Somaliland
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Somaliland. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a region occupying the eastern horn of Africa. It extends along the coast from the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb to the Juba River. The region is arid or semiarid. The total population is over half a million. It is inhabited by the Somali, a Hamitic people, a dark-skinned branch of the white race. The Somali are mixed with negro blood in the south and with Arab blood in the north. As a consequence there is considerable variation in stature, complexion, and form. Although an interesting people the Somali have no literature. Nominally they are Mohammedans. The Somali are divided into numerous tribes. They are a pastoral folk, rearing herds of camels, cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. Their agriculture is carried on by negro slaves. The Somali are a fighting people. Were they not split into jealous tribes they might have preserved their independence, but, as it is, the region is divided into various protectorates. Beginning at the south the coast of Somaliland is divided into Italian, British, and French protectorates. The inland part of the Somali country belongs to Abyssinia. The merchants of Great Britain do a considerable business with the British protectorate. Rice, cotton goods, dates, cutlery, and other articles are imported to the value of $1,000,000 a year. Skins, hides, ostrich feathers, gum, cattle, and sheep are exported. Inland transportation is carried on entirely by means of caravans. 2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about race that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: BR 2026-07-22)
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) a country S. E. of Abyssinia on the coast of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, apportioned to Great Britain, France, and Italy. Two ranges of mountains traverse the peninsula S. E. to N. W., between which lies the Wadi Nogal, of which the natives speak in the most glowing terms. Several varieties of gum trees occur, and the mimosa, tamarisk, wild fig, and several species of the cactus and aloe are abundant. The wild beasts include the elephant, lion, leopard, hyena, wolf, and jackal. Several varieties of deer, jerboas, and squirrels are common. The Somali are a fine race, mainly Mohammedans, though still in a barbarous state. The principal articles of trade or produce are myrrh, ivory, ostrich feathers, hides and horns, coffee, indigo, and gum arabic. A strip 180 miles broad on the coast was reserved to Italy by the treaty of Adis Abeba. By the Cairo convention, signed Jan. 19, 1899, the ports of Berbera and Zilah with the adjacent strip on the 1 N. coast now belong to Great Britain. In 1898 Great Britain ceded to Abyssinia a part of Somaliland. See ABYSSINIA.