Somalia

Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa, located in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, and the Indian Ocean to the east. Somalia has the longest coastline of any country on Africa's mainland and a population of over 18 million, with the capital city being Mogadishu.

Historically, Somalia was a key trading center, and powerful empires like the Ajuran Sultanate, Adal Sultanate, and the Sultanate of the Geledi once thrived there. In the late 19th century, European powers colonized the region, forming Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland. These two territories united in 1960 to create an independent nation.

Today, Somalia is one of the least developed countries in the world. Its economy relies on livestock, money sent home by Somalis living abroad, and strong communication networks. Despite challenges, Somalia is working toward rebuilding and development. It belongs to many international groups, including the United Nations, the Arab League, and the African Union.

Etymology

The name "Somali" comes from Samaale, an important ancestor of many Somali clans. Another idea says the name might come from the words soo and maal, meaning "go" and "milk". This shows how important raising animals is in Somali culture. Yet another idea is that "Somali" comes from an Arabic word meaning "wealthy", showing the Somalis' richness in livestock.

An old Chinese document from the 9th century called the northern coast of Somalia Po-pa-li. The first clear written use of the name Somali was in the 15th century in a hymn about a victory over the Sultanate of Ifat. Somalis prefer the name Somali over Somalian, as it is the name they use for themselves.

History

Main article: History of Somalia

Prehistory

Somalia was likely one of the first lands settled by early humans because of its location. People who would later move out of Africa probably lived here before they left. During the Stone Age, cultures like the Doian and Hargeisan grew here. The oldest evidence of burial customs in the Horn of Africa comes from cemeteries in Somalia dating back to the 4th millennium BC. Stone tools from the Jalelo site in the north show important archaeological findings from the Paleolithic period.

According to linguists, the first Afroasiatic-speaking people arrived in the region during the Neolithic period from their original homeland in the Nile Valley or the Near East.

The Laas Geel complex near Hargeisa in northwestern Somalia dates back about 5,000 years and has rock art showing wild animals and decorated cows. Other cave paintings are found in the northern Dhambalin region, featuring one of the earliest known depictions of a hunter on horseback. These rock artworks are dated between 1,000 and 3,000 BC. Additionally, between the towns of Las Khorey and El Ayo in northern Somalia lies Karinhegane, a site with many cave paintings estimated to be around 2,500 years old.

The camel is believed to have been tamed in the Horn region between the 2nd and 3rd millennium BC. From there, it spread to Egypt and the Maghreb.

Antiquity and classical era

Main article: Somali architecture

Ancient pyramid-like structures, mausoleums, ruined cities, and stone walls, such as the Wargaade Wall, show evidence of an old civilization that once thrived in the Somali peninsula. This civilization traded with ancient Egypt and Mycenaean Greece since the second millennium BC, suggesting Somalia or nearby regions might have been the location of the ancient Land of Punt. The people of the region traded myrrh, spices, gold, ebony, cattle, ivory, and frankincense with Egyptians, Phoenicians, Babylonians, Indians, Chinese, and Romans through their ports. An Egyptian expedition sent to Munch by Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th dynasty is recorded on temple reliefs at Deir el-Bahari, during the reign of the Munnite King Parahu and Queen Ati.

In the classical era, the Macrobians, who may have been ancestors of Somalis, established a powerful kingdom in parts of modern Somalia. They were known for their long lives and wealth. The Macrobians were warrior herders and seafarers. According to Herodotus, the Persian Emperor Cambyses II, after conquering Egypt in 525 BC, sent ambassadors to Macrobia with gifts for the Macrobian king. The Macrobian ruler, chosen for his height and beauty, challenged the Persians with an unstrung bow: if they could draw it, they could invade; otherwise, they should thank the gods the Macrobians never decided to attack. The Macrobians were known for their advanced architecture and gold wealth.

During the classical period, city-states like Mosylon, Opone, Mundus, Isis, Malao, Avalites, Essina, Nikon, and Sarapion developed a busy trade network, connecting with merchants from Ptolemaic Egypt, Ancient Greece, Phoenicia, Parthian Persia, Saba, the Nabataean Kingdom, and the Roman Empire. They used the ancient Somali maritime ship called the beden to carry their goods.

After the Roman conquest of the Nabataean Empire and Roman presence at Aden to stop piracy, Arab and Somali merchants agreed with the Romans to stop Indian ships from trading in the free port cities of the Arabian peninsula to protect Somali and Arab traders. However, Indian merchants still traded in the port cities of the Somali peninsula, which were free from Roman control. For centuries, Indian merchants brought large amounts of cinnamon to Somalia and Arabia from Ceylon and the Spice Islands.

Birth of Islam and the Middle Ages

Main articles: Somali aristocratic and court titles, Ifat Sultanate, Walashma dynasty, Sultanate of Mogadishu, Adal Sultanate, and Ajuran Sultanate

Islam came to the area early, with Masjid al-Qiblatayn in Zeila being built before the direction of prayer toward Mecca. It is one of the oldest mosques in Africa. In the late 9th century, Al-Yaqubi wrote that Muslims lived along the northern Somali coast.

During the Middle Ages, Arab immigrants arrived in Somaliland, leading to stories about Muslim leaders like Daarood and Ishaaq bin Ahmed, said to be ancestors of the Darod and Isaaq clans.

In 1332, the Zeila-based King of Adal was killed in a campaign against Abyssinian emperor Amda Seyon I. When the last Sultan of Ifat, Sa'ad ad-Din II, was killed by Emperor Dawit I in Zeila in 1410, his children fled to Yemen, returning in 1415. In the early 15th century, Adal's capital moved inland to Dakkar, where Sabr ad-Din II established a new base after returning from Yemen.

The Muslim Chinese diplomat Zheng He visited Mogadishu during his voyages to the Horn of Africa.

Adal's headquarters moved southward to Harar the next century. From there, Adal organized an army led by Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, known as Ahmad "Gurey" or "Gran". Imam Ahmed's clan was from the Geri Koombe, a sub-clan of Darod.

During the Ajuran Sultanate period, cities like Merca, Mogadishu, Barawa, and Hobyo flourished and traded with ships from Arabia, India, Venetia, Persia, Egypt, Portugal, and even China. Vasco da Gama passed by Mogadishu in the 15th century. The Harla, an early Hamitic group of tall people in parts of Somalia, built various tumuli.

In the 16th century, Duarte Barbosa noted that ships from the Kingdom of Cambaya in modern-day India sailed to Mogadishu with cloth and spices, receiving gold, wax, and ivory in return. Barbosa also described the abundance of meat, wheat, barley, horses, and fruit in coastal markets, which made merchants very wealthy. Mogadishu, known for its textile industry called toob benadir, along with Merca and Barawa, served as a stop for Swahili traders from Mombasa and Malindi and for the gold trade from Kilwa. Jewish merchants from Hormuz brought Indian textiles and fruit to the Somali coast in exchange for grain and wood.

Trading relations began with Malacca in the 15th century, with cloth, ambergris, and porcelain traded. Giraffes, zebras, and incense were exported to the Ming Empire of China, making Somali merchants leaders in trade between East Asia and the Horn.

Early modern era and the scramble for Africa

Main articles: Geledi sultanate, Isaaq Sultanate, Sultanate of Hobyo, and Dervish movement (Somali)

See also: Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland

In the early modern period, states like the Hiraab Imamate, the Isaaq Sultanate led by the Guled dynasty, the Habr Yunis Sultanate led by the Ainanshe dynasty, the Sultanate of the Geledi, the Majeerteen Sultanate, and the Sultanate of Hobyo flourished in Somalia. They continued the tradition of building castles and trading by sea.

Sultan Yusuf Mahamud Ibrahim, the third Sultan of the Gobroon Dynasty, began a golden age. His army won the Bardheere Jihad, restoring stability and reviving the East African ivory trade.

Sultan Ibrahim's son Ahmed Yusuf became one of the most important figures in 19th-century East Africa, receiving tribute from Omani governors and forming alliances with important Muslim families on the East African coast.

In Somaliland, the Isaaq Sultanate was founded in 1750. It ruled parts of the Horn of Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries, spanning the territories of the Isaaq clan in modern-day Somaliland and Ethiopia. The sultanate was governed by the Rer Guled branch of the Eidagale clan, led by the first sultan, Sultan Guled Abdi.

In the late 19th century, after the Berlin Conference of 1884, European powers began the Scramble for Africa. In 1884, Britain declared a protectorate over part of Somalia on the coast opposite South Yemen. In 1889, Italy established the protectorate and later colony of Italian Somalia through treaties with chiefs and sultans; Sultan Yusuf Ali Kenadid first requested Italy in late 1888 to make his Sultanate of Hobyo an Italian protectorate before signing a treaty in 1889.

The Dervish movement successfully repelled the British Empire four times and forced it to retreat to the coast. The Darawiish defeated Italian, British, and Abyssinian forces, most notably at Cagaarweyne in 1903, leading the British to retreat to the coast in the early 1900s.

The rise of fascism in the early 1920s changed Italy's strategy, planning to include northeastern sultanates in La Grande Somalia ("Greater Somalia"). With Governor Cesare Maria De Vecchi arriving on 15 December 1923, aggressive expansion and large construction projects began in Italian Somaliland.

Italy built local infrastructure like hospitals, farms, and schools. Fascist Italy, under Benito Mussolini, invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1935 to colonize it. The invasion was condemned by the League of Nations, but no action was taken. In 1936, Italian Somalia was integrated into Italian East Africa, along with Eritrea and Ethiopia, as the Somalia Governorate. On 3 August 1940, Italian troops, including Somali units, invaded British Somaliland from Ethiopia and took Berbera by 14 August.^{[citation needed]}

A British force, including troops from several African countries, launched a campaign in January 1941 from Kenya to liberate British Somaliland and Italian-occupied Ethiopia and conquer Italian Somaliland. By February, most of Italian Somaliland was captured, and British Somaliland was retaken by March.

Independence (1960–1969)

Main articles: Trust Territory of Somaliland, State of Somaliland, Somali Republic, Greater Somalia, and Somali Youth League

After World War II, Britain controlled both British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland as protectorates. In 1945, the United Nations granted Italy trusteeship of Italian Somaliland, with the condition—first proposed by the Somali Youth League and other Somali groups—that Somalia achieve independence within ten years. British Somaliland remained a British protectorate until 1960.

The UN mandate allowed Somalis to gain experience in Western political education and self-government, an advantage British Somaliland lacked. Despite efforts by British officials in the 1950s, the protectorate lagged in political development.

In 1948, under pressure from World War II allies and against Somali wishes, Britain returned the Haud and the Somali Region to Ethiopia based on a 1897 treaty. Britain granted administration of the Northern Frontier District (NFD) to Kenyan nationalists, despite a plebiscite showing most Somalis there wanted to join the Somali Republic.

The British Somaliland protectorate became independent as the State of Somaliland on 26 June 1960. On 1 July 1960, the Trust Territory of Somaliland gained independence, and the two united to form the Somali Republic within borders set by Italy and Britain.

In 1967, Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal became Prime Minister, appointed by Shermarke, and later President of the autonomous Somaliland region.

Somali Democratic Republic (1969–1991)

Main articles: Somali Democratic Republic and 1969 Somali coup d'état

Coup d'État

On 15 October, while President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke was visiting drought-stricken Las Anood, his bodyguard shot and killed him. A memo to President Richard Nixon from US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said the bodyguard acted alone. Six days later, on 21 October, General Siad Barre led a military coup, overthrowing the parliamentary government.

Alongside Barre, the SRC included Brigadier General Mohamed Ainanshe Guled, Lieutenant Colonel Salaad Gabeyre Kediye, and Chief of Police Jama Korshel. Kediye was called the "Father of the Revolution", and Barre became head of the SRC. The SRC renamed the country the Somali Democratic Republic, dissolved parliament and the Supreme Court, and suspended the constitution.

The revolutionary government started large public works and a literacy campaign, raising the literacy rate to 70%, one of the highest in Africa. The regime nationalized industry and land and emphasized ties with the Arab world, joining the Arab League in February 1974. Barre also chaired the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), predecessor of the African Union.

In July 1976, Barre's SRC disbanded and formed the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRSP), a one-party government combining scientific socialism and Islamic principles.

In July 1977, the Ogaden War began when Barre's government tried to incorporate the Somali-majority Ogaden region of Ethiopia into a Pan-Somali Greater Somalia. Somali forces took southern and central Ogaden and threatened cities like Dire Dawa. However, Soviet support shifted to Ethiopia, leading to Somali withdrawal by 1978.

A new constitution was adopted in 1979 with elections for a People's Assembly, but Barre's party remained in power. By the 1980s, Barre's government became unpopular and authoritarian, with resistance movements forming, leading to the Somali Civil War. Groups included the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF), United Somali Congress (USC), Somali National Movement (SNM), and Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM), along with non-violent opposition groups.

Somali Civil War

Main articles: Somali Civil War, History of Somalia (1991–2006), War in Somalia (2006–2009), Somali Civil War (2009–present), Isaaq genocide, and Somaliland War of Independence

As Barre's government lost support, resistance movements backed by Ethiopia appeared across the country. Barre responded with harsh measures, including bombing cities like Hargeisa, a SNM stronghold, in 1988.

Barre's rule ended in 1991 when he was overthrown by opposition groups backed by Ethiopia and Libya. The northern part declared independence as the Republic of Somaliland in May 1991, though not recognized internationally except by Israel in 2025.

Many opposition groups competed for power in the south. In Mogadishu, leaders like General Mohamed Farah Aidid and Ali Mahdi Mohamed clashed for control.

Transitional institutions

Main articles: Transitional National Government, Transitional Federal Institutions, Transitional Federal Government, and Transitional Federal Parliament

The Transitional National Government (TNG) was created in April–May 2000 at the Somalia National Peace Conference in Arta, Djibouti. Abdiqasim Salad Hassan became president of the TNG, meant to guide Somalia to its third permanent government. Internal problems led to four prime minister changes in three years, and the TNG went bankrupt in December 2003. Its term ended then.

On 10 October 2004, legislators chose Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed as the first President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), the TNG's successor. The TFG was the second interim administration to restore institutions after the 1991 collapse of Barre's regime and civil war.

The TFG was Somalia's internationally recognized government until 20 August 2012. It was one of the Transitional Federal Institutions defined in the Transitional Federal Charter adopted in November 2004.

Islamic Courts Union

See also: Islamic Courts Union

In 2006, the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) took control of much of southern Somalia for six months and applied Shari'a law.

Transitional Federal Government

See also: Somalia War (2006–2009) and Battle of Mogadishu (2006)

The TFG aimed to regain control, and with help from Ethiopian troops, African Union peacekeepers, and US air support, it drove out the ICU and strengthened its rule. On 8 January 2007, TFG President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed entered Mogadishu with Ethiopian support for the first time since his election. The government moved to Villa Somalia in the capital from Baidoa, marking the first time since 1991 the federal government controlled most of the country.

Al-Shabaab insurgency

See also: Al-Shabaab (militant group) and Islamic Emirate of Somalia

Al-Shabaab opposed Ethiopian troops in Somalia and continued fighting the TFG. From 2007 to 2008, Al-Shabaab won battles, taking key towns and ports in central and southern Somalia. By January 2009, they and other militias forced Ethiopian troops to leave, leaving an under-equipped African Union force to help TFG troops.

Due to lack of funds, an arms embargo, and little international support, Yusuf had to send troops from Puntland to Mogadishu to fight insurgents in the south.

On 29 December 2008, Yusuf resigned as president before parliament.

End of transitional period

See also: Hizbul Islam, Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a, Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, Somali Civil War (2009–present), and 2009 timeline of the Somali Civil War

In June 2008, Somalia's government and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) held peace talks in Djibouti, brokered by the UN's special envoy Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah. The agreement called for Ethiopian troops to leave in exchange for stopping armed conflict. Parliament expanded to 550 seats for ARS members, who elected Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed president. With help from African Union troops, the TFG started a counteroffensive in February 2009 to take control of the south. The TFG allied with the Islamic Courts Union, ARS members, and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a, a moderate Sufi militia.

In October 2011, a joint operation called Operation Linda Nchi by Somali, Kenyan, and multinational forces began against Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia. By September 2012, they captured Al-Shabaab's last major base, the southern port of Kismayo. In July 2012, three EU operations started to help Somalia: EUTM Somalia, EU Naval Force Somalia Operation Atalanta, and EUCAP Nestor.

As part of the "Roadmap for the End of Transition", the TFG's interim term ended on 20 August 2012. The Federal Parliament of Somalia was inaugurated at the same time.

Federal government

The Federal Government of Somalia was established in August 2012, the first permanent central government since the civil war began.

2021–2023 drought

The 2021–2023 Somali drought was Somalia's worst in 40 years, affecting 7.8 million people.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Somalia

Somalia borders Djibouti to the northwest, Ethiopia to the west, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, and Kenya to the southwest. It has a very long coastline, longer than any other country in Africa. The land is mostly made up of plateaus, plains, and highlands.

Somalia lies between latitudes 2°S and 12°N, and longitudes 41° and 52°E. It is close to the entrance to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, at the tip of the Horn of Africa.

The country has many islands along its coast, such as the Bajuni Islands and the Saad ad Din Archipelago. Somalia also has two permanent rivers, the Jubba and Shabele, which begin in the Ethiopian Highlands and flow southwards.

Somalia has many different kinds of landscapes, from dry deserts to grassy plateaus. Some areas are very hot, while others have cooler temperatures in the highlands. The climate is generally dry, with some rainy seasons that bring temporary green landscapes.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Somalia

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
President since 2022

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Hamza Abdi Barre
Prime Minister since 2022

Somalia is a federal parliamentary representative democratic republic. The president of Somalia is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the Somali Armed Forces and chooses the prime minister to lead the government.

The Federal Parliament of Somalia is the country's national parliament. It has two parts: the House of the People and the Senate. Members are elected to serve four years. The parliament elects the President and can pass and veto laws.

The Judiciary of Somalia follows rules set by the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The court system has three levels: the Constitutional Court, federal courts, and state courts. Judges are chosen by a special commission.

Somali law combines civil law, Islamic law, and customary law.

After a big change in 1991, the Somaliland government and the government of Somalia were not connected.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of Somalia

Somalia is divided into seven states and eighteen regions, which are split into districts. Northern Somalia has autonomous areas like Puntland, Somaliland, and others. Central Somalia has Galmudug, and the far south has Jubaland. New states like South West State and Hirshabelle State have also been created.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Somalia

Somalia handles its foreign relations through the President, Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Federal Government works with other countries. Somalia has ties with many nations, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Turkey. It also has embassies in other countries and is part of groups like the United Nations and the African Union.

Military

Main article: Somali Armed Forces

The Somali Armed Forces protect the country. They include the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force, and other services. After a civil war, the military was rebuilt, and now the Ministry of Defence oversees it.

Human rights

Main article: Human rights in Somalia

Human rights are protected by the Federal Constitution and are managed by the Ministry of Human Rights. Somalia has taken steps to support human rights, but there are still challenges.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Somalia

Somalia's economy depends mostly on livestock and money sent by Somalis living in other countries. Local telecommunications are also important. Because of long-term unrest and lack of official data, it's hard to know exactly how big the economy is or how fast it's growing.

About 43% of people in Somalia live on less than 1 US dollar a day. Many people raise goats, sheep, camels, and cattle. Agriculture is very important, making up about 65% of the GDP and giving work to most people. Livestock alone adds about 40% to GDP and more than 50% of export earnings.

Agriculture

See also: Agriculture in Somalia

Agriculture is the biggest part of Somalia's economy, making up about 65% of the GDP and giving work to 65% of the workforce. Livestock is a big part of this, adding about 40% to GDP and more than 50% of exports. Other exports include fish, charcoal, and bananas. Sugar, sorghum, and corn are grown for local use. Imports, like goods and services, are about US$460 million per year, and exports are about US$270 million yearly. Money sent from Somalis living abroad, about US$1 billion, helps the economy a lot.

Somalia's place near the Arabian Peninsula has helped its traders in the livestock market. Gulf countries have invested in Somalia, building things and buying farmland. Somalia is also known for producing frankincense and myrrh. The industrial sector, which works with farm products, makes up 10% of GDP. Several private airlines operate in Somalia, and there has been investment in free trade zones and airports.

Monetary and payment system

Main articles: Central Bank of Somalia and Somali shilling

The Central Bank of Somalia manages the country's money. Because people don't trust the local currency, the US dollar is also widely used. The Somali shilling has lost value over time, but this is expected to improve as the Central Bank takes more control. Even without a central bank for many years, Somalia has a strong payment system thanks to private money transfer companies. These companies, known as hawalas, send about US$1.6 billion each year to Somalia from people living abroad. The largest company is Dahabshiil, which operates in many countries.

With better security, many Somalis are returning to invest. This, along with some foreign investment, has helped the Somali shilling gain value. The Somalia Stock Exchange was created in 2012 to attract investment and help rebuild the country after conflict.

Energy and natural resources

Main articles: Mineral industry of Somalia and Oil exploration in Puntland

The World Bank says that in 2007, most electricity in Somalia came from local businesses. Somalia has many natural resources, including uranium, iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, and natural gas. There may also be oil, especially off the northwest coast. Somalia has been a major supplier of uranium in the past. Companies from many countries have been interested in mining these resources.

The Trans-National Industrial Electricity and Gas Company, based in Mogadishu, works to provide electricity and gas. It started in 2010 with a $1 billion budget to help local industry grow.

Telecommunications and media

Main articles: Communications in Somalia and Media of Somalia

After the civil war, new telecommunications companies started, offering mobile phone and internet services. These companies, funded by Somali entrepreneurs and supported by experts from China, South Korea, and Europe, now provide cheap and clear phone calls and internet access. They also allow customers to send money and do banking through mobile phones.

These companies have grown and now serve all cities and towns in Somalia. They compete but have agreed to work together to keep prices fair and networks growing. Somalia has several TV and radio stations, both public and private. The country code for the internet is .so, which was relaunched in 2010.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Somalia

Somalia has many attractions, like historical sites, beaches, waterfalls, mountains, and national parks. The government and regional offices manage tourism. Notable places include the Laas Geel caves with ancient rock art, the Cal Madow, Golis Mountains, and Ogo Mountains, as well as several waterfalls and national parks.

Transport

Main articles: Transport in Somalia and List of airports in Somalia

Somalia has about 22,100 km of roads, with 2,608 km paved. A major highway connects northern cities like Bosaso, Galkayo, and Garowe with southern towns. There are 62 airports, seven with paved runways. Major airports include Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu and Hargeisa International Airport in Hargeisa.

Somali Airlines, the national airline, stopped flying during the civil war but plans to restart. Private airlines now serve both domestic and international routes. Somalia has several major seaports, including Mogadishu, Bosaso, Berbera, Kismayo, and Merca.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Somalia

See also: List of cities in Somalia by population

Somalia does not have exact numbers about how many people live there. In 2021, it was thought to have about 17.1 million people. In 1975, there were about 3.3 million people.

Most people in Somalia are ethnic Somalis. They have lived in the north for a long time and are part of clans. In the early 1990s, some educated Somalis left the country, and many now live in other places.

Other groups also live in Somalia, mainly in the south. These include Bravanese, Bantus, Bajuni, Ethiopians, Yemenis, Indians, Persians, Italians, and Britons. The Bantus are the largest minority group.

Many Somalis live outside Somalia in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada, and others. The Somali diaspora helps with the country’s politics and development.

Somalia’s population is growing, and most people are young. Many have moved from rural areas to cities like Mogadishu.

Languages

Main article: Languages of Somalia

Somali is the main language of Somalia, and Arabic is also recognized. Somali has three main types: Northern, Benadir, and Maay. Northern Somali is used as the standard language. Benadir is spoken along the coast, including in Mogadishu. Maay is spoken in southern Somalia.

Arabic is spoken by many Somalis because of historical ties and religious education. English is taught and used, especially in schools and by international groups. Italian is spoken by some older people and government workers.

Other languages include Bravanese, a type of Swahili spoken by the Bravanese people, and Kibajuni, a Swahili dialect spoken by the Bajuni people.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Somalia

Almost all people in Somalia, about 99.8%, follow Islam. Most are Sunni Muslims. Sufism, a mystical part of Islam, is also common. The Somali constitution says that Islam is the country’s religion and that laws must agree with Islamic teachings.

Christianity is very small, with fewer than 1,000 followers. There is one Catholic diocese in Somalia, based in Mogadishu.

Some small groups practice folk religions, mainly among minority ethnic groups in southern Somalia. There are also a few people who follow other religions such as Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or who do not follow any religion.

Education

Main article: Education in Somalia

The Ministry of Education oversees schools in Somalia. Some government money goes to education. Both the Puntland and Somaliland regions have their own education ministries.

Higher education is mostly private. Several universities operate in Somalia, including Mogadishu University, Benadir University, Somalia National University, and others. Religious schools, known as Qur’anic schools, teach young children and are supported by local communities.

Health

Main article: Health in Somalia

See also: Healthcare in Somalia and Child marriage in Somalia

Before 1991, Somalia had a public healthcare system. During the civil war, much of this system was destroyed. Now, many private clinics and hospitals have been set up. Healthcare costs are low.

Since the civil war, life expectancy has improved slightly, and more children are being vaccinated against diseases like measles and tuberculosis. There are now more doctors and better access to clean water.

Somalia has a low rate of HIV infection. Most healthcare is provided by private facilities, but the government is working to rebuild the public healthcare system. Notable hospitals include East Bardera Mothers and Children’s Hospital and Edna Adan Maternity Hospital.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Somalia

Somalia has a rich culture with many interesting traditions. Their buildings include ancient stone structures and tombs, showing how people lived long ago. Over time, new styles came from trading with other places.

Architecture

Main article: Somali architecture

Somali architecture includes ancient stone buildings and tombs, as well as newer styles that mix Somali designs with ideas from other cultures.

Literature

Main article: Literature of Somalia

Somalia has produced many famous poets and writers. Some have become well-known around the world for their stories and poems.

Contemporary

Many modern Somali writers have written novels that people everywhere enjoy.

Music

Main article: Music of Somalia

Somalia has a long history of music. Traditional songs often use special instruments like string instruments and drums. Singers, writers, and musicians work together to create these songs.

Cuisine

Main article: Somali cuisine

Somali food comes from many places because of the country's history of trading. Common foods include rice, pasta, and meats like lamb and chicken. Spices add flavor to many dishes.

People also enjoy flatbreads, stews, and special treats like sweet jelly made with spices and nuts. Coffee and tea are popular drinks.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Somalia

Football is the most popular sport in Somalia. The country has its own league and cup competitions, and a national team that plays in international matches.

Basketball is also played. Some Somali athletes have won medals in martial arts competitions.