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 (which considers itself an autonomous state) and Somaliland (a self-declared but unrecognized sovereign state). 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
| Region | Population (2014 estimate) |
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 |
| Galguduud Region | 569,434 | Central | Abudwaq District Adado District Dhusa Mareb District El Buur District Galhareeri District El Dher 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 Bosaso District Alula District Iskushuban District Qandala District Ufayn District Qardho District Rako District |
| Mudug Region | 717,863 | North Eastern | Galkayo District Galdogob District Harardhere District Hobyo District Jariban District |
| Nugaal Region | 392,698 | North Eastern | Garowe District Eyl District Burtinle District Dangorayo District |
| Bakool Region | 367,226 | Southern | El Barde District Hudur District Tiyeglow District Wajid District Buurdhuxunle District Yed 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 |
| Awdal Region | 673,263 | Northern | Baki District Borama District Lughaya District Zeila District |
| Sanaag Region | 544,123 | Northern | Las Khorey District El Afweyn District Erigavo District |
| Sool Region | 327,428 | Northern | Aynabo District Las Anod District Taleh District Hudun District |
| Togdheer Region | 721,363 | Northern | Burao District Buhoodle District Odweyne District Sheikh District |
| Woqooyi Galbeed Region | 1,242,003 | Northern | Berbera District Gabiley District Hargeisa District Madheera District |
Historical divisions
Pre-independence
In 1931, Italian Somaliland consisted of seven commissariats.
- 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.
- Alto Giuba
- Basso Giuba
- Benadir
- Hiiraan
- Migiurtinia
- Mudugh
The British Somaliland protectorate also consisted of two Regions.[3]
- Burao
- Hargeisa
Somalia
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. In June 1984, Awdal was split from Woqooyi Galbeed and Sool was split from Nugaal to form the current 18 regions.