Amid the chaos of guns, kidnappings, pirates, and a host of humanitarian crises--there is a success story: Somaliland.
Since 1991, the country that is internationally known as Somalia has effectively been three countries in one: Somalia in the south, Somaliland in the northwest on the Gulf of Aden, and Puntland in the northeast corner. Somaliland is bordered by Ethiopia and Djibouti.
Although Somaliland is not formally recognized by any international countries or organizations, few people know that it has a parliament, a capital, a flag, a currency, a university and multiparty elections. And most importantly is safe.
Fast Facts:
Capital: Hargeisa (Hargeysa)
Population: ~3.5 million
Local Languages: Somali, Arabic and English.
Religion: Islam is the principal faith and state religion (nearly all Somalis are Sunni Muslims)
For more information, you can check out these local resources:
Somaliland Official Website: http://www.somalilandgov.com/
Somaliland Times (Weekly Independent English Newspaper): http://www.somalilandtimes.net/
"Our Trip to Somaliland" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds7K2QQQK3s
BBC "Places that don't exist: Somaliland" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMf89xPcKxg
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