REPUPLIC OF SOMALILAND

COUNTRY PROFILE Somaliland is situated on the eastern horn of Africa and lies between the 08°00' - 11°30' parallel north of the equator and between 42°30' - 49°00' meridian east of the Greenwich.

It shares borders with Republic of Djibouti to the west, Federal Republic of Ethiopia to the south and Somalia to the east.

Time zone East Africa Time Time change from UTC Time zone East Africa Time Time change from UTC* UTC+0300 A resident is a... Somali National currency Somaliland shilling (SLS) Major national language(s) Somali (official), Arabic, English. Somaliland has a coastal line to the north of the country which extends 460 miles along the Red Sea.

The territory's geography is distinguished by three main topographical features locally known as the Guban, Oogo and Hawd.

PRESIDENTS OF SOMALILAND 28 May 1991 - 16 May 1993 Abdurahman Ahmed Ali Tur

PRESIDENTS OF SOMALILAND 16 May 1993 - 3 May 2002 Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal

PRESIDENTS OF SOMALILAND 3 May 2002 –current Dahir Rayale Kahin

INDEPENDENCE Somaliland Independent day is May 18-1991 - 3,500,000 million people live in Somaliland. In 1991, after escalating civil conflict in the south, the North West of the country declared itself an independent republic. Somaliland still awaits diplomatic recognition.

MAP OF SOMALILAND

CLIMATE The country has a tropical monsoon type of climate with four seasons. A main rainy spring season from April to June. A dry summer season from July to September. A short autumn rainy period from October to November, A long dry winter from December to March.

ANNUAL RAIN 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. variability is very high.  

TEMPERATURES 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. kilometer. Fifty-five percent of the population is either nomadic or semi-nomadic, while 45% live in urban centers 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.

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 Vice-president head the government. The President nominates the cabinet which is approved by the legislature.

ECONOMY EXPORTS; The backbone of the economy is livestock. 1994 1995 1996 1997 TOTAL 1,779,109 2,780,637 2,484,601 2,926,735 SHEEP 1,685,265 2,683,597 2,376,646 2,808,764 CATTLE 55,729 75,047 65,127 66,939 CAMEL 38,025 21,993 42,828 51,032

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 centers was 44 and these can be found in most districts. Several private clinics (some catering for inpatients) are also functioning.

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. Seven universities have been opened in Somaliland during the last few years.

IMPORTANT HISTORICAL EVENTS 1886 British establish a protectorate over the northern regions. 1941 Following the defeat of the Italian in World War II, the Italian colony of Somalia and the British Protectorate of Somaliland were placed under British military administration. 1950 Italy returned to Somalia as trusteeship authority for the UN, to prepare Somalia for self-rule by 1960.

1960 British Somaliland gains independence from Britain on 26 June. 1960The former British and Italian protectorates unify on 1 July creating the Somali Republic (Somalia). 1960 Somaliland and the Italian administered territory became united as the Somali Republic. 1960 British Somaliland gains independence from Britain on 26 June. The former British and Italian protectorates unify on 1 July creating the Somali Republic (Somalia).

1960 British Somaliland gains independence from Britain on 26 June 1960 British Somaliland gains independence from Britain on 26 June. The former British and Italian protectorates unify on 1 July creating the Somali Republic (Somalia). 1960 Somaliland and the Italian administered territory became united as the Somali Republic. 1961 Aden Abdulla Osman becomes the first elected President of the Somali Republic.

1967 Abdirashid Ali Shirmarke is elected president. 1967 Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal was appointed Prime Minister 1969 President Abdirashid Ali Shirmarke is assassinated on 15 October. Major-General Mohamed Siad Barre comes to power in a bloodless coup d'état on 21 October and declares the Somali Democratic Republic a socialist state.

1971 In a campaign against tribalism, the traditional dia (collective compensation between clans) was abolished. 1974 A Somali-Soviet friendship treaty is signed, leading to substantial military aid to Somalia. 1975 Ten Islamic sheikhs are executed for opposing the introduction of a new law providing more equal inheritance rights for women.

1977-78 War with Ethiopia. 1977-78 A failed coup d'état, led by military officers mostly from the Majeerteen clan, leads to massive government reprisals in the north east. 1981 Somali National Movement was launched.(SNM) 1991 (Jan) Siad Barre fled Mogadishu.

(May 18 1991) Somaliland Republic was proclaimed (May 18 1991) Somaliland Republic was proclaimed. And Abdiraham Tur Was elected as the first president of the Repuplic. 1992 (Dec) Operation Restore Hope began. 1993 (Feb-May) Borama Peace Conference.

(May 1993) Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal became President of Somaliland for an interim period of two years. 1994 (October) Fighting broke out between government forces and Garhajis militias over control of Hargeisa airport 1995 (April or May) Mandate of Egal_s government was extended for 18 months.

2000 Somaliland still awaits recognition. 2002 President Egal second President of Somaliland has died after an illness, he was buried at Berbera, Somaliland. 2004 Abdirahaman Ali Tuur First President of Somaliland has died after an illness, he was buried at Hargeisa, Somaliland.