Somaliland << soh MAH lee land >> is a self-governing state in the “horn” of Africa, between Ethiopia and the Gulf of Aden. Somaliland’s full name is the Republic of Somaliland. It declared independence from the country of Somalia in 1991. However, no countries recognize Somaliland as an independent state. Internationally, Somaliland is recognized as part of Somalia.
During the late 1800’s and much of the 1900’s, the name Somaliland was used for three European colonies in eastern Africa. These colonies were British Somaliland, Italian Somaliland, and French Somaliland (now the country of Djibouti). In 1960, British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland gained independence and united to form the Somali Republic, also called Somalia. When Somalia’s central government collapsed in 1991 during a civil war, northern clan leaders declared independence, calling their new state the Republic of Somaliland. Somaliland has its own constitution and its own currency, and it has held democratic elections for president and parliament. Since 1997, Somaliland has been peaceful.
Most Somalilanders are Muslims, and the countryside is dotted with small Islamic religious schools. About half the people of Somaliland raise camels, cattle, sheep, and goats for local needs and for export to the Middle East. In the west, where there is more rainfall, farmers grow cereals, fruits, and vegetables.
Somaliland has a busy port and a modern airfield at Berbera; two universities; and a booming cellular telephone industry. The capital city of Hargeysa, which was bombed in 1988, has been largely rebuilt with financial help from Somalis living overseas.
