The Kingdom is divided into 14 regions known as provinces, governorates or emirates. The Saudis themselves call them emirates.
Emirate
Capital of the Emirate
Riyadh
Riyadh, which is also the capital of the country
Makkah
Makkah, Islam's holiest city (Jeddah and Taif are in this emirate)
Medina
Medina, Islam's second holiest city
Tabuk
Tabuk -- in the northwest, close to the border with Jordan
Qurayat
Qurayat -- also in the north, close to the border with Jordan
Northern Province
Ar'ar -- in the north, close to the Iraqi border
Al-Jouf
Skaka, north of the Great Nafud Desert, between Riyadh and Tabuk
Ha'il
Ha'il, northwest of Riyadh, at the southern edge of the Nafud
Qasim
Buraidah, northwest of Riyadh
Eastern Province
Dammam, on the Arabian Gulf
Baha
Baha, southwest between Taif and Asir
Asir
Abha
Jizan
Jizan, south of Jeddah on the Red Sea, near the border with Yemen
Najran
Najran, east of Abha on the edge of the Empty Quarter
Each of these regions has a Regional Governor with the rank of Minister who is accontable to the Minister of the Interior. The structure of regional government and the composition of the regional governing bodies and regional councils is clear evidence of the Kingdom's determination to increase the involvement of the citizenry in the government of Saudi Arabia while maintaining stability and continuity.