Article 3 of the Saudi Provinces Law

This article sets out the administrative division within the province:

Components: Each province is administratively made up of a number of governorates, sub-districts and centers.

Considerations taken into account in the division:

• population considerations;
• geographic considerations;
• security considerations;
• environmental conditions; and
• transport routes.

The instrument of establishment:

• A governorate: organized by royal order on the recommendation of the Minister of Interior.
• Sub-districts and centers: established and attached by decision of the Minister of Interior on the proposal of the emir of the province.

So a governorate needs a higher instrument (a royal order), whereas for sub-districts and centers a ministerial decision is enough, and the process begins with a proposal from the emir of the province concerned. The decision is also not limited to establishment; it includes attachment, that is, determining the body to which the sub-district or center belongs.

This article follows Article 2, which provides that the organization of provinces and the seat of each province's emirate is by royal order on the recommendation of the Minister of Interior. It is followed by Article 4, which provides that each province has an emir with the rank of minister and a deputy with the Excellent grade, appointed and relieved by royal order. Anyone needing to know the administrative status of a location may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases.