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AREA
Somaliland is about the size of England and
Wales with an area of 137,600km² (68,000 sq. miles). The major topography
features are: The low-lying coastal plains known as the Guban, running some
70 km inland with a very hot summer climate. A high escarpment running east-west
parallel to the coast and rising to over 2000m at Eri Gavo. A plateau to the
south of the mountains known as Ogo, extending to Ethiopia, with an average
altitude of 1200m. Further inland and to the south is the Haud, red sandy plains
stretching southwards into Ethiopia, where altitudes fall to some 500m.
CLIMATE
The country has a tropical monsoon type of climate.
However, there are four distinct seasons. A main rainy spring season from April
to June, followed by a dry summer season from July to September. Then there
is a short autumn rainy period from October to November, and finally a long
dry winter from December to March. The latter is the most difficult for the
animal herding rural population and to the farmers to a lesser scale. If the
April-June rains fail the result is a draught that could kill most animals which
have already been weakened by the December-March dry season, which also severely
hits the country's economy.
Annual average precipitation ranges from less
than 1000 mm on the coast to 500 mm inland except for a limited areas where
it may reach 900 mm. Rain variability is very high. Hargeisa, the capital, for
instance, with a long term average of some 400 mm has recorded variations from
209 to 810 mm per annum.
Temperatures also show some seasonal variations.
The winter months are normally cool with average December temperatures in the
range of 15 - 26°C, while the summer months are the hottest averaging 26
- 32°C in June.
POPULATION
The population of Somaliland is estimated at
around 3.5 million. The average population growth rate is 3.1%. Population density
is estimated at approximately 25 persons per sq. kilometre. Fifty-five percent
of the population is either nomadic or semi-nomadic, while 45% live in urban
centres or rural towns. The average life expectancy for the male is 50 and for
females it is 55.
LANGUAGES
Somali is the official language. Arabic and
English are the other official languages.
RELIGION
Islam - Sunni.
CAPITAL CITY & MAIN TOWNS
Hargeisa is the capital of Somaliland with an
estimated population of 0.3 million. The other main towns are Burao, Borama,
Berbera, Erigabo and Las Anod.
HISTORY
The Republic of Somaliland known as the Somaliland
Protectorate under the British rule from 1884 until June, 26th 1960 when Somaliland
got its independence from Britain. On July 1st 1960 it joined the former Italian
Somalia to form the Somali Republic. The union did not work according to the
aspirations of the people, and the strain led to a civil war from 1980s onwards
and eventually to the collapse of the Somali Republic. After the collapse of
the Somali Republic, the people of Somaliland held a congress in which it was
decided to withdraw from the Union with Somalia and to reinstate Somaliland's
sovereignty.
POLITICAL SYSTEM
The country has a republican form of government.
The legislative assembly is composed of two chambers - an elected elder's chamber,
and a house of representatives. An elected President and an elected Vice-president
head the government. The President nominates the cabinet which is approved by
the legislature.
There is an independent judiciary. The current
President of the Republic is Mr.Dahir
Riyaale. The term of the current government ends in early 2003.
ECONOMY
CURRENCY
The official Somaliland currency is the Somaliland
shilling (SlSh). The exchange rate the shilling against the US Dollar in end
of December 2000 was:
US$1 = SlSh4,500
IMPORTS & EXPORTS
The backbone of the economy is livestock. The
total livestock in the country is estimated at 24 million. In 1996, 3 million
heads of livestock were exported to the Middle Eastern countries. The country
also exports Hides, Skins, Myrrh and Frankincense in smaller scale.
LIVESTOCK EXPORTS
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1994
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1995
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1996
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1997
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1998
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TOTAL
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1,779,109
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2,780,637
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2,484,601
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2,926,735
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1,071,100
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SHEEP
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1,685,265
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2,683,597
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2,376,646
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2,808,764
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967,224
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CATTLE
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55,729
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75,047
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65,127
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66,939
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92,213
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CAMEL
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38,025
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21,993
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42,828
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51,032
Supply one
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11,663
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IMPORTS
Annual imports exceed US$200 million. Principal
imports include food commodities, apparel and footwear, fuel, building material,
Machinery, vehicles, and chemicals.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is less significant. There is, however,
a considerable potential for both cereal production and horticulture.
MINING
Mining is limited to quarrying at the moment.
There are, however, confirmed deposits of:
Oil, Gas, Gypsum, Lime, Mica, Quartz, Lignite
Coal, Lead, Gold, Sulphur.
FISHERY & MARINE RESOURCES
The fishing industry is still underdeveloped,
but the country has 600 mile long coast with rich fishing grounds. Somaliland
is strategically located at cross roads between Africa, Europe, The Middle East
and South East Asia. In 1996 up to 846 vessels called on Berbera port on the
Red Sea which has the potential to develop into a major commercial centre.
HEALTH
In1999 , the number of Health centres was 44
and these can be found in most districts. Several private clinics (some catering
for inpatients) are also functioning.
Currently a new hospital is under construction
in Hargeisa specialising exclusively in the treatment of for women & children.
This hospital is expected to open in July 2000 and will be run by a Trust Charity.
This hospital is initiated and funded by a Somali Nurse with other contributions.
EDUCATION
There are 163 primary schools with student population
of 33,000 as per the no of teachers in primary education in the same educational
year 1996/97 was 954. Several private schools catering for primary, secondary
and vocational trainings exist. TWO universities have been opened in Somaliland
during the last few years.
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