• Unrecognized states
  • Independence declared 18 May 1991
  • Capital Hargeisa
  • President Muse Bihi Abdi
  • Population 5,741,086
  • Area 176,120 km²
  • Motto There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God

Somaliland is a self-declared state, internationally considered to be an autonomous region of Somalia. It lies in northwestern Somalia, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden. After the overthrow of Somali military dictator Siad Barr, the former British protectorate declared independence in 1991. Somaliland is ranked as partly free by Freedom House, and maintains informal ties with some foreign governments. The de facto state issues its own money: the Somaliland shilling. However, Somaliland’s self-proclaimed independence remains unrecognized by any country or international organization.