It has a population of 1,394,687 inhabitants (2014), and occupies an area of 62,726 square kilometres (24,219 sq mi).

The rate of poverty is more than 60% in this governorate but recently some social safety networks have been provided in the form of financial assistance and job opportunities.

The funding has been coordinated by the country's Ministry of Finance and with assistance from international organizations.

[6] The governorate is divided into the following municipal divisions for administrative purposes with a total estimated population as of January 2024 of 1,685,743.

[3] According to population estimates from 2024 the majority of residents in the governorate live in rural areas, with an urbanization rate of only 42.3%.