Then there is a short autumn rainy period from October to November, and finally a long dry winter from December to March. The latter is the most difficult for the animal herding rural population and to the farmers to a lesser scale. Annual average precipitation ranges from less than 1000 mm on the coast to 500 mm inland except for a limited areas where it may reach 900 mm. Rain variability is very high. Hargeisa, the capital, for instance, with a long term average of some 400 mm has recorded variations from 209 to 810 mm per annum.
Temperatures also show some seasonal variations.
The population of Somaliland is estimated at around 3.5 million. Population density is estimated at approximately 25 persons per sq. The average life expectancy for the male is 50 and for females it is 55. Arabic and English are the other official languages. The other main towns are Burao, Borama, Berbera, Erigabo and Las Anod.