PCGN is an intergovernmental group that formulates and coordinates policies for writing geographical names outside the UK to ensure consistent implementation across the government. The document discusses various place names in different regions and languages over time, including examples from Somalia, Georgia, Turkmenistan, and how names have changed or been translated between languages and scripts. It provides maps and timelines showing administrative divisions and place names in Somalia from the colonial era to modern day, noting unofficial regional governments like Somaliland and Puntland.

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FUNCTION
PCGN is an interdepartmental group whos e
function is to formulate and coordinate
policies and procedures for the proper
writing of geographical names for places
and features outs ide the United Kingdom
and ens ure the implementation of thos e
policies acros s the UK Government.

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Continuity of reference
El Barsciagle
El Basciaglei
Elbasháqley
Celbashaqley
Ceel Bashaqley

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Russian Georgian (Ossetian)
Тбилиси → თბილისი Ленингор
(Tbilisi) (Tbilisi) (Leningor)
Ленингори → ახალგორი
(Leningori) (Akhalgori)
Turkmenistan
Russian Turkmen Cyrillic Turkmen Roman
Ашхабад Ашгабат Aşgabat
(Ashkhabad) (Ashgabat)
Красноводск Красноводск Türkmenbaşy
(Krasnovodsk) (Krasnowodsk)

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British Somaliland
Somalia Italiana
Somali Republic
Somali Democratic Republic
Soomaaliya
Somali Republic
Republic of Somaliland
Puntland
Jubaland
Maakhir
Northland

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© UK MOD Crown
Copyright, 2012
Crown copyright
material reproduced
with the permis s ion of
the Controller of HMS O
Topographic map data
© Collins Bartholomew
Limited, 2010

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Geology and Water Supply of the Sawl Haud, British
Somaliland c. 1:475,000, W. A. MacFadyen, 1951

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Africa 1:1,000,000, Alula,
Instituto Geografico Militare, 1936

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Gadabuursi (Borama) script
1933
www.omniglot.com

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Cadaale
cadaad = Gum Arabic trees
le = place
Geedka Galoolka
Galool = a type of acacia
Geed can mean both tree and whatchamacallit

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Sōmāliya
1:1,500,000
Milan
Undated
(1960s)

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The word for “big”
Italian Somaliland
Uen
Uein
Uin
British Somaliland
Wein

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Osmanya (Cismaanya) script
1922
www.omniglot.com

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Roman script
Officially adopted 1972
www.omniglot.com

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Extract from Badhaadhe, 1:100,000, 1976

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Republic of Somaliland
Puntland
Galmudug State
Maakhir
Northland
Jubaland
Khatumo State
Awdalland

19. Mapping
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Village THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE COMPASSIONATE AND THE MERCIFUL
CHAPTER ONE
Description of the State, General Principles & Fundamental Rights
Part One
General Description
Article 1: The State of the Republic of Somaliland
1. The country which gained its independence from the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland on 26th June 1960 and was known as the Somaliland
Protectorate and which joined Somalia on 1st July 1960 so as to form the Somali
Republic and then regained its independence by the Declaration of the Conference
of the Somaliland communities held in Burao between 27th April 1991 and 15th
May 1991 shall hereby and in accordance with this Constitution become a
sovereign and independent country known as “The Republic of Somaliland”.
2. Sovereignty resides in the people who shall exercise it in accordance with the
Constitution and other laws.

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GOVERNMENT
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and gracious , we the Puntland people, have
the determination to initiate a new era, in order to recover from the tragedy
consequent effect and the legacy left behind by the civil wars.
Part I
1st Section
General Provisions
Article 2.
The name and the system of the Government
1. The official name of the Regional Government is Puntland State of Somalia.
2. Puntland is an independent Regional Government of Somalia based on the
system of idea sharing, democracy and multi-party system.
3. The system of the government is decentralized, while the highest power is
entrusted to the people with the exception of Allah’s will, using the power directly
in conformity with the Constitution and the laws; and no party of the people, nor
any individual may claim sovereignty to assume the right to exercise it.
4. Puntland is an independent integral part of Somalia and has the obligation to
restore and maintain the unity of Somalia on the basis of a Federal System.

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The internal boundaries shown on this map
are as of 1986 and may no longer be relevant.
There are several unofficial political regions
within Somalia: Somaliland, with its centre in
Hargeysa; Puntland, with its centre in
Garoowe; Galmudug with its centre in the
southern part of Gaalkacyo; and Jubaland
(Azania) centred on Kismaayo.

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Timeline Town of Saylac Town of Xaafuun
Village
1930 Zeila Dante
Borama Migiurtinia
British Somaliland Italian Somaliland
1965 Seyla‘ Ḥāfūn
North-Western Province Majērtēn
Somali Republic Somali Republic
1975 Seylac Xaafuun
Gobolka Woqooyi Galbeed Gobolka Bari
Somali Democratic Republic Somali Democratic Republic
1991 Saylac Xaafuun
Gobolka Awdal Gobolka Bari
“Republic of Somaliland” Somali Republic
2012 Saylac Xaafuun
Gobolka Salal Gobolka Karkaar
“Republic of Somaliland” / Somali Republic
“Awdalland” (Puntland)