Geography of Somalia

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Satellite image of Somalia

The geography of Somalia is the geography of the easternmost country in Africa . Somalia extends over an area of ​​637,657 km² and consists largely of desert. The highest point is the Shimbiris (2460 m).

location

Map of Somalia

Somalia lies between latitude 2 ° south and 12 ° north and longitude 41 ° and 51 ° east. It is counted to East Africa and is located in the Horn of Africa , mostly on the Somali Peninsula . In the east it borders on the Indian Ocean with the nearby island group Socotra , in the north on its Gulf of Aden , in the northwest on Djibouti , in the west on Ethiopia ( Ogaden or Somali region ) and in the south on Kenya .

The borders with Ethiopia in particular are controversial because of Somalia's territorial claims ( see Greater Somalia ). Northern Somalia is de facto independent as Somaliland . In addition, Puntland has declared itself to be autonomous and Galmudug to be independent. The independence of Jubaland / Southwest Somalia has also been proclaimed several times.

tectonics

Somalia lies on part of the African Plate sometimes referred to as the Somali Plate, which is moving eastward away from the African Plate. In a few million years, Somalia, like other parts of East Africa east of the Great Rift Valley , will be separated from the African Plate.

geology

Most of the rocks on the surface in Somalia are made up of Mesozoic and recent sediments . In the Buur massif west of Mogadishu and in the north of the country parallel to the Gulf of Aden there are isolated, upscale Neoproterozoic and early Cambrian complexes.

relief

Hilly landscape near Boorama

In the north of Somalia extends the eastern Somali highlands , which are here on average 900-2,100 meters high and sinks to the east. Here lies the highest mountain in the country, the Shimbiris with a height of 2450 m. The second highest mountain is the Bahaya (2200 m). The south is flatter with an average height of 180 m.

The Guban coastal plain lies north of the Somali highlands between Saylac and Berbera .

climate

The climate of Somalia is an overall hot and dry monsoon climate with two rainy and two dry seasons. The great rainy season Gu begins in April and lasts until June. It is followed by the Hagaa or Xagaa dry season from July to September, which in turn is followed by the Day or Dayr rains from October to November. The long Jilaal dry season lasts from December to March . Both rainy seasons are also known as Tangambili .

The temporal distribution and total amount of rainfall can vary, which has a significant impact on agriculture and can lead to droughts as well as flooding in the river valleys.

Waters

In the south and center Somalia is traversed by the rivers Jubba and Shabeelle , which have their source in Ethiopia. The latter only reaches its confluence with the Jubba when there is heavy rainfall. All other rivers, namely the Nugaal (Nogal) in the north, do not carry water all year round.

coast

Somalia has a largely flat coastline on the Indian Ocean of 2720 km in length. The coral reef chain of the Bajuni Islands stretches off the coast from Kismayo to Raas Kiyaambo . The Cape Guardafui and section Xaafuun (Hafun) is the easternmost point of Africa, another headland is the RAAS Ras Kamboni .

The Somali current , a warm ocean current to the south, runs off the coast from December to March .

landscape

Landscape near Kismayo, December 1993

The Somali desert or Danakil Somalia takes up a large part of the land area in the center and north . Overgrazing and deforestation for charcoal export lead to desertification .

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Peter van Straten, University of Guelph: Rocks for Crops: Agrominerals of sub-Saharan Africa / Somalia (PDF; 473 kB)