Azerbaijan is divided into 10 economic regions; 66 rayons (''rayonlar'', singular ''rayon'') and 77 cities (''şəhərlər'', singular ''şəhər'') of which 12 are under the direct authority of the republic. Moreover, Azerbaijan includes the Autonomous Republic (''muxtar respublika'') of Nakhchivan. The President of Azerbaijan appoints the governors of these units, while the government of Nakhchivan is elected and approved by the parliament of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.