Berbera: Capital of the Sahil region of Somaliland

In the first century A. D. the writer of the Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, mentions myrrh, a little frankincense, tin, ivory, tortoise-shell, odoriferous gums and cinnamon among the exports of the Berbera coast.

In 1286, Berbera is mentioned for the first time by Ibn Sa’id and other Arab geographers and travelers.

Islamic penetration was aided by the establishment of Islamic sultanates around such trading centers and urban areas. Among the earliest important coastal town was Berbera,

Berbera replaces Saylac as the foremost commercial and cultural center of Islamic influence in the Horn of Africa.

It also served as a major port of the Ifat and Adal Sultanates from the 13th to 16th centuries. The city was sacked by the Portuguese in 1518.

Berbera remains under the authority of the sharifs of Mocha and the Ottoman Turks until 1875. It served as the capital of British Somaliland until 1941.
Berbera: Capital of the Sahil region of Somaliland