A governor, whose appointment is proposed by the minister of the interior, approved by the cabinet, and announced by executive decree, heads each governorate. The governor is assisted by an elected provincial council.

The capital Damascus is the largest city in Syria, and the metropolitan area is a governorate on its own. Aleppo (population 1,671,673) in northern Syria, the second largest city, is also a major industrial, urban and cultural center. Aleppo’s old town has been designated by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Latakia (population 554,000) along with Tartus are Syria's main ports on the Mediterranean sea. Other major cities include Homs (population 1,033,000) in central Syria and Deir ez-Zor (population 230.000) on the Euphrates river in eastern Syria.