Maps of Somalia

Located in the Horn of Africa, Somalia occupies an area of 637,657 sq. km.  As observed on the physical map above, the terrain of the country features plains, plateaus, and highlands. 

A large part of the Somali peninsula is a tableland. To the extreme north, a narrow semidesert coastal plain that varies in width from around 12 km in the west to only 2 km in the east, borders the Gulf of Aden. It is called Guban. Beyond this plain is the maritime mountain range of the Karkaar Mountains (marked on the map) hosting the highest point in the country, the 2,460 m tall Mount Shimbiris. The range extends from the country's border with Ethiopia in the west up to the tip of the Horn of Africa.

Southwards are broad plateau lands lacking perennial rivers that gradually drop in elevation to the east towards the Indian Ocean. 

Alluvial plains are located further south and separated from the southern coast by a massive belt of ancient sand dunes that extend from Kismaayoto to Hobyo. 

Most of the plateaus of Somalia are dissected by deep river valleys that have rivers flowing in the wet season but remain dry at other times of the year. These rivers drain into the Indian Ocean. The only perennial rivers of the country are the Jubba and the Shabeelle to the south of the country. Both have been marked on the map. 

States of Somalia Map

The ongoing Civil War in Somalia has resulted in the country going through great turmoil. As such, the political divisions of the country have gone through several changes in recent times and possibly will undergo further changes in the future until the war dies down and a permanent solution is devised. 

As of 2016, the Republic of Somalia was made up of the five federal member states of Galmudug, Hirshabelle, Jubaland, Puntland, and South West. 

These states are divided into eighteen administrative divisions called regions or gobolka as shown in the map above. In alphabetical order, these are Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe (Middle Jubba), Jubbada Hoose (Lower Jubba), Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe (Middle Shabeelle), Shabeellaha Hoose (Lower Shabeelle), Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed. 

These regions are further subdivided into districts.

Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia and is located in the Banaadir Region of the country.

Where is Somalia?

Somalia is an African country located in the Horn of Africa (a peninsula forming the easternmost projection of Africa). The Equator passes through southern Somalia. So while most of Somalia lies in the Northern Hemisphere, a small part stretches into the Southern Hemisphere. Longitudinally, Somalia is located entirely in the Eastern Hemisphere.

It has land borders with only two countries; Kenya to the southwest and Ethiopia to the west. The Gulf of Aden forms Somalia's northern borders and the Somali Sea and Guardafui Channel bound it to the east.

Somalia Bordering Countries: Kenya, Ethiopia.

Regional Maps: Map of Africa