Markaz (country subdivision)

Markaz is an Arabic term meaning "center." In the Middle East, the word (or a Farsi and Turkish derivative) is sometimes used for second-level country subdivisions. Among these are:

Markazes of Egypt
Markaz in Saudi Arabia, below Governorates of Saudi Arabia
The capital city of a province of Iran
In Turkey, a merkez is a district (ilçe) that serves as the capital of a province.

Arabic terms for country subdivisions

First-level	Muhafazah (محافظة governorate) Wilayah (ولاية province) Mintaqah (منطقة region) Mudiriyah (مديرية directorate) Imarah (إمارة emirate) Baladiyah (بلدية municipality) Shabiyah (شعبية "popularate")

Second / third-level	Mintaqah (منطقة region) Qadaa (قضاء district) Nahiyah (ناحية subdistrict) Markaz (مركز district) Mutamadiyah (معتمدية "delegation") Daerah/Daïra (دائرة circle) Liwa (لواء banner / sanjak)

City / township-level	Amanah (أمانة municipality) Baladiyah (بلدية municipality) Ḥai (حي neighborhood / quarter) Mahallah (محلة) Sheyakhah (شياخة "neighborhood subdivision")

English translations given are those most commonly used.