional Governments (Spanish: gobiernos regionales) of the government of Peru administer each of the country's 24 departments, as well as the Constitutional Province of Callao and the Province of Metropolitan Lima. It has political, economic, and administrative autonomy in the subjects of its matter. The Constitution of Peru first mandated the establishment of regional governments in 1979.

Lima (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈlima]; Jaqaru: Nimaja, [niˈmaxa]) is a department of Peru. Located in the country's central coast, it is administered by a regional government based in Huacho, whose jurisdiction does not include the quasi-autonomous special regime of the Province of Lima, coterminous with the country's capital, Lima.