Regions of Somalia
Encyclopedia
Somalia
is officially divided into eighteen administrative regions (gobollada, singular gobol), which in turn are subdivided into districts. On a de facto basis, northern Somalia is now divided up among the autonomous states of Puntland
and Somaliland
. In central Somalia, Galmudug
is another regional entity that emerged just south of Puntland.
(Hargeisa
) (Garowe) Galmudug
(South Galkayo) SSC - Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (Buuhoodle
) Azania
, also known as Jubaland
Somalia
Of these macro-regions, only Somaliland has declared outright independence; the other three claim autonomy within a federal Somalia.
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
is officially divided into eighteen administrative regions (gobollada, singular gobol), which in turn are subdivided into districts. On a de facto basis, northern Somalia is now divided up among the autonomous states of Puntland
Puntland
Puntland , officially the Puntland State of Somalia , is a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998....
and Somaliland
Somaliland
Somaliland is an unrecognised self-declared sovereign state that is internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia. The government of Somaliland regards itself as the successor state to the British Somaliland protectorate, which was independent for a few days in 1960 as the State of...
. In central Somalia, Galmudug
Galmudug
Galmudug is an autonomous region in central Somalia. It is bordered to its north by the Puntland region, to the west by Ethiopia, and to the south by other regions of Somalia.Galmudug's name is derived from a conflation of the Galguduud and Mudug provinces...
is another regional entity that emerged just south of Puntland.
(Hargeisa
Hargeisa
Hargeisa is a city in the northwestern Woqooyi Galbeed region of Somalia. With a population of approximately 2 million residents, it is the second largest city in the country. Hargeisa is the capital of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region...
) (Garowe) Galmudug
Galmudug
Galmudug is an autonomous region in central Somalia. It is bordered to its north by the Puntland region, to the west by Ethiopia, and to the south by other regions of Somalia.Galmudug's name is derived from a conflation of the Galguduud and Mudug provinces...
(South Galkayo) SSC - Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (Buuhoodle
Buuhoodle
Buhoodle or Buuhoodle is the capital of the Ayn region in northern Somalia. It is disputed between Somaliland, Puntland and HBM-SSC , a local unionist group whose goal is the creation of its own regional administration .-History:Buuhoodle is an historical city...
) Azania
Raskamboni movement
The Raskamboni movement is a Somali paramilitary group active in Jubaland led by Sheikh Ahmed Madobe. The Raskomboni are opposed to the radical islamist group al-Shabab.-History:...
, also known as Jubaland
Jubaland
Jubaland , also known as Azania or the Juba Valley and formerly as Trans-Juba , is an autonomous region in southern Somalia. Its eastern border lies 40–60 km east of the Jubba River, stretching from Gedo to the Indian Ocean, while its western side flanks the North Eastern Province in...
SomaliaSomaliaSomalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
- SomalilandSomalilandSomaliland is an unrecognised self-declared sovereign state that is internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia. The government of Somaliland regards itself as the successor state to the British Somaliland protectorate, which was independent for a few days in 1960 as the State of...
- AwdalAwdalAwdal is a region in northwestern Somalia. Its capital is Borama.Awdal is bordered by Ethiopia, Djibouti, the Somali region of Woqooyi Galbeed, and the Gulf of Aden...
(Borame) - Maroodi Jeex (HargeysaHargeisaHargeisa is a city in the northwestern Woqooyi Galbeed region of Somalia. With a population of approximately 2 million residents, it is the second largest city in the country. Hargeisa is the capital of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region...
) - This region used to be called Woqooyi GalbeedWoqooyi GalbeedWoqooyi Galbeed, also known as Maroodi Jeex, is an administrative region in northwestern Somalia. It lies in the territory of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia.... - TogdheerTogdheerTogdheer is an administrative region in northwestern Somalia. It lies in the territory of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia.-Overview:...
(BurcoBurcoBurao is the capital city of the Togdheer province in Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia. In terms of population, it is the second largest city in Somaliland after Hargeisa.-History:...
) - SaaxilSaaxilSaaxil is a region in Somaliland, a de facto independent republic which is recognized as a part of Somalia. Its capital is Berbera...
(BerberaBerberaBerbera is a city and seat of Berbera District in Somaliland, a self-proclaimed Independent Republic with de facto control over its own territory, which is recognized by the international community and the Somali Government as a part of Somalia...
) - This region used to be part of Woqooyi Galbeed - SanaagSanaagSanaag is an administrative region in northern Somalia. Its capital city is Erigavo.Sanaag has a long coastline facing the Gulf of Aden to the north, and is bordered by the Somali regions of Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sool and Bari....
(CeerigaaboCeerigaaboErigavo or Erigabo is the administrative capital of the Sanaag region in northern Somalia.Local control is disputed between Somaliland, a self-declared independent republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia, the autonomous Puntland region in northeastern...
) - SoolSoolSool is an administrative region in northern Somalia.-Overview:With its capital at Las Anod, Sool is historically known for being the seat of the anti-colonial Dervish movement....
(Las Anod) - Most of Sool geographically speaking is part of Puntland, though pro-Somaliland politician Ahmed Abdi Xabsade controls Las Anod and its environs. - GabileyGabileyGabiley is a city in the northwestern Woqooyi Galbeed province of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia.Gabiley is located 54 km west of Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland...
(GabileyGabileyGabiley is a city in the northwestern Woqooyi Galbeed province of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia.Gabiley is located 54 km west of Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland...
) - This region used to be part of Woqooyi Galbeed - Salal (ZeilaZeilaZeila, also known as Zaila , is a port city on the Gulf of Aden coast, situated in the northwestern Awdal region of Somalia.Located near the Djibouti border, the town sits on a sandy spit surrounded by the sea. It is known for its offshore islands, coral reef and mangroves. Landward, the terrain is...
) - This region used to be part of Awdal - SararSararSarar is a newly created sub-regions in Somaliland, a de facto independent republic which is claimed in whole by Somalia. It was by Somaliland's president, Dahir Riyale Kahin on March 22, 2008. It was formed from the original Sool region....
(Ainabo) - This region used to be part of Sool - OdweyneOdweyneOdweyne is a town in the northwestern Togdheer province of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia.-Overview:Odweyne is the capital of the Odweyne District...
(OdweyneOdweyneOdweyne is a town in the northwestern Togdheer province of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia.-Overview:Odweyne is the capital of the Odweyne District...
) - This region used to be part of Togdheer - Hawd (Balegubadle) - This region used to be a part of Woqooyi Galbeed and is the 13th region of Somaliland
- Awdal
- PuntlandPuntlandPuntland , officially the Puntland State of Somalia , is a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998....
- Bari (Bosaso)
- KarkaarKarkaarKarkaar is the name of series of mountains in Northeast portion of Somalia.It is also the name of an administrative region defined by the self-declared autonomous state of Puntland...
(QardhoQardhoQardho is a town in the northeastern Bari region of Somalia. It is the center of the Qardho District.-References:*...
) - This region used to be part of Bari - MudugMudugMudug is an administrative region in north-central Somalia. Bordered by the Ogaden, the Somalian regions of Nugaal and Galguduud, and the Indian Ocean, its capital is the city of Galkacyo.-Districts:...
(GaalkacyoGaalkacyoGalkayo , also known as Galcaio or Galkacyo, is the capital of the north-central Mudug region of Somalia. The city is divided into two zones, where the main northern portion forms part of Puntland state, while its southern tip is governed by the Galmudug administration.Ruled in the early modern...
) - the southern quarter of Gaalkacyo and half of Mudug is controlled by the new state of Galmudug - NugaalNugaalNugal is an administrative region in northeastern Somalia.-Overview:It is bordered by Ethiopia and the Somalian regions of Sool to the west, Bari to the north, and Mudug to the south, with the Indian Ocean to the east....
(GarooweGarooweGarowe is the administrative capital of the Puntland region in northeastern Somalia.Ruled in the 19th century by the Majeerteen Sultanate, it would later be incorporated into Italian Somaliland....
) - SanaagSanaagSanaag is an administrative region in northern Somalia. Its capital city is Erigavo.Sanaag has a long coastline facing the Gulf of Aden to the north, and is bordered by the Somali regions of Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sool and Bari....
(CeerigaaboCeerigaaboErigavo or Erigabo is the administrative capital of the Sanaag region in northern Somalia.Local control is disputed between Somaliland, a self-declared independent republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia, the autonomous Puntland region in northeastern...
) - Somaliland controls the west Erigavo. - Madar (BadhanBadhanBadhan may refer to:* Badhan, Sanaag, Somalia* al-Badhan, a Palestinian village in the West Bank* Badhan , a group founded at the University of Dhaka to promote blood donation* Badhan , a clan of the Jat people....
) - This region used to be part of Sanaag - BoharoBoharoBoharo is a region in the semi-autonomous state of Maakhir.The capital of Boharo is Dhahar, the second largest town in Maakhir and the "second city" after the state capital Badhan....
(DhaharDhaharDhahar is a district in the Sanaag region, a territory disputed by the Puntland and Somaliland administrative regions of Somalia...
) - This region used to be part of Sanaag - SoolSoolSool is an administrative region in northern Somalia.-Overview:With its capital at Las Anod, Sool is historically known for being the seat of the anti-colonial Dervish movement....
(Laascaanood) - Somaliland controls Las Anod and its environs - AynAyn, SomaliaAyn is region in the autonomous northeastern Puntland macro-region of Somalia. It is a disputed southeastern section of the Togdheer region defined and claimed by Puntland....
(Buhodle)
- GalmudugGalmudugGalmudug is an autonomous region in central Somalia. It is bordered to its north by the Puntland region, to the west by Ethiopia, and to the south by other regions of Somalia.Galmudug's name is derived from a conflation of the Galguduud and Mudug provinces...
- MudugMudugMudug is an administrative region in north-central Somalia. Bordered by the Ogaden, the Somalian regions of Nugaal and Galguduud, and the Indian Ocean, its capital is the city of Galkacyo.-Districts:...
(GaalkacyoGaalkacyoGalkayo , also known as Galcaio or Galkacyo, is the capital of the north-central Mudug region of Somalia. The city is divided into two zones, where the main northern portion forms part of Puntland state, while its southern tip is governed by the Galmudug administration.Ruled in the early modern...
) - the northern half of Gaalkacyo and Mudug region is controlled by Puntland - HobyoHobyoHobyo is an ancient harbor city in the Mudug region of Somalia. Hobyo literally means "here, water", and the plentiful fresh water to be had from the wells in and around the town has been the driving force behind Hobyo's ancient status as a favorite port-of-call for sailors.-Establishment:Hobyo's...
(HobyoHobyoHobyo is an ancient harbor city in the Mudug region of Somalia. Hobyo literally means "here, water", and the plentiful fresh water to be had from the wells in and around the town has been the driving force behind Hobyo's ancient status as a favorite port-of-call for sailors.-Establishment:Hobyo's...
) - the northern half of Hobyo is controlled by Galmudug State
- Mudug
- AwdallandAwdallandAwdalland is a region in northwestern Somalia. Centered on Borama in the Awdal province, its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 2010.-History:...
- AwdalAwdalAwdal is a region in northwestern Somalia. Its capital is Borama.Awdal is bordered by Ethiopia, Djibouti, the Somali region of Woqooyi Galbeed, and the Gulf of Aden...
(Borama) - territorial control disputed with Somaliland administration
- Awdal
- Himan and Heeb administration
- Ximan (Cadaado) - This region used to be part of Mudug and Galguduud
- Ximan (Bahdo)
- Ximan (Godinlabe)
- Xeeb (HobyoHobyoHobyo is an ancient harbor city in the Mudug region of Somalia. Hobyo literally means "here, water", and the plentiful fresh water to be had from the wells in and around the town has been the driving force behind Hobyo's ancient status as a favorite port-of-call for sailors.-Establishment:Hobyo's...
) - the southern half of Hobyo is controlled by Himan and Heeb Regional Administration - Xeeb (HarardhereHarardhereHarardhere is a town in the Mudug province of central Somalia, also spelled Harardheere and Xarardhere or Xarard-heere. It has become notorious in recent times as a base for piracy in Somalia. A pirate cooperative exchange opened here in 2009 to finance pirate activities.In May of 2010, members of...
) - This region used to be part of Mudug
- Transitional Federal GovernmentTransitional Federal GovernmentThe Transitional Federal Government is the current internationally recognized government of the Republic of Somalia. It was established as one of the Transitional Federal Institutions of government as defined in the Transitional Federal Charter adopted in November 2004 by the Transitional...
:- BakoolBakool-Overiew:It is bordered by the Ogaden and the Somalian regions of Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo.Bakool, like Gedo and Bay, as well as most parts of the Jubbada Dhexe region, used to be a part of the old Upper Region, which was subdivided in the mid 1980s...
(XuddurXuddurHudur is a town in the southern Bakool region of Somalia. It serves as the provincial capital.-Overview:Hudur is located in southwestern Somalia...
) - This region has fallen under the control of al-ShabaabAl-Shabaab (Somalia)Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen , more commonly known as al-Shabaab , is a terrorist group of militants fighting to overthrow the government of Somalia. As of 2011, the group controls large swathes of the southern parts of Somalia, where it is said to have imposed its own strict form of Sharia law... - BanaadirBanaadirBanaadir is a region in southeastern Somalia.-Overview:The Somali term Banaadir derives from the original Persian word بندر bandar, meaning "port" or "harbour"...
(MogadishuMogadishuMogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
) - Contested heavily between government and Islamist rebel forces - GalguduudGalguduudGalguduud is an administrative region in central Somalia.-Overview:It is bordered by Ethiopia, the Somalian regions of Mudug, Hiiraan, Shabeellaha Dhexe , and the Indian Ocean....
(DhuusamarreebDhuusamarreebDhusamareb , also spelled Dhusa Mareb, is the capital of the central Galguduud region of Somalia.-Overview:Dhuusamarreeb, located , is an administrative center with a permanent population of 9000. The town has been in control of Islamic courts since early 2006...
) - This region has largely fallen under control of Ahlu Suna Wal Jamea, except for those parts that are now part of Mareeg, Xeeb, and Ximan - MareegMareegMareeg Mareeg is a small town in the Galguduud administrative region in central Somalia...
(MareegMareegMareeg Mareeg is a small town in the Galguduud administrative region in central Somalia...
) - This region used to be part of Galguduud and has fallen under control of the Islamic Courts Union - BayBay, SomaliaBay is an administrative region in southern Somalia.-Overview:It is bordered by the Somalian regions of Bakool, Lower Shabele, Middle Juba and Gedo....
(BaidoaBaidoaBaidoa is a city in south-central Somalia, situated by road northwest of the capital Mogadishu. It is the capital of the Bay region, which is traditionally inhabited by the Digil and Mirifle clans....
) - This region has fallen under the control of al-ShabaabAl-Shabaab (Somalia)Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen , more commonly known as al-Shabaab , is a terrorist group of militants fighting to overthrow the government of Somalia. As of 2011, the group controls large swathes of the southern parts of Somalia, where it is said to have imposed its own strict form of Sharia law... - GedoGedoGedo is an administrative region , formerly part of the historic Upper Juba Region in southern Somalia. Its regional capital is Garbahaarreey. Gedo is a region created in 1980s and is bordered by the Ogaden in Ethiopia, the North Eastern Province in Kenya, and the Somali regions of Bakool, Bay,...
(GarbahaarreeyGarbahaarreeyGarbahaarey is the capital of Gedo, the second largest and sixth most populous region of Somalia. Maj. General Mohamed Siyad Barre, Somalia's longest-serving president, claimed Garbahaarrey as his birthplace in order to get a job in the Italian colonial police force...
) - This region has fallen under control of Hizbul IslamHisbi IslamHizbul Islam , also known as Hizbul Islaami, Hisbi Islam, or Hezb-ul Islam was a Somali Islamists insurgent group. It was formed after four Islamist groups merged to fight the new Somali government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed... - HiiraanHiiraanHiran is an administrative region in south-central Somalia.-Overview:Hiiraan is bordered by the Somali Region of Ethiopia to the northwest, and the Somalian provinces of Galgudud to the northeast, Middle Shebelle) to the south, Lower Shebelle to the southwest, and Bay and Bakool to the west.The...
(BeledweyneBeledweyneBeledweyne is a city in central Somalia. It is the capital of the Hiraan province, and is located in the central valley of the Shebelle river near the Ogaden, some 206 miles north of Mogadishu, the nation's capital. The Shebelle river divides the town into east and west...
) - This region has mostly fallen under control of the Islamic Courts Union, portions of it are part of Ahlu Suna Wal Jamea - Shabeellaha DhexeShabeellaha Dhexe-Overview:It is bordered by the Somali regions of Galgudud, Hiran, Lower Shebelle, and Banadir, as well as the Indian Ocean.As part of the former Benadir region, Shabeellaha Dhexe's capital was Mogadishu up until the mid-1980s, when the town of Jowhar became the capital...
(JowharJowharJowhar is the capital town of the Shabeellaha Dhexe region of Somalia . Along with Baidoa, it used to form the joint administrative capital of the Transitional Federal Government, which captured it from the Islamic Courts Union....
) - This region has fallen under control of the Islamic Courts Union - Shabeellaha HooseShabeellaha HooseLower Shebelle is an administrative region in southern Somalia.-Overview:It is bordered by the Somalian regions of Banadir, Middle Shebelle, Hiran, Bay and Middle Juba, and the Indian Ocean...
(MercaMercaMerca is a port city on the coast of southern Somalia, facing the Indian Ocean. It is the main town in the Shabeellaha Hoose region, and is located approximately southwest of the nation's capital, Mogadishu.-History:...
) - This region has fallen under the control of al-ShabaabAl-Shabaab (Somalia)Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen , more commonly known as al-Shabaab , is a terrorist group of militants fighting to overthrow the government of Somalia. As of 2011, the group controls large swathes of the southern parts of Somalia, where it is said to have imposed its own strict form of Sharia law... - Jubbada DhexeJubbada DhexeMiddle Juba is an administrative region in southern Somalia. With its capital at Bu'aale, it is located in the Jubaland autonomous region.Middle Juba is bordered by Somali regions of Gedo, Bay, Lower Shabele and Jubbada Hoose and the Indian Ocean...
(Bu'aaleBu'aaleBu'ale is a town in the Jubbada Dhexe region of Somalia. It is the capital of the Bu'aale District, situated in the southern Jubba River valley.-References:*...
) - This region has fallen under control of Hizbul IslamHisbi IslamHizbul Islam , also known as Hizbul Islaami, Hisbi Islam, or Hezb-ul Islam was a Somali Islamists insurgent group. It was formed after four Islamist groups merged to fight the new Somali government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed... - Jubbada HooseJubbada HooseLower Juba is an administrative region in southern Somalia. With its capital at Kismayo, it lies in the Jubaland autonomous region.Lower Juba is bordered by Kenya, the Somalian regions of Gedo, Middle Juba, and the Indian Ocean...
(Kismayo) - This region has fallen under control of Hizbul IslamHisbi IslamHizbul Islam , also known as Hizbul Islaami, Hisbi Islam, or Hezb-ul Islam was a Somali Islamists insurgent group. It was formed after four Islamist groups merged to fight the new Somali government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed...
- Bakool
Of these macro-regions, only Somaliland has declared outright independence; the other three claim autonomy within a federal Somalia.