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Mapping the Kingdom

An in-depth exploration of Saudi Arabia's administrative framework, focusing on its governorates and their role in governance.

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Overview

Administrative Structure

The governorates of Saudi Arabia represent the second-tier administrative divisions within the Kingdom. They are established under the Provinces System, serving as crucial units for local governance and administration across the nation. Each governorate operates under the purview of its respective first-level province.

Key Details

Native Name: محافظات المملكة العربية السعودية (Muḥāfaẓāt al-Mamlakah al-ʻArabīyah as-Saʻūdīyah)
Country: Saudi Arabia[1]
Number: 136 (as of 2012)
Established: 1992
Administered by: Governors

Geographic Context

These governorates are integral to the administrative map of Saudi Arabia, falling under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom's 13 first-level provinces. They ensure localized administration and service delivery, reflecting the country's vast geography and diverse population centers.

Classification System

Categorization Criteria

Governorates are systematically categorized into three distinct levels. This classification is determined by a combination of factors, including population density, the availability and accessibility of public services, specific geographic and environmental conditions, prevailing security considerations, and the robustness of transportation infrastructure.

The Three Tiers

The established categories are:

  • Capital (Amānah): This designation is reserved for the administrative capital of each province.
  • Category A: Governorates meeting specific criteria for development and services.
  • Category B: Governorates that form the remaining administrative units.

This tiered system was formally established in Article 3 of the Provinces System, initially issued in 1992 and subsequently amended in 1993.[1][2]

Historical Development

Genesis of the System

The foundational framework for the governorates, known as the Provinces System, was enacted in 1992 via a royal order issued by King Fahd. At its inception, the system comprised 118 governorates, designed to decentralize governmental authority and enhance administrative efficiency by empowering local leadership.

Expansion and Evolution

In 2012, under the reign of King Abdullah, the number of governorates was expanded to 136. This increase reflected the Kingdom's demographic growth and evolving geographical needs, ensuring the administrative structure remained relevant and effective across its expanding territories.[3]

Governance Structure

Appointed Leadership

Each governorate is headed by a governor, officially titled muḥāfiẓ. This position is appointed directly by royal decree, ensuring a high level of authority and direct connection to the central government. A deputy governor typically assists the governor in managing the administrative affairs of the governorate.

Local Centers

Further subdividing the governorates are administrative units known as centers (مر اكز - marākiz), also referred to as sub-governorates. These centers are crucial for local service delivery, acting as the primary interface between the populace and the administrative structure, and coordinating effectively with provincial authorities.[2]

Comprehensive List of Governorates

Saudi Arabia's Administrative Divisions

Below is a detailed listing of the governorates within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, categorized by their respective provinces, along with population data from the 2010 census. This table provides a granular view of the administrative landscape.

Governorates of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Index Governorate Region Population
2010 Census
Remarks
1 Riyadh Riyadh Province 5,254,560
2 Diriyah Riyadh Province 73,668
3 Al-Kharj Riyadh Province 376,325
4 Dawadmi Riyadh Province 217,305
5 Al-Majma'ah Riyadh Province 133,285
6 Al-Quway'iyah Riyadh Province 126,161
7 Wadi ad-Dawasir Riyadh Province 106,152
8 Al-Aflaj Riyadh Province 68,201
9 Al-Zulf Riyadh Province 69,201
10 Shaqra Riyadh Province 40,541
11 Hotat Bani Tamim Riyadh Province 43,300
12 Afif Riyadh Province 77,978
13 As Sulayyil Riyadh Province 36,383
14 Dhurma Riyadh Province 24,429
15 Al-Muzahmiyya Riyadh Province 39,865
16 Rumah Riyadh Province 28,055
17 Thadig Riyadh Province 17,165
18 Huraymila Riyadh Province 15,324
19 Al-Hariq Riyadh Province 14,750
20 Al-Ghat Riyadh Province 14,405
21 Mecca Mecca Province 1,675,368
22 Jeddah Mecca Province 3,456,259
23 Taif Mecca Province 987,914
24 Al-Qunfudhah Mecca Province 272,424
25 Al-Lith Mecca Province 128,529
26 Rabigh Mecca Province 92,072
27 Al-Jumum Mecca Province 92,222
28 Khulays Mecca Province 56,687
29 Al-Kamil Mecca Province 21,419
30 Al-Khurmah Mecca Province 42,223
31 Ranyah Mecca Province 45,942
32 Turubah Mecca Province 43,947
33 Medina Medina Province 1,180,770
34 Yanbu Medina Province 298,675
35 al-Ula Medina Province 64,591
36 Mahd Al-Dhahab Medina Province 62,511
37 Badr Medina Province 63,468
38 Khaybar Medina Province 48,592
39 Al-Hinakiyah Medina Province 59,326
40 Buraidah Al-Qassim Province 614,093
41 Unaizah Al-Qassim Province 163,729
42 Ar Rass Al-Qassim Province 133,482
43 Al-Mithnab Al-Qassim Province 44,043
44 Al-Bukayriyah Al-Qassim Province 57,621
45 Al-Badayea Al-Qassim Province 57,164
46 Asyah Al-Qassim Province 26,336
47 Al-Nabhaniyah Al-Qassim Province 47,744
48 Uyun AlJiwa Al-Qassim Province 26,544
49 Riyadh Al-Khabra Al-Qassim Province 34,497
50 Al-Shimasiyah Al-Qassim Province 10,605
51 Dammam Eastern Province 903,597
52 Al-Ahsa Eastern Province 1,063,112
53 Hafar al-Batin Eastern Province 389,993
54 Jubail Eastern Province 378,949
55 Qatif Eastern Province 524,182
56 Khobar Eastern Province 578,500
57 Khafji Eastern Province 76,279
58 Ras Tanura Eastern Province 60,750
59 Abqaiq Eastern Province 53,444
60 Al-Nairyah Eastern Province 52,340
61 Qaryat al-Ulya Eastern Province 24,634
62 Abha Asir Province 1,093,705
63 Khamis Mushait Asir Province 512,599
64 Bisha Asir Province 205,346
65 Al-Namas Asir Province 54,119
66 Muhayil Asir Province 228,979 now includes Bareq (60,000)
previously in Mecca Province.
67 Sarat Abidah Asir Province 67,120
68 Tathlith Asir Province 59,188
69 Rijal Almaa Asir Province 65,406 now includes Al-Haridhah (18,586)
previously in Jazan Province.
70 Ahad Rafidah Asir Province 113,043
71 Dhahran Al-Janub Asir Province 63,119
72 Balqarn Asir Province 74,391 previously known as Sabt Alalaya.
73 Al-Majaridah Asir Province 103,531
74 Tabuk Tabuk Province 569,797
75 Al-Wajh Tabuk Province 44,570
76 Duba Tabuk Province 51,951
77 Tayma Tabuk Province 36,199
78 Umluj Tabuk Province 61,162
79 Ha'il va'il Province 412,758
80 Baqaa va'il Province 40,157
81 Al-Khazaiah va'il Province 102,588
82 Al-Shinan va'il Province 41,641
83 Arar Northern Borders Province 191,051
84 Rafha Northern Borders Province 80,544
85 Turaif Northern Borders Province 48,929
86 Jizan Jazan Province 157,536
87 Sabya Jazan Province 228,375
88 Abu `Arish Jazan Province 197,112
89 Samtah Jazan Province 201,656
90 Al-Harth Jazan Province 18,586
91 Damad Jazan Province 71,601
92 Al-Reeth Jazan Province 18,961
93 Baish Jazan Province 77,442
94 Farasan Jazan Province 17,999
95 Al-Dayer Jazan Province 58,494
96 Ahad al-Masarihah Jazan Province 110,710
97 Al-Edabi Jazan Province 60,799
98 Al-Aridhah Jazan Province 76,705
99 Al-Darb Jazan Province 69,134
100 Harub Jazan Province 26,399
101 Najran Najran Province 329,112
102 Sharurah Najran Province 85,977
103 Hubuna Najran Province 20,400
104 Badr Al-Janub Najran Province 11,117
105 Yadamah Najran Province 16,851
106 Thar Najran Province 16,047
107 Khubash Najran Province 22,133
108 Al-Kharkhir Najran Province 4,015 previously in Eastern Province.
109 Al-Bahah Al-Bahah Province 103,411
110 Baljurashi Al-Bahah Province 65,223
111 Al-Mandaq Al-Bahah Province 35,629
112 Al-Makhwah Al-Bahah Province 70,664
113 Al-Aqiq Al-Bahah Province 47,235
114 Qilwah Al-Bahah Province 58,246
115 Al-Qara Al-Bahah Province 31,380 the villages’, sometimes referenced by
the largest town, Al-Atawelah.
116 Sakakah Al-Jouf Province 242,813
117 Qurayyat Al-Jouf Province 147,550
118 Dumat al-Jandal Al-Jouf Province 49,646
119 Tabuk Province Tabuk Province 569,797
120 Al-Wajh Tabuk Province 44,570
121 Duba Tabuk Province 51,951
122 Tayma Tabuk Province 36,199
123 Umluj Tabuk Province 61,162
124 Haql Tabuk Province 27,856 previously in Al-Jouf Province.
125 Ha'il va'il Province 412,758
126 Baqaa va'il Province 40,157
127 Al-Khazaiah va'il Province 102,588
128 Al-Shinan va'il Province 41,641
129 Arar Northern Borders Province 191,051
130 Rafha Northern Borders Province 80,544
131 Turaif Northern Borders Province 48,929
132 Jizan Jazan Province 157,536
133 Sabya Jazan Province 228,375
134 Abu `Arish Jazan Province 197,112
135 Samtah Jazan Province 201,656
136 Al-Harth Jazan Province 18,586
137 Damad Jazan Province 71,601
138 Al-Reeth Jazan Province 18,961
139 Baish Jazan Province 77,442
140 Farasan Jazan Province 17,999
141 Al-Dayer Jazan Province 58,494
142 Ahad al-Masarihah Jazan Province 110,710
143 Al-Edabi Jazan Province 60,799
144 Al-Aridhah Jazan Province 76,705
145 Al-Darb Jazan Province 69,134
146 Harub Jazan Province 26,399
147 Najran Najran Province 329,112
148 Sharurah Najran Province 85,977
149 Hubuna Najran Province 20,400
150 Badr Al-Janub Najran Province 11,117
151 Yadamah Najran Province 16,851
152 Thar Najran Province 16,047
153 Khubash Najran Province 22,133
154 Al-Kharkhir Najran Province 4,015 previously in Eastern Province.
155 Al-Bahah Al-Bahah Province 103,411
156 Baljurashi Al-Bahah Province 65,223
157 Al-Mandaq Al-Bahah Province 35,629
158 Al-Makhwah Al-Bahah Province 70,664
159 Al-Aqiq Al-Bahah Province 47,235
160 Qilwah Al-Bahah Province 58,246
161 Al-Qara Al-Bahah Province 31,380 the villages’, sometimes referenced by
the largest town, Al-Atawelah.
162 Sakakah Al-Jouf Province 242,813
163 Qurayyat Al-Jouf Province 147,550
164 Dumat al-Jandal Al-Jouf Province 49,646

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the List of governorates of Saudi Arabia Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. The data regarding population figures and specific administrative boundaries are subject to change and official verification.

This is not official government information or legal advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for official government documentation, legal consultation, or professional advice. Always refer to official Saudi Arabian government sources for the most current and accurate administrative and legal information. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.