The Somali Region

Africa is known for some of the largest deserts in the world, but have you ever heard of the Ogaden Desert? Though smaller, it is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species, as well as a complex history. The Ogaden region is also known by its modern name Somali region. This is not to be confused with the separate country of Somalia, which is nearby.

How big is the Ogaden desert?

The Ogaden Desert is approximately 200,000 square miles, although not all parts of the region can be classified as true deserts. However, it is dry and lies between the Ethiopian Eastern Highlands and parts of Somalia.

Since many of the people living in this region are ethically Somali, there has been some movement to assimilate them into Somalia. The Ogaden clan historically lived and still reside in the region, although 30 other clans reside there as well. For this reason, there was much opposition to the Ogaden region designation in the mid-1990s, when it was established and officially recognised. People believed that naming after just one clan was not accurate or representative. The modern name Somali was the agreed alternative.

Covering much of the region, the Ogaden Basin totals about 135,000 square miles. It has a lot of oil and gas, which is why it gets so much special attention. However, due to conflicts in the region, it is largely underdeveloped. Clans with ties to the region claim that it should be independent or part of Somalia, which is more closely linked to the region’s history and culture.

Where is the Somali region?

The Somali region is in Ethiopia and borders Somalia. The desert acts as a natural dividing line between the two countries. Due to the dry and arid climate, there are few towns in the Ogaden Desert. Further north, the town of Dire Dawa has one of the largest populations in the region, with a population of just under 500,000.

The Dechatu River flows through Dire Dawa although it is dry for much of the year. During the wet summer months, the river can flood. Not only is this dangerous for the infrastructure of the city and surrounding areas, but it can also bring wildlife such as crocodiles with it. Recent studies on rainfall change in Dire Dawa indicate that extreme flooding has become more frequent.

Jijiga is the capital of the Somali region. Census surveys have been unreliable and the population is likely between 60,000 and 120,000 people. The culture of many clans is still nomadic, which can affect populations in cities year-round.

Gode ​​is the former capital and is still a significant city in the Somali region. It was one of the hardest hit areas when severe flooding hit in 2006. The region is mostly arid, but most of the economy is based on agriculture. While seasonal flooding plays a role in agriculture, unexpected flooding can have a devastating effect on crops.

What is the average annual rainfall in the Somali region?

In the capital, Jijiga, there is a rainy season and a dry season. The rainfall differs greatly between the two. During the rainy season, many areas are flooded. This saturates the soil and allows plants to grow even in the dry season when there is not as much rainfall. This natural phenomenon can be seen in parts of Africa and the Middle East, both of which experience severe dry seasons.

November, December and January are the driest months of the year. The average rainfall in each month is less than an inch. The rainy season peaks in summer, with July and August averaging 7.2 and 5 inches of rain per month, respectively. Viewed over the whole year, an average of around 33.7 inches falls annually.

What are the hottest, coldest and average temperatures in the Somali region?

Temperatures remain more constant than precipitation, but also vary depending on the season. June is the hottest month in Jijiga. Average summer highs can reach as high as 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Lows in the same month are around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

The temperature does not vary much from month to month. Even during the dry season, temperatures remain roughly the same on average, high and low. The lowest average temperature is around 45 degrees Fahrenheit in January.

Daily average temperatures range from 61.5 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in June. That’s less than 10 degrees difference throughout the year. Jijiga’s consistency in the temperate highlands is one of the reasons why it became a frequent stopping point for historic caravans passing through the region and has now evolved into a city.

Gode ​​​​is another city in the Somali or Ogaden region. It sees similar temperatures, although averages are only slightly higher. March is the hottest month there with average high temperatures reaching 84 degrees Fahrenheit. July sees average temperatures of up to 79 degrees Fahrenheit. It is just under 1,000 feet above sea level compared to Jijiga which is over 6,000 feet above sea level.

How much precipitation does it get?

The Ogaden Desert does not get very much rainfall each year. The Ogaden Basin in particular sees little rainfall. Parts of the region at higher elevations, including the capital Jijiga, the city of Dire Dawa and the city of Gode, have pronounced rainy seasons where there is more rain.

Ethiopia divides its seasons into three main seasons. That started is the long dry season and falls between September and February. The shorter rainy season Belgian, is between March and April. May usually has some respite from the rains and is usually dry. The long rainy season follows from June to August, called the kirm. Across the country, it averages between 20 and 40 inches per year. It varies greatly depending on location and altitude.

What animals live there?

Despite being a desert region, the Ogaden Desert is home to many species. Like many animals that thrive in desert climates, those living in this area can go long periods without water. They are also adapted to the hotter and drier climate.

Animals that live in the Somali region include hyenas, foxes and leopards. Smaller animals such as birds and wild dogs are also plentiful. Larger African animals such as lions, elephants, rhinos and giraffes can live in this area. However, their populations are smaller due to poaching, which affected their survivability in the Somali region. Recently, conservation efforts have helped bring back some of these animals.

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