Region
The Horn of Africa
Also Known As Somali Peninsula
Africa
The Horn of Africa is a peninsula and geopolitical region in the easternmost part of mainland Africa, the fourth largest peninsula in the world. In its narrow, most common definition it comprises Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea and the partially recognised state of Somaliland; a broader geopolitical usage sometimes extends it to Kenya and Sudan. The region's mountains were raised by the same Great Rift Valley system that runs from Turkey to Mozambique, and its climate is mostly arid to semiarid. Its position along the southern approach to the Red Sea has made it a strategically important region for millennia. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Classification
Region TypePhysiographic or Climatic Region 1 Region TypePhysiographic or Climatic Region 1 Area (sq km) Population2020 figure. FAQs
Why is it called the Horn of Africa?
It is named for the horn-like shape of the land that juts out from the African continent.
The name comes from the shape of the land. Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and the partially recognised state of Somaliland protrude from the African continent in a shape resembling a horn, and the region is often called simply the Horn. It is also known as the Somali Peninsula, and in Somali as Geeska Afrika. The ancient Romans used other names for it, including Regio Aromatica, after the aromatic plants found there.
Connections
Associated With
The Horn's mountains and highlands were raised by the same Great Rift Valley system.
Source Horn of Africa (Wikipedia)
Source Horn of Africa (Wikipedia)
Held Differently
Kenya, Countries Why this is disputed. Wikipedia's Horn of Africa article states the peninsula proper is composed of Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and separately notes: Although not common, some broader geopolitical definitions include parts or all of Kenya and Sudan. Recorded here under the wider, less common classification.
Source Horn of Africa (Wikipedia)
Sudan, Countries Why this is disputed. Wikipedia's Horn of Africa article states the peninsula proper is composed of Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and separately notes: Although not common, some broader geopolitical definitions include parts or all of Kenya and Sudan. Recorded here under the wider, less common classification.
Source Horn of Africa (Wikipedia)
Shaped By
Source Horn of Africa (Wikipedia)
Source Horn of Africa (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Origin Of
Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.
Found There
Also in Language Atlas: found in this subject.
Also in Language Atlas: found in this subject.
Source Wikipedia: Cushitic LanguagesLead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia articletier 2Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article
They are spoken primarily in the Horn of Africa, with minorities speaking Cushitic languages to the north in Egypt and Sudan, and to the south in Kenya and Tanzania.
Also in Language Atlas: found in this subject.
Source Wikipedia: Semitic LanguagesLead sentence 3tier 2Quote, Lead sentence 3
They are spoken by more than 460 million people across much of West Asia, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Malta, and in large immigrant and expatriate communities in North America, Europe, and Australasia.
Also in Nature Atlas: found in this subject.
Sources
1. The Horn of Africa (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIntroductionQuote, Introduction
The Horn of Africa (HOA), also known as the Somali Peninsula, is a large peninsula and geopolitical region located in the easternmost part of mainland Africa.
View the Source 2. Horn of Africa (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationDefinition and countries section
It is the fourth largest peninsula in the world and is composed of Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the partially recognised state of Somaliland.
Lead section
The Horn of Africa (HOA), also known as the Somali Peninsula, is a large peninsula and geopolitical region located in the easternmost part of mainland Africa.
Infobox
Population: 140,683,144 (2020)
Shaped By: Continental Rifting, Article text
Mostly mountainous, the region arose through faults resulting from the Rift Valley.
Shaped By: Faulting, Article text
Mostly mountainous, the region arose through faults resulting from the Rift Valley.
View the Source Wikidata: The Horn of Africa
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