Burao Information
Burao (Somali: Burco, Arabic: برعو) is the capital city of the Togdheer province in Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia. In terms of population, it is the second largest city in Somaliland after Hargeisa.
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History
Burao was the site of the unilateral and internationally unrecognized declaration of an independent Somaliland on May 18, 1991.[1] Also like the other cities in the northern part of the country, Burao has been rebuilt with limited outside aid. The city has boomed economically with the money coming in and people from rural areas moving to the city.
Population
Burao's population has greatly increased over the years. Today, the city has a population of about 400,000 inhabitants.[2] Although information on the number of people voting in the city in 2006 parliamentary elections is available, no census was conducted for more than 20 years.
The inhabitants of Burao are the Habar Yoonis and the Habar Jeclo, of the larger Isaaq clan of the Somali people.[3]
The city also enjoys full-time electricity and a reliable water supply from groundwater. In addition, Burao's central location has contributed to its economic revival. Goods travelling to the south, central and eastern parts of Somalia all depart from the city's outskirts. Rural merchants also sell their produce on a daily basis, which attracts business.
Geography
Weather in Burao, much like other inland towns in northern Somalia, is warm and dry year round. The average daytime temperatures during the summer months of June and August can rise to 35°C (95°F), with low of 25°C (77°F) at night. The weather is cooler the rest of the year, averaging 27°C (80°F) during the day and 14°C (57°F) at night time. The city's limited rainfall usually comes in December and May.
The Togdheer River runs through the town. It is often dry but subject to flooding. The river divides the city in half, and can be crossed via a newly built bridge in the city centre.
Burao's landscape is semi-deserted land, which is fairly flat.
Climate
| Climate data for Burao | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 26 (78) | 28 (82) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) | 31 (87) | 31 (87) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 31 (87) | 30 (86) | 28 (82) | 27 (80) | 29.0 (84.3) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 12 (53) | 13 (55) | 15 (59) | 18 (64) | 19 (66) | 19 (66) | 19 (66) | 19 (66) | 19 (66) | 16 (60) | 14 (57) | 13 (55) | 16.2 (61.1) |
| Precipitation cm (inches) | 0 | 0 | 1 (0.2) | 4 (1.5) | 6 (2.3) | 2 (0.6) | 1 (0.4) | 1 (0.4) | 3 (1) | 2 (0.7) | 1 (0.4) | 0 (0.1) | 19 (7.6) |
| Source: Weatherbase [4] | |||||||||||||
Wildlife
Due to the fertility and greenery of the region, wild animals come to the area either to breed or to graze on the grassland savannah. Prominent animals found in the area include the Kudu, wild boar, zebras, the Somali Wild Ass, warthogs, antelopes, the Somali sheep, wild goats, camels, and many different types of birds. Due south of Burao is a grassland savannah, which attracts many types of fauna to the region, including lions and leopards.
Transport
Burao has a working bus system. Air transportation needs are served by the Burao Airport, which offers flights via Daallo Airlines to Hargeisa and other cities in Somalia, as well as international locations such as Addis Ababa and San'a. In addition, an all weather road connects Burao to the port of Berbera through the escarpment town of Sheekh.
See also
References
- ^ "Somaliland History". World66. Internet Brands. http://www.world66.com/africa/somaliland/history. Retrieved 2007-07-17. "In 1991, after the collapse of the government in Somalia, the territory asserted its independence as the Republic of Somaliland, at a meeting of clan elders in the town of Burao."
- ^ Somalia: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population
- ^ Report on Mission to Haud Area, Region 5, UNDP Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia report, dated 15 November 1994 (accessed 20 December 2008)
- ^ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Burao, Somalia". Weatherbase. 2011. http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=631750&refer=wikipedia. Retrieved on November 24, 2011.
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