Somalia

 

Quick Facts

• Continental region – Horn of Africa
• Currency symbol of Somalia-US Dollar ($), Somali Shilling (Sh.so.)
• Capital City –Mogadishu
• Official languages – Official Languages are Somali and Arabic, English and Italian are spoken as foreign languages.
• Population – 15.03 million (2018)
• Country dialling code  –  (+252 )
• Official website – Somalia
• Top 3 biggest industries  –Agriculture, Livestock Keeping, and Fishing
• Google Maps link –Somalia
• Where is it? –Somalia is a country is a country in Horn of Africa. Ethiopia, Djibouti, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean are in its West, Northwest, North and East respectively.

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Somalia In Pictures

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Somalia History

• How did the country get its first name? – One of the most potent theories holds that Somali was derived from two words in the language of the people: soo maal, which translates into “go and milk”. The potency of the “go and milk” theory lies within the nearly one millennium of pastoralism practiced by the people.
• When and by whom the country was first discovered? – Evidence points to Somalia being occupied for thousands of years, including by the Doian and Hargesian cultures. It was an important trade centre in the ancient world, beginning around 7BC. 

• Who were the first Inhabitants? –  The 12th century Syrian historian Yaqut al-Hamawi wrote that it was inhabited by “Berbers”, the ancestors of the modern Somalis.
• When it was first recognized as a country? – 1 July 1960 French Somaliland and British Somaliland unified to form the Somali Republic. 
• Who was the first leader of the country? – Aden Abdulle Osman Daar known as Aden Adde, was a Somali politician who served as the first president of Somalia from July 1, 1960 to July 6, 1967

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Five Significant Events 

1. 1960 Drought and war : – British and Italian parts of Somalia become independent, merge and form the United Republic of Somalia; Aden Abdullah Osman Daar elected president. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14094632)
2. 1974: Somalia joins Arab League and one ear later, severe drought causes widespread starvation. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14094632)
3. 1991:- Former British protectorate of Somaliland declares unilateral independence. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14094632)
4. Puntland autonomy 2004: –August – In 14th attempt since 1991 to restore central government, a new transitional parliament inaugurated at ceremony in Kenya. In October the body elects Abdullahi Yusuf as president. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14094632)
5. Islamist advance 2006 : – June-July – Militias loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts take Mogadishu and other parts of south after defeating clan warlords. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14094632)

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Five Places to Visit in Somalia

1. Hargeisa: The Atakor Plateau, situated in the Ahaggar National Park, the landscape is a red-brown dry landscaped dotted with harsh sheer peaks. (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-somalia/5/)

2. Lass Geel: Leading us neatly on from our last hotspot, the Laas Geel reside between the dusty ridges and hills just on the outskirts of the Somaliland capital, Hargeisa. (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-somalia/5/)

3. Zeila: Carrying on the Somaliland (as opposed to Somalia) theme, the town of Zeila (also known as Seylac) beckons adventurous travelers to the far-flung north-western corner of the nation, where the dry and arid land of sand dunes and rocky hills crashes into the pearly blue of the Aden Gulf. (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-somalia/5/)

4. Saad ad-Din Island: The first half of the fabled Zeila Archipelago to make this list is also the most visited of the six islets that lurk just a stone’s throw from the coast of Somaliland off the ancient city of Zeila. (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-somalia/5/)

5. Aibat Island: This Island is another part of the beautiful Zeila Archipelago.It pops up from the waters of the Indian Ocean just a couple of miles past aforementioned Sa’ad ad-Din Island, showcasing the same tropical medley of mangrove-fringed rocks and pearly-white beaches. (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-somalia/5/)

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References: 

• https://face2faceafrica.com/article/how-somalia-came-to-have-its-name
• https://history.state.gov/countries/somalia#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20recognized%20the,to%20President%20Aden%20Abdulla%20Osman.
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aden-Abdullah-Osman
• https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14094632
• https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-somalia/5/