Balanbale

Balanbale
Balanbale
City
Balanbale
Location in Somalia
Coordinates: 05°41′21″N 45°58′11″E / 5.68917°N 45.96972°E / 5.68917; 45.96972Coordinates: 05°41′21″N 45°58′11″E / 5.68917°N 45.96972°E / 5.68917; 45.96972
Country  Somalia
State  Galmudug
Region Galguduud
Government
 • Type Mayor-Council-Commission
 • Mayor Jama Hayle Mohamed
Population (2016)
 • Total 95,695
Time zone UTC+3 (EAT)
Area code(s) 061

Balanbale (Somali: Balanballe), also spelled as Balanbal, is the district in Galguduud region of Somalia. It is one of the large cities in Galgaduud with a large population. In recent times Balanbale was developing rapidly. As of 2016, the some projects are under enlargement construction.

Balanbale and Goldogob were announced as a district by Somali government led by Jaalle Mohamed Siyaad Bare President of Somalia in 1981; from that time Balanbale has served as the center of the Balanbale district. In 1982 the town was occupied by Ethiopia until 1988

Balanbale is situated in the western part of Galguduud region bordering Ethiopia's Somali Regional State. It has a close relationship both economically and socially, and it plays a key role in the transportation of both countries.

Geography

Balanbale is situated in central Somalia, near the Somali-Ethiopian border. The city is situated about 90 km west of Dhusamareb, the capital of Galguduud province.

Climate

Balanbale has a hot arid climate. The weather is generally hot, sunny and dry. As other Somali regions it has two rainy seasons and two dry seasons, each of three months.

Demographics

The broader Balanbale district has an estimated total population of 155.465 residents. It is primarily inhabited by Somalis from the Marehan Darod clan confederation, in particular the Rer Diini clan.

Education

Balanbale has a number of academic institutions. According to the local administration, there are 12 primary schools in the Balanbale. Among these are Iqra and Balanbale Primary. Secondary schools in the area include Balanbale Secondary School and Iqra High School.

As the University Of Galgadud provides higher degree programs in the region, Balanbale hosts a branch of the university.

Services

Balanbale is served by different public and private medical institutions. Among these is the Balanbale General Hospital, which was equipped and staffed by Somali diaspora in conjunction with local and international NGO partners.

A number of local and international NGOs also have their main offices in the city.

Economy

Livestock is the backbone of Balabale's economy, and it has a thriving livestock industry: hundreds of thousands of camels, sheep, goats and cattle are purchased here and shipped through the busy port of Bosaso every year. The city's livestock trade is at its most brisk during the hajj period, when over a hundred thousand heads of livestock are sold and shipped to the Gulf states, again through Bosaso. Since Balanabale is located near the Somali-Ethiopian border it serves as main hub that connects the two countries. Balanbale has a huge economic relationship with the Somali region of Ethiopia.

Media

Various media organizations are based in Balanbale, including Radio Balanbale. Somali media institutions also have offices in the city.

Districts

Balanbele is subdivided into several administrative districts:

  • Waaberi
  • Canjiidle
  • Oktoobar
  • Dhagax-barkato

Notable residents

References

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