From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Governorates (Arabic: محافظات; muhafazat, sing. muhafazah) are the second level of regional administration within Saudi Arabia. Each of Saudi Arabia's 13 emirates is sub-divided into governorates. Governorates are further sub-divided into sub-governorates (marakiz, sing. markaz), though some sub-governorates report directly to the emirate capital rather than to one of the governorates. Emirate capitals themselves are not included within any governorate but are instead governed by "municipalities" (amanah), with each municipality being headed by a mayor (amin). Governorates in Saudi Arabia can be either "Category A" or "Category B", depending on population size.
