The Regions' System issued on 27 Shaaban 1412 A.H. divided the Northern Border region into two governorates one of them is A category (Rafha); and one is B category (Taraif) besides Ar'ar, the administrative and capital city of the region.
Ar'ar is located in the desert 530 m above sea level, an area called the valleys because there are many valleys there.
The city was Name Ar'ar because of the large number of Juniper "Ar'ar" trees in the valley that embraces the City. Ar'ar was named "Badana" before the current name. Its area is estimated to more than 3,500 hectares.
Rafha:
Rafha Governorate lies in the east of the region and is classified as A category. It embraces the camp sheltering Iraqi refugees. Rafha enjoys historic significance because it is the first Saudi Arabian territory through which the path of pilgrimage to the famous Abbasid (Zubaida path). The majority of inhabitants in Ar'ar are of the Shammar tribe.
Taraif:
Taraif Governorate is located west to Ar'ar and is classified as B category. A tremendous economic future is in wait for the governorate because large amounts of phosphate ore have been discovered nearby. The climate in Taraif is continental with high temperatures in summer and bitter cold in winter.