Somalia

Somali Democratic Republic

-Dhannya -Nikunj

Something about Geography… • Capital- Mogadishu • Part of eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, East of Ethiopia; • Part of the “Horn of Africa”

Part of the “Horn of Africa”

Some facts… • Somalia has been a land of inter-clan rivalry. • James Bishop, the United States’ last ambassador to Somalia, explained that there is "competition for water, pasturage, and... cattle. It is a competition that used to be fought out with arrows and sabers... Now it is fought out with AK-47s."

The first Somali Capital

Market in Mogadishu around 1882.

Something about Economy… • Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. • Money exchange services have sprouted throughout the country, handling between $500 million and $1 billion in remittances annually.

Somalia Shilling (Sosh)

A Coca-Cola bottling plant opened in Mogadishu.

Climate… • Year-round hot climate • Recurring droughts • Mean daily temperatures range from – 30 °C to 40 °C (85–105 °F) (maximum) – 15 °C to 30 °C (60–85 °F) (minimum)

Climate…

Regions and Districts • Prior to the civil war, Somalia was divided into eighteen regions, which were in turn subdivided into districts. Under the de facto arrangements there are now 27 regions. • On a de facto basis, northern Somalia is now divided up among the quasiindependent states of Puntland, Somaliland, Galmudug and Maakhir.

Regions and Districts

Something about health… • One of the lowest HIV infection rates (1.5-2.0 % of the adult population) in all of Africa. • One of the reasons is conservative Muslim nature of Somali society.

Telecommunications • Lowest international call rates on the continent. • Last country to access the internet in August 2000. • Only 57 websites as of 2003. • Internet usage grew 44900% from 2000 to 2007.

Environment & Demographics • Semi-arid country with about 2% arable land. • Population of around 10.7 million according to U.N. estimates in 2003, 85% of which constitute ethnic Somalis. • The country has one of the largest diaspora community because of the civil war.

Language & Religion • National language- Somali • Minority language- Af-Maay, variants of Swahili (Barawe), Arabic, English and Italian • Entirely Sunni Muslims • The constitution discourages the promotion and propagation of any religion other than Islam.

Borama script…

The flag…

Cuisines… • Vary from region to region and encompasses different styles of cooking. • Food has to be ‘halal’; nothing died on its own is eaten • no pork dishes and alcohol .

Cuisines…

Ful medames

Samboosa

Alicha

Education system… • The education system is private. • The rate of growth is 28% (from 600 to 1172) over the last 3 years. • Primary schools are free in Puntland. • The Benadir University, the Somalia National University, Mogadishu University, Kismayo University and University of Gedo are five of the eight functioning universities that teach Higher education in Southern Somalia.

Education system… Faculty of Law, Puntland State University

University Compound, Puntland

References:• Google • Wikipedia • cia.gov