States and regions of Somalia
Template:Pp-semi-indef Template:Short descriptionTemplate:Merging to Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists Somalia is a federal republic consisting of 7 federal member states. They are Somaliland, Puntland, North East, Galmudug, Hirshaabelle, South West, and Jubaland<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> as well as the regional administration of Banaadir. Somalia is further subdivided into 18 administrative regions (gobollo, singular gobol),<ref name=2009factbook>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which are in turn subdivided into districts.
History
Puntland is a federal state in the northeast of Somalia. Galmudug is a federal state in central Somalia. Jubaland is a federal state in the south of Somalia.<ref name=2009factbook/> In November 2014, the South West State of Somalia was established.<ref name="Sswseanc">Template:Cite news</ref> Hirshabelle State was formed in October 2016.<ref name="garoweonline.com">Template:Cite news</ref> Khatumo State in the north central region was recognized in 2023 and superseded by North Eastern State of Somalia in 2025.
The Federal Parliament is tasked with selecting the ultimate number and boundaries of autonomous regional states within the Federal Republic of Somalia.<ref name="FRSom">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Gttsdpc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> To this end, the legislature in December 2014 passed a law establishing the Boundary and Federalization Commission.<ref name="Spetbobaf">Template:Cite news</ref> The body is mandated with determining the boundaries of the country's constituent states, as well as arbitrating between these states.<ref name="Cabfbfnecbfectbft">Template:Cite news</ref>
Federal member states
Somalia is officially divided into 7 federal member states, including the de facto independent Somaliland which remains claimed but uncontrolled.<ref name="somalireview.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="garoweonline.com" /><ref name=":0" />
- Former state entities
- Azania (2011–2013)
- Central Regions State
- Himan and Heeb (2008–2015)
- Maakhir (2007–2009)
Regional administrations
The Banaadir Regional Administration (BRA) covers the area of the capital city Mogadishu, and does not belong to any federal member state.
Regions
President of Somalia Mohamed Siad Barre established five of these regions in 1974 and 1975 for biased clan reasons, Middle Juba, Lower Juba, Gedo, Bay, and Bakool;<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Banaadir shrank to consist of only Mogadishu at the same time.<ref>Mukhtar, 2011, p.48</ref>
Below are the regions of Somalia, with their capitals shown in parentheses:
- Awdal (Borama)
- Bakool (Hudur)
- Banadir (Mogadishu)
- Bari (Bosaso)
- Bay (Baidoa)
- Galgaduud (Dhusamareb)
- Gedo (Garbahaarreey)
- Hiiraan (Beledweyn)
- Lower Juba (Kismayo)
- Lower Shabelle (Merca)
- Middle Juba (Bu'ale)
- Middle Shebelle (Jowhar)
- Mudug (Galkayo)
- Nugal (Garowe)
- Sanaag (Erigavo)
- Sool (Las Anod)
- Togdheer (Burao)
- Woqooyi Galbeed (Hargeisa)