Basic Information | Somalia
| Official Name | Federal Republic of Somalia |
| Common Name | Somalia |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Horn of Africa |
| Capital City | Mogadishu |
| Largest City | Mogadishu |
Geography | Somalia
| Total Area (sq km) | 637,657 |
| Land Borders | 3 countries (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya) |
| Coastline | ~3,333 km (longest on mainland Africa) |
| Major Rivers | Jubba, Shabelle |
| Major Mountains | Cal Madow, Shimbiris (highest peak ~2,416 m) |
| Climate | Arid to semi-arid; hot with periodic droughts |
Demographics | Somalia
| Population | ~18 million (2024 est.) |
| Population Density | ~28/sq km |
| Urbanization | ~46% of the population lives in cities |
| Official Language(s) | Somali, Arabic |
| Regional Languages | Italian, English (widely understood) |
| Major Ethnic Groups | Somali (majority), Bantu, others |
| Major Religions | Islam (Sunni – nearly 100%) |
Government & Politics | Somalia
| Government Type | Federal parliamentary republic (fragile governance, ongoing instability) |
| Current Leader | President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (as of 2025) |
| Administrative Divisions | 6 federal member states + Banadir region (Mogadishu) |
| Independence / Founding Date | July 1, 1960 (union of British Somaliland & Italian Somaliland) |
Economy | Somalia
| Currency | Somali Shilling (SOS) |
| GDP (Nominal) | ~$8 billion (2024 est.) |
| GDP Per Capita | ~$500 |
| Major Industries | Agriculture (livestock, bananas, sorghum), telecommunications, remittances |
| Major Exports | Livestock, bananas, fish, charcoal |
| Major Imports | Foodstuffs, fuel, manufactured goods |
| Trade Partners | UAE, Yemen, Kenya, Ethiopia |
Culture & Society | Somalia
| National Symbols | Blue flag with white star; Leopard is considered symbolic |
| National Sport | Football (Soccer) |
| Famous Festivals | Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha |
| Cuisine Highlights | Canjeero (sourdough pancake), Sambusa, Bariis (rice), Goat meat dishes |
| Literature & Arts | Rich oral poetry tradition; Islamic art influences |
| UNESCO Heritage Sites | None listed (due to instability) |
Travel & Tourism | Somalia
| Top Tourist Attractions | Mogadishu beaches, Laas Geel cave paintings, Zeila ruins, Berbera coast |
| Best Time to Visit | December – February (cooler months) |
| Famous Cities | Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Kismayo, Berbera |
| Visa Requirement | Visa required for most nationalities |
Other Key Facts | Somalia
| Time Zone(s) | UTC+3 |
| Internet Domain | .so |
| Calling Code | +252 |
| Major Airports | Aden Adde International (Mogadishu), Hargeisa, Berbera |
| Currency Symbol | Sh. So. |
| Literacy Rate | ~38% (one of the lowest globally) |
| Life Expectancy | ~58 years |
| Interesting Fact | Somalia has Africa’s longest coastline and one of the world’s richest oral poetry traditions. |
Somalia on the World Map
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