Subdivisions of Egypt

Egypt is administratively organized under a dual system that may consist of either two or three tiers, with further subdivisions occasionally resulting in an additional layer. It follows a centralized system of local government, officially termed local administration, as it functions as a part of the executive branch of the government.

Overall, Egypt is divided into twenty seven governorates. Each governorate has a capital city, which is further divided into districts, sub-districts, or both. Administrative districts exist in governorates with rural areas. Each district is divided into local units. The capital of the district is its largest town, which is a city. The capital of each local unit is a main village or a city (if the district includes more than one city). The main village is followed by a number of villages, and each village may include hamlets, small villages, and small settlements. If the district capital is a large city, it is either a sub-district or divided into several sub-districts, each with its own head called the head of the district. If it is a single sub-district, its head is the mayor, and it is divided into several smaller districts or sheikhdoms. The mayor appoints the heads of these smaller districts or sheikhdoms.

Urban governorates, which are not rural, are divided into districts. The governorate itself is a city-state, meaning it is directly under the authority of the governor. Each district is headed by a head of a district. Border or desert governorates are also divided into districts. Each district has a capital city within the governorate, and each district may include a number of small villages. The head of the city, who is appointed directly by the governor, governs each district.