The Somaliland declared its independence on May 18, 1991, following the escalation of the civil war in southern Somalia. The Republic of Somaliland is still not recognized at the international diplomatic level.

The Somaliland, with an area of ??137,600 km², is located between parallels 08°00' and 11°30' North, and meridians 42°30' and 49°00' East. It shares borders with the Republic of Djibouti to the West, the Federal Republic of Ethiopia to the South, and Somalia to the East. It has a coastline of 850 km to the North, along the Red Sea.

 Document 1: The territory of Somaliland 

The borders of Somaliland in 1952... and in 1991

The British Somaliland		Somaliland in 1991

The territory of Somaliland until 2006...

From 1991 to 2006, Somaliland was composed of 6 regions:

Regions	Regional capitals	The 6 regions of Somaliland
1 - Awdal	Borama
2 - Saaxil	Berbera
3 - Sanaag	Erigavo
4 - Sool	Laas Hanood
5 - Togdheer	Galbed
6 - Wooqoyi	Hargeisa

... and the borders of Somaliland in 2008

Border disputes		Division of Somalia states in 2008

Somaliland in 2008		Somaliland location

 Document 2: Somaliland 10 shillings banknote 

   

 Document 3: Flags of British Somaliland colony 

Flag of British Somaliland from 1903 to 1950

Flag of British Somaliland from 1950 to 1960

 Document 4: Flags and emblem of Somaliland today 

Temporary flag

Official flag

Description of the flag: It consists of three equal horizontal stripes. The upper green section symbolizes prosperity. Above it is written in white the Muslim creed: "la ilaha illa-llah muhammad rasulullah" = There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet, emphasizing the new republic's commitment to Islam and the Arab world. The middle section, in white, symbolizes peace. In its center is the star of the Somali flag, but in black instead of white, symbolizing the end of the dream of unification of the five parts of Somalia. The lower section, in light red, symbolizes the blood of heroes who died for liberation.

National emblem

Description of the emblem: A brown-colored falcon. On the falcon's chest, a shield bearing the motto (unreadable here) in Arabic: "Allahu Akbar" = God is great. The falcon carries a balance above its head, a symbol of justice. Below the falcon, two joined hands as a sign of friendship. In a semicircle around the falcon, two green branches joined by a decorative knot.

 Document 5: National anthem of Somaliland 

To download this anthem, click on the flag and wait a moment.