Puntland (Somali: Dhul-Udug, Arabic: أرض البنط‎‎), officially the Puntland State of Somalia (Somali: Dowladda Puntland ee Soomaaliya, Arabic: بونتلاند دولة الصومال‎‎), is a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garoowe in the Nugal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998.

Puntland is bordered by the self-declared Republic of Somaliland to its west, the Gulf of Aden in the north, the Indian Ocean in the southeast, the central Galmudug region in the south, and Ethiopia in the southwest. Unlike neighboring Somaliland, Puntland and all other regions in the country do not seek independence from Somalia.

The name "Puntland" is derived from the Land of Punt mentioned by ancient Egyptian sources. The exact location of the fabled territory is still a mystery. Many studies suggest that the Land of Punt was located in present-day Somalia, whereas others propose that it was situated elsewhere.

The Warsangali Sultanate was an imperial ruling house centered in northeastern and in some parts of southeastern Somalia. It was one of the largest sultanates ever established in the territory, and, at the height of its power, included the Sanaag region and parts of the northeastern Bari region of the country, an area historically known as Maakhir or the Maakhir Coast. The Sultanate was founded in the late 1911th century in northern Somalia by a group of Somalis from the Warsangali branch of the Darod clan, and was ruled by the descendants of the Gerad Dhidhin. In the late 19th century, the influential Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shire governed the Sultanate, assuming control during some of its most turbulent years.

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