Ogaden

Ogaden Ogaadeen ውጋዴ/ውጋዴን
Map of the Ogaden region with Somali-inhabited land shaded in red
Region (non-administrative)	Ogaden
Area
• Total	327,068 km2 (126,282 sq mi)
ISO 3166 code	ET-SO

Ogaden (pronounced and often spelled Ogadēn; Somali: Ogaadeen, Amharic: ውጋዴ/ውጋዴን) is one of the historical names used for the modern Somali Region and is also commonly referred to as Soomaali Galbeed (lit. 'Western Somalia'). The region presently forms the eastern portion of Ethiopia and borders Somalia. It also includes another region in the north known as Haud.^[1]

The Ogaden is a vast plateau located to the south and southeast of the Ethiopian Highlands, and is overwhelmingly inhabited by Somali people. It represents the westernmost region inhabited by the Somalis in the Horn of Africa.^[2] It is largely a semi-arid region^[3] and encompasses the plains between the border of Somalia and Ethiopia, extending towards the southeastern highlands where larger cities like Harar and Dire Dawa are located near.^[4]

The primary river in the region is the Shebelle, which is fed by temporary seasonal streams. Towards the southwestern edge of the Ogaden is the source of the Ganale Doria River, which joins Dawa River to become the major Jubba River on the Somali border. The Ogaden is known for its oil and gas reserves,^[5] although development efforts have been hindered by instability prevailing in the area.^[6]