At present, this East African state practically does not exist in its full form, it actually collapsed as a result of a civil war.
Somalia shares borders with Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean, and in the north by the waters of the Gulf of Aden.
The current situation in Somalia
In the south and southwest of Somalia, the Mujahideen of the Islamist movements Harakat al-Shabab and Hizb-ul-Islaami continue to confront the autonomous administrations of Jubaland and Southwestern Somalia, allied to the Federal Government of Somalia.
The north of Somalia is controlled by the unrecognized state of the Republic of Somaliland, which declared its independence in 1991. At the same time, the legitimate government of Somalia actually controls only part of the country and 60% of the capital Mogadishu.
Mujahideen- this is any Muslim who fights, makes some effort for the sake of Allah, i.e. is a member of jihad. BUT jihad in Islam is the struggle with their spiritual or social vices (for example, with lies, deceit, corruption of society, etc.), the elimination of social injustice, constant zeal in the spread of Islam, waging war against aggressors, punishing criminals and offenders. AT Arabic the word "jihad" means any effort or diligence, including in work, study, etc. But in a number of democratic secular countries and republics, jihad belongs to the branch of extremism.
Recognition of the independence of Somaliland is under discussion, but Great Britain, Belgium, Ghana, South Africa, Sweden, Djibouti have already established diplomatic relations with this republic. The Ethiopian embassy operates in the capital of Somaliland, Hargeisa. But this issue has not yet been resolved, while separatist movements began in Somaliland itself: first, Northland and Maakhir separated, then Avdaland in the west of the self-proclaimed state.
In the central part of Somalia, several small warring armed groups (including clans of Somali pirates) continue to operate, expressing independence in relation to the federal authorities.
In August 2012, Mogadishu adopted an interim constitution establishing Somalia as a federation. The federal government was formed.
Transitional Federal Government forces and African Union peacekeepers are fighting against various factions. Other African countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, etc.) are also drawn into the Somali conflict. How the dramatic events in this country will end is unknown.
If you look at the situation in Somalia unprejudicedly and soberly, then the reason for the war, the deployment of UN peacekeeping troops, etc. is obvious: Somalia is a source of minerals, oil, and besides, the country occupies a geostrategic position - the Suez Canal can be controlled from its territory. And the Western "peacekeepers" are acting according to the same scenario in Iraq, and in Syria, and in Libya, and in Somalia ...
After the overthrow of the regime of Mohammed Siad Barre in 1991, the country actually fell apart and turned into an arena of endless tribal wars. This is a brutal American action movie nightmare come true, set in a world after a nuclear apocalypse, where the survivors have fallen into complete savagery and fight for survival among the ruins every day.
The country's capital, Mogadishu, has been in ruins since 1992, and it is now hard to believe that less than a quarter of a century ago it was a flourishing city that brought together several world cultures.
In the meantime, we will talk about the state of Somalia, which no longer exists, but in which there are many original and interesting things, except for the war. And also about what else has been preserved.
State symbols
Flag- repeats the flag of Italian Somalia. The blue color is taken from the UN flag, in gratitude for the help provided by the UN to Somalia in obtaining independence from Italy. The five peaks of the star symbolize the five areas where the Somalis live: Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, former British Somalia and Italian Somalia. The flag was approved on July 1, 1960.
Coat of arms- is an azure shield with a gold border, in the center with a silver 5-pointed star. The shield is crowned with a stylized gold crown with five teeth and is supported by two leopards facing each other, standing on crossed spears fastened with a gold ribbon under crossed green palm branches. The coat of arms was approved on October 10, 1956.
State structure
Form of government- presidential republic. But now it is actually anarchy.
head of state- the president.
Incumbent since 2012 Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
Capital- Mogadishu.
Largest cities“Mogadishu, Hargeisa.
official languages
- Somali, Arabic. The writing of the Somali language was created in 1973 on the basis of the Latin alphabet. According to UNESCO, in 1980 the literacy rate was 6.1%.
State religion- Sunni Islam. Somalia ranks 2nd in the list of countries where the rights of Christians are most often oppressed.
Territory- 637,657 km².
Administrative division- 18 provinces.
Population– 10 251 568 people Political life countries are largely determined by the multi-ethnic nature of the population. There are six main tribes: Dir, Darod, Isaac, Hawiye, Dikil and Rahanvain, the first four are nomadic pastoralists, the other two are settled farmers. Nomadic tribes consider themselves descendants of the Somali ancestor Somal. Darod and Isaac fiercely dispute the primacy. Each tribe is subdivided into clans, often at enmity with each other.
Currency- Somali shilling.
Economy. Somalia is an economically backward and poor country. It has scarce mineral resources, the basis of the economy is mainly nomadic and semi-nomadic animal husbandry. About 80% of the able-bodied population is employed in agriculture. The share of industrial production is insignificant, and mineral resources do not pay off the costs of their development. Many factors adversely affected the state of the country's economy: severe droughts, wars, inter-clan struggle that unfolded after the overthrow of the Siad Barre regime in 1991.
Agriculture: animal husbandry is distributed mainly in the northern regions; agriculture - in the south. They grow corn, sorghum, cassava, sesame, citrus fruits, sugarcane and cotton. The only export crop is bananas, they are cultivated in the valleys and interfluves of the Jubba and Webi-Shabelle. Seafood is almost absent in the Somali diet, although the country's coastal waters are rich in fish, shrimp and lobster. Industry: mainly processing of agricultural raw materials (production of canned meat, sugar refining, leather tanning). Textile factories use local and imported cotton. Among the new industries are cement and oil refineries. Imports exceed exports. Export: live cattle and bananas. Import: industrial and foodstuffs, transport equipment, machinery and spare parts. Transport: a developed network of roads, mostly without a hard surface. Mogadishu has an international airport. Main seaports– Mogadishu, Berbera and Kismayo.
Education– Education at all levels is free. Until 1972, there was no written language in Somalia, so there was no full-fledged education system. Since 1972, a campaign to combat illiteracy began. Higher and professional education: National University of Somalia in Mogadishu and several specialized colleges.
Sport- developed basketball. Somalia took part in the 7 Summer Olympic Games, making its debut at the Games in Munich in 1972. Despite the ongoing civil war since 1988, Somalia sent small delegations to the Games. Somali athletes have never competed in the Winter Olympics. Somalia has never won an Olympic medal.
Military establishment- consist of ground forces, naval and air forces.
State entities in Somalia
Currently, the following state entities exist in Somalia:
Somali Republic- the main part of Mogadishu, thanks to the military contingent stationed there from Uganda and Burundi. These territories are controlled by the Transitional Federal Government.
Jubaland(southwest). Since 2013 it has been an autonomy.
Galmudug(center) - autonomous region. Now recognizes the Transitional Federal Government, considering itself an autonomy, participates in the war on the side of the federal government;
Himan and Heb(center) - a semi-autonomous state entity on the territory of Galmudug, adhered to neutrality, is considering the possibility of joining the federal Somalia.
Ahlus-Sunna-wal-Jama "a(central areas adjacent to the border with Ethiopia) - a group of moderate Islamists who support the Transitional Federal Government and participate in the war on its side, controlling a small territory on the front line, has the status of autonomy.
Puntland(northeast) - autonomous region. Recognizes the central Transitional Federal Government. But he declared his neutrality. Maakhir (north) is an autonomous state, has recognized the Transitional Federal Government and considers itself an autonomy.
Hatumo(north) - autonomy since 2012 is an autonomy. In January 2012, it declared itself an autonomy under the name of the Somali State of Hatumo, and was recognized in this status by the President of Somalia.
The Islamic Emirate of Somalia (Jamaat Ash-Shabab, Al-Shabaab) is a radical Islamist movement with ties to al-Qaeda and working closely with radical Islamists in neighboring Yemen. Controls significant territories in the southwest and in the center of Somalia;
Republic of Somaliland(northwest). It declared itself an independent state on May 18, 1991. It is not officially recognized by any state in the world, although it has informal political ties with a number of countries.
Avdaland(Northwest) - Autonomous region self-proclaimed in August 2010. It is part of the federal Somalia. He does not explicitly participate in the war.
It is interesting to note that all these state entities have their own flag, coat of arms, and capitals.
This is how it looked political map Somalia in October 2014
Nature
Most of the country's territory is occupied by plateaus and plateaus. The climate is subequatorial monsoon climate; in the north - tropical desert and semi-desert. The state of Somalia has the longest coastline among all African countries, it stretches for 3,300 km.
The only non-drying rivers of Somalia (Jubba and Uabe-Shebelle) are located in the southern part of the country.
Jubba River
Groundwater in most of the country is located deep and has increased concentration minerals. Uabe Shebelle and Jubba are very important to the people and wildlife of Somalia, especially during the dry season.
The vegetation of the plateau includes tall coarse grasses. Sometimes there are thickets of shrubs and trees, among them mimosa, acacia, aloe, ethereal shrubs.
Adenium Somali
In the mountains in the north of the country there are small groves of cedar, fig and juniper. In many areas, the natural vegetation was completely destroyed. It is believed that about 3.5 thousand years ago, the Somali peninsula was covered with forests. It rained so much that the houses had to be built on stilts to keep them from flooding. The country traded timber with many countries. It turns out that I traded too successfully. Eventually a tropical forest was destroyed, and the descendants were left with a barren, sun-scorched land.
Fauna: zebras, hyenas, foxes, different kinds of antelopes, lions, leopards, warthogs, various birds. Elephants, giraffes and rhinos are almost completely destroyed by poachers. Since the start of the civil war in 1991, measures for the protection of nature in Somalia have been completely absent.
Kismayo Park(Kismayu) is an area inhabited by lions, hyenas, leopards, monkeys.
culture
The majority of the population of Somalia are nomadic pastoralists. The main value for them is camels, symbolizing wealth. A Somali who has a dozen camels (as well as a hundred goats and sheep) is considered prosperous. Nomads live in temporary settlements, in collapsible dwellings such as yurts made of camel skins 1.5-2 m high and 3-5 m in diameter (akals). Around these dwellings they build a fence of cacti and thorny acacia - this is a corral for livestock.
Akal
Sedentary Somalis (farmers and fishermen) build cylindrical huts with adobe walls and thatched roofs. The dimensions of these huts are the same as the yurts of nomads. In large villages, rectangular dwellings are also erected with adobe walls and a roof made of palm leaves.
On holidays, they organize mass dances with singing, accompanied by clapping, stomping, and the sound of wooden planks. They also dance to the sounds of a tambourine and drums, as well as to the sounds extracted by blowing into sea shells. The usual reason for the holiday is the birth of a son, the offspring of a camel, the receipt of some income.
The national dress of Somali men consists of a loincloth and a long piece of fabric falling diagonally across the chest from the shoulder, usually from locally produced linen, dyed white, orange or blue. Sometimes a shoulder cape is also worn, which covers the head in bad weather.
The dress of a Somali woman is a piece of fabric 10-15 m long, part of which is wrapped around the hips, and the rest is draped over the upper body, but leaving one shoulder bare. Men's and women's shoes- Das sandals. Many Somalis wear leather collars with quotations from the Koran around their necks.
Men now wear mostly European clothes.
The main food of nomadic pastoralists: camel milk (fresh and sour), sheep and goat cheese, sometimes meat and cereals. Settled Somalis eat mainly porridge, flatbread and sometimes milk. Most Somalis categorically do not eat fish, poultry, eggs - these foods are considered "unclean" in Somalia.
Attractions Somalia
Laas Gaal ("Camel Well")
Cave complex in Somaliland. Known for well-preserved rock paintings, some of the oldest on the Somali peninsula and one of the best preserved on the entire continent.
Numerous petroglyphs were found on the walls of the caves, depicting mainly cows, but also people, wolves or dogs and giraffes. The drawings of cows are especially interesting: they all have unusual lyre-shaped horns, many of them are dressed in ceremonial clothes, their necks are decorated with some kind of shell. Dating of petroglyphs: from IX-VIII to III millennium BC. e.
Shinbushi Beach
Located 5 km from the city of Merke (Merca). This place attracts with landscapes and a convenient sandy beach.
Main Mosque of Hargeisa
Hargeisa is the capital of the unrecognized Republic of Somaliland and the second largest city in Somalia.
Architectural monuments of Somalia
The main square of Mogadishu in the 1970s
Arab navigators founded Mogadishu back in the 9th century, turning it into a trading gate for East Africa, a meeting place for the African world and Arab civilization. The historical mosque of Farh-ad-Din, built in 1269, has survived to this day. In the 16th century. The city was captured by the Portuguese, but could not hold out there. Then the city came under the rule of the Sultan of Zanzibar, and from him to the Italians in 1892, who ruled intermittently until 1960, when the country's independence was proclaimed.
Former parliament building
This is what the flourishing city of Mogadishu has become
The main symbol of the Italian heritage in Somalia was the majestic cathedral in the Norman-Gothic style, erected in 1928.
And this is what he looks like now
Ever since it started Civil War, the Republic of Somalia was actually divided into dozens of warring groups. Disease, famine and ineffective government policies have contributed to the emergence of terrorist groups that have spawned crime and violence throughout the country. Somalia is the most failed state in the world.
Story
In the III century BC. e. in the north of Somalia, Greeks and Egyptians, subjects of the Ptolemies, founded their trading posts. They were also engaged in catching and sending elephants to Egypt.
The main population of Somalia in those days were nomadic pastoralists, although there were already port settlements on the coast of the Gulf of Aden, ruled by local princelings. In the I-II centuries AD. e. the population of the coast of northern Somalia traded with the Roman Empire, South Arabia, India: fragrant resins, spices, ivory, tortoise shells, slaves were exported from here, and handicrafts and food products were imported.
During the heyday of the Aksumite kingdom in ancient Ethiopia in the 4th-6th centuries. n. e. the northern part of Somalia falls under his authority, and the important port of Zeila appears.
Ruins of Zeila
With the decline of Aksum's influence in northern Somalia, the early state formation of the Berbers and the alliance of the Hawiya tribes arise. They included semi-sedentary pastoralists, as well as nomads.
Middle Ages
Islam began to spread in Somalia in the 12th-13th centuries. From the same period, sultanates began to arise, which quickly disintegrated. There were constant wars between them. There were also wars against the Christian Ethiopian Empire.
In 1499, Portuguese ships under the command of Vasco da Gama appeared off the coast of Somalia. The Portuguese captured the Somali cities of Mogadishu, Barowe, Zeila and gradually subjugated the entire coast of Somalia.
The Egyptian Mamluks and Turks opposed the Portuguese, using the support of local Somalis. Ethiopia joined the fight on the side of Portugal. In 1530-1559. in Somalia, there was a bloody war between the Somalis, Mamluks and Turks against the Ethiopians and the Portuguese. Ethiopia won, and the Somali tribes broke up into small alliances that fought among themselves.
Gondershe Citadel
As a result, the population of Somali cities has drastically decreased. Some cities were abandoned. Zeila in the 17th century. came under Turkish rule. From the middle of the XVII century. coastal cities in eastern Somalia began to subjugate the Sultanate of Oman. After the transfer of the residence of the Omani sultans to Zanzibar, the eastern coast of Somalia went to Zanzibar, and the northern coast to Turkey. In the interior of Somalia, many local sultanates formed that did not recognize the authorities of Turkey and Zanzibar.
Somalia in the 19th century
At the beginning of the XIX century. various teachings of Muslim movements and sects began to spread in Somalia, periodically declaring "jihad" to their neighbors.
In 1819, one of the sects founded the theocratic state of Bardera, which began to fight against the Geledi, Tunni and Baraue sultanates. In the middle of the 19th century, Bardera was defeated by its neighbors, but the centers of jihad remained.
Since 1869, the ports of Somalia began to seize Egypt, but to no avail. In 1884-1888. Great Britain, Italy and France divided the entire coast of Somalia among themselves.
The southern part of Somalia accepted the protectorate of Italy. The northern coast came under the rule of Britain, Djibouti - to France. Some Somali tribes in the interior of the country recognized Ethiopian authority.
Somalia in the 20th century
Since 1899, the Muslim preacher Said Mohammed Abdille Hassan fought against the Italians and the British under the slogans of jihad, the expulsion of foreigners and the establishment of a truly Islamic state. During the First World War, Hasan counted on the help of Turkey and Germany. It was possible to defeat Hassan only in 1920.
Monument to Said Mohammed Abdullah Hassan in Mogadishu. Said Mohammed Abdille Hassan- Somali religious leader, founder of the dervish state, who for more than 20 years led the fight against the British and Italian colonialists. Counts national hero Somalia.
In the 1920s, the Italian colonialists began to develop a system of European-style plantation farming in Somalia, building roads and irrigation facilities.
During the same period, the British colonialists in their part of Somalia were mainly engaged in the construction of roads, the improvement of ports and the export of skins (mainly goats).
During the Second World War, Somalia was united first under the Italian flag, then under the British. After a long transitional period, Somalia was granted independence.
Independence
After gaining independence in 1960, two former colonies formally united: Italian Somalia and British Somalia (Somaliland). Aden Abdullah Osman Daar became the first president. Soviet Union helped the country - an agreement on economic and technical cooperation was signed.
Mohamed Said Barre
In 1969, a military coup took place, General Mohammed Siad Barre came to power, declaring a course towards building socialism with Islamic specifics. In 1970-77. Somalia received significant Soviet military and economic assistance, the Soviet fleet received a base in Berbera at its disposal.
After gaining independence, Somalia made territorial claims to neighboring countries and territories: Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti (then the Territories of Afar and Issa). Siad Barre in 1977 unexpectedly attacked Ethiopia, pursuing a policy of creating a Greater Somalia and having the goal of seizing the Ogaden region, captured by Ethiopia at the beginning of the 20th century. and inhabited by Somali tribes. The USSR took the side of Ethiopia, Somalia was defeated.
In 1978, there was an attempted coup by army officers, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, who from 2004 to 2008 will become the formal head of state, also took part in it.
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
In the 1980s, an insurgency began in the north of the country, and as a result of the ongoing crisis, President Mohammed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991, and the country plunged into complete chaos.
Chaos in the country
Somalia as a state actually ceased to exist, having lost all the attributes of a single statehood and disintegrated into many shreds controlled by warring warlords. The northern part of the country declared its independence as the Republic of Somaliland, and remains relatively stable. In 1991-1992 in Somalia, a severe famine broke out, claiming the lives of 300 thousand people. In December 1992, UN peacekeeping forces were brought into the country to protect workers from organizations distributing humanitarian aid from the actions of local warlords. But the UN forces allowed themselves to be drawn into the internal Somali conflict and began to be attacked by militants of one of the contenders for the presidency of the country, field commander Mohammed Aidid. US troops have withdrawn from Somalia. In 1995, UN units from other countries also left the country. The conflict went into a latent stage, Somalia turned into a base for pirates in the Indian Ocean. The seizure of ships and hostages became a frequent occurrence. Pirates use boats, machine guns and grenade launchers.
In 2000, an attempt was made to unify the country when Abdul-Qassim Salat Hassan, a graduate of a Soviet university, was elected president. But the field commanders, who had the support of Ethiopia, refused to obey him. In 2004, an alternative interim government was created, headed by Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed.
In the spring of 2006, Mogadishu became the scene of fighting between Islamists from the Islamic Courts Union and pro-American warlords from the Counter-Terrorism Alliance for Peace Restoration. A few months later, the Islamic Courts Union already controlled seven of the ten regions in southern Somalia, including Mogadishu. They called it a period of "unprecedented stability" and "tremendous success in the fight against crime." But international interference in the affairs of Somalia began.
At the end of 2006, Ethiopia intervened in the conflict on the side of the warlords, defeated the military formations of the Union of Islamic Courts and installed the government of Yusuf Ahmed in Mogadishu. His administration did not control much of the country. On December 29, 2008, Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed resigned. In early 2009, Ethiopia completed the withdrawal of its troops from Somalia. Formations of the Islamic group "al-Shabaab" took control of most of the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu.
On January 31, 2009, the leader of the moderate Islamists, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was elected President of Somalia.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed
In 2009, Sharia law was introduced in the country. But despite this, the government of Sharif Ahmed was able to control only a few square kilometers of the capital, mainly thanks to the inter-African peacekeeping force. This part of the capital is constantly shelled by the rebels. Al-Shabaab Islamists have introduced Sharia law in the territories they control. Public amputations of the hands of Somalis accused of theft have become commonplace. International observers suspect the possibility of contacts between al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda.
State of Somalia located in eastern Africa and occupies the extreme east of the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. In addition to Somalia, Djibouti, part of Ethiopia and Eritrea are also located on the peninsula. Most of the country's territory is occupied by plateaus and plateaus. The climate of Somalia is mostly arid, with rather poor rainfall over most of the territory. Due to its geographical position, the state has the longest coastline among all African countries, which stretches for 3,300 km.
Territory and borders
Somalia shares land borders with Kenya (to the southwest), Ethiopia (to the west), and Djibouti (to the northwest). In the east it is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean, and in the north - by the waters of the Gulf of Aden. The total length of the border is 2366 km, of which with Ethiopia - 1626 km, with Kenya - 682 km and with Djibouti - 58 km. Length coastline- 3300 km. The area of the state is 637,657 km², of which land is 627,337 km², and inland waters- 10,320 km². The highest point of the territory is Mount Shimbiris (2416 m above sea level); the lowest point is the level of the Indian Ocean.
Relief
The territory of Somalia is mainly the Ogaden plateau with an average height of about 900 m above sea level, which gradually rises to the north and forms the Haud plateau. The plateau is formed mostly by young limestones and sandstones. In the far north, along the Gulf of Aden, is a narrow coastal plain that widens considerably west of the city of Berbera. Along it stretches the raised edge of the plateau, which abruptly breaks off to the coastal plain with rocky ledges. In the southwest of Somalia, the vast Golgodon Plateau extends, which gradually decreases towards the Indian Ocean. The extreme south and southeast of the country are alluvial plains, which are separated from the ocean by a ridge of ancient dunes, stretching for more than 1000 km from Kismayo in the south to Hobyo in the north.
Inland waters
The only non-drying rivers in Somalia - Jubba and Uabe-Shebellelocated in the southern part of the country. Starting in the Ethiopian highlands, both rivers cut deeply into the plateau up to the point where they reach the alluvial plains. The Jubba carries its waters directly to the Indian Ocean, into which it flows near Kismayo. The Wabe Shebelle turns sharply north of Mogadishu and flows along the coast to where it meets Jubba. The Jubba is more abundant in water than the Uabe-Shebelle, which in its lower course during a prolonged drought is sometimes lost in the sands. Most of the other rivers of the country flow in narrow valleys of plateaus and plateaus and are seasonal. Groundwater in most of the country is located deep and has an increased concentration of minerals. Wabe Shebelle and Jubba are of critical importance to the people and wildlife of Somalia, especially during the dry season.
Climate
Somalia is characterized by a subequatorial monsoon climate; in the north of the country the climate is tropical desert and semi-desert. In general, there is a dry season (from January to April), a rainy season (from late June to September) and transitional periods, however, precipitation is notable for its irregularity. The entire territory of the country is characterized by extremely high average temperatures throughout the year, so daily highs usually range from 30 to 40 ° C, with the exception of the highest regions and some areas on the east coast, which are under the influence of a cold coastal current. Average monthly temperatures vary from 34 to 42°C on the northern coast and reach 24°C in the mountains. The country has recorded some of the highest average annual temperatures in the world. Frosts sometimes occur in the north and in the mountainous regions.
Somalia is characterized by rather poor rainfall. In the northeast, less than 100 mm of precipitation usually falls annually (in some areas even less than 50 mm), in the central regions - from 200 to 300 mm. The most abundant precipitation falls in the northwest and southwest of the country, reaching 510 and even 610 mm per year. Precipitation is highly unstable, usually taking the form of showers.
Live nature
The vegetation of the plateau includes tall coarse grasses. Sometimes there are thickets of shrubs and trees, among them mimosa, acacia, aloe, ether-bearing shrubs can be noted. In the mountains in the north of the country there are small groves of cedar, fig and juniper. Due to the illiterate use of land in many areas, the natural vegetation was completely destroyed. The fauna includes such species as zebras, hyenas, foxes, various kinds of antelopes, lions, leopards, warthogs, various birds, etc. Such large animal species as elephants, giraffes and rhinos were probably almost completely destroyed by poachers. Since the start of the civil war in 1991, there have been no conservation measures in Somalia.
Monuments of ancient civilizations are scattered throughout the country, from ancient Egyptian and Phoenician, to Coptic temples and settlements of ancient Punt, which was also mentioned on Phoenician tablets. Somalia as a state was known back in the days of Ancient Egypt - at that time this region was called "Punt".
Somalia, Somali Democratic Republic, a country in East Africa. It was created on July 1, 1960 as a result of the unification of the UN trust territory, which was under the control of Italy, and the English protectorate of Somaliland. In 1960-1969 it was called the Somali Republic.
Somalia. The capital is Mogadishu. Population - 8304 thousand people (2004). The population density is 11 people per 1 sq. km. km. Urban population - 26%, rural - 74%. Area - 637.7 thousand square meters. km. The highest point is Mount Shimbiris (2407 m). Official languages: Somali and Arabic. The main religion is Islam. Administrative-territorial division - 18 regions. Currency: Somali shilling = 100 cents. National holiday: Independence Day - July 1.
Flag of Somalia
Somalia is often referred to as the Horn of Africa. The country has access to the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. It borders Djibouti in the northwest, Ethiopia in the west, and Kenya in the southwest.
In 1998, the population of the country was estimated at 6842 thousand people. The area of settlement of the Somali ethnic group does not coincide with state borders. In 1977, a little more than 75% of the total number of Somalis lived in Somalia, in the Ogaden region in Ethiopia - approx. 20%, in the north-eastern part of Kenya - approx. 4% and in Djibouti less than 1%. As a result of the 1977-1978 war and numerous border conflicts in the 1980s, almost 1 million Somalis were forced to move from Ethiopia to Somalia. Due to an unresolved dispute with Ethiopia over the ownership of the Ogaden region, the area of Somalia is indicated in the range from 565 thousand to 668 thousand square meters. km. The capital is Mogadishu (about 1 million inhabitants).
Nature. Most of the territory of Somalia is occupied by the vast Ogaden Plateau with average heights of approx. 900 m above sea level It gradually rises to the north, forming the arid plateau of Howd. Along the northern coast of the country from the city of Hargeisa to Cape Guardafuy (Ras Aseir), the raised edge of the plateau extends, which abruptly breaks off with rocky ledges to the coastal plain. The highest point of the country is Mount Shimbiris (2407 m), located in the Surud Ad massif within the Sanag region. The southern provinces of Somalia are flat arid plains, where more fertile lands are located along the river. Jubba, the only non-drying river in this part of the country, as well as the river. Webi Shabelle. In the lower reaches of the river Webi Shabelle flows for 240 km along the coast of the Indian Ocean and is lost in the sands and swamps east of the estuary of the river. Jubba.
The climate of Somalia is subequatorial monsoon, in the north - tropical desert and semi-desert. The year is divided into dry and wet seasons; dry lasts from January to April, it rains in May-June, then the main monsoon blowing from the southwest brings relatively heavy rainfall from late June to September, and light rains again fall from October to December. The average annual rainfall is 50 mm on the coast, 380 mm in Hargeisa and 1270 mm in the highlands of Erigabo and Borama. Average monthly temperatures range from 34–42 0 С on the northern coast to 24 0 С in the mountains, where frost occurs in January-February.
The coastal plains are composed mainly of limestone, the internal plateaus and plateaus are composed of crystalline rocks (with a predominance of granites), in northern mountains they are overlain by sandstones and limestones.
The vegetation cover of the plateau is tall coarse grasses, often reaching a height of 75–130 cm. incense"). In the mountains of the north, small groves of cedar, juniper, and fig tree have been preserved.
The fauna of Somalia includes such large wild animals as a lion, a giraffe, a rhinoceros, a leopard (in translation, the name of the Webi-Shabelle river is “the river of leopards”), a zebra, a hyena and a wild ass. From small animals there are various types of antelopes, warthog, monkeys and baboons. Birds of prey are ubiquitous - eagles, kites and falcons. Storks are characteristic. Upland game is represented by guinea fowl, partridges, black grouse and bustards. The arid plains are teeming with snakes, scorpions and centipedes. In coastal waters, crocodiles are found in large numbers.
population and society. Somalis are tall, slender people who are proud of their origin and language. They are united by a single religion - Islam and a common language - Somali, belonging to the family of Cushitic languages and having a connection with the Ethiopian Oromo and Afar languages. Somalis actively support and develop the system of traditional political institutions. They are characterized by a careful attitude to the poetic tradition with complex rules of alliteration, a precisely calculated sense of proportion.
The main social and political differences are observed in the sphere of relations between rival clans - the Isa, inhabiting the northern regions, the Darod - the northeast and southwest, and the Hawiya - on the east coast. In addition, in each clan, members belonging to the "high" or "low" castes are distinguished. Thus, members of the clan belonging to the "low" caste, such as midgaan and tumal, have less rights than those belonging to the "high" caste. There are also differences between nomads and farmers, as exemplified by the Rahanwein tribal group.
A few groups of non-Somali origin live predominantly in cities. This includes the Arab community, which, together with the Egyptians, has 35 thousand people, and several thousand Indians, Pakistanis and Europeans.
The main cities are Mogadishu, Hargeisa (formerly the administrative center of British Somaliland), Berbera, Mark, Bosaso, Bulobarde and Baidoa.
Public education. Education at all levels is free. Until 1972, its spread was hampered by the lack of a written Somali language. Teachers were forced to use teaching texts in Arabic, English or Italian, which were incomprehensible to most students. Following the adoption in 1972 of a modified Latin alphabet for the Somali language, new textbooks were prepared and a campaign to combat illiteracy began. The number of primary school students has increased significantly. Currently in primary schools 377 thousand children study, in secondary - 44 thousand. National University Somalia in Mogadishu and several specialized colleges, there are approx. 10.4 thousand students. In 1990, 76% of the adult population was illiterate (in 1985 - 83%).
Political system. Under the 1961 constitution, Somalia was a republic with a parliamentary system of government. The president was elected as the head of state, and the prime minister held executive power. The legislature, the unicameral People's Assembly, was elected by popular vote on the principle of proportional representation. In October 1969, a military coup took place and the President of Somalia was assassinated. The constitution was suspended. The Somali Republic was renamed the Somali Democratic Republic. In 1969-1976, power in the country belonged to the Supreme Revolutionary Council (VRC), which consisted of army and police officers, headed by Major General Mohammed Siad Barre. In 1976, President Siad Barre transferred the powers of the VRS to the Central Committee of the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRSP), which took over the supreme political and economic power in the country. The constitution adopted in 1979 provided for the creation of a one-party system of government.
Since 1972, local government bodies have included regional, district, and a large number of village councils. Regional and district authorities consisted of government officials and representatives of the local population appointed by them. Village councils are re-elected annually by direct vote.
Close ties with the USSR, maintained in 1969-1977, were interrupted due to Moscow's support for Ethiopia during the Ethiopian-Somali war of 1977-1978. Since then, Somalia has significantly strengthened relations with Western powers and Arab countries. Somalia is a member of the UN, the Organization of African Unity and the League of Arab States.
Throughout the 1980s, Siad Barre's regime gradually lost popularity among the population. In 1988, the Somali National Movement (SNM), consisting mainly of representatives of the Isa tribal group, organized an attack on government troops and by 1990 drove them out of northern Somalia. Operating in the south of the country, the United Somali Congress (USC), created by the Hawiya, and the Somali Patriotic Movement (SPD), representing the interests of the Darod tribal group, drove the remnants of Siad Barre's army out of Mogadishu in early 1991. Shortly after these events, the USC appointed Ali Mahdi Mohammed as interim president and invited all other anti-government groups to jointly discuss the formation of a new government. The Isa SND political group evaded cooperation, and its leader, Abdurahman Ahmed Ali, was proclaimed president of the breakaway republic of Somaliland, which included most of northern Somalia. In August 1991, Ali Mahdi was sworn in as President of Somalia for a period of two years.
Economy. Somalia is an economically backward and poor country. It has scarce mineral resources, the basis of the country's economy is mainly nomadic and semi-nomadic animal husbandry. About 80% of the able-bodied population is employed in agriculture, mainly in animal husbandry; the sale of live cattle, meat products and skins brings the country over 80% of the total amount of export earnings. The share of industrial production in the national economy is very insignificant, and mineral resources do not pay off the costs of their development. Two factors adversely affected the state of the country's economy in the second half of the 1970s: first, a severe drought, which significantly reduced the number of livestock, and then the war with Ethiopia, as a result of which a flow of refugees from Ethiopia into Somalia numbered up to one million people. Even more damage was done to the country's economy by the inter-clan struggle that unfolded after the overthrow of the Siad Barre regime in 1991.
Somalia a state in northeast Africa. It borders Djibouti in the northwest, Kenya in the southwest, and Ethiopia in the west. In the north it is washed by the Gulf of Aden, in the south and east by the Indian Ocean.
The name comes from the ethnonym of the people - Somali.
Capital
Mogadishu.
Square
Population
7500 thousand people
Administrative division
The state is divided into 16 regions.
Form of government
Republic.
head of state
The president.
supreme legislative body
Unicameral National Assembly.
Supreme executive body
Government.
Big cities
Hargeisa, Mark.
Official language
Somali, Arabic.
Religion
99% Sunni Muslims.
Ethnic composition
98% - Somalis, 2% - Arabs, Indians, Italians, Pakistanis.
Currency
Somali shilling = 100 cents.
Climate
The climate varies by region from arid or semi-arid to tropical. The average annual temperature reaches + 28 °C, but in some mountainous areas it can drop to 0 °C and rise to + 47 °C on the coast. Precipitation varies from 100 mm per year in the north to 600 mm in the south and west.
Flora
The flora of Somalia is rather poor - mainly grass, thorny bushes, acacia, in mountainous areas there are also plants from which myrrh and frankincense are obtained. In the southern part of the country grow eucalyptus, mahogany, spurge.
Fauna
The fauna of Somalia is represented by a crocodile, an elephant, a giraffe, a leopard, a monkey, a lion, a zebra, a large number of poisonous snakes.
Rivers and lakes
The largest rivers are Jubba, Webi-Shabele. Attractions. In Mogadishu - Museum in the Gares Palace, built in the 19th century. the Sultan of Zanzibar, a mosque of the 13th century; rock paintings (X-VI centuries BC), the remains of ancient settlements.
Useful information for tourists
In the past, the country was famous for its natural reserves and reserves. Currently, all the country's natural parks are abandoned in one way or another, and organized excursions to them are almost impossible or associated with great risk. Beautiful coral reefs stretch from Mogadishu to the Kenyan border in the south. These reefs are considered one of the longest in the world, and in terms of the richness of the underwater world, they could compete with the best sections of the Caribbean or Red Seas.
State in East Africa. It borders Djibouti in the northeast, Kenya in the southwest, and Ethiopia in the west. From the north it is washed by the Gulf of Aden, from the south and east by the Indian Ocean.
State in East Africa. It borders Djibouti in the northeast, Kenya in the southwest, and Ethiopia in the west. From the north it is washed by the Gulf of Aden, from the south and east by the Indian Ocean.
The area of the country is 637657 km2.
In the northern part there are several mountain ranges with a height of 915 to 2135 meters. Further south, a rugged plateau with a height of 180 to 500 meters prevails. In the very south of the country lies a wide sandy plain. Two rivers flowing through Soma-li are located in the southern part - these are Juba and Shabelle.
Climate
The climate of Somalia, depending on the region, varies from arid or semi-arid to tropical. The average annual temperature is about 28 ° C, however, in some mountainous areas it can drop to 0 ° C, and rise to 47 ° C on the coast. The rainy season lasts from March to May, the dry season - from September to December.
Flora and fauna
The vegetation is rather sparse: grass, thorny bushes, acacia; in mountainous regions there are plants from which myrrh and frankincense are extracted. Eucalyptus, mahogany and spurge grow in the south of the country. There are quite a lot of wild animals: crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, zebras, a large number of poisonous snakes.
Population
The population (estimated in 1995) is about 10,173,000 people, with an average population density of about 16 people per km2.
Most of the population are Somalis (Cushites), among the minorities are Arabs, Indians, Italians and Pakistanis.
Language: Somali, Arabic (both official), English, Italian.
Religion: Sunni Muslims - 99% (Islam is the state religion).
Average life expectancy (as of 1993): 33 years for men and women.
Birth rate (per 1000 people) - 46.
Mortality rate (per 1000 people) - 13.
The capital is Mogadishu.
Largest cities:
Mogadishu (700,000 people),
Hargeisa (70,000 people),
Kismayo (70,000 people),
Mark (60,000 people).
State structure - according to the decision of the UN Secretary-General, adopted in July 1992, Somalia is temporarily a country without a government.
The monetary unit is the Somali shilling.
Somalia has been known since ancient Egypt, when the region was called Punt. From the 2nd to the 7th century AD Somalia belonged to the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum. In the 7th century, the Arabs arrived in the region and organized the Adel Sultanate, which lasted until the 16th century. The first Europeans on this land were the British, who captured several ports in the Gulf of Aden to ensure the free passage of their merchant ships. In 1887, the creation of the British protectorate of British Somalia was announced. In connection with several uprisings of local residents, the British were forced to leave the central regions of the country, which over time were captured by the Italians. In 1936 Italian Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea were merged into Italian East Africa. After the outbreak of World War II, Italian troops also captured British Somalia. On July 1, 1960, Somalia gained independence. Since 1990, a civil war has been going on in the country between two clans, which could not be stopped even with the help of the UN contingent. Somalia is a member of the UN, the Organization of African Unity. Arab League.
Information for tourists
The main attractions are concentrated in Mogadishu: a museum in the Gares Palace, built in the 19th century by the Sultan of Zanzibar; mosque of the thirteenth century.
