All 18 regions
From Awdal to Lower Juba, A to Z.
Soomaaliya
Somalia
Somalia's 18 regions and its states and administrations: who lives there, how people make a living, who governs, and what families face now. Facts only, from UN, government and research sources.
Sections
States and administrations
How each member state was formed, and Somaliland in brief.
Regions
Awdal
Awdal is the far north-west region, on the borders with Djibouti and Ethiopia, with Borama (Boorama) as its capital and about 300,000 to 636,000 people.
Bakool
Bakool is a region in South West State, on the border with Ethiopia, with Xudur (Hudur) as its capital.
Bari (Bosaso)
Bari is Puntland's north-east region, with the port city of Bosaso (Boosaaso) as its capital and about 1.28 million people.
Bay
Bay is a farming region in South West State, with Baidoa (Baydhabo) as its main city and about 1.25 to 1.8 million people.
Galgaduud (Dhusamareeb)
Galgaduud is a region of central Somalia in Galmudug State, with Dhusamareb (Dhuusamarreeb) as its capital and about 845,000 people.
Gedo
Gedo is a region of Somalia. About 1,014,335 people (IPC estimate, January 2026).
Hiiraan
Hiiraan is a region of Hirshabelle State on the Shabelle river, with Beledweyne as its capital and about 505,000 to 598,000 people.
Lower Juba
Lower Juba is the far southern region on the border with Kenya, with the port city of Kismayo (Kismaayo) as its capital and about 1.2 million people.
Lower Shabelle
Lower Shabelle is Somalia's biggest farming region, along the Shabelle river south-west of Mogadishu, with Marka (Merca) as its capital and about 835,000 to…
Middle Juba
Middle Juba is a farming region on the Juba river in the south, with about 447,000 people.
Middle Shabelle
Middle Shabelle is the farming region along the Shabelle river north of Mogadishu, with Jowhar as its capital and about 1 to 1.26 million people.
Mogadishu (Banadir)
Mogadishu (Muqdisho) is Somalia's capital and makes up the Banadir region, with about 2.97 million people in 20 districts.
Mudug (Galkayo)
Mudug is a region of central Somalia with about 1.5 million people, split between Puntland in the north and Galmudug in the south.
Nugaal (Garowe)
Nugaal is a region of Somalia. About 656,910 people (IPC, January 2026).
Sanaag
Sanaag is a region on the northern coast with Erigavo (Ceerigaabo) as its capital and about 446,000 people.
Sool (Las Anod)
Sool is a region in the north with Las Anod (Laascaanood) as its capital and about 571,000 people.
Togdheer (Burao)
Togdheer is a region of Somalia. About 894,874 people including Buhodle (IPC, Jan 2026).
Woqooyi Galbeed (Hargeisa, Berbera)
Woqooyi Galbeed is the north-western region that holds Hargeisa (Hargeysa) and the port of Berbera, with about 1 to 1.45 million people.
States and administrations
The federal member states: how each was formed
Somalia has six federal member states: Puntland (1998), Jubaland (2013), South West (2014), Galmudug (2015), Hirshabelle (2016) and North Eastern State…
Somaliland, 1991 to 2026, in brief
On 18 May 1991 the north-west declared the Republic of Somaliland and ended the 1960 union.
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