Corregimiento

Corregimiento (; , ) is a Spanish term used for country subdivisions for royal administrative purposes, ensuring districts were under crown control as opposed to local elites. A "corregimiento" was usually headed by a corregidor.
Historical corregimientos.
"Corregimientos" were found historically in the Kingdom of Castile, the Kingdom of Aragon, and the Spanish West Indies.
Castile.
In Old Castile "corregimientos" existed since the 13th century and were the administrative divisions of the "Junta General de las Siete Merindades de Castilla Vieja". After the Nueva Planta decrees under the rule of Philip V—the first Bourbon king of Spain, the "corregidor" was replaced by an intendant. "Corregimientos" in Castile existed until 1835, the year in which the municipal administration was reorganized under Queen Isabel II.
Crown of Aragon.
In the territories of Aragon, Catalonia, and the Land of Valencia formerly under the ancient Crown of Aragon, the "corregimiento" () replaced the former administrative divisions following the Nueva Planta decrees. However, "corregimientos" disappeared in this area during the French occupation, being replaced by the territorial divisions of the French military rulers. Corregimientos were finally superseded following the territorial division of Spain in 1833.
Captaincy General of Guatemala.
The "corregimiento" of Totonicapán and Huehuetenango was a division under the Audiencia of Guatemala from 1547 to 1678, when it was reorganised as an "alcaldía mayor".
Present-day "corregimientos".
Colombia.
The "corregimientos" of Colombia are smaller units than the historical ones. The word is used for the population centers that don't reach the level of municipality. They are thus under a municipality or a department.
Panama.
The "corregimientos" of Panama are district subdivisions. They are led by the "Representante de Corregimiento", also known as a "corregidor".