Administrative divisions of Somalia
| Regions of Somalia Gobollada Soomaaliya (Somali) مناطق الصومال (Arabic) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Category | Federal states |
| Location | Federal Republic of Somalia |
| Created |
|
| Number | 18 regions |
| Populations | 362,921 (Middle Juba) — 1,650,227 (Banaadir) (2014 estimates) |
| Subdivisions | |
 |
|---|
|
|
 Somalia portal |
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.
Regions and districts
[edit]Historical divisions
[edit]Pre-independence
[edit]In 1931, Italian Somaliland consisted of seven commissariats.[4]
- 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.
- Alto Giuba (English: Upper Juba) (capital: Baidoa)
- Alto Scebeli (Upper Shabele) (Bulo Burti)
- Basso Scebeli (Lower Shabele) (Merca)
- Migiurtinia (Migiurtinia) (Dante)
- Mogadiscio (Mogadishu) (Mogadiscio)
- Mudugh (Mudug) (Rocca Littorio)
- Ogaden (Ogaden) (Uarder)
- Uebi Gestro (Gestro River) (Callafo)
- Basso Giuba (Lower Juba) (Chisimaio)
- Nogal (Nugaal) (Eil)
Following World War II, the Italian-administered Trust Territory of Somalia consisted of six Regions.[4]
- Alto Giuba
- Basso Giuba
- Benadir
- Hiiraan
- Migiurtinia
- Mudugh
The British Somaliland protectorate also consisted of two Regions.[4]
- Burao
- Hargeisa
Somalia
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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.[4] 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.[4] In 1968, the capital of Basso Giuba was moved from Kismayo to Jamame. The 8 provinces at this time were:[4]
| 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.[4] In June 1984, Awdal was split from Woqooyi Galbeed and Sool was split from Nugaal to form the current 18 regions.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Somalia". World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 2009-05-14. Archived from the original on 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
- ^ "UNFPA Population Estimation Survey 2014" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2017-08-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Somalia Admin Level 1 (Region) population statistics including 2005 Rural, Urban, and total populations (source UNDP) and 2014 Rural, Urban, IDP, and Total populations (source UNFPA)". United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Regions of Somalia" Archived 2016-10-23 at the Wayback Machine. Statoids. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
