| El Wak | |
|---|---|
| Country | Somalia |
| Region | Gedo |
| District | El Wak |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
El Wak (Somali: Ceelwaaq) is a divided city on the Somalia-Kenya border. The Somalian portion is located in the southwestern Gedo region, where it is the seat of one of the region's seven districts.
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In the Afro-Asiatic Somali language, the word ceel means "well". Many cities and towns in Somalia have that word in front of it, which suggests the importance of water wells for the region's mostly pastoral clans. The name El Wak therefore refers to a water well, a structure still used by local herders.
El Wak is situated in the El Wak District. It is bordered by the Bardera and Garbaharey districts on the east, and the Somali-inhabited North Eastern Province to the west.
The area is rich in camels, cows, sheeps and goats. Most of the local population are thus pastoralists, and also engage in small business and trade.