Governorates serve as the second and final tier of administrative divisions in Saudi Arabia, with 150 governorates operating below the country's 13 regions. Each governorate functions as a local administrative unit responsible for implementing national policies, delivering public services, and managing day-to-day governance within its jurisdiction. Governorates handle matters such as municipal services, local infrastructure projects, issuing permits and licenses, and maintaining public records. They are typically headed by a governor appointed by the Minister of Interior, who acts as the representative of the central government at the local level. The governorate system allows the Saudi government to decentralize certain administrative functions while maintaining centralized oversight, facilitating more direct engagement with local populations across the kingdom's vast territory. Governorates vary considerably in size, population, and economic significance, ranging from small rural districts to major urban centers.