Puntland

Puntland, officially the Puntland State of Somalia, is an autonomous region in northeastern Somalia. Its capital is Garowe, and its largest city is Bossaso. Puntland operates a regional government with its own president and legislature, but it is not internationally recognized as an independent state. It declared itself an autonomous region in 1998 and has since pursued a policy of stability within the federal framework of Somalia, maintaining relations with the Federal Government of Somalia and international partners.

It covers a coastal area along the Gulf of Aden and part of the Indian Ocean, including parts of the Bari, Nugaal, and Sanaag regions. The region's terrain ranges from coastal plains to highlands and plateaus.

The population is predominantly Somali and Muslim (Sunni), with Somali language as the main lingua franca. The economy is based on livestock herding, fisheries, and port trade; Bossaso port serves as a key trade hub for import and export, including livestock and other commodities. Puntland's ports and a growing private sector support regional commerce, with connections to the Horn of Africa and Gulf states.

Since the 1990s, Puntland has pursued governance and security reforms, establishing security forces, and building institutions to support rule of law and basic services. The region has faced occasional security challenges, including piracy along its coast in the 2000s, which it countered through joint actions with international partners.

Although stable relative to some other parts of Somalia, Puntland remains a constituent entity of Somalia's federal system and lacks international recognition as an independent state. It collaborates with international organizations and donor countries on development, humanitarian efforts, and counterterrorism.