2. GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE 2.1 Location Puntland State is geographically located in the eastern portion of Somalia . It borders with northwest regions in the west, Gulf of Aden in the north, Indian Ocean in the southeast, central regions in the south and Ethiopia in the southwest. 2.2 Area The total area of the State of Puntland is 212,510 km 2 , (roughly one-third of Somalia ‘s geographical area). 2.3 Climate The State of Puntland is semi arid. The country has a warm climate and average daily temperatures range from 27 ° C to 37 ° C. This favours pastoralism as the most effective use of land in most parts of the State. The most valuable pastures include the Hawd region in the high plateau of the West of Mudug and Sool regions and into Ethiopia and the low Nugal valley. In contrast, it is only along the high mountain ranges of Bari that mild temperatures are experienced. In all other parts, the State generally endures tropical desert heat. 2.4 Rainfall Rainfall is variable and sparse with no one area receiving more than 400mm of rain annually. Therefore, nomads rely primarily on wells as a water source rather than surface water. There are four main seasons dictated by shifts in wind patterns. Pastoral and agricultural life revolves around these seasons. These are: Jilal from January to March, the harshest dry season of the year; Gu is the main rainy season from April to June; Xagaa from July to September is the second dry season; Dayr is the shortest and less reliable rainy season, lasting from October to December.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 10:44:13 +0000
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