Somalia | History, Capital, Language, Flag, Facts & Geography of Somalia
History of Somalia:
Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa. African and Arab influences prevail. There were several Somali empires in the Middle Ages that had a significant impact on trade in the region due to Somalia’s prominent position between Africa and Arabia. These empires included the Kingdom of Adal, the Kingdom of Warsangali, and the Gobroon dynasty.
In the 1800s, the British and Italians came here. They created British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland. The Dervishes, led by Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, fought the British from within Somalia for many years until they were defeated in 1920. The area was mainly controlled by Italy until after World War I, when the British took control of the entire area. In 1960, Somalia, an independent country, was established.
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In 1991, the civil war in Somalia broke out. Since then, the country has descended into turmoil, with no real central government. As a result, it is one of the most violent and poorest countries in the world.
Information about Somalia:
| Capital | Mogadishu |
| Population | 18,246,774 (Source: 2023 worldometer) |
| Major Cities | Mogadishu (capital), Hargeisa, Berbera, Kismayo, Baidoa, Burao, Bosaso, Galkayo, Beledweyne |
| Borders | Gulf of Aden to north, the Indian Ocean to east, by Kenya and Ethiopia to west, and by Djibouti to northwest |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $4.918 billion (2020 wikipedia) |
| Currency | Somali shilling (SOS) |
Flag of Somalia:
Somalia Economy Key Industries:
Somalia Major Industries: a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication
Somalia Agricultural Products: bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish
Somalia Natural Resources: uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves
Somalia Major Exports: livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal
Somalia Major Imports: manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat
The Geography of Somalia:
Total Size of Somalia: 637,657 square kilometers (source: wikipedia)
Geographical Low Point of Somalia: Indian Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point of Somalia: Shimbiris 2,416 m
Climate of Somalia: principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons
General Terrain of Somalia: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
World Region or Continent of Somalia: Africa
Geographical Coordinates: 10 00 N, 49 00 E
The People of Somalia & Culture
Somalia Government Type: no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary federal government
Somalia Nationality: Somali(s)
Somalia National Holiday: Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note – 26 June (1960) in Somaliland
Somalia Independence: 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)
Somalia National Symbol: leopard
Somalia National Anthem or Song: Soomaaliyeey toosoo (Somalia Wake Up)
Somalia Languages Spoken: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
Somalia Religions: Sunni Muslim
Interesting Facts about Somalia:
Somalia has a rich cultural heritage, the history of which dates back to ancient civilizations such as the land of Punt.
Somali, Somali, is the official language of Somalia. Arabic and English are also widely spoken.
Somalia has a nomadic herding tradition, with many Somalis formerly engaged in cattle ranching.
The country is known for its stunning coastline, which stretches for more than 3,300 kilometers (2,050 miles) along the Indian Ocean.
Somalia has a diverse wild population, including rare and endangered species such as the Somali wild ass and the Somali ostrich.
Islam is the dominant religion in Somalia and the country has a rich Muslim heritage with many mosques and Islamic centers.
Somali cuisine is famous for its savory dishes, with popular dishes such as camel meat, rice, sambusas (fried pastries) and various spicy stews.
Somalia has faced political instability and conflict, leading to several periods of civil war and displacement.
The country has a strong tradition of oral storytelling, with folklore and poetry playing an important role in Somali culture.
The ancient port city of Zeila, Somalia was an important trading center along the historic Maritime Silk Road.
Somalia has a long coastline rich in marine resources, making fishing an important economic activity for many coastal communities.
Somali music is diverse, with traditional styles such as “hees” and “buraanbur” as well as modern Somali music genres.
Somalia is home to a unique architectural style, including traditional Somali nomadic huts known as ‘aqal’ and historic structures such as the ancient city of Barawa.
The Somali diaspora is huge, with Somali communities present in many different countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East.
The country has faced significant challenges related to piracy in its offshore waters, despite efforts to combat the problem.
Somalia is known for its vibrant traditional dress, with colorful garments and intricate patterns.
Somalis have a strong sense of community and kinship, with the clan system playing an important role in society.
Somali literature and poetry has a long and valuable history, with famous poets such as Hadraawi and Gaarriye contributing to the country’s rich literary heritage.
Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa, to the east by the Indian Ocean and neighboring countries including Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti.