Country Information on Somalia

Terrain Somalia has a quite long coastal region that stretches out for as much as over 2,735 km. The country's area also includes one of the world's longest coral reefs, which runs from Mogadishu to the Kenyan border. A wide coastal plain with large sand dunes borders the Indian Ocean. In the north and north-east the terrain is mountainous and is dominated by the Golis mountain range that includes the country's highest elevation Surud Ad (2,408 m). In the south a rugged plateau rises to about 500 m and drops away steeply to altitudes below 183 m in the extreme south. Two major rivers, the Shabeelle and the Jubba, run across the southern plateau and provide fertile land. Climate Somalia's climate ranges from tropical to subtropical and has either an arid or a semi-arid character. Average temperatures are around 28°C; in the mountainous regions they may well drop to freezing point. During the south-west monsoon there is scanty precipitation from March to June, which averages at about 280 mm annually. Fauna/Flora Vegetation in Somalia consists mainly of coarse grass and stunted thorn and acacia trees. Aromatic flora, producing incense and myrrh, are indigenous to the mountain slopes. In southern Somalia eucalyptus, euphorbia, and mahogany trees are found. Wildlife is abundant and includes crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, zebras, and many poisonous snakes. Kismayu National Park, in the south-west, and Hargeysa National Park in the north contain many rare East African species. History/Politics Hamitic peoples originally inhabited the area of present-day Somalia. From the 2nd to the 7th century AD, the Ethiopian Aksum Kingdom dominated parts of the region. The 7th century saw settlement of coastal regions by the Arabs who established the Adal Sultanate. Portuguese influence caused the sultanate to disintegrate into small independent states that were eventually to be dominated by the Ottoman Empire. Although the Portuguese were not able to control the area, they remained there until they were driven out in 1698. The British established a protectorate in Arabia in the 19th century, later came the French and (after the opening of the Suez Canal) the Italians, too. In 1882 British troops occupied the area of present-day Somalia (then ruled by Egypt) to secure trading routes along the Suez Canal and established a protectorate. After resistance was crushed, the British and Italians could strengthen their position in Somalia. Italy united its colonies of Somaliland, Eritrea and Ethiopia in 1936 under the name of Italian East Africa. After the end World War II Italy had to give up its African colonies that were put under UN administration in 1950 and then called Somalia. The former British and Italian parts of the country were united in 1960; the country proclaimed independence and Aden Abdullah Osman Daar was elected Somalia's first president. The military toppled the government in 1969 and new president General Siad Barre proclaimed the Socialist Republic of Somalia. War broke out with neighbouring Ethiopia in 1976 in a dispute over the region of Ogaden in the course of which thousands lost their lives and 1.5 million people became refugees. A peace agreement between both warring parties was signed in 1988. The opposition movements went on fighting the government of General Barre who was forced to flee the country in 1991. Civil war erupted between various political parties. In December 1992 the UN sent in peacekeeping forces with the aim of restoring order and supplying food and humanitarian aid. Eventually, the UN peacekeeping troops become involved in internal conflict and had to leave in March 1995. In 1997 the National Salvation Council motivated the most important clan leaders to come to an agreement after talks in Cairo, in which they decided on forming a new provisional government. A peace conference in 1998 led to a number of resolutions paving the way for parliamentary elections in 2000 and presidential elections. Abdiqasim Salad Hasan became president; still, his appointment was not recognized by all clan-leaders. Economy Somalia is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries. The country's economy was on the brink of collapse in the early 1990s due to civil war and its devastating effects. Livestock breeding used to be the economic backbone of the country, accounting for about 40% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and about 65% of export earnings. The riverbanks of the Djuba and the Webi Shebeli and some coastal areas have fertile soils that are used to grow agricultural commodities such as sugar, maize, and bananas. The country has various mineral resources and a few deposits that have not been exploited so far. The known resources are crude oil, copper, manganese, iron ore, tin, uranium, marble, and gypsum. Culture One of the most famous Somali women is Waris Dirie, a champion of human rights. Dirie's testimony is the sad story of thousands of women. By telling her story, she hopes to bring an end to the suffering caused by female circumcision. But the United Nations faces strong opposition because many African men and women believe in a tradition they say is part of their heritage. Somali culture is strongly influenced by Islam. One fine example is the music that is played when nomadic people from the country's north perform traditional dances like the "Zar". This music is dedicated to heal the human spirit from evil and emotional disturbance. Used exclusively for healing purposes in former times, it has also become a means of entertainment today.