Somalia
Somalia has the longest coastline of any country on mainland Africa, running for over 3,300 km.
- CapitalMogadishuOn the Indian Ocean coast
- PopulationAbout 18 millionIn the Horn of Africa
- Area637,657 km2Mostly semi-arid
- CoastlineOver 3,300 kmThe longest in mainland Africa
Somalia occupies the Horn of Africa, the pointed cape that juts into the Indian Ocean. Its coastline is the longest of any mainland African country, running along both the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
The land is mostly flat semi-arid plain and plateau, with mountains in the north. Livestock herding, especially camels, goats and sheep, has been the way of life for centuries, and Somalia has one of the largest camel populations in the world.
National symbols
- National animal Leopard
- National colours Blue and white
- National anthem Qolobaa Calankeed (Translation: Every Nation Has Its Own Flag)
- National day Independence Day, 1 July
Map of Somalia
Geography
Somalia covers 637,657 km2 and borders Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya, with the Gulf of Aden to the north and the Indian Ocean to the east.
The north has rugged highlands, including the Cal Madow range where Shimbiris reaches 2,460 m. The centre and south are flat plateau and plain, crossed by the Jubba and Shabelle, the country's only significant rivers.
Climate
Somalia is hot and dry for most of the year. Two rainy seasons, the gu from April to June and the deyr from October to December, provide almost all the rainfall.
The northern coast is one of the hottest places on Earth in summer, regularly above 45C. Droughts are frequent and severe, and have repeatedly caused famine, while heavy rains bring flash flooding along the rivers.
Culture
Somali and Arabic are both official. Somali is spoken by nearly everyone, which makes Somalia unusually homogeneous linguistically for an African country.
Almost all Somalis are Muslim. Clan identity is central to social organisation. Somali poetry, particularly the gabay form, is highly prized, and poets have historically held significant social influence.
Economy
Livestock is the backbone: Somalia exports large numbers of camels, goats and sheep, mainly to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, especially before the Hajj.
Bananas, fish, charcoal and frankincense are other exports. Decades of conflict since 1991 have left the country without strong central institutions, though money sent home by the Somali diaspora and mobile money services are important.
The flag
A light blue field with a single large white five-pointed star in the centre.
The blue was originally chosen in honour of the United Nations, which oversaw the territory before independence. The five points of the star stand for the five regions where Somali people traditionally live: British Somaliland, Italian Somaliland, Djibouti, the Ogaden in Ethiopia and the North Eastern Province of Kenya.