Somalia Key Facts
Location
Time
Area
Population
Population Density
Capital
Geography
Somalia is a semi-arid country and the scenery includes mountains in the north, flat semi-desert plains in the interior and a subtropical region in the south. Separated from the sea by a narrow coastal plain, the mountains slope south and west to the central, almost waterless plateau which makes up most of the country. The beaches are protected by a coral reef that runs from Mogadishu to the Kenyan border in the south.
Government
Head of State
Head of Government
Recent History
Eventually, in 2000, senior figures appointed Abdulkassim Salat Hassan president of a transitional government, which aimed to reconcile the warring clans within an appointed time. This was not achieved and in 2004 clan leaders and politicians signed a deal for a new administration (the 14th attempt to establish a government since President Said Barre was overthrown), again with the aim of reuniting a country torn apart into warring fiefdoms.
The rise of rival administration, the Union of Islamic Courts, in 2006 further compromised the new interim government's already struggling hold over the country. The Islamists took over much of the south, including Mogadishu. With the help of Ethiopian troops, the interim government took back control by the end of 2006 but not without a huge rise in violence, resulting in more rape, kidnappings and banditry. It is thought that around 60% of the capital's inhabitants have since fled.
The Republic of Somalia, a self-declared independent territory, and the autonomous region of Puntland have managed to avoid most of the issues now affecting the rest of Somalia.
Language
Religion
Electricity
Social Conventions
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Travel Deals for Somalia
-
Finland Activity & adventure holidays Finnish Lapland has enormous areas of untouched wilderness and mile upon mile of wild rolling fells. This vast open countryside, sparkling in the winter sunshine, just begs to be explored by
-
Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for
-
Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world
-
Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is
-
Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for
-
Dominican Republic Family holidays The Dominican Republic has soared in popularity as a tropical hotspot for families seeking sun, sand and an affordable holiday in the Caribbean. The island's main attraction is magnificent golden sand
Quick links
