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Brief History. The Arabs came to Somalia some fourteen centuries ago. Over 800 years later, the Portuguese arrived, building forts and creating settlements. The northern part of the country came under British control in the early 19th century, while Italy dominated the south by the early 20th century. The two parts of what was known as Somaliland -- protectorate British Somaliland and the former Italian Somaliland -- became Somalia in 1960. Somalia sustained dreadful starvation and refugee conditions as a result of a severe drought in the early 1990s. Flooding in 1998 killed thousands and left hundred of thousands without a home; coupled with renewed inter-clan violence and the looming threat of famine, Somalia continues to face difficult times ahead.

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Country Information

Local name: Somalia

Capital: Mogadishu

Population: 8,863,338

Government: no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary federal government

Currency: Somali shilling (SOS)

Land size: 637,657 sq km

Topography: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north

Typical foods:

Major exports: livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal

Information on the People

Official language: Somali

Other languages spoken: Arabic, Italian, English

Religions: Sunni Muslim

Literacy rate: 37.8%

Male/Female Ratio: 1 male(s) to every 1 female

Life expectancy: 48.47 years

Ethnic groups: Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15%

Internet users: 89,000

Famous people: Iman

  

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News From This Region
Somalia News: Somalia has 2 parliaments, no unity
MOGADISHU ? Though allied forces seem to be succeeding in removing Al Shabaab, the Somali government is squandering the opportunity to achieve stability. read more

Somalia News: Kenyan and AMISOM forces aim to expel Al Shabaab
The AU and the Kenyan military have devised a two-front strategy in order to finally dismantle Al Shabaab's military presence in Somalia. Josh Berlinger BOSTON ? The Kenyan defense ministry has increased its troop presence in Somalia in order to help in a final push to eliminate the military capacity of Al Shabaab. More from GlobalPost:  Kenya War: Counting the cost of the Somalia conflict read ...

Somalia News: American journalist kidnapped in Galkayo
Galkayo in northern Somalia is becoming the country's new Kidnap Capital. Tristan McConnell NAIROBI, Kenya ? Somalia is a largely lawless and unusually dangerous place for foreigners. More on GlobalPost:  Somalia's Mogadishu attempts to evict Al Shabaab On Saturday gunmen seized an American journalist in the northern town of Galkayo which is fast-becoming the country's 'Kidnap Capital.' US ...


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