Country	Somalia
Capital	Mogadishu
Continent	Africa
Currency	Somali Shilling(SOS)
Languages	Somali & Arabic

Locaion

Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia

Geographic Co ordinates

10 00 N, 49 00 E

Land Boundries

Total:2,340 km
Border countries:Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km

Geography - note

strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal

Population

10,112,453
Country comparison to the world:82
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 2010 est.)

Nationality

Noun:Somali(s)
Adjective:Somali

Ethnic groups

Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000)

Religions

Sunni Muslim

Languages

Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English

Country Name

Conventional long form:none
Conventional short form:Somalia
Local long form:Jamhuuriyada Demuqraadiga Soomaaliyeed
Local short form:Soomaaliya
Former:Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic

Government Type

no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary federal government

Capital

Name:Mogadishu
Geographic coordinates:2 04 N, 45 22 E
Time difference:UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe (Middle Jubba), Jubbada Hoose (Lower Jubba), Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe (Middle Shabelle), Shabeellaha Hoose (Lower Shabelle), Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed

Independence

1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland that became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960 and Italian Somaliland that became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960 to form the Somali Republic)

National Holiday

Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland

Constitution

25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979
note: the formation of transitional governing institutions, known as the Transitional Federal Government, is currently ongoing

Legal system

no national system; a mixture of English common law, Italian law, Islamic sharia, and Somali customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

Chief of state:Transitional Federal President Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed (since 31 January 2009); note - a transitional governing entity with a five-year mandate, known as the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), was established in October 2004; the TFIs relocated to Somalia in June 2004; in 2009, the TFI's were given a two-year extension to October 2011
Head of government:Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali SHARMARKE (since 13 February 2009)
Cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by the Transitional Federal Assembly
(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
Elections:Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed elected president by the expanded Transitional Federal Assembly in Djibouti

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly
note:unicameral Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA) (550 seats; 475 members appointed according to the 4.5 clan formula, with the remaining 75 seats reserved for civil society and business persons)

Judicial branch

following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences

Political Parties and Leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

Other: numerous clan and sub-clan factions exist both in support and in opposition to the transitional government

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US

Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991); note - the Transitional Federal Government is represented in the United States through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US interests are represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya at United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; mailing address: Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831; telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000; FAX [254] (20) 363-6157

Flag description

Three light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN

Video

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Government - Government - Somalia President - Somalia Ministry Of Education
Newspapers -  Aayaha AllPuntland Banadir Garowe Online - Somalia Hiiraan Online
                              HornAfrik Inside Somalia PuntlandPost Somali Press SomaliNet
                              Somaliweyn Wardheernews Ayaamaha Balcad Goobjoog
                              Radio Banadir Shabelle
Tourism -         Ministry Of Tourism

Google News

Offensive in Somalia Sees Militants Flee 5 Towns - ABC News UN News Centre Offensive in Somalia Sees Militants Flee 5 Towns ABC News Towns in the interior of Somalia with little relevance to the outside world — Rabdhure, Ted, Hudur, Wajid and Buudhubow — are now in the nominal control of Somalia's Mogadishu-based government, a further step of success following al-Shabab's ouster ... Somalia's efforts to build cohesive State require international support ...UN News Centre SOMALIA: Al Shabab's leader calls more help, says Al Qaeda waits “to hear ...Raxanreeb Online all 82 news articles » SOMALIA: Most of the difficulties of life in women living in Somalia - Raxanreeb Online Raxanreeb Online SOMALIA: Most of the difficulties of life in women living in Somalia Raxanreeb Online 300x300xOpinion.jpg,Mic_.zoeGZQykG2.jpg.pagespeed.ce.zoeGZQykG2 The overthrow of President Said Barre in 1991 marked a turning point in Somali Politics, economy and society, Since then, Somalia has suffered from civil-war, widespread famine, ... SOMALIA: President Mohamud calls Somali business community to return back ... - Raxanreeb Online Raxanreeb Online SOMALIA: President Mohamud calls Somali business community to return back ... Raxanreeb Online Mogadishu (RBC) Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has on Sunday praised Somali business leaders for their resilience and entrepreneurialism and called on them to play their rightful role rebuilding the nation. Meeting business leaders in ... somalia leader tellSomalis: “This is the time to decide your destinyMareeg Media all 8 news articles » SOMALIA: Famous Somali artist dies in Germany - Raxanreeb Online Raxanreeb Online SOMALIA: Famous Somali artist dies in Germany Raxanreeb Online Late Tubec, who was better known as “the king of the voice” for his surprise voice has been living in Germany since the collapse of late Somalia's military regime. He has been hospitalized last year after suffering severe lung pain which led to his ... Famous Somali Musician Tubeec Dies in GermanyAllAfrica.com Somalia: Popular Somali singer dies at 69Garowe Online all 3 news articles » SOMALIA: Australian government pledges $10 million US dollar for Somalia - Raxanreeb Online Raxanreeb Online SOMALIA: Australian government pledges $10 million US dollar for Somalia Raxanreeb Online Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop stated that out of the $10 million US dollar, $2 million will be directly contributed to African Union Mission in Somalia AMISOM to reinforce the efforts of eliminating terrorism in the region. Bishop also ... Australia gives $10m aid to SomaliaNinemsn all 54 news articles » SOMALIA: AMISOM must Leave Somalia Before 'Mission Creep' Sets - Midnimo Information Center SOMALIA: AMISOM must Leave Somalia Before 'Mission Creep' Sets Midnimo Information Center A recent trip to the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, has in fact opened my eyes to what a typical peacekeeper expects to gain from his tour of duty in Somalia. There, I met a Burundian peacekeeper who had returned from Mogadishu, the Somali capital. Immigrant Stories: The secret deportation programme to SomaliaPolitics.co.uk Australia pledges $9 million to aid AMISOM, SomaliaSabahi Online Australia offers $9 mn aid for SomaliaBusiness Standard Shanghai Daily (subscription) all 8 news articles » SOMALIA: Puntland bans illegal f… - Raxanreeb Online SOMALIA: Puntland bans illegal f… Raxanreeb Online Bosasso (RBC) The Puntland state of Somalia today off officially banned any kind of illegal fishing and issued a strict warning to the foreign vessels coming into its northeastern waters, RBC Radio reports. In a statement released today, the Ministry ... and more » SOMALIA: Military court executes three soldiers for murdering civilians - Raxanreeb Online Raxanreeb Online SOMALIA: Military court executes three soldiers for murdering civilians Raxanreeb Online “After listening all the evidences and testimonials presented to the Military Court of Somalia National Army, we have convicted the three soldiers for execution and the courts verdict is done today.” Liban Ali Yarow, the Chief judge of Somalia Military ... Somalia: Gov't Soldier Who Previously Assassinated a Journalist Is Executed in ...AllAfrica.com Somalia: soldiers who killed Civilians were Shot in firing squadGeeska Afrika Somalia: Federal Govt soldiers executed for murderGarowe Online all 6 news articles » SOMALIA: UN calls probe up into … - Raxanreeb Online SOMALIA: UN calls probe up into … Raxanreeb Online The UN report calls on a similar approach taken in the 30 cases in sampled which were identified by the UN human rights investigating the drone attacks in in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and the Gaza strip. In several regions of Somalia ... SOMALIA: President Gaas pays an official four days visit to Djibouti - Raxanreeb Online Raxanreeb Online SOMALIA: President Gaas pays an official four days visit to Djibouti Raxanreeb Online The president highly praised Djibouti government for their cordial role in partaking the security and law restoration efforts in Somalia. Answering to the period that this visit will end, Dr Gaas stated that their official visit will take will take ... Somalia: Puntland bans Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)Horseed Media all 3 news articles »