Puntland, an arid region of north-east Somalia, proclaimed itself an autonomous state in August 1998, in part to escape the clan warfare engulfing southern Somalia.
Despite its general peace, the area has seen armed conflict and a rise in pirate attacks on foreign ships in the Indian Ocean, which made headlines around the world.
Many Somalis who were displaced by the violence in the south have made their way to Puntland.
Puntland claims it does not want recognition as a separate entity, preferring to be a part of a federal Somalia, in contrast to its neighbor, breakaway Somaliland.
The name of the region is derived from the Land of Punt, an enchanted location that served as an ancient Egyptian trading hub.
- : capital. Administrative: Garowe; commercial: Bosaso.
- Area:. 212,510 sq km.
- Population:. 409 million.
- Languages:. Somali, Arabic, and English.
- duration of life: Men aged 53 and women aged 56.
Said Abdullahi Dani is in charge.
In a closely fought election in January 2019, Said Abdullahi Dani, a former federal planning minister, won the presidency. In the third round of voting, Dani defeated Asad Osman Diyano, a former intelligence officer.
As president, Dani is carrying on the policies of his predecessor, Abdiweli Gaas, by fighting back the al-Shabab Islamist militia and expanding the authority of the central government.
The government of Puntland has resorted to detaining journalists and shutting down media outlets despite the fact that the country's charter guarantees press freedom.
The operation of private broadcasters is allowed. Puntland doesn't currently publish any newspapers.
17th to 19th centuries. The Sultanate of Majeerteen, a significant trading power, is in charge of the region that today is known as Puntland.
1888-9 . - Majeerteen and Hobyo, a rival sultanate, are given Italian protectorates.
1920s - . Italian Somaliland has annexed both sultanates.
1960 . With the separation of the Italian and British Somaliland territories and their merger, Puntland is now a part of a single Somalia.
1998 . - Following the collapse of the rest of Somalia into anarchy, the Puntland region declares autonomy but does not call for independence.
2005-2012 . Pirates, who primarily operate out of Puntland, pose a serious threat to shipping off the coast of Somalia before being eliminated by a multinational naval operation.
