Oman is divided into 11 governates, which constitute the country's primary administrative subdivisions. These governates serve as the principal units for implementing national policies and delivering government services to local populations. Each governate is headed by a governor appointed by royal decree, who acts as the representative of the central government in the region. The governates handle various administrative functions including public services coordination, infrastructure development oversight, and local governance matters. They serve as the intermediate layer between the national government in Muscat and the smaller administrative divisions below them, facilitating communication and resource distribution across Oman's diverse geographic regions, which range from coastal areas to mountainous interior zones and desert territories.