Balad, Somalia
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| Balad Balcad |
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| Nickname(s): Teyteyley | |
 Balad
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| Coordinates: 2°21′N 45°23′E / 2.35°N 45.383°ECoordinates: 2°21′N 45°23′E / 2.35°N 45.383°E | |
| Country |  Somalia |
| Somalia | |
| District | |
| Government | |
| • Malaaq | |
| Time zone | +3 |
Balad (Somali: Balcad) is one of the districts of Middle Shebelle region of Somalia. It is located about 36 kilometers northeast of the capital city of Mogadishu. It has an area of 4,400 square kilometres (1,700 sq mi) with an estimated population of 480,000. Most of the population is Mataan Abdulle, part of Wabudhan from Abgaal clan of Hawiye. It was once the Headquarters of the Sheikh Hassan Barsane's anticolonial movement, setting up a fort to facilitate the movement.
The district passes one of the Somalia's permanent rivers (Shabelle) which passes through the city of Bal-ad, nevertheless neighbours the Indian Ocean and has a long coast of about 70 km. The district is famous for agriculture, livestock and marine resources.
Bal'ad has one the nature reserves of the country which is located on the eastern bank of the Shabelle River , immediately south of the town. It has been established by the Somali Ecological Society in 1985, at which that time covered an area of 42 ha and later extended to 190 ha in 1987. The site consists of one of the few patches of riverine forest remaining on the Shabelle River and the surrounding scrub savannah.
The principal trees of the riverine forest include Acacia elatior, Ficus sycamorus, Garcinia livingstonei, Mimusops fruticosa and Tamarindus indica, while the surrounding scrub consists of more stunted Acacia nilotica with a dense undergrowth of herbs and tall grasses.
The reserve included a field-centre which, from 1985 to 1990, burning, cutting and grazing within the site was controlled and there were some signs of recovery of the forest and an increase in wildlife populations.
The natural ports of Eil Ma'an (Ceel Macaan) and Eil Adde (Ceel Cadde), located in the district, became the main gates for the flow of goods into and out of Somalia, similar to Cisiley Airport during the decade-and-a-half when Mogadishu's airport and seaport were closed.
[edit] External links
- Somalia: Islamic fighters take the control of Balad town
- Somalia: We Will Attack Mogadishu Tomorrow From Balad And Afgoye, Says Mohammed Dheere
- Islamic militia flaunts its ammunition as U.S.-backed alliance tries to regroup
- United Nations - Weekly Roundup
- District's Map
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