This post discusses the administrative division of Somalia which is the regions; and further list and explains these eighteen regions of Somalia.
Somalia is a federal republic consisting of six federal states. Somalia is further subdivided into 18 administrative regions (gobollada, singular gobol), which are in turn subdivided into districts. One region, Banaadir, is not part of any state.
Read: POLITICAL HISTORY OF SOMALIA
Before 1960 Somalia was a country ruled by Italy and Britain. Somalia, which saw many administrative divisions during the Italian and British rule, united after independence and formed the present Somali country. Somalia, the first administrative division of eight provinces, was divided into 16 regions in 1982.
In 1984, the Nugaal region was divided into new regions. Thus, the administrative division of today’s Somalia was created.
EIGHTEEN ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS OF SOMALIA
The 18 regions of Somalia are: Banaadir Region, Galguduud Region, Hiran Region, Middle Shebelle Region, Lower Shabelle Region, Bari Region, Mudug Region, Nugal Region, Awdal Region, Sanaag Region, Sool Region, Togdheer Region, Northwestern Region, Bakool Region, Bay Region, Gedo Region, Middle Juba Region and Lower Juba Region.
BANAADIR REGION
Banaadir is one of the regions of Somalia. Region is located in the southeast of the country. The area of the city is 370 km² and the population of the province is 1,650,227 as of 2014. The center of the province is also Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. Banaadir Region is divided into 17 districts.
Districts of Banaadir: Abdiaziz District, Bondhere District, Daynile District, Dharkenley District, Hamar-Jajab District, Hamar-Weyne District, Hodan District, Howl-Wadag District, Huriwa District, Kaxda District, Karan District, Shangani District, Shibis District, Waberi District, Wadajir District, Warta Nabada District and Yaqshid District.
GALGUDUUD REGION
Galguduud is one of the regions of Somalia. Region is located in the middle of the country. The area is 46,126 square kilometers and the population of the region is 569,434 as of 2014. The region is headquartered in Dusamareb. Galguduud Region is divided into 9 districts.
Districts of Galguduud: Dusmareb District, Adado District, Guriceel District, Abudwaq District, Balanble District, Galhareri District, Godinlabe District, El Dher District and El Buur District.
HIRAN(HIIRAAN) REGION
Hiran is one of the regions of Somalia. The Region is located in the southern central part of the country. As of 2014, the region has a surface area of 31,510 square kilometers and has a population of 520,685. Region is headquartered in Beledweyne. The Hiran Region is divided into 8 districts.
Districts of Hiran: Beledweyne District, Buloburde District, Moqokori District, Halgan District, Buq Aqable District, Jalalaqsi District, Mataban District and Mahas District.
MIDDLE SHEBELLE (SHABEELLAHA DHEXE) REGION
Middle Shebelle is one of the regions of Somalia. The Region is located in the southern part of the country. The area is 22,663 square kilometers and the population of the region is 516,036 as of 2014. The region is headquartered in Jowhar. The Middle Shebelle Region is divided into 6 districts.
Districts of Middle Shebelle: Adale District, Adan Yabal District, Balad District, Jowhar District, Mahaday District and Warsheikh District.
LOWER SHEBELLE (SHABEELLAHA HOOSE) REGION
Lower Shebelle is one of the regions of Somalia. The Region is located in the southern part of the country. The area is 25,285 square kilometers and the population is 1,202,219 as of 2014 Region is headquartered in Merca. The Lower Shebelle Region is divided into 7 districts.
Districts of Lower Shebelle: Afgooye District, Barawa District, Kurtunwarey District, Merca District, Qoriyoley District, Sablale District and Walaweyn District.
BARI REGION
Bari is one of the regions of Somalia. Region is located in the northeastern part of the country. The area is 70,088 square kilometers and the population of the region is 719,512 as of 2014. The region is headquartered in Bosaso. Bari Region is divided into 8 districts.
Districts of Bari: Bayla District, Bosaso District, Alula District, Iskushuban District, Qandala District, Ufayn District, Qardho District and Rako District.
MUDUG REGION
Mudug is one of the regions of Somalia. Region is located in the northern part of the country. The area is 72,933 square kilometers and the population of the region is 717,863 by 2014. The region is headquartered in Galkayo. Mudug Region is divided into 5 districts.
Districts of Mudug: Galkayo District, Galdogob District, Harardhere District, Hobyo District and Jariban District.
NUGAL(NUGAAL) REGION
Nugal is one of the regions of Somalia. Region is located in the northeastern part of the country. The area is 26,180 square kilometers and the population of the region is 392,698 as of 2014. The center of the Region is Garowe. The Nugal Region is divided into 4 districts.
Districts of Nugal: Garowe District, Eyl District, Burtinle District and Dangorayo District.
Awdal Region
Awdal is one of the regions of Somalia. Region is located in the northwestern tip of the country. The area is 21,374 square kilometers and the population of the region is 673,263 as of 2014. Region is headquartered in Borama. The Awdal Region is divided into 4 districts.
Districts of Awdal: Baki District, Borama District, Lughaya District and Zeila District.
SANAAG REGION
Sanaag is one of the regions of Somalia. The Region is located in the southwestern part of the country. The area is 53,374 square kilometers and the population of the region is 544,123 as of 2014 The region is headquartered in Erigavo. Sanaag Region is divided into 3 districts.
Districts of Sanaag: Badhan District, Dhahar District and Erigavo District.
SOOL REGION
Sool is one of the regions of Somalia. Region is located in the northern part of the country. The area is 25,036 square kilometers and the population is 327,428 as of 2014. The region is headquartered in Las Anod. Sool Region is divided into 4 districts.
Districts of Sool: Aynabo District, Las Anod District, Taleh District and Hudun District.
TOGDHEER REGION
Togdheer is one of the regions of Somalia. Region is located in the northern part of the country. The area is 38,663 square kilometers and the population of the region is 721,363 as of 2014. The region is headquartered in Las Anod. Togdheer Region is divided into 4 districts.
Districts of Togdheer: Burao District, Buhoodle District, Odweyne District and Sheikh District.
WOQOOYI GALBEED REGION
Woqooyi Galbeed is one of the regions of Somalia. The Region is located in the northwestern part of the country. The area is 28,836 square kilometers and the population of the region is 1,242,003 by 2014 The center of the Region is Hargeisa. Woqooyi Galbeed Region is divided into 3 districts.
Districts of Woqooyi Galbeed: Berbera District, Gabiley District and Hargeisa District.
BAKOOL REGION
Bakool is one of the regions of Somalia. The Region is located in the southwestern part of the country. The area is 23,665 square kilometers and the population of the region is 367,226 as of 2014. Region headquarters is Hudur. Bakool Region is divided into 5 districts.
Districts of Bakool: El Barde District, Hudur District, Tiyeglow District, Wajid District and Yeed District.
BAY REGION
The Bay is one of Somalia’s regions. Region is located in the southern part of the country. The area is 35,156 square kilometers and the population of the region is 792,182 as of 2014. The region is headquartered in Baidoa. The Bay Region is divided into 4 districts.
Districts of Bay: Baidoa District, Burhakaba District, Dinsoor District and Qasahdhere District.
GEDO REGION
Gedo is one of the regions of Somalia. The Region is located in the southwestern part of the country. The area is 60,389 square kilometers and the population of the region is 508,405 as of 2014. The region is headquartered in Garbahaarreey. Gedo Region is divided into 4 districts.
Districts of Gedo: Bardera District, Beled Hawo District, El Wak District, Dolow District, Garbaharey District, Luuq District and Burdhubo District.
MIDDLE JUBA (JUBBADA DHEXE) REGION
Middle Juba is one of the regions of Somalia. The Region is located in the southern part of the country. The area of the region is 9.836 square kilometers and the population of the region is 362,921 as of 2014. The center of the Region is Bu’ale. The Middle Juba Region is divided into 4 districts.
Districts of Middle Juba: Bu’ale District, Jilib District, Sakow District and Salagle District.
LOWER JUBA (JUBBADA HOOSE) REGION
Lower Juba is one of the regions of Somalia. The Region is located in the southern tip of the country. The area is 42,876 square kilometers and the population of the region is 489,307 as of 2014. The region is headquartered in Kismayo. Lower Juba Region is divided into 4 districts.
Districts of Lower Juba: Afmadow District, Badhadhe District, Jamame District and Kismayo District.