Where is Somalia?

Somalia is located in the Northern Africa region at latitude 5.152149 and longitude 46.199616 and is part of the African continent.

The DMS coordinates for the center of the country are:

  • 5Β° 9' 7.74'' N
  • 46Β° 11' 58.62'' E

You can see the location of Somalia on the world map below:

Somalia location on the map pointed out by a pin.

Somalia Neighboring Countries

The neighboring countries of Somalia (SO) are:

  1. Djibouti (DJ)
  2. Ethiopia (ET)
  3. Kenya (KE)

Maritime Borders

Somalia borders with the Indian Ocean.

Somalia Key Facts

CountrySomalia
CoordinatesLatitude: 5.152149
Longitude: 46.199616
Country CodesAlpha 2: SO
Alpha 3: SOM
Country Flag EmojiπŸ‡ΈπŸ‡΄
Int. Phone Prefix+252
Capital cityMogadishu
Continent
Subcontinent
Africa
Northern Africa
Country Area637,657 sq km
Population 202116,359,500
World Rank: 72
Median Age15.2
Life expectancy55.3
Major languagesSomali (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Arabic (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Italian, English
UTC/GMT TimeNumber of time zones: 1
  • UTC+03:00
Internet TLD.so
Biggest AirportAden Adde International Airport (MGQ)
Average temperature27.05 Β°C
80.69 Β°F
Administrative Divisions18 regions
Political systemFederal parliamentary democratic republic

Somalia Economy Facts

World Bank Income GroupLow income
World Bank RegionSub-Saharan Africa
CurrencySomalian Shilling (SOS)
GDP in 2020$7 (billions of USD)
World Rank: 152
GDP per capita in 2020$438
World Rank: 194
Major Industries / Economic SectorsAgriculture, manufacturing, energy, services
Top 5 Import CountriesUnited Arab Emirates, China, Kenya, India, Ethiopia
Top 5 Export CountriesUnited Arab Emirates, India, Kenya, China, Saudi Arabia

Biggest Cities in Somalia

Here are the largest cities in Somalia based on 2021 data:

City Population
Mogadishu 2,120,000
Marka 230,100
Jamaame 185,270
Kismaayo 166,667
Baidoa 129,839
Jawhar 111,308
Beledweyne 62,945
Gaalkacyo 61,200
Boosaaso 46,969
Garbahaarrey 43,000

Map of Somalia with the Largest Cities

Other Countries in the Northern Africa Region

Eighteen Regions of Somalia

Somalia is officially divided into 18 regions and 90 districts.

Somalia is also divided into the autonomous states of:

  • Hatumo, Puntland and Somaliland in the north,
  • Galmudug in the Middle Somalia,
  • and Cubaland and the Southwest Somalia in the south.
A color-coded map of Somalia's regions, with a compass rose in the top left and a scale in the bottom right.
Regions of Somalia Map

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.

A map showing the country of Somalia in yellow with major cities marked, bordered by Ethiopia, Kenya, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean.
Somalia Political Map with important cities

In 1984, the Nugaal region was divided into new regions. Thus, the administrative division of today’s Somalia was created.

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 kmΒ² 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.