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Somalia
Introduction
Geography
People
Government
Economy
Communications
Transportation
Military
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Background:
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The regime of Mohamed SIAD Barre was ousted in January 1991;
turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy have followed in the
years since. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an
independent Republic of Somaliland that 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 a ruling clan and economic
infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American
military assistance programs. The regions of Bari, Nugaal, and
northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared autonomous
state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998,
but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides
toward reconstructing a legitimate, representative government,
but has suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its
border with Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern
Sool and Sanaag. 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. The
mandate of the Transitional National Government (TNG), created
in August 2000 in Arta, Djibouti, expired in August 2003. A
two-year peace process, led by the Government of Kenya under
the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development
(IGAD), concluded in October 2004 with the election of
Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed as Transitional Federal President of
Somalia and the formation of a transitional government, known
as the Somalia Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs). The
Somalia TFIs include a 275-member parliamentary body, known as
the Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA), a transitional Prime
Minister, Ali Mohamed GHEDI, and a 90-member cabinet. The TFIs
are currently divided between Mogadishu and Jowhar, but
discussions to co-locate the TFIs in one city are ongoing.
Suspicion of Somali links with global terrorism further
complicates the picture.
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Location:
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Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian
Ocean, east of Ethiopia |
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Geographic coordinates:
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10 00 N, 49 00 E |
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Area:
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total: 637,657 sq km
land: 627,337 sq km
water: 10,320 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than Texas |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 2,340 km
border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km,
Kenya 682 km |
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Coastline:
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3,025 km |
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 200 nm |
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Climate:
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principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February),
moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south;
southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and
hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili)
between monsoons |
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Terrain:
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mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m |
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Natural resources:
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uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin,
gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil
reserves |
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Land use:
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arable land: 1.64%
permanent crops: 0.04%
other: 98.32% (2005) |
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Irrigated land:
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2,000 sq km (2003) |
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Natural hazards:
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recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains
in summer; floods during rainy season |
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Environment - current issues:
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famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health
problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;
desertification |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection |
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Geography - note:
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strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches
to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
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Population:
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8,863,338
note: this estimate was derived from an official census
taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in
Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by
refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare (July
2006 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 44.4% (male 1,973,294/female 1,961,083)
15-64 years: 53% (male 2,355,861/female 2,342,988)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 97,307/female 132,805)
(2006 est.) |
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Median age:
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total: 17.6 years
male: 17.5 years
female: 17.7 years (2006 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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2.85% (2006 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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45.13 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) |
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Death rate:
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16.63 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 114.89 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 124.18 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 105.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.) |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 48.47 years
male: 46.71 years
female: 50.28 years (2006 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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6.76 children born/woman (2006 est.) |
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Major infectious diseases:
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degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal
diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever are high
risks in some locations
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2005) |
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Nationality:
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noun: Somali(s)
adjective: Somali |
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Ethnic groups:
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Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs
30,000) |
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Religions:
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Sunni Muslim |
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Languages:
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Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 37.8%
male: 49.7%
female: 25.8% (2001 est.)
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Somalia
former: Somali Republic; Somali Democratic Republic |
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Government type:
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no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary
federal government |
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Capital:
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Mogadishu |
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Administrative divisions:
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18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool,
Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe,
Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe,
Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed |
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Independence:
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1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became
independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian
Somaliland, which became independent from the
Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form
the Somali Republic) |
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National holiday:
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Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26
June (1960) in Somaliland |
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Constitution:
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25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979
note: the formation of transitional governing
institutions, known as the Transitional Federal Government, is
currently ongoing |
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Legal system:
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no national system; Shari'a (Islamic) and secular courts based
on Somali customary law (xeer) are present in some localities;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Transitional Federal President
Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed (since 14 October 2004); note - a
transitional governing entity with a five-year mandate, known
as the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), was
established in October 2004; the TFI relocated to Somalia in
June 2004, but its members remain divided between Mogadishu
and Jowhar inside Somalia, and the government continues to
struggle to establish effective governance in the country
head of government: Prime Minister Ali Mohamed GHEDI
(since 24 December 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and
approved by the Transitional Federal Assembly
election results: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed, the former
leader of the semi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia, was
elected president by the Transitional Federal Assembly |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral National Assembly
note: fledgling parliament; a 275-member Transitional
Federal Assembly; the new parliament consists of 61 seats
assigned to each of four large clan groups (Darod,
Digil-Mirifle, Dir, and Hawiye) with the remaining 31 seats
divided between minority clans |
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Judicial branch:
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following the breakdown of the central government, most
regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution,
either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Shari'a
(Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences |
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Political parties and leaders:
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none |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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numerous clan and sub-clan factions are currently vying for
power |
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International organization participation:
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ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,
IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO |
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Flag description:
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light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center;
blue field influenced by the flag of the UN |
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Government - note:
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although an interim government was created in 2004, other
regional and local governing bodies continue to exist and
control various cities and regions of the country, including
the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in northwestern
Somalia, the semi-autonomous State of Puntland in northeastern
Somalia, and traditional clan and faction strongholds
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Economy - overview:
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Somalia's economic fortunes are driven by its deep political
divisions. The northwestern area has declared its independence
as the "Republic of Somaliland"; the northeastern
region of Puntland is a semi-autonomous state; and the
remaining southern portion is riddled with the struggles of
rival factions. Economic life continues, in part because much
activity is local and relatively easily protected. Agriculture
is the most important sector, with livestock normally
accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export
earnings, but Saudi Arabia's ban on Somali livestock, due to
Rift Valley Fever concerns, has severely hampered the sector.
Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for
their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population.
Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal, and bananas are Somalia's
principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and
machined goods are the principal imports. Somalia's small
industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural
products, has largely been looted and sold as scrap metal.
Despite the seeming anarchy, Somalia's service sector has
managed to survive and grow. Telecommunication firms provide
wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest
international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a
formal banking sector, money exchange services have sprouted
throughout the country, handling between $500 million and $1
billion in remittances annually. Mogadishu's main market
offers a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic
gadgets. Hotels continue to operate, and militias provide
security. The ongoing civil disturbances and clan rivalries,
however, have interfered with any broad-based economic
development and international aid arrangements. Somalia's
arrears to the IMF continued to grow in 2005. Statistics on
Somalia's GDP, growth, per capita income, and inflation should
be viewed skeptically. In late December 2004, a major tsunami
caused an estimated 150 deaths and resulted in destruction of
property in coastal areas. |
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$4.835 billion (2005 est.) |
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GDP (official exchange rate):
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NA |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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2.4% (2005 est.) |
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GDP - per capita (PPP):
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$600 (2005 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 65%
industry: 10%
services: 25% (2000 est.) |
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Labor force:
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3.7 million (very few skilled laborers) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry and
services 29% |
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Unemployment rate:
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NA% |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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NA%; note - businesses print their own money, so inflation
rates cannot be easily determined |
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Budget:
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revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA |
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Agriculture - products:
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bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes,
sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish |
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Industries:
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a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles,
wireless communication |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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NA% |
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Electricity - production:
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235.6 million kWh (2003) |
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Electricity - consumption:
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219.1 million kWh (2003) |
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh (2003) |
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Electricity - imports:
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0 kWh (2003) |
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Oil - production:
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0 bbl/day (2003 est.) |
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Oil - consumption:
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5,000 bbl/day (2003 est.) |
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Oil - exports:
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NA bbl/day |
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Oil - imports:
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NA bbl/day |
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Oil - proved reserves:
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0 bbl (1 January 2002) |
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Natural gas - production:
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0 cu m (2003 est.) |
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Natural gas - consumption:
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0 cu m (2003 est.) |
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2002) |
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Exports:
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$241 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) |
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Exports - commodities:
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livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal |
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Exports - partners:
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UAE 50.3%, Yemen 15.6%, Oman 6% (2004) |
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Imports:
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$576 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) |
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Imports - commodities:
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manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction
materials, qat |
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Imports - partners:
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Djibouti 30.1%, Kenya 13.7%, India 8.6%, Brazil 8.5%, Oman
4.4%, UAE 4.2% (2004) |
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Debt - external:
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$3 billion (2001 est.) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$60 million (1999 est.) |
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Currency (code):
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Somali shilling (SOS) |
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Exchange rates:
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Somali shillings per US dollar - 11,000 (November 2000), 2,620
(January 1999), 7,500 (November 1997 est.), 7,000 (January
1996 est.), 5,000 (1 January 1995)
note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared
independent country not recognized by any foreign government,
issues its own currency, the Somaliland shilling |
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Fiscal year:
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NA
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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200,000 (2004) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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500,000 (2004) |
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Telephone system:
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general assessment: the public telecommunications
system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the
civil war factions; private wireless companies offer service
in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates
on the continent
domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been
established in Mogadishu and in several other population
centers
international: country code - 252; international
connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 0, FM 11, shortwave 1 in Mogadishu; 1 FM in Puntland, 1 FM
in Somaliland (2001) |
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Television broadcast stations:
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4; note - two in Mogadishu; two in Hargeisa (2001) |
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Internet country code:
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.so |
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Internet hosts:
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2 (2005) |
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Internet users:
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89,000 (2002)
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Airports:
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64 (2005) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 6
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2005) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 58
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 19
914 to 1,523 m: 29
under 914 m: 6 (2005) |
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Roadways:
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total: 22,100 km
paved: 2,608 km
unpaved: 19,492 km (1999) |
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Ports and terminals:
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Boosaaso, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Merca, Mogadishu
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Military branches:
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a Somali National Army was attempted under the interim
government; numerous factions and clans maintain independent
militias, and the Somaliland and Puntland regional governments
maintain their own security and police forces |
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Military service age and obligation:
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18 years of age (est.) (2001) |
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Manpower available for military service:
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males age 18-49: 1,787,727
females age 18-49: 1,714,792 (2005 est.) |
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Manpower fit for military service:
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males age 18-49: 1,022,360
females age 18-49: 1,038,697 (2005 est.) |
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Military expenditures - dollar figure:
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$22.34 million (2005 est.) |
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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0.9% (2005 est.)
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