Jubaland

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A region in the far south of Somalia and the adjacent part of eastern Kenya, along the lower Juba River and the Indian Ocean coast
2. An area of southern Somalia and eastern Kenya bordering the lower course of the Juba River and the coastline of the Indian Ocean
3. A geographic territory covering parts of southern Somalia and eastern Kenya, centred on the lower Juba River valley near the sea

Etymology: Jubaland is a region in southern Somalia and northeastern Kenya, named after the Jubba River that runs through it. The river's name, "Juba" or "Jubba," is a Somali-region hydronym, and the "-land" ending is the ordinary English element meaning a territory or country, as in Scotland or Puntland. The name follows the same pattern as Puntland, the self-governing region of northeastern Somalia, which takes its name from the ancient Land of Punt rather than from a river. The word is therefore a simple compound of a place name and "land," with no hidden meaning beyond "the land of the Juba." Its use as a regional name reflects the importance of the river itself: the Jubba is the largest river system in Somalia, and the surrounding territory has long been known by its name.