History
The Provinces System was established in 1992 under a royal order by King Fahd , initially creating 118 governorates. The system aimed to decentralize governance and improve administrative efficiency by expanding local authority and responsibility. In 2012, under the rule of King Abdullah , the number of governorates was increased to 136 to reflect the country's demographic and geographic developments.[ 4]
Classification
Governorates are classified based on population, availability of public services, geographic and environmental factors, and transportation infrastructure into two levels: Governorate (A) and Governorate (B).
This classification is established in Article 3 of the Provinces System issued by King Fahd in 1992 and amended in 1993.[ 5] [ 6]
Governorates
Map of Tabuk Province
Map of Hail Province
Map of Northern Borders Province
Map of Medina Province
Map of Eastern Province
Governorate
Category
Population (2022)
Al-Ahsa A
1,104,267
Khobar A
658,550
Qatif A
552,442
Jubail A
505,162
Hafar al-Batin A
467,007
Khafji A
84,316
Nariyah B
63,815
Abqaiq B
64,632
Ras Tanura B
62,314
Qaryat al-Ulya B
21,788
Al-Udeid B
8,635
Al-Bayda B
—
Map of Najran Province
Map of Al-Jouf Province
Map of Al-Qassim Province
Governorate
Category
Population (2022)
Unaizah A
184,644
Ar Rass A
121,359
Al-Bukiryah A
63,551
Al-Badai' A
53,779
Al-Mithnab A
43,278
Al-Nabhaniyah B
46,558
Asyah B
35,533
Riyadh Al-Khabra B
31,203
Uyun Al-Jiwa B
29,178
Dhariyah B
20,826
Uqlat Al-Suqur B
20,805
Al-Shimasiyah B
7,818
Abanat B
—
Map of Al-Baha Province
Map of Mecca Province
Governorate
Category
Population (2022)
Jeddah A
3,751,722
Taif A
913,374
Al-Qunfudhah A
205,188
Rabigh A
112,383
Bahrah A
94,603
Al-Jumum B
89,575
Al-Lith A
73,753
Al-Ardiyat B
65,078
Khulays A
51,338
Ranyah A
49,854
Turubah A
41,769
Al-Khurmah A
38,744
Adum B
33,958
Al-Muwayh B
29,065
Maysan B
28,765
Al-Kamil B
14,370
Map of Riyadh Province
Governorate
Category
Population (2022)
Al-Kharj A
373,177
Al-Dawadmi A
200,620
Majmaah A
151,877
Diriyah A
95,834
Wadi Al-Dawasir A
91,535
Al-Zulfi A
74,903
Afif A
71,616
Al-Quway'iyah A
71,410
Al-Muzahmiyya B
62,760
Al-Dilam B
54,822
Al-Aflaj A
54,544
Shaqra A
46,403
Hotat Bani Tamim A
41,854
Rimah B
35,683
Al-Sulayyil B
35,271
Al-Rayn B
28,243
Dhurma B
26,299
Huraymila B
21,758
Thadig B
12,510
Al-Ghat A
10,799
Al-Hariq B
10,864
Marat B
9,846
Map of Asir Province
Governorate
Category
Population (2022)
Khamis Mushait A
601,305
Muhayil A
230,537
Bisha A
202,096
Ahad Rafidah B
107,894
Balqarn B
60,012
Sarat Ubaida B
57,123
Rijal Almaa B
50,825
Al-Majaridah B
48,302
Bariq B
44,880
Al-Namas A
38,409
Tathlith A
36,451
Dhahran Al-Janub A
32,099
Al-Birk B
22,583
Tarib B
22,298
Al-Harjah B
18,503
Tanomah B
17,756
Al-Amwah B
10,969
Map of Jazan Province
Governorate
Category
Population (2022)
Sabya A
223,083
Abu 'Arish A
187,060
Samtah A
154,926
Ahad Al-Masarihah B
130,545
Baish B
86,996
Al-Ardah B
79,730
Al-Darb B
68,965
Damad B
64,136
Al-Dayer B
47,424
Al-Tuwal B
36,259
Al-Eidabi B
32,940
Harub B
30,709
Fayfa B
19,346
Ar Rayth B
16,877
Farasan Islands B
13,529
Al-Harth B
11,561
Saudi Arabia
