Administrative divisions of Somalia

Regions of Somalia
Gobollada Soomaaliya (Somali)
مناطق الصومال (Arabic)
CategoryFederal states
LocationFederal Republic of Somalia
Created
  • 1860
Number18 regions
Populations362,921 (Middle Juba) — 1,650,227 (Banaadir)
(2014 estimates)
Subdivisions

Somalia is officially divided into 18 administrative regions (gobollo, singular gobol).[1] These are in turn subdivided into seventy-two districts (plural degmooyin; singular degmo)

On a de facto basis, northern Somalia is now divided up among the autonomous region of Puntland In central Somalia, Galmudug is another regional entity that emerged south of Puntland.[1] For these civil war divisions, see States and regions of Somalia.

Regions and districts

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Region Population
(2014 estimate)[2]
Location Districts
Banaadir Region 1,650,227 Central Abdiaziz District
Bondhere District
Daynile District
Dharkenley District
Hamar Jajab District
Hamar Weyne District
Hodan District
Hawle Wadag District
Huriwa District
Karan District
Shibis District
Shangani District
Waberi District
Wadajir District
Wardhigley District
Yaqshid District
Kaxda District
Galguduud Region 569,434 Central Abudwaq District
Adado District
Dhusa Mareb District
El Buur District
Galhareeri District
El Dher District
Galad District
Hiiraan Region 520,685 Central Beledweyne District
Buloburde District
Moqokori District
Halgan District
Buq Aqable District
Jalalaqsi District
Mataban District
Mahas District
Shabeellaha Dhexe Region 516,036 Central Adale District
Adan Yabal District
Balad District
Jowhar District
Mahaday District
Runirgod District
Warsheikh District
Shabeellaha Hoose Region 1,202,219 Central Afgooye District
Barawa District
Kurtunwarey District
Merca District
Qoriyoley District
Sablale District
Wanlaweyn District
Bari Region 719,512 North Eastern Waiye District
Bayla District
Dhudhub District
Bosaso District
Alula District
Iskushuban District
Qandala District
Ufayn District
Qardho District
Rako District
Mudug Region 717,863 Southern Galkayo District
Galdogob District
Harardhere District
Hobyo District
Jariban District
Burtinle District
Nugaal Region 392,698 North Eastern Garowe District
Eyl District
Dangorayo District
Godobjiran District
Bakool Region 367,226 Southern El Barde District
Hudur District
Tiyeglow District
Wajid District
Buurdhuxunle District
Rabdhure District
Bay Region 792,182 Southern Baidoa District
Burhakaba District
Dinsoor District
Qasahdhere District
Bardaale District
Gedo Region 508,405 Southern Bardhere District
Beled Hawo District
El Wak District
Dolow District
Garbaharey District
Luuq District
Burdhubo District
Jubbada Dhexe Region 362,921 Southern Bu'ale District
Jilib District
Sakow District
Jubbada Hoose Region 489,307 Southern Afmadow District
Badhadhe District
Jamame District
Kismayo District
Sool Region 49,307 Northern Laascaanood District
Hudun District
Taleex District
Sanaag Region 96,307 Northern Erigavo District
Badhan District
Dhahar District

Historical divisions

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Pre-independence

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In 1931, Italian Somaliland consisted of seven commissariats.[3]

  • Alto Giuba
  • Alto Uebi-Scebeli
  • Basso Giuba
  • Basso Uebi-Scebeli
  • Migiurtinia
  • Mogadiscio
  • Mudugh

Following the 1935–36 Second Italo-Abyssinian War, Italian Somaliland became part of Italian East Africa with Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and Eritrea. Italian Somaliland was one of six governorates of the new colony, the Somalia Governorate, and incorporated Somali-inhabited parts of the former Abyssinia. The governorate was subdivided into 10 commissariats, which were themselves divided into residencies.

Following World War II, the Italian-administered Trust Territory of Somalia consisted of six Regions.[3]

  • Alto Giuba
  • Basso Giuba
  • Benadir
  • Hiiraan
  • Migiurtinia
  • Mudugh

The British Somaliland protectorate also consisted of two Regions.[3]

  • Burao
  • Hargeisa

Somalia

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The 8 provinces of Somalia in 1967

Upon independence in 1960, the Somali Republic maintained the 12 districts of the former Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland that merged to form the new country.[3] In 1964, a new Northeastern (Burao) Province was established by merging Burao, Erigavo, and Las Anod and a Northwestern (Hargeisa) Province was formed from Berbera, Borama, and Hargeisa districts.[3] In 1968, the capital of Basso Giuba was moved from Kismayo to Jamame. The 8 provinces at this time were:[3]

Province Area(km2) Capital
Benadir 45,004 Mogadishu
Burao 128,000 Burao
Hargeisa 48,000 Hargeisa
Hiran 25,647 Beled Weyne
Lower Juba 49,917 Jamame
Bosaso 90,744 Bosaso (Bender Cassim)
Mudug 118,737 Galkayo
Upper Juba 131,492 Baidoa

In 1982, Somalia reorganized from eight provinces into 16 regions.[3] In June 1984, Awdal was split from Woqooyi Galbeed and Sool was split from Nugaal to form the current 18 regions.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Somalia". World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 2009-05-14. Archived from the original on 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  2. ^ "UNFPA Population Estimation Survey 2014" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2017-08-03.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Regions of Somalia" Archived 2016-10-23 at the Wayback Machine. Statoids. Retrieved 20 February 2011.