Republic of Somaliland | |
---|---|
Motto: لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله (Arabic) Lā ilāhā illā-llāhu; muhammadun rasūlu-llāh "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God" | |
Anthem: حياة طويلة مع السلام Long life with peace | |
Capital and largest city | Hargeisa 9°33′N 44°03′E / 9.550°N 44.050°E |
Official languages | Arabic somali |
Second language | Arabic,[3] English |
Ethnic groups (2017[4]) | 20% somali
|
Demonym(s) | Somalilander |
Government | Unitary presidential republic |
Muse Bihi Abdi | |
Abdirahman Saylici | |
Abdirisak Khalif[5][6] | |
Adan Haji Ali | |
Legislature | Parliament |
House of Elders | |
House of Representatives | |
Unrecognised independence from Somalia | |
c. 2500 BCE | |
1185 | |
1750–1884 | |
• Establishment of British protectorate | 1884 |
• Independence of the State of Somaliland | 26 June 1960 |
• Union with the Trust Territory of Somaliland | 1 July 1960 |
18 May 1991 | |
Area | |
• Total | 177,000[7] km2 (68,000 sq mi) |
Population | |
• 2021 estimate | 5.7 million[7] (113th) |
• Density | 28.27[7]/km2 (73.2/sq mi) |
GDP (PPP) | 2018 estimate |
• Total | $2.5 billion[8] |
• Per capita | $675[7] |
Currency | Somaliland shilling |
Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
Date format | d/m/yy (AD) |
Driving side | right |
Calling code | +252 (Somalia) |
Somaliland (Somali: Somaliland; Arabic: صوماليلاند Ṣūmālīlānd, أرض الصومال Arḍ aṣ-Ṣūmāl), officially the Republic of Somaliland (Somali: Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland, Arabic: جمهورية صوماليلاند) is a de facto country that used to be the former protectorate of British Somaliland. Djibouti lies to the west of Somaliland, the Federal Republic of Ethiopia lies to the south and west and Somalia lies to the east and south.[9][10]
The area used to be the Somaliland protectorate, which was part of the British empire along with Jubaland, once called Trans-juba. The British granted its independence on 26 June 1960 upon which it called the "Somaliland Republic".[11] Shortly after, the leaders of Somaliland and Somalia agreed to form a unified state. In May of 1991, after a brutal war waged by the government of Siad Barre, Somaliland proclaimed and regained its independence.
Currently, Somaliland's international position fulfills the requirements to be considered an independent country[12] according to the Montevideo Convention. The government of Somalia, however, still considers Somaliland to be a part of Somalia.
Somaliland has a republican government with free elections. The capital is Hargeisa. Berbera is a beautiful city on the coast. About 55% of the people of Somalilands are nomads.[13] Most Somalis are Sunni Muslims. Some people are part of Sufi orders.
A territory in the west, called Khatumo State has been disputed between Somaliland and Puntland.