[1] The Nugaal Valley is a key pastoral area which spans across four regions, Nugal and Bari in Somalia and Sool, Sanaag and Togdheer in Somaliland.

Nonetheless, the latitudinal limits of Nugaal proper traditionally refers to the territory stretching from Garowe in the east until Saraar in the west.

The valley's principal watercourses, the Nugaal and the more westerly Togdheer river, fill briefly during and after rainstorms (April to June) and drain into the Somali Sea.

Gypsum hills located around Las Anod supports flora such as Aloe inermis, Dorstenia, Adenia, Raphanocarpus, Euphorbia, Pterodiscus, and Caralluma.

A Las Anod National Park has been proposed to protect the fine scenery, rich and varied flora, and the Somali wild ass.

[8] Due to its proximity to the oil-rich Gulf Arab states such as Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the nation has also long been believed to contain substantial unexploited reserves of crude oil.