region of broken mountain terrain, northern Somalia, eastern Africa. It lies parallel to the Gulf of Aden south of the “burnt” Guban coastal plain, and extends from the Ethiopian border in the west to Cape Gwardafuy (Caseyr) in the east. Rising abruptly from the Guban, the highlands slope gradually to the Hawd plateau in the south and the Nugaaleed (Nogal) Valley in the southeast. Near Ceerigaabo (Erigavo) the highlands rise to Somalia’s highest point, Surud Cad, which has an elevation of 7,900 feet (2,408 m). Consisting of old volcanic lava, the region is deeply dissected by a series of shallow, dry riverbeds and narrow, steep valleys. Passes, including the Shiikh and Karinduusha, divide the highlands into separate mountain peaks rising to elevations between 6,000 and 7,900 feet (1,830 and 2,410 m). Boswellia and Commiphora trees, sources of frankincense and myrrh, respectively, occur in the northeastern part; on higher elevations (above 5,000 feet [1,500 m]) there are some remnants of juniper and cedar forests, now protected by the government. Roads have been cut through the highlands at Shiikh to connect Berbera and Burko and at Tabah to link Maydh and Ceerigaabo.
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