Country Information on Somalia 

Terrain

Somalia has a long coast that stretches over 2,735 km. The country also has one of the world's longest coral reefs, which runs from Mogadishu to the border with Kenya. 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 peak Mount Shimbiris (2,400 m). In the south, a rugged plateau rises to about 500 m and drops away steeply to below 183 m in the far south. Two major rivers, the Shabeelle and the Jubba, run across the southern plateau, creating fertile land.

Climate

Somalia's climate is arid or semi-arid. The average temperature is 28°C; temperatures can drop to below zero in the mountainous regions. During the south-west monsoon from March to June, there is very little rainfall, (an average of 280mm).

Fauna/Flora

Vegetation in Somalia mainly consists of coarse grass and thorn and acacia trees. Incense and myrrh trees, which produce aromatic resin, are indigenous to the mountain slopes. Eucalyptus, euphorbia, and mahogany trees are found in southern Somalia. Wildlife is abundant and includes crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, zebras, and many poisonous snakes. Many rare East African species live in the Kismayu National Park in the south-west and the Hargeysa National Park in the north.

History/Politics

Hamitic peoples originally inhabited the area of present-day Somalia. From the 2nd to the 7th century AD, the Ethiopian Kingdom of Aksum dominated parts of the region, which was when the Arabs settled in the coastal regions and established the Sultanate of Adal. In the 16th century, the Portuguese caused the sultanate to break up into small independent states that eventually fell into the hands of 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.

In 1882, British troops occupied the area of present-day Somalia (ruled by Egypt until then) to secure trading routes along the Suez Canal and established a protectorate. After overcoming local resistance, the British and Italians consolidated their position in Somalia. Italy united its colonies of Somaliland, Eritrea and Ethiopia in 1936 under the name of Italian East Africa. After World War II, Italy had to give up its African colonies. They were put under UN administration in 1950 and named Somalia. In 1960 the former British and Italian parts of the country were united; the country proclaimed its independence and Aden Abdullah Osman Daar was elected Somalia's first president. The government was ousted in a coup d'état in 1969, and new president General Siad Barre proclaimed the Socialist Republic of Somalia.

War broke out with neighbouring Ethiopia in 1976 because of a dispute over the region of Ogaden. The war killed thousands and 1.5 million people became refugees. A peace treaty was signed in 1988. The opposition movements continued to fight the government of General Barre, who was forced to flee the country in 1991. Civil war erupted between the various political parties. In December 1992, the UN sent in peacekeeping forces with the aim of restoring order, and supplying food and humanitarian aid. The UN peacekeeping troops eventually became involved in the internal conflict and were forced to leave in March 1995.

In 1997, after talks in Cairo, the National Salvation Council reached an agreement with the most important clan leaders to form a new provisional government. A peace conference in 1998 led to a number of agreements paving the way for parliamentary and presidential elections in 2000. Abdiqasim Salad Hasan became president. However, fighting continued until 2004, when 150 Somalis from all political, social and professional walks of life and Somalis in exile came together to discuss the reconstruction of the country after ten years of civil war. The Puntlania region was hit by the tsunami from the Indian Ocean in December 2004. 200 people died and 30,000 lost their homes.

Economy

Somalia is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries. In the early 1990s the country's economy was on the brink of collapse due to the civil war and its devastating effects. Before the way, livestock breeding was the economic backbone of the country, accounting for about 40% of the GDP 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 yet been exploited. The country has crude oil, copper, manganese, iron ore, tin, uranium, marble, and gypsum. The inflation rate was 100% in 2003.

Culture

One of the most famous Somali women is Waris Dirie, who has worked with the UN as 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. Traditional dances such as the "Zar" danced by nomadic people from northern Somalia are supposed to heal the human spirit from evil and emotional problems. Traditionally used for healing purposes, these dances are still a form of entertainment today.