Somalia

East Africa

Somalia is a country in East Africa, home to 18.7 million people, with an area of 637,657 km². Its capital is Mogadishu.

Capital: Mogadishu
Population: 18.7 million
Area: 637,657 km²
Region: East Africa
Density: 29.3 / km²
Status: Sovereign state

Somalia · East Africa · map loads on click

Population: UN World Population Prospects, 2024 revision. Area: CIA World Factbook.

What Somalia is known for

Somalia is best known for Laas Geel, Mogadishu Cathedral and Berbera Beach.

Somalia is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, and Kenya to the southwest. Somalia has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from Islamic, Arab, and African traditions.

Somalia at a glance

Language: Somali and Arabic are the official languages, with English and Italian also spoken
Currency: Somali shilling (SOS)
Religion: Islam is the predominant religion in Somalia, with a small Christian minority
National dish: Somali cuisine is characterized by a variety of dishes featuring meat, grains, and vegetables. Some popular dishes include bariis (rice), sabaayad (flatbread), and suqaar (stir-fried meat)
Climate: Somalia has a hot, semi-arid climate with irregular rainfall and frequent droughts
Main industries: Agriculture, livestock, and fishing are the main industries in Somalia, with some oil and gas exploration
GDP: $5.5 billion (nominal, 2020 estimate)
Development: Somalia is considered a developing country with a human development index (HDI) ranking of 189 out of 189 countries (2020)

Things to do in Somalia

Some of the main tourist attractions in Somalia include:

Laas Geel a complex of caves and rock shelters featuring some of the best-preserved ancient rock art in Africa, dating back to around 5,000 BC.
Mogadishu Cathedral a historic cathedral in the capital city of Mogadishu, built by Italian colonizers in the early 20th century.
Berbera Beach a beautiful beach located in the port city of Berbera, featuring clear blue waters and sandy beaches.
Puntland Plateau a scenic plateau located in the northeastern part of Somalia, featuring rugged terrain and stunning landscapes.
Hargeisa Cultural Center a museum and cultural center in the city of Hargeisa that showcases Somali culture and history.
Kismayo National Park a national park located in southern Somalia, featuring diverse wildlife such as elephants, lions, and antelopes.
Hafun Beach a beautiful beach located on the eastern coast of Somalia, featuring clear waters and white sand.
Zeila an ancient port town in northern Somalia, featuring historic buildings and ancient ruins.

These are just a few examples of the many attractions that Somalia has to offer. However, due to ongoing security concerns, travel to Somalia is currently not recommended for most tourists.

Somalia in pictures

Somalia on video

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Somalia compared with its neighbours

How it sits against the other countries of East Africa.

Country	Population	Area	Capital
Malawi	21.3 million	118,484 km²	Lilongwe
Zambia	21.3 million	752,612 km²	Lusaka
Somalia	18.7 million	637,657 km²	Mogadishu
Zimbabwe	16.6 million	390,757 km²	Harare