Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa (HoA), also known as the Somali Peninsula,[2][3][4] is a large peninsula and geopolitical region in East Africa.[5] Located on the easternmost part of the African mainland, it is the fourth largest peninsula in the world. It is composed of Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somaliland.[6] Although not common, broader definitions also include parts or all of Kenya and Sudan.[7][8][9] It has been described as a region of great geopolitical and strategic importance since it is situated along the southern boundary of the Red Sea, extending hundreds of kilometres into the Gulf of Aden, Guardafui Channel, and Indian Ocean, it also shares a maritime border with the Arabian Peninsula.[10][11][12][13]
"Geeska Afrika" redirects here. For the Somali-language newspaper, see Geeska Afrika (newspaper).
Names[edit]
This peninsula has been known by various names. Ancient Greeks and Romans referred to it as Regio Aromatica or Regio Cinnamonifora due to the aromatic plants found there, or as Regio Incognita owing to its uncharted territory. In ancient and medieval times, the Horn of Africa was referred to as the Bilad al Barbar ("Land of the Berbers").[14][15][16] It is also known as the Somali peninsula or, in the Somali language, Geeska Afrika, Jasiiradda Soomaali or Gacandhulka Soomaali.[17] In other local languages, it is called "the Horn of Africa" or "the African Horn": in Amharic የአፍሪካ ቀንድ yäafrika qänd, in Arabic القرن الأفريقي al-qarn al-'afrīqī, in Oromo Gaaffaa Afriikaa, and in Tigrinya ቀርኒ ኣፍሪቃ q’ärnī afīrīqa.[18][19]