saudi arabia is divided into 13 regions (; "manatiq idāriyya", sing. منطقة إدارية; "mintaqah idariyya"). the regions are further divided into 118 governorates (; "muhafazat", sing. محافظة; "muhafazah"). this number includes the 13 regional capitals, which have a different status as municipalities (; "amanah") headed by mayors (; "amin"). the governorates are further subdivided into sub-governorates (; "marakiz", sing. مركز; "markaz").