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___ SomaliaA virtual guide to Somalia. Get an overview of Somalian art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy and its government.Beside a country profile with facts and figures, this page offers maps, statistics, weather information, and links to sources that provide you with information about this Eastern African nation. |
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Somali Republic - Somalia |
Country Profile |
 Flag of Somalia Background: A SIAD BARRE regime was ousted in January 1991; turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy followed for nine years. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland which now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of the ruling clan and economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American military assistance programs. The regions of Bari and Nugaal comprise a neighboring self-declared Republic of Puntland, which has also made strides towards reconstructing legitimate, representative government. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. A Transitional National Government (TNG) was created in October 2000 in Arta, Djibouti which was attended by a broad representation of Somali clans. The TNG has a three-year mandate to create a permanent national Somali government. The TNG does not recognize Somaliland or Puntland as independent republics but so far has been unable to reunite them with the unstable regions in the south; numerous warlords and factions are still fighting for control of Mogadishu and the other southern regions. The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has been deeply divided since just after its creation and until late December 2006 controlled only the town of Baidoa. In June 2006, a loose coalition of clerics, business leaders, and Islamic court militias known as the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts (SCIC) defeated powerful Mogadishu warlords and took control of the capital. The Courts continued to expand, spreading their influence throughout much of southern Somalia and threatening to overthrow the TFG in Baidoa. Ethiopian and TFG forces concerned over suspected links between some SCIC factions and al-Qaida in late December 2006 drove the SCIC from power, but the joint forces continue to fight remnants of SCIC militia in the southwestern corner of Somalia near the Kenyan border. The TFG, backed by Ethiopian forces, in late December 2006 moved into Mogadishu, but continues to struggle to exert control over the capital and to prevent the reemergence of warlord rule that typified Mogadishu before the rise of the SCIC. (Source: CIA - The World Factbook) border countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya |
 Official Name: Somalia long form: Somali Republic ISO Country Code: so Time: Local Time = UTC +3h Actual Time: Sun-July-6 23:03 Capital City: Mogadishu Other Cities: Baidoa, Beledweyne, Berbera, Bosasso, Gaalkayo, Hargeisa, Jowhar, Kismayo, Merca. Government: Transitional government, known as the Transitional Federal Government, established in October 2004 with a five-year mandate. Independence: July 1, 1960 (from a merger between the former Somaliland Protectorate under British rule, and Italian Somaliland, to form the Somali Republic). Geography: Location: Horn of Africa, Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden on the north, and the Indian Ocean on the east, east of Ethiopia and Kenya. Area: 637 657 sq. km (246 200 sq mi) Terrain: Mostly flat savanna and semidesert, to undulating plateau rising to hills in the north. Climate: Principally desert; hot and dry in the interior and hot and humid in coastal areas. Two rainy seasons, from April to June and from October to December, each is followed by a dry season, very hot in the south with irregular rainfall in the coastal zone. People: Nationality: Somali(s) Population: 8.8 million (of which an estimated 2 million in Somaliland). Ethnic groups: Somali, with a small non-Somali minority (mostly Bantu and Arabs). Religion: 99.9% Muslim. Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English. Literacy: total population that can read and write, 38% Natural resources: Uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves. Agriculture products: Bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish. Industries: a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication. Exports partners: UAE 48.3%, Yemen 20.8%, Oman 5.8% (2005) (livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal) Imports partners: Djibouti 31.8%, India 8.4%, Kenya 8.3%, Brazil 7.9%, Oman 5.6%, UAE 5.2%, Yemen 5.1% (2005) (manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat) Currency: Somali Shilling (SOS) |
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Note: External links will open in a new browser window. Official Sites of SomaliaSomalia has been without a central government since President Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991, and much of the territory has been subject to serious civil strife. Statistical data on Somalia on this page are subject to dispute and error. Transitional Federal Government of The Somali Republic MapsMap of SomaliaPolitical Map of Somalia.  Google
Earth SomaliaZoomable satellite view of Somalia. Google
Earth MogadishuZoomable satellite view of Somalia's capital city.  Map
of AfricaPolitical map of Africa. |
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NewsBanadirSomali portal with newswires news on Somalia (based in Canada) Dhambaal Somali Newspaper (in English and Somali) Himilo National and international news Hornafrik Online Recent news from Somalia (English and Somali) Aayaha.com Somalia related news and opinions. Maayland The Voice of Somali Maay Population, with Somalia news. Somaliland Times English-language weekly, Somaliland. Somaliland News Network (SNN) Somaliland and Somalia related news. (partly in English) Radio Radio Banadir Broadcasting (RBB) with News in English and Somali. International News Sources VOA News - Spotlight on Somalia Voice of America Africa Somalia news. |
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Arts & CultureOsmanartGallery site of the Somali born painter Mohamed Buwe Osman. |
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Business & EconomyTransportationJUBBA Airways Somalia based airline. Star African Airlines Domestic scheduled and charter flights. |
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Somalia - GuidesSomaliNet Somalia related portal site. Ethnic Groups Maayland Portal site of the Somali Maay Population. National Somali Bantu Organization US based site for Somali Bantu Refugees. UN Somalia Somalia information by the United Nations |
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EducationAmoud UniversityFirst institution of higher learning in Somalia after years of war. Gollis University Somaliland’s youngest accredited higher education institution. Mogadishu University Non-governmental institution of higher education. Somali Teacher’s Association Site SOTAS is an umbrella association serving to facilitate networking and collaborative and cooperative work between members across the education and training sector, and with other education and training, private, nonprofit and governmental partners. University of Burao An independent university established in 2004 in Burao, Somaliland. |
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Environment & NatureSomali Centre for Water & Environment (SCWE)Established for Somalia's destroyed environment and water scarcity problems. |
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HistorySomalia Historyby ArabNet The Somali History The plight of the Agro-pastoral Society of Somalia (by Mohamed Haji Mukhtar) History of Somalia Wikipedia entry about the History of Somalia. |
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SearchBanadirSomali portal SomaliNet Somalia web directory Additional Information about SomaliaAfrica South of Sahara (Karen Fung) SomaliaArabNet -- Somalia BBC News Country Profile: Somalia Background Notes: Somalia Open Directory Project: Somalia Wikipedia: Somalia The World Factbook -- Somalia |
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| The Somalia page was last modified on: Wednesday, 21-May-2008 10:59:43 CEST |
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