Hargeisa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Hargeisa, Somaliland |
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 View from the outskirts of Hargeisa looking towards the famous Naasa Hablood hills. |
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 Location of Hargeisa in Somaliland |
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| Overview | |
| Region | Wooqoyi Galbeed |
| Languages | Somali, Arabic and English |
| Total Population | Between 300,000 and 1,000,000 |
| Area | NA km² |
| Population density | 25 persons per/km² |
| Elevation | 1326 m |
| Timezone | EAT |
| UTC offset | +3 |
| Coordinates | |
| Mayor | Mudane Hussain Mohammoud Jiciir |
| Website | Hargeisa City Council |
Hargeisa (Somali: Hargeysa, Arabic: هرجيسا) is a city in Northwestern Somalia and the second largest city in the country. It is the capital of the republic of Somaliland Republic of Somaliland which was formed in 1991. It was also the colonial capital of British Somaliland from 1941 to 1960 when it united with the south to form the Somali Republic.
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[edit] Geography
Hargeisa is located in a valley in the western section of the country. It is in a mountainous area, and is about 1326 meters above sea level. This altitude gives Hargeisa and the surrounding area a milder climate than the Gulf of Aden coastal area (one of the hottest areas on earth). The temperature ranges between 23 and 32 degrees Celsius (74-89 degrees Fahrenheit). Hargeisa also receives larger amounts of rain, and used to be surrounded by forest when the city was smaller.
[edit] History
Indiscriminate and brutal raids and bombing campaigns led by President Siad Barre devastated the city in the late 80’s including other major towns of Burao and Berbera.
A war memorial in the form of a MiG fighter jet marks this event in which the systematic and desperate attempts by the brutal Barre regime failed in asserting its control in north-west Somalia and the wicked genocide plan in wiping out the Isaaq clan.
It is estimated that over 50,000 innocent northwestern Somalis where murdered by the Barre regime in the late 80’s. Innocent civilians predominantly from the Isaaq clan.
However, by the end of the 1980s, the SNM ( Somali National Movement ) controlled all of the north-west, including the major towns of Hargeisa and Burao , Erigavo , Las Anod . The Siad Barre regime was on the verge of collapse and by the 1991 regime ceased to exist.
As the power of authority in Mogadishu had changed hand to the control of the United Somali Congress (USC) in 1991, a power struggle between the leaders would led to the beginning of the destruction of Mogadishu. As Mogadishu and southern Somalia was being destroyed, the opposite was happening in Hargeisa and the rest of Somalia. The independence of Somaliland was declared and reconstruction started in May 1991.
Since 1991, the city has undergone a massive facelift and over 99% of devastated commercial and residential homes have now been rebuilt and in better condition than before the war. Remittance money sent from overseas relatives contributed tremendously in the reconstruction of the city as well as entrepreneurial sprit of local residences and citizens throughout Somaliland.
Aid from foreign governments was non-existent, making it unusual in Africa for its low level of dependence in foreign aid. While Somaliland is de-facto as an independent country it is not de-jure (legally) recognized internationally. Hence, the government of Somaliland can not access IMF and World Bank assistance.
Hargeisa has working traffic lights and traffic laws are respected. All residences that drive must hold a photo driving licence and all cars sport Somaliland licence plates.
[edit] Education
In Hargeisa there are 2 universities and several state-run and privately owned secondary and high schools.
[edit] Economy
Hargeisa is the financial hub to many entrepreneurial companies ranging from food processing, gem stonecutters, construction, retail, import and export, Internet cafes, to even companies that process remittances from relative’s abroad who send money. Some families have moved back to the city, living in mansions in the hills during the summer. The city has seen considerable development of this sort in recent years. Two major hotels in Hargeisa are the Ambassador and Al-Maan Soor. The Ambassador is just a few minutes' travel to or from the airport, while Maan Soor hotel is located on the outskirts of the city. Hargeisa also has a private menagerie, it houses animals from the region including lions, leopards, antelopes, birds and reptiles.
[edit] Transport
The city is home to Hargeisa International Airport, with flights to Addis Ababa, Djibouti City, Dubai and many other cities across Africa and Somaliland. All foreigners are required to exchange 50 USA Dollars to local currency (which is the Somaliland Shilling. (1 USD=6200 Somaliland Shillings as of Jan. 2006). Also there is a bus service in Hargeisa.
[edit] Communication
Mobile communication is available by Telesom, Sitalink Soltelco,and telcom
[edit] Trivia
- Simon Reeve visited the city and stayed at the Ambassador Hotel as part of his television series, Places That Don't Exist.
- Bob Geldof also stayed at the Ambassador Hotel and visited Hargeisa. [1]
[edit] External links
