Difference between revisions of "Horn of Africa" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
(created, categorized & credited article)
 
(little edit)
Line 3: Line 3:
  
 
[[Image:Africa-countries-horn.png|thumb|300px|Nations of the Horn of Africa.]]
 
[[Image:Africa-countries-horn.png|thumb|300px|Nations of the Horn of Africa.]]
[[Image:horn_of_africa.jpg|thumb|300px|The Horn of Africa as seen from the [[NASA]] [[Space Shuttle]], in May of 1993. The orange and tan colors in this image indicate a largely arid to semiarid climate.]]
 
  
The '''Horn of Africa''' (or, '''Somali Peninsula''') is a [[peninsula]] of [[East Africa]] that juts into the [[Arabian Sea]] and lies along the southern side of the [[Gulf of Aden]]. It is the easternmost projection of the African [[continent]], and so-called because of its resemblance to a [[rhinoceros]]'s [[horn (anatomy)|horn]].
 
  
The term also refers to the greater region containing the [[republic]]s of [[Djibouti]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Eritrea]] and [[Somalia]]. As such, it covers approximately 2,000,000 km² and is inhabited by about 80 million people. [[Sudan]] and [[Kenya]] are sometimes included as well.
+
 
 +
The '''Horn of Africa''' (or, '''Somali Peninsula''') is a peninsula of [[East Africa]] that juts into the [[Arabian Sea]] and lies along the southern side of the [[Gulf of Aden]]. It is the easternmost projection of the African continent, and so-called because of its resemblance to a rhinoceros's horn.
 +
 
 +
The term also refers to the greater region containing the republics of [[Djibouti]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Eritrea]], and [[Somalia]]. As such, it covers approximately 2,000,000 km² and is inhabited by about 80 million people. [[Sudan]] and [[Kenya]] are sometimes included as well.
  
 
[[Greater Somalia]] is a [[nationalism|nationalist]] goal to create a unified [[Somali (ethnicity)|Somali]] state in the Horn of Africa, in the former and present states referred to by the five points of the star in the national flag of Somalia since that country's independence: the former British and Italian colonies of present Somalia, the former French Somaliland (now Djibouti), the [[Ogaden]] in Ethiopia, and a portion of Kenya.
 
[[Greater Somalia]] is a [[nationalism|nationalist]] goal to create a unified [[Somali (ethnicity)|Somali]] state in the Horn of Africa, in the former and present states referred to by the five points of the star in the national flag of Somalia since that country's independence: the former British and Italian colonies of present Somalia, the former French Somaliland (now Djibouti), the [[Ogaden]] in Ethiopia, and a portion of Kenya.
Line 14: Line 15:
 
The Horn of Africa, almost equidistant from the [[Equator]] and the [[Tropic of Cancer]], is an arid region.
 
The Horn of Africa, almost equidistant from the [[Equator]] and the [[Tropic of Cancer]], is an arid region.
  
[[Socotra]] is a small island off the coast of Somalia, in the Indian Ocean, that is considered to be part of Africa.  Its size is 3,600 square km. It is a territory of [[Yemen]], the southernmost country on the [[Arabian peninsula]].
+
[[Socotra]] is a small island off the coast of Somalia, in the Indian Ocean, that is considered to be part of Africa.  Its size is 3,600 square km. It is a territory of [[Yemen]], the southernmost country on the [[Arabian Peninsula]].
 +
 
 +
[[Image:horn_of_africa.jpg|thumb|300px|The Horn of Africa as seen from the NASA Space Shuttle, in May 1993. The orange and tan colors in this image indicate a largely arid to semiarid climate.]]
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
===Ancient history===
 
===Ancient history===
The [[Kingdom of Aksum]] was an African state located in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Yemen that thrived between the [[3rd century|3rd]] and [[11th century|11th]] centuries. Due to the Horn's strategic location, it has been used to restrict access to the [[Red Sea]] in the past.  
+
The [[Kingdom of Aksum]] was an African state located in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Yemen that thrived between the 3rd and 11th centuries. Due to the Horn's strategic location, it has been used to restrict access to the [[Red Sea]] in the past.  
  
The region was also a source of biological resources during the [[Classical antiquity|Antiquity]]: The [[Ancient Egypt|ancient Egyptians]], [[Ancient Greece|Greeks]] and [[Roman Empire|Roman]]s sent expeditions to the region for [[frankincense]], [[myrrh]], [[dragon's blood]] or [[cinnabar]] and took these commodities back along the [[Incense Route]].  Therefore the Romans called this region '''Regio Aromatica'''.
+
The region was also a source of biological resources during the [[Classical antiquity|Antiquity]]: The [[Ancient Egypt|ancient Egyptians]], [[Ancient Greece|Greeks]] and [[Roman Empire|Roman]]s sent expeditions to the region for frankincense, myrrh, [[dragon's blood]] or [[cinnabar]] and took these commodities back along the [[Incense Route]].  Therefore the Romans called this region ''Regio Aromatica''.
  
 
===Modern history===
 
===Modern history===
The Horn of Africa is a region continuously in crisis. Ethiopia occupies a predominant position in the Horn because of its [[demographic]] importance: about 60% of the area's population live in this country. Yet Ethiopia's history is largely marked by conflicts between [[Muslim]]s and [[Christian]]s for resources and living space, as well as between [[nationalism]] and [[Marxism-Leninism]] in the modern times. The rest of the region also faces continuous wars: a [[civil war]] erupted in [[Somalia]] in [[1977]], resulting in the country having had no functioning national government since [[1991]]. [[Sudan]], with the [[Sudanese Civil War]], represents another important source of instability for the whole region. Conflicts have also occurred in Djibouti and Eritrea.  
+
The Horn of Africa is a region continuously in crisis. Ethiopia occupies a predominant position in the Horn because of its [[demographic]] importance: about 60% of the area's population live in this country. Yet Ethiopia's history is largely marked by conflicts between [[Muslim]]s and [[Christian]]s for resources and living space, as well as between nationalism and [[Marxism-Leninism]] in the modern times. The rest of the region also faces continuous wars: a [[civil war]] erupted in [[Somalia]] in 1977, resulting in the country having had no functioning national government since 1991. [[Sudan]], with the [[Sudanese Civil War]], represents another important source of instability for the whole region. Conflicts have also occurred in Djibouti and Eritrea.  
  
Moreover, the region is regularly stricken by [[natural disaster|natural catastrophe]]s, such as [[drought]]s (in Ethiopia) or [[flood]] (Somalia) that hit [[rural]] areas particularly hard. As a result, the region has some of the world's highest levels of [[malnutrition]] and is continuously loomed by a major [[humanitarian crisis]]. Between [[1982]] and [[1992]], about two million people died in the Horn of Africa due this a combination of war and [[famine]].
+
Moreover, the region is regularly stricken by [[natural disaster|natural catastrophe]]s, such as droughts (in Ethiopia) or flood (Somalia) that hit rural areas particularly hard. As a result, the region has some of the world's highest levels of [[malnutrition]] and is continuously loomed by a major [[humanitarian crisis]]. Between 1982 and 1992, about two million people died in the Horn of Africa due to a combination of war and famine.
  
The Horn of Africa, since 2002, has been a major focus of attention by the [[United States]], [[France]], [[Germany]], and eleven African nations regarding the [[War on Terrorism]].
+
The Horn of Africa, since 2002, has been a major focus of attention by the [[United States]], [[France]], [[Germany]], and 11 African nations regarding the [[War on Terrorism]].
  
 
==Culture and ethnicity==
 
==Culture and ethnicity==
The countries of the Horn of Africa are culturally linked together and they are closer to Arabia than to the rest of Africa. Local people have been using the [[plow]] for cultivation and kept the Arabian [[dromedary]] as domestic animals for a long time.
+
The countries of the Horn of Africa are culturally linked together and they are closer to Arabia than to the rest of Africa. Local people have been using the plow for cultivation and kept the Arabian dromedary as domestic animals for a long time.
 
Some important ethno-linguistic groups in the Horn of Africa are:
 
Some important ethno-linguistic groups in the Horn of Africa are:
  
Line 44: Line 47:
  
 
==Economy==
 
==Economy==
States of the region depend largely on a few key [[export]]s:
+
States of the region depend largely on a few key exports:
  
*Sudan: [[Cotton]] 50% of total exports.
+
*Sudan: cotton — 50% of total exports
*Ethiopia: [[Coffee]] 80% of total exports.
+
*Ethiopia: coffee — 80% of total exports
*Somalia: [[Banana]]s and [[livestock]] over 50% of total exports.
+
*Somalia: bananas and livestock over 50% of total exports
  
 
==Ecology==
 
==Ecology==
 
[[Image:Grevys zebra.jpg|250px|left|thumb|The [[Grevy's zebra]] (''Equus grevyi'')]]
 
[[Image:Grevys zebra.jpg|250px|left|thumb|The [[Grevy's zebra]] (''Equus grevyi'')]]
The Horn of Africa is a [[UNESCO]]'s [[Biodiversity Hotspot]] and one of the two entirely arid ones. However the Horn of Africa suffers largely from [[overgrazing]] and only 5% of its original [[habitat]] still remains. On Socotra, another great threat is the development of [[infrastructure]].
+
The Horn of Africa is a [[UNESCO]]'s [[Biodiversity Hotspot]] and one of the two entirely arid ones. However, the Horn of Africa suffers largely from overgrazing and only 5% of its original habitat still remains. On Socotra, another great threat is the development of infrastructure.
  
 
===Fauna===
 
===Fauna===
About 220 [[mammal]]s are found in the Horn of Africa. Among threatened species of the region, we find several [[antelope]]s such as the [[beira]], the [[dibatag]], the [[silver dikdik]] and the [[Speke’s gazelle]]. Other remarkable species include the [[Somali wild ass]], the [[desert warthog]], the [[hamadryas]], the [[Somali pygmy gerbil]], the [[ammodile]] and the [[Speke’s pectinator]]. The [[Grevy's zebra]] is the unique wild [[equid]] of the region.
+
About 220 mammals are found in the Horn of Africa. Among threatened species of the region, we find several antelopes such as the [[beira]], the [[dibatag]], the [[silver dikdik]] and the [[Speke’s gazelle]]. Other remarkable species include the [[Somali wild ass]], the [[desert warthog]], the [[hamadryas]], the [[Somali pygmy gerbil]], the [[ammodile]] and the [[Speke’s pectinator]]. The [[Grevy's zebra]] is the unique wild [[equid]] of the region.
  
Some important [[bird]] species of the Horn are the [[Bulo Burti boubou]], the [[golden-winged grosbeak]], the [[Warsangli linnet]] or the [[Djibouti francolin]].
+
Some important bird species of the Horn are the [[Bulo Burti boubou]], the [[golden-winged grosbeak]], the [[Warsangli linnet]] or the [[Djibouti francolin]].
  
The Horn of Africa holds more [[endemic]] [[reptile]]s than anywhere else in Africa, with about 90 species over about 285 found exclusively here. Among endemic reptile genera, there are ''[[Haackgreerius]]'', ''[[Haemodracon]]'', ''[[Ditypophis]]'', ''[[Pachycalamus]]'' or ''[[Aeluroglena]]''. Half of these genera are uniquely found on Socotra. Unlike reptiles, [[amphibian]]s are poorly represented in the region.
+
The Horn of Africa holds more [[endemic]] reptiles than anywhere else in Africa, with about 90 species over about 285 found exclusively here. Among endemic reptile genera, there are ''[[Haackgreerius]]'', ''[[Haemodracon]]'', ''[[Ditypophis]]'', ''[[Pachycalamus]]'' or ''[[Aeluroglena]]''. Half of these genera are uniquely found on Socotra. Unlike reptiles, [[amphibian]]s are poorly represented in the region.
  
There are about 100 species of [[freshwater]] [[fish]] in the Horn of Africa, about 10 of which are endemic. Among the endemic, we find the cave-dwelling [[Somalian blind barb]] and the [[Somalian cavefish]].
+
There are about 100 species of freshwater fish in the Horn of Africa, about 10 of which are endemic. Among the endemic, we find the cave-dwelling [[Somalian blind barb]] and the [[Somalian cavefish]].
  
 
===Flora===
 
===Flora===
It is estimated that about 5,000 species of [[vascular plant]]s are found in the Horn, about the half of which is [[endemic]]. [[Endemism]] is most developed in [[Socotra]] and Northern Somalia. The region has two endemic plant [[family (biology)|families]]: the [[Barbeyaceae]] and the [[Dirachmaceae]]. Among the other remarkable species, there are the [[cucumber tree]] found only on Socotra, the [[Bankoualé palm]], the [[Yeheb nut]] or the [[Somali cyclamen]].
+
It is estimated that about 5,000 species of [[vascular plant]]s are found in the Horn, about the half of which is [[endemic]]. [[Endemism]] is most developed in [[Socotra]] and Northern Somalia. The region has two endemic plant families: the [[Barbeyaceae]] and the [[Dirachmaceae]]. Among the other remarkable species, there are the [[cucumber tree]] found only on Socotra, the [[Bankoualé palm]], the [[Yeheb nut]] or the [[Somali cyclamen]].
 
 
==See also==
 
*[[Geography of Africa]]
 
*[[History of Djibouti]]
 
*[[History of Eritrea]]
 
*[[History of Ethiopia]]
 
*[[History of Kenya]]
 
*[[History of Somalia]]
 
*[[History of Sudan]]
 
*[[Land of Punt]]
 
*''Compare:'' [[Bulge of Africa]]
 
*''Compare:'' [[Cape Horn]], the southernmost point of [[South America]]
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==

Revision as of 09:08, 9 January 2006


Nations of the Horn of Africa.


The Horn of Africa (or, Somali Peninsula) is a peninsula of East Africa that juts into the Arabian Sea and lies along the southern side of the Gulf of Aden. It is the easternmost projection of the African continent, and so-called because of its resemblance to a rhinoceros's horn.

The term also refers to the greater region containing the republics of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia. As such, it covers approximately 2,000,000 km² and is inhabited by about 80 million people. Sudan and Kenya are sometimes included as well.

Greater Somalia is a nationalist goal to create a unified Somali state in the Horn of Africa, in the former and present states referred to by the five points of the star in the national flag of Somalia since that country's independence: the former British and Italian colonies of present Somalia, the former French Somaliland (now Djibouti), the Ogaden in Ethiopia, and a portion of Kenya.

Geography and climate

The Horn of Africa, almost equidistant from the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, is an arid region.

Socotra is a small island off the coast of Somalia, in the Indian Ocean, that is considered to be part of Africa. Its size is 3,600 square km. It is a territory of Yemen, the southernmost country on the Arabian Peninsula.

The Horn of Africa as seen from the NASA Space Shuttle, in May 1993. The orange and tan colors in this image indicate a largely arid to semiarid climate.

History

Ancient history

The Kingdom of Aksum was an African state located in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Yemen that thrived between the 3rd and 11th centuries. Due to the Horn's strategic location, it has been used to restrict access to the Red Sea in the past.

The region was also a source of biological resources during the Antiquity: The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans sent expeditions to the region for frankincense, myrrh, dragon's blood or cinnabar and took these commodities back along the Incense Route. Therefore the Romans called this region Regio Aromatica.

Modern history

The Horn of Africa is a region continuously in crisis. Ethiopia occupies a predominant position in the Horn because of its demographic importance: about 60% of the area's population live in this country. Yet Ethiopia's history is largely marked by conflicts between Muslims and Christians for resources and living space, as well as between nationalism and Marxism-Leninism in the modern times. The rest of the region also faces continuous wars: a civil war erupted in Somalia in 1977, resulting in the country having had no functioning national government since 1991. Sudan, with the Sudanese Civil War, represents another important source of instability for the whole region. Conflicts have also occurred in Djibouti and Eritrea.

Moreover, the region is regularly stricken by natural catastrophes, such as droughts (in Ethiopia) or flood (Somalia) that hit rural areas particularly hard. As a result, the region has some of the world's highest levels of malnutrition and is continuously loomed by a major humanitarian crisis. Between 1982 and 1992, about two million people died in the Horn of Africa due to a combination of war and famine.

The Horn of Africa, since 2002, has been a major focus of attention by the United States, France, Germany, and 11 African nations regarding the War on Terrorism.

Culture and ethnicity

The countries of the Horn of Africa are culturally linked together and they are closer to Arabia than to the rest of Africa. Local people have been using the plow for cultivation and kept the Arabian dromedary as domestic animals for a long time. Some important ethno-linguistic groups in the Horn of Africa are:

  • In Djibouti: the Afar (Danakil) and the Somali (Issa)
  • In Eritrea: the Afar, the Beni-Amer (Beja), the Hidarb, the Jeberti, the Kunama (Baza), the Nara (Nialetic), the Saho (Irob), the Rashaida, the Tigre, and the Tigrinya.
  • In Ethiopia: the Amhara (Amara), the Afar (Danakil, Adali), the Agaw/Awingi and Agaw/Kamyr, the Bale, the Borana, the Daasenech (Reshiat), the Gawwada (Gauwada), the Gurage/Siltie, the Hammer, the Harari (Adere), the Komuz, the Libido (Maraqo), the Mesengo (Majang), the Mursi, the Oromo (Azebul and Galla), the Qemant, the Saho, the Sidama, the Somali, the Sun, the Tigrinya and the Zayse.
  • In Somalia: the Dabarre, the Digil-Rahawlin, the Garre, the Jiiddu, the Shambaara (Gosha), the Somali, the Swahili (Baraawe) and the Tunni.
  • In Sudan: the Anuak, the Atwot, the Bale, the Beni-Amer (Beja), the Bisharin (Beja), the Burun (Barun, Borun), the Dar Fur Daju, the Dar Sila Daju, the Didinga (Xaroxa, Toil), the Fedicca-Mahas, the Nubian, the Fulani (Sudanese Fula), the Fur (Furawi), the Chulfan (Gulfan), the Gule (Fung, Hameg), the Hadendoa (Beja), the Hamar, the Hausa Fulani, the Ingessana (Tabi), the Kanga (Abu Sinun), the Yerwa Kanuri, the Katla (Akalak), the Kenuzi-Dongolese, the Nubi, the Central Koma (Komo), the Krongo Nuba, the Maba (Borgu, Mabang), the Maban-Jumjum (Maben), the Mararit (Ablyl, Ebiri, Masalit), the Masalit, the Mesakin (Masakin), the Midob (Miedob, Tidi), the Nyimang (Nyima, Ama), the Par (Lokoro), the Rufaa (Rufalyin), the Shatt (Daju), the Shatt (Mandul), the Sungor (Assagori), the Tagale (Taqalawin), the Temein, the Tigre, the Tira (Thiro), the Tulishi and the Zaghawa.

Economy

States of the region depend largely on a few key exports:

  • Sudan: cotton — 50% of total exports
  • Ethiopia: coffee — 80% of total exports
  • Somalia: bananas and livestock — over 50% of total exports

Ecology

The Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi)

The Horn of Africa is a UNESCO's Biodiversity Hotspot and one of the two entirely arid ones. However, the Horn of Africa suffers largely from overgrazing and only 5% of its original habitat still remains. On Socotra, another great threat is the development of infrastructure.

Fauna

About 220 mammals are found in the Horn of Africa. Among threatened species of the region, we find several antelopes such as the beira, the dibatag, the silver dikdik and the Speke’s gazelle. Other remarkable species include the Somali wild ass, the desert warthog, the hamadryas, the Somali pygmy gerbil, the ammodile and the Speke’s pectinator. The Grevy's zebra is the unique wild equid of the region.

Some important bird species of the Horn are the Bulo Burti boubou, the golden-winged grosbeak, the Warsangli linnet or the Djibouti francolin.

The Horn of Africa holds more endemic reptiles than anywhere else in Africa, with about 90 species over about 285 found exclusively here. Among endemic reptile genera, there are Haackgreerius, Haemodracon, Ditypophis, Pachycalamus or Aeluroglena. Half of these genera are uniquely found on Socotra. Unlike reptiles, amphibians are poorly represented in the region.

There are about 100 species of freshwater fish in the Horn of Africa, about 10 of which are endemic. Among the endemic, we find the cave-dwelling Somalian blind barb and the Somalian cavefish.

Flora

It is estimated that about 5,000 species of vascular plants are found in the Horn, about the half of which is endemic. Endemism is most developed in Socotra and Northern Somalia. The region has two endemic plant families: the Barbeyaceae and the Dirachmaceae. Among the other remarkable species, there are the cucumber tree found only on Socotra, the Bankoualé palm, the Yeheb nut or the Somali cyclamen.

External links

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.