Administrative Divisions in Saudi Arabia
Administrative Divisions in Saudi Arabia Last updated on Sunday 25th April 2010
The Kingdom is divided into 14 regions known as provinces, governorates or emirates. The Saudis themselves call them emirates.
| Emirate | Capital of the Emirate |
| Riyadh | Riyadh, which is also the capital of the country |
| Makkah |
Makkah, Islam's holiest city (Jeddah and Taif are in this emirate) |
| Medina | Medina, Islam's second holiest city |
| Tabuk | Tabuk -- in the northwest, close to the border with Jordan |
| Qurayat |
Qurayat -- also in the north, close to the border with Jordan |
| Northern Province | Ar'ar -- in the north, close to the Iraqi border |
| Al-Jouf |
Skaka, north of the Great Nafud Desert, between Riyadh and Tabuk |
| Ha'il |
Ha'il, northwest of Riyadh, at the southern edge of the Nafud |
| Qasim | Buraidah, northwest of Riyadh |
| Eastern Province | Dammam, on the Arabian Gulf |
| Baha | Baha, southwest between Taif and Asir |
| Asir | Abha |
| Jizan |
Jizan, south of Jeddah on the Red Sea, near the border with Yemen |
| Najran | Najran, east of Abha on the edge of the Empty Quarter |
Each of these regions has a Regional Governor with the rank of Minister who is accontable to the Minister of the Interior. The structure of regional government and the composition of the regional governing bodies and regional councils is clear evidence of the Kingdom's determination to increase the involvement of the citizenry in the government of Saudi Arabia while maintaining stability and continuity.