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List of governorates of Saudi Arabia facts for kids

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The Governorates of Saudi Arabia are like local areas or districts that make up the country. Saudi Arabia has 136 of these governorates. They are the second main type of administrative division, meaning they help organize how the country is run. These governorates are part of the 13 larger areas called emirates or regions.

The governorates are grouped into three types. This grouping depends on things like how many people live there, what services are available, and how easy it is to travel around. These rules were set by a special system in 1992 and updated in 1993. The three types are: Capital (called amānah), Category A, and Category B.

When the system first started, there were 118 governorates. Later, in 2012, King Abdullah increased the number to 136. Each governorate has a leader called a governor. The governor gets help from a deputy governor. These governorates are also divided into smaller parts called centers or sub-governorates.

Understanding Saudi Arabia's Governorates

Saudi Arabia is a very large country. To manage it well, the government divides it into smaller parts. These parts are the governorates. Think of them like counties or large districts in other countries. They help local people get the services they need.

How Governorates are Organized

The way governorates are set up helps the government serve its citizens better. Each governorate has its own local government. This government makes sure that things like schools, hospitals, and roads are well-managed. It also helps with security and local development.

The Role of a Governor

A governor is the main leader of a governorate. They are responsible for making sure laws are followed. They also oversee public services and local projects. The governor works with a deputy to manage the daily tasks. This system helps keep order and progress in each area.

List of Governorates and Their Regions

Here is a list of all the governorates in Saudi Arabia. You can see which larger region each governorate belongs to. The list also shows how many people lived in each governorate in 2010.

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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gobernaciones de Arabia Saudita para niños

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