Overview of Somalia
A federal republic located at the Horn of Africa, facing the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, currently undergoing reconstruction after a long civil war.
Profile
Somalia extends across the peninsula protruding from the easternmost tip of Africa and possesses both a rich nomadic culture with one of the world's largest camel herds and abundant marine resources. After the collapse of the regime in 1991, warlords, Islamist armed groups, and self-declared independent regions have complicated governance throughout the country. Since the establishment of the Federal Government in 2012, the nation has been working in coordination with the international community to restore governance, revive the economy, combat the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab, and rebuild infrastructure. As a strategic location for maritime traffic, port development is advancing with support from neighboring countries, Turkey, Gulf states, and China, though security remains fluid and requires caution.
- Official name
- Federal Republic of Somalia
- Common name
- Somalia
- Numeric code
- 706
- Alpha-3 code
- SOM
- Alpha-2 code
- SO
- Population
- Approximately 17.1 million (2023)
- Population density
- Approximately 28 people/km²
- Primary languages
- Somali, Arabic
- Major religions
- Islam (predominantly Sunni)
- National anthem
- Qolobaa Calankeed
- Calling code
- +252
- Internet TLD
- .so
History
Somalia gained independence in 1960 through the merger of British and Italian Somaliland. After the collapse of the dictatorship in 1991, it fell into a state of anarchy, with the Federal Government being re-established in 2012.
Shortly after independence, a parliamentary system was adopted, but in 1969, Major General Mohamed Siad Barre seized power through a coup and pursued a socialist path. After the defeat in the 1977 Ogaden War, domestic dissatisfaction grew and warlords proliferated, leading to regime collapse in 1991. UN and US interventions proved unsuccessful, and anarchy continued. In the 2000s, the Islamic Courts Union, later Al-Shabaab, rose to prominence. The Transitional Federal Government was established in 2004, followed by the formal Federal Government in 2012, which, together with African Union forces, recaptured major cities. The northwestern region of Somaliland maintains a de facto independent status.
Geography & climate
The northern Karsi mountain range runs east-west with a narrow Guban plain along the coast, while the central and southern regions feature plateau and semi-arid grasslands, with fertile agricultural land scattered along the Jubba and Shabelle River basins.
Semi-arid and desert climate (coastal areas are hot and humid)
- Area
- Africa / 637657 km²
- Capital
- Mogadishu
- Largest city
- Mogadishu
- Coastal status
- Yes
- Bordering countries
- Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya
Politics
Government: Federal republic (parliamentary system, transitional)
Economy
Currency: Somali Shilling (SOS)
GDP (nominal): 103 hundred million USD (2023)
GDP (PPP): 269 hundred million USD (2023)
Language & timezone
Primary languages: Somali, Arabic
Time zone: East Africa Time
Culture & customs
Ethnic groups
Somali, Bantu communities, Arab merchant descendants, Issa, South Asian minorities
Life expectancy
Approximately 56 years
Literacy rate
Approximately 38%
National sports
Soccer, Athletics, Camel racing, Basketball, Traditional wrestling
Flag
Emblem
