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Location of Awdal in Somalia

Awdal (Somali: Awdal) is a region in northwestern Somalia. Its capital is Boorama. It is bordered by Ethiopia, Djibouti, the Somali region of Woqooyi Galbeed, and the Gulf of Aden.

[edit] Overview

Awdal (also spelled Adal or Adel) takes its name from of the ancient empire the Adal Sultanate whose power rose in the 16th Century. The area along the Ethiopian border is abundant with ruined cities, which were described by the British explorer Richard F. Burton.^[1]

Awdal region is relatively affluent, contrasting the perception of the Horn of Africa as being war-torn and famine-stricken. The chaos of the Somali Civil War and its aftermath has not ravaged this area quite so much as the rest of the country. For example, the residents of Awdal enjoy the region's most advanced telecommunications network, with fairly reliable cell phone service and internet access.^{[citation needed]} Additionally, agriculture, mining and industry in the area are all profitable enough to allow a comfortable standard of living for the majority of residents, by Sub-Saharan standards.^{[citation needed]} Awdal is also the home of Amoud University.

A modern separatist movement, known as the Awdal Republic^[2], sought independence in 1995 when Somalia began to dissolve after the downfall of Mohamed Siad Barre. A Dir-dominated movement in Awdal province threatens to push for independence if the Republic of Somaliland is officially recognized.^[3]

[edit] Subdivision

Awdal region consists of five districts:

[edit] References

^ Richard Burton, First Footsteps in East Africa, 1856; edited with an introduction and additional chapters by Gordon Waterfield (New York: Praeger, 1966), p. 132. For a more recent description, see A. T. Curle, "The Ruined cities of Somaliland", Antiquity, 11 (1937), pp. 315-327
^ "Awdal "Republic": Declaration of Independence, [Somalia]". University of Pennsylvania - African Studies Center. http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Hornet/awdal.html. Retrieved 2007-01-29.
^ "Somaliland: The Myth of Clan-Based Statehood". Somalia Watch. 2002-12-07. http://www.somaliawatch.org/archivedec02/021207202.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-29.

Coordinates: 10°48′3″N 43°21′7″E / 10.80083°N 43.35194°E / 10.80083; 43.35194

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[0] Richard Burton, First Footsteps in East Africa, 1856; edited with an introduction and additional chapters by Gordon Waterfield (New York: Praeger, 1966), p. 132. For a more recent description, see A. T. Curle, "The Ruined cities of Somaliland", Antiquity, 11 (1937), pp. 315-327

[1] "Awdal "Republic": Declaration of Independence, [Somalia]". University of Pennsylvania - African Studies Center. http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Hornet/awdal.html. Retrieved 2007-01-29.

[2] "Somaliland: The Myth of Clan-Based Statehood". Somalia Watch. 2002-12-07. http://www.somaliawatch.org/archivedec02/021207202.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-29.

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