Puntland

The name “Puntland” is derived from the Land of Punt mentioned by ancient Egyptian sources. Puntland, an arid region of north-east Somalia, which declared itself an autonomous state in August 1998, is bordered by Somaliland to its west, the Gulf of Aden in the north, the Indian Ocean in the southeast, the central Galmudug region of Somalia in the south, and Ethiopia in the southwest. Please note that it’s not an autonomous country and is a part and parcel of Somalia as of now.

The region has endured armed conflict, and grabbed the world headlines with an upsurge in pirate attacks on international shipping in the Indian Ocean. Piracy has brought vast amounts of money into the region, and is widely viewed by socially as acceptable and lucrative lifestyle, and has attracted former fishermen, ex-militiamen and technical experts.

Puntland is a destination for many Somalis displaced by violence in the south; some of them attempt to make the sea crossing to Yemen.