Administrative divisions of Somalia

Somalia
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Somalia is officially divided into eighteen administrative regions (gobollada, singular gobol),^[1] which in turn are subdivided into districts.

On a de facto basis, northern Somalia is now divided up among the autonomous regions of Puntland (which considers itself an autonomous state) and Somaliland (a self-declared but un-recognized sovereign state). In central Somalia, Galmudug is another regional entity that emerged just south of Puntland.^[1] For these post-civil war divisions, see States and regions of Somalia.

Regions and districts

Awdal Region

Bakool Region

Banaadir Region

Bari Region

Bay Region

Galguduud Region

Gedo Region

Hiiraan Region

Middle Juba Region

Lower Juba Region

Mudug Region

Nugaal Region

Sanaag Region

Middle Shabele Region

Lower Shabele Region

Sool Region

Togdheer Region

Woqooyi Galbeed Region

Historical divisions

Pre-independence

In 1931, Italian Somaliland consisted of seven commissariats.^[2]

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 districts.^[2]

Alto Giuba
Basso Giuba
Benadir
Hiran
Migiurtinia
Mudugh

The British Somaliland protectorate also consisted of six districts.^[2]

Berbera
Borama
Burao
Erigavo
Hargeisa
Las Anod

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.^[2] 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.^[2] In 1968, the capital of Basso Giuba was moved from Kismayo to Jamame. The 8 provinces at this time were:^[2]

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
Migiurtinia	90,744	Bosaso (Bender Cassim)
Mudug	118,737	Galkayo
Upper Juba	131,492	Baidoa

In 1982, Somalia reorganized from eight provinces into 16 regions.^[2] In June 1984, Awdal was split from Woqooyi Galbeed and Sool was split from Nugaal to form the current 18 regions.^[2]