Burco
Encyclopedia
Burao 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
.
The inhabitants of Burao are the Habar Yoonis and the Habar Jeclo, of the larger Isaaq
clan of the Somali people
.
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.
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.
, wild boar, zebra
s, the Somali Wild Ass
, warthog
s, antelope
s, the Somali sheep
, wild goat
s, camel
s, 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.
, 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
.
Togdheer
Togdheer is an administrative region in northwestern Somalia. It lies in the territory of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia.-Overview:...
province in Somaliland
Somaliland
Somaliland is an unrecognised self-declared sovereign state that is internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia. The government of Somaliland regards itself as the successor state to the British Somaliland protectorate, which was independent for a few days in 1960 as the State of...
, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. In terms of population, it is the second largest city in Somaliland after Hargeisa
Hargeisa
Hargeisa is a city in the northwestern Woqooyi Galbeed region of Somalia. With a population of approximately 2 million residents, it is the second largest city in the country. Hargeisa is the capital of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region...
.
History
Burao was the site of the unilateral and internationally unrecognized declaration of an independent Somaliland on May 18, 1991. 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. 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
Isaaq
The Isaaq is one of the main Somali clans. Members of the clan principally live in the northwestern Somaliland region of Somalia, and the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The populations of five major cities of Somaliland – Hargeisa, Burco, Berbera, Ceerigaabo and Gabiley – are predominantly Isaaq...
clan of the Somali people
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
.
The city also enjoys full-time electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
and a reliable water supply
Water supply
Water supply is the provision of water by public utilities, commercial organisations, community endeavours or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipes...
from groundwater
Groundwater
Groundwater is water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations. A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an aquifer when it can yield a usable quantity of water. The depth at which soil pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock...
. 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
Togdheer River
Togdheer River is a seasonal river in the Togdheer region of northern Somalia. The region is named after the river. The river's name comes from "Tog" and "dheer" ....
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.
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 KuduKudu
The kudus are two species of antelope of the genus Tragelaphus:*Lesser Kudu, Tragelaphus imberbis*Greater Kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros- Etymology :...
, wild boar, zebra
Zebra
Zebras are several species of African equids united by their distinctive black and white stripes. Their stripes come in different patterns unique to each individual. They are generally social animals that live in small harems to large herds...
s, the Somali Wild Ass
Somali Wild Ass
The Somali Wild Ass is a subspecies of the African wild ass. It was found in the Southern Red Sea region of Eritrea, the Afar Region of Ethiopia, and Somalia...
, warthog
Warthog
The Warthog or Common Warthog is a wild member of the pig family that lives in grassland, savanna, and woodland in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the past it was commonly treated as a subspecies of P...
s, antelope
Antelope
Antelope is a term referring to many even-toed ungulate species indigenous to various regions in Africa and Eurasia. Antelopes comprise a miscellaneous group within the family Bovidae, encompassing those old-world species that are neither cattle, sheep, buffalo, bison, nor goats...
s, the Somali sheep
Somali sheep
The Somali sheep, occasionally known as the Berbera Blackhead, is a hair sheep native to Somalia. The animal is reared primarily for meat production and it is one of the major exports of the Somali economy.-Appearance:...
, wild goat
Wild Goat
The wild goat is a widespread species of goat, with a distribution ranging from Europe and Asia Minor to central Asia and the Middle East. It is the ancestor of the domestic goat.-Social structure:...
s, camel
Camel
A camel is an even-toed ungulate within the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits known as humps on its back. There are two species of camels: the dromedary or Arabian camel has a single hump, and the bactrian has two humps. Dromedaries are native to the dry desert areas of West Asia,...
s, 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 AirportBurao Airport
Burao Airport is an airport in Burao, Somalia . It is less than one kilometer north-east from the New Bridge at the City Center.From its runway, just the first 1500 m are usable, landing in RWY 04....
, which offers flights via Daallo Airlines
Daallo Airlines
Daallo Airlines is an airline, headquartered in the Dubai Airport Free Zone in Al Garhoud, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With its main base at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport, the airline operates scheduled services in East Africa and the Middle East...
to Hargeisa
Hargeisa
Hargeisa is a city in the northwestern Woqooyi Galbeed region of Somalia. With a population of approximately 2 million residents, it is the second largest city in the country. Hargeisa is the capital of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region...
and other cities in Somalia, as well as international locations such as Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
and San'a. In addition, an all weather road connects Burao to the port of Berbera
Berbera
Berbera is a city and seat of Berbera District in Somaliland, a self-proclaimed Independent Republic with de facto control over its own territory, which is recognized by the international community and the Somali Government as a part of Somalia...
through the escarpment town of Sheekh
Sheekh
Sheekh or Sheikh is a small town in the Togdheer region of Somalia. It is situated 70 km north of Burco.-Notes:...
.