Cal Madow

Cal Madow
علمدو
Overview of the Cal Madow mountains
Highest point
Elevation	2,410 metres (7,907 ft)
Coordinates	10°44′09″N 47°14′42″E / 10.73583°N 47.24500°E / 10.73583; 47.24500Coordinates: 10°44′09″N 47°14′42″E / 10.73583°N 47.24500°E / 10.73583; 47.24500
Geography
Cal Madow  Somaliland  Puntland
Parent range	Ogo Mountains
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Cal Madow (also Al Madow, Al Medu, Calmadow or Al Mado) (Somali: Buuraha Calmadow, Arabic: علمدو‎‎) is a mountain range in the east of the self-declared state of Somaliland, extending into the west of Puntland state of Somalia. It stretches across an area between the west of Bosaso to northwest of Erigavo. Its peak sits at almost 2500 m in Shimbiris, northwest of Erigavo. Cal Madow was a tourist destination in the late 1980s. The local population of the Sanaag region is primarily responsible for preserving the habitat, which continues to face the risk of deforestation.

The dense mountain forest sits at an altitude of between 700–800 m above sea level, and has a mean annual rainfall of 750–850 mm. In addition to rainfall, Cal Madow receives additional precipitation in the form of fog and winter rains, which sustain isolated forests of juniperus, buxus etc. Mist also appears to be important in the distribution of juniperus (dayib), one of the species locals use for timber. For timber production, the buxus (dhoqos), buxus and celtis (boodaar) poles are cut from living trees in the evergreen forest. The discovery of the locust bean (ceratonia), lavenders and many other plant species has emphasized the many links the Cal Madow highlands have with the Mediterranean region. The Lamadaya waterfalls is one of the best scenery in Cal Madow.