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Britain withdrew from British Somaliland in 1960 in order to allow its protectorate to join with Italian Somaliland and form the new nation of Somalia. In 1969, a coup headed by Mohamed Siad Barre ushered in an authoritarian socialist rule that managed to impose a degree of stability in the country for a couple of decades.
Following the regime's overthrow early in 1991, Somalia descended into decades of turmoil, factional fighting and anarchy. In June 2006, a coalition of clerics, business leaders and Islamic court militias, the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts (SCIC), defeated powerful Mogadishu warlords and took control of the capital.
The Courts continued to expand, spreading their influence throughout much of southern Somalia and threatening to overthrow the TFG in Baidoa. Ethiopian and TFG forces concerned over suspected links between some SCIC factions and al-Qaida in late December 2006 drove the SCIC from power.
During 2007 and 2008, Al-Shabaab seized key towns and ports in central and southern Somalia. In January, 2009, the Ethiopian troops were forced to withdraw from the country.
In December, 2008 President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed resigned from office. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was elected President at the January, 2009 elections.
In the southern and central parts of the country, conflict continues between government troops and extremist Islamist militants with links to al-Qaeda.
In spite of the civil unrest, the economy has remained healthy, primarily based on livestock, money transfer companies and telecommunications.
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- Official Name Somali Democractic Republic
- Population 8,953,890
- Capital City Mogadishu (pop. 2,855,800)
- Currency Somali Shilling
- Currency Converter
- Languages Somali (official), Arabic, English, Italian
- National Day 1 July, Republic Founding Day
- Religions Sunni Muslim
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- Land Area 627,340 sq km (242,216 sq miles)
- Highest Point Surud Ad (7,927 ft.) (2,416 m)
- Land Divisions 18 regions including: Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer and Woqooyi Galbeed.
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- Latitude/Longitude 2° 05' N, 45° 33' E
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Travel Recommendations Before finalizing and/or making your travel plans to any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate and research all of the important details regarding applicable health, passport and visa requirements.
If you require additional assistance, the experienced professionals at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions!
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Located on the Equator, Somalia is a semidesert country consisting primarally of barren scrubland and dry savanna vegetation.
Along the central coastal plain, and north along the Gulf of Aden, conditions are hot and dry throughout the year, moderating only during the December-February monsoon season. In the south, higher rainfall amounts and the May-October monsoon season moderates temperatures.
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Three women at a local market...
A desert camel herder...
A 5,000 year old-cave painting, Somalia...
A desert goat vendor... |
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