What does entidad federativa mean?

"Entidad federativa" refers to the constituent political units that make up a federation, such as states or provinces, within a federal system of government. In countries like Mexico, these entities have their own local governments and a degree of autonomy, allowing them to legislate on various matters while still being part of the larger national framework. Each entidad federativa operates under its own constitution or laws, contributing to the overall governance of the nation.