POPULATION: About 6.8 million people (exactly unknown). Mostly Somalis (Cushites), belonging to the Ethiopian race, Arabs, Indians, Italians and Pakistanis, Negroid peoples live in the southwest.

LANGUAGE: Somali and Arabic (both official), English, Italian. Swahili is also spoken, especially in the southern regions.

RELIGION: Almost 99% of the population are Sunni Muslims (Islam is the state religion).

GEOGRAPHY: Somalia is a country located on the peninsula of the same name in Northeast Africa and washed in the north by the waters of the Gulf of Aden, in the east and south by the Indian Ocean. It borders on Djibouti in the northwest, Kenya in the southwest, and Ethiopia in the west. In the northern part there are several mountain ranges ranging in height from 915 to 2135 m. Further south, rugged plateaus with a height of 180 to 500 m predominate. In the very south of the country lies a wide sandy plain. The total area of ​​the country is 637.7 thousand square meters. km.

CLIMATE: Subequatorial monsoon. In the north - tropical desert and semi-desert. Temperatures in winter reach +23-24 C, in summer on average +34 C, but in some mountainous areas the temperature can drop to 0 C at night, and on the coasts rise to +47 C with almost completely dry air. At the same time, daily fluctuations in the dry “winter” season can reach 30-35 C. Only 200-300 mm falls per year. precipitation, only in the southeast - up to 600 mm, mainly in the “wet” season, lasting from April to July. Four seasons really stand out. "Jilal" - begins in January and is the most contrasting, dry and very hot. "Gu" is the first rainy season, lasting from March to June. Hagaa in August is the dry monsoon season. The second rainy season lasts from September to December and is called Dair.

POLITICAL STATE: Nominally - republican form of government. The head of state and government is the president. Legislative power belongs to the People's National Assembly. In reality, in connection with the ongoing armed inter-ethnic and inter-party conflicts (almost since 1990, there has been a war in the country between two clans, which could not be stopped even with the help of the UN military contingent) and according to the decision of the UN Secretary-General adopted in July 1992, Somalia is temporarily a country without a government. Although the newly elected president enjoys international support, it does not come in the form of financial or military assistance. Two former provinces - northern Somaliland and Puntland - declared their independence, and Somaliland already has its own government and parliament. Somalia is still the most dangerous country for tourism in Africa.

CURRENCY: Somali Shilling (SoSh), which is equal to 100 cents. Banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 shillings are in circulation, as well as coins in denominations of 1 shilling and 50, 10 and 5 cents. The use of credit cards and traveler's checks is practically impossible (travelers' checks in US dollars are accepted, but are not recommended for use, as there is a high risk of robbery at the time of cashing or after). You can pay in US dollars almost everywhere, in the north - Yemeni rials and Egyptian pounds. Banking hours: from 08.00 to 11.30 from Saturday to Thursday. Store opening hours: from 08.00 to 12.30 and from 16.30 to 19.00 from Saturday to Thursday.

TIME: Corresponds to Moscow.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS: Monuments of ancient civilizations are scattered throughout the country, from ancient Egyptian and Phoenician, to Coptic temples and settlements of ancient Punta, mentioned on Phoenician tablets. Somalia as a state was known back in the days of Ancient Egypt - at that time this region was called “Punt”. From the 2nd to the 7th centuries, the territory of Somalia belonged to the Ethiopian kingdom of Axum. In the 7th century, Arabs arrived in the region and established the Adel Sultanate, which lasted until the 16th century. However, due to the ongoing civil war, all the monuments of bygone eras are in disrepair and are practically inaccessible for visits. Many hundreds of kilometers of beautiful rocky and sandy beaches line the coast of the Horn of Africa, as this land is often called, but they are also almost impossible to use. The main attractions available to tourists are concentrated in the capital of the country - Mogadishu, founded by Arab colonists around the 12th century: the Museum in the Garesa Palace, built in the 19th century by the Sultan of Zanzibar, a mosque of the 13th century and many picturesque buildings of characteristic Afro-Arab architecture, with patterned walls and shady courtyards, many of which, unfortunately, are dilapidated or in a terrible state. In the past, the country was famous for its natural reserves and reserves. The main thing that attracted people in the animal world of these places was simply the incredible adaptability of the flora and fauna to the harsh natural and climatic features of the region. The vegetation of Somalia is quite sparse - grass scorched by the scorching sun, thorny bushes and acacias; plants from which precious natural resins are extracted - myrrh and frankincense - are ubiquitous in the mountainous regions. In the south of the country, eucalyptus, mahogany and milkweed predominate. And in such poor conditions, visitors met quite a lot of wild animals: crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, leopards and lions, zebras and many ungulates, a large number of snakes. Today, in Kismayu National Park, in the southwest of the country, many animals can still be found, including several quite rare species. Hargeysa Park, located in the north, contains northern elephants, quite rare in the wild, and numerous antelopes and reptiles. But all the country’s parks are abandoned in one way or another, and organized excursions to them are practically impossible or involve great risk. Beautiful coral reefs stretch from Mogadishu to the Kenyan border in the south. These reefs are considered one of the longest in the world, and in terms of the richness of the underwater world they could compete with the best parts of the Caribbean or Red Seas.

ENTRY RULES: Due to the internal political situation in the country, it is temporarily impossible for citizens of the CIS and the Russian Federation to obtain a visa to this country in Moscow. In case of emergency, it is recommended to contact the Somali consulates in its neighboring states. When visiting the country, there is a high risk of yellow fever, bilharzia (cystosomiasis), and severe malaria (falciparum), and it exists throughout the country and all year round. Hepatitis A and E are common, and hepatitis B is common. Health insurance is required.

CUSTOMS RULES: The import and export of currency is nominally unlimited. The following can be imported into Somalia without paying customs duties: 400 cigarettes or 40 cigars or 400 grams of tobacco, 1 bottle of wine or spirits, a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use. Export regulations are unclear and change frequently.

Located in northeast Africa, it occupies most of the Somali Peninsula. Area 637.657 thousand km2, population 7.75 million people. (2002, evaluation). The official languages ​​are Somali and Arabic. The capital is Mogadishu (1.2 million people, 2003, estimate). National holiday - Republic Day, July 1 (since 1960). The monetary unit is the Somali shilling (equal to 100 cents).

Member of the UN (since 1960), Arab League (since 1974), AU (since 1963), OIC, Non-Aligned Movement.

Sights of Somalia

Geography of Somalia

Located between 49° east longitude and 10° north latitude. It is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The coastline is slightly indented, the length is 3025 km. It borders on the northwest with Djibouti, on the west with Ethiopia and Kenya.
The country is located on stepped plateaus (height 1000-1500 m), the terrain is predominantly flat, with mountains rising in the north (the highest point is Mount Shimbiris, 2406 m). In the south, between the Dzhubba and Veli Shebeli rivers, the relief decreases. These rivers, the only ones constantly flowing, form the most fertile (alluvial soil) region of the country. In the rest of the territory the soils are red-brown and reddish-brown. Grass-shrub vegetation predominates, with many ether-bearing shrubs producing valuable aromatic resins (gum, frankincense, myrrh, etc.). The fauna is rich - antelope, zebra, giraffe, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal. Elephants and warthogs live in the thickets of river valleys; crocodiles and hippos are found in the rivers. Lots of birds and various insects. Coastal waters are rich in valuable commercial fish. In the south there is an equatorial-monsoon climate, in the north it is tropical desert and semi-desert. Most of the country is arid areas with minimal rainfall. There are reserves of gypsum, bauxite, salt, deposits of iron, uranium-vanadium, tin, copper and other ores; ore occurrences of lead, beryllium, and gold are known. A natural gas field has been discovered and there is a possibility of oil reserves.

Population of Somalia

According to the 1986 census, the population is 7,114,431 people. (3,741,664 men and 3,372,767 women).
Fertility rate 46.83%, mortality 17.99%, infant mortality 122.15 people. per 1000 newborns. Average life expectancy is 45.33 years. Sex and age structure of the population (2002): 0-14 years - 44.7% (men 1,737,491, women 1,730,237), 15-64 years - 52.6% (men 2,054,243, women 2,019,980), 65 years and older - 2.7% (men 92,617, women 118,742). The share of the urban population is 37.9% (1992). The economically active population is 3,714 thousand people, of which more than 68% are employed in agriculture (1993). To the beginning 1993 3/4 of the population changed places of residence. In con. 1997 there were 250 thousand displaced people in the country. More than 524 thousand Somalis left the country. Of these, approx. 249 thousand settled in Ethiopia and 174 thousand in Kenya.

Among the population over 15 years of age, 37.8% can read and write (2001 estimate). 85% of the population are Somalis, a single ethnic group with a common language, culture and religion. Somalis maintain tribal divisions. The six largest tribes are: (nomadic tribes) Hawiyya, Darod, Isaac, Dir and (agricultural tribes practicing transhumance) Rahan-Wayne and Digil. 15% of the population are Bantu-speaking ethnic groups (Ghosha, etc.), Arabs, etc. The Somali language has five dialects. Islam is the state religion, the vast majority of Somalis are Sunni Muslims.

History of Somalia

Somalis trace their origins to South Arabian Arabs who moved to the territory of what is now Somalia and mixed with the local Cushitic population. In the 16th-19th centuries. There were several sultanates in this territory. From ser. 17th century certain areas of the coast fell under the control of the Turks, Egyptians and the Sultan of Zanzibar. In 1884-88, Great Britain, France and Italy divided the entire coastal strip of Somalia among themselves. The northern part of Somalia became dependent on Great Britain, the southern part came under Italian rule. After the end of World War II, anti-colonial sentiments intensified among the population. In 1960, Great Britain and Italy declared their trust territories independent, both territories united, and on July 1, 1960, the Somali Republic appeared. The confrontation between the parties of both parts of the country, based on tribal division, caused a military coup led by General Mohamed Siad Barre in October 1969. The Somali Republic was renamed the Somali Democratic Republic. In 1976, Barre founded the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party. In 1979, a new Constitution was adopted, legalizing the one-party system. In January 1991, the never-ending confrontation between clan-based military-political groups and the worsening economic situation led to the fall of the totalitarian regime.

The United Somali Congress (USC) took power and Ali Mahdi Mohamed was elected interim president. However, the chairman of the USC and the leader of one of the USC factions, General Aidid, seized control of a significant part of the country. A large number of military-political clan organizations in Somalia most often fight either on the side of the Somali National Alliance (SNA), the leader is Aidid's son Hussein Aidid, or on the side of the Somali Salvation Alliance (SAS), the leader is Ali Mahdi Mohamed. In con. 1994 Both coalitions formed governments and appointed their leaders as presidents. In 1991, the Republic of Somaliland was formed in the north of the country, the capital is Hargeisa. Somaliland introduced its own currency (1995), Constitution (1997), and is seeking international recognition. In April 2003, the first general presidential elections were held, which were won by Dahir Riyale Kahin. In 1998, the self-governing region of “Puntland” was formed with its capital in Garoi, its goal is federal governance in a unified Somalia. In 1998, General Morgan announced plans to create a Puntland-style regional administration called "Jubaland" in the south of the two districts of Jubad Khuz and Jubad Dhex. These plans were hampered by the ongoing active internecine clashes here, incl. units supporting Hussein Aidid and Ali Mahdi. In April 2002, groups in the southwestern part of the country declared autonomy for 6 regions and formed the “Southwestern Regional Government”.

The ongoing war between clan groups since 1991 has plunged the country into a state of chaos and anarchy. To the beginning 2000 in Somalia there were approximately 20 districts with their own leaders. Since 1991, attempts have been made to peacefully unify the country. In 2000, the 13th peace conference was held in Djibouti, at which an interim government was formed with transitional president Abdikasim Salad Hassan. In March 2001, the Somalia Reconstruction and Reconciliation Council (SRRC) emerged as an alliance of opposition forces. Since 1991, efforts to peacefully resolve the political situation and organize humanitarian assistance to the population have been constantly undertaken by the world community, primarily the UN and its divisions.

Government and political system of Somalia

In January 1991, as a result of the overthrow of President Siad Barre, the 1979 Constitution (as amended in 1990) ceased to be in force. Since 1991, the country has been in a state of disintegration of the national management system. There are 18 administrative districts in the country. The largest cities (thousand people, 2003 estimate): Mogadishu, Hargeisa (241.2), Kismayo (209.3), Berbera (222.7), Marka (179.7).

In 2000, in Djibouti, members of the National Assembly (245 people), representing a wide range of Somali tribes and clans, formed a transitional national government, giving it a 3-year mandate to create a new Constitution, hold elections and create a permanent national Somali government. The head of state is Abdika-sim Salad Hassan (since 2000). Prime Minister - Hassan Abshir Farah (since 2001). Suffrage is universal, from 18 years of age.

The nationwide system of judicial power does not work. Sharia courts and customary law operate in some areas.

There are no political parties as such; there are clan-based military-political groups, the struggle for power of which plunged the country into a state of many years of civil war. The most influential among them: the Somali National Alliance (SNA), founded in 1992 as an alliance of the National Movement of Southern Somalia (it left the alliance in 1993) and the factions of the United Somali Congress, the Somali Democratic Movement and the Somali Patriotic Movement, chaired by Hussein Mohamed Aidid; The Somali Salvation Alliance (SAS) is a new coalition formed by 12 USC factions in opposition to General Aidid, including 10 groups, incl. Somali African organization "Muki", Somali Patriotic Movement, United Somali Congress (faction of supporters of the Mahdi), etc., leader - Ali Mahdi Mohamed.

Associated with the traditional occupation of the Somalis, nomadic and semi-nomadic cattle breeding, the constant wanderings of large masses of the population over long distances, the scarcity of pastures and water sources are a constant cause of inter-tribal, inter-clan conflicts and clashes. The politicization of Somali society throughout the years of state independence (since 1960) raised inter-tribal conflicts to the level of a fierce struggle for power among military-political groups and their leaders, which led, in turn, to the disintegration of the state.

The number of men 15-49 years old fit for military service is 1,040,662 (2002).

Since January 1991, all foreign embassies in Somalia have been closed and diplomatic personnel have left the country.

Diplomatic relations with the USSR were established in September 1960. The rupture of relations between Somalia and the USSR, which refused to recognize Somalia’s territorial claims to its neighbors and supported Ethiopia, occurred in November 1977. The Russian Federation, as the successor of the USSR, does not have official diplomatic relations with Somalia. However, Somalia retains the right to embassy representation in Moscow.

Economy of Somalia

Somalia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Its economy has been destroyed by a civil war that has lasted more than 10 years. The main branch of the economy is cattle breeding; the country ranks one of the first in Africa in terms of the number of livestock per capita. Cattle products produce approx. 40% of GDP and approx. 65% export. Nomads and semi-nomads make up the majority of the population. Only 1/8 of the country's territory is suitable for agriculture, but only 5% is cultivated. They grow sorghum, corn, bananas, vegetables, rice, sugar cane, and mango. Collection of aromatic resins in con. 1980s - OK. 2/3 of the world's volume, at the beginning. 1990s production of aromatic resins - more than 2 thousand tons per year. According to FAO estimates for 1998, livestock production (thousand heads): cattle 5,300, sheep - 13,500, goats - 12,500, pigs - 4, donkeys - 19, mules - 18, camels - 6,100.

GDP by purchasing power of currency (2001) 4.1 billion US dollars, GDP per capita (2001) 550 US dollars. Inflation St. 100% (businessmen print their own money) (2001). Sectoral structure of the economy by contribution to GDP (2000,%): agriculture 65, industry 10, services 25. According to 1993 estimates, the labor force is 3.7 million people, of which 71% are employed in agriculture (mostly nomads), in industry and services 29%.

Industry is poorly developed. The main industries are mining (salt) and processing (production of sugar, canned food, pasta and flour, textiles, cigarettes and matches, petroleum products, electricity). There are no railways, the length of roads is 22,100 km, with pavement - 2,608 km. The main seaports are Mogadishu, Berbera, Kismayo, and Marka. International airports in Mogadishu and Berbera, domestic in Kismayo, Hargeisa, Burao, Bosasso and Alula.

Somaliland introduced its own currency, the Somaliland shilling. The financial system is destroyed by civil war. In the south of the country, the state banking system was transformed into private enterprise. For example, in 1996, Somali businessmen opened the Bank of Somalia in the capital, Barakaat, which has branches in other parts of the country. In November 2001, the US froze his funds, suspecting him of ties to al-Qaeda. The Somali-Malaysian Commercial Bank opened in 1997.

In conditions of anarchy, the service sector in the country survives and even grows. Money exchange points operate throughout the country. Retail trade is concentrated in the informal sector of the economy. The main market of the capital, Bakara, offers a variety of goods (from food to new electronic equipment). Hotels operate under police guard. The state telecommunications system has almost completely collapsed, but private companies offer services in many major cities. International communications are available from Mogadishu via satellite (2001). Telephones - 15,000 (2000), radios - 470,000 (1997), televisions - 135,000 (1997), Internet users - 200 (2000). Tourism as an industry is not working because of the war.

Social sphere: mass chronic unemployment is a consequence of the civil war, mass relocations, migrations and the destruction of the wage labor system and public service. Data on the cost of living and indicators of consumer price dynamics refer to 1980 - early. 90s Consumer price index in 1988-92 (1980=100) 66.5, for Mogadishu (1988, 1985=100) 292.9.

Main export items: live cattle, hides and skins, bananas, fish, scrap metal (1999). Main export trading partners (2000) - Saudi Arabia (29%), Yemen (28%), United Arab Emirates (29%). Main import items: food, petroleum products, textiles, building materials, cat. Main import partners (2000) - Djibouti (27%), Kenya (12%), India (9%). The state system of foreign trade has been destroyed.

External debt $2.6 billion (2000 estimate), after 1990 debt payments stopped.

Science and culture of Somalia

Scientific potential of the country before 1991: National University of Somalia in Mogadishu, founded in 1954. There are a number of colleges that provide incomplete higher education: Islamic School, Industrial School, School of Navigation and Fisheries, Veterinary College - all in Mogadishu; Burao Technical College and Hargeisa Technical College. The National Library under the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education (founded in 1934; over 8 thousand volumes), the National University Library and the National Museum are in Mogadishu.

Scientific institutions: Department of Cartography (founded in 1966), Academy of Culture (1972) with departments of history, geography, literature, folklore, etc., Somali Institute of Development and Management (1966), Geological Department (1964) with chemical, geophysical and other laboratories , Institute of Vaccines and Serums, Laboratory of Hygiene and Disease Prevention (all in Mogadishu); Central Agricultural Research Station (1965, in Afgoi).

Somalia has long been known as a land of poets. Poetic traditions of folklore date back to the 16th century. Traditional dances and various song genres are popular among different segments of the population. Wood and weaving are widely used in artistic crafts. Among the ceramic products sculpted without a potter's wheel, glazed vessels made of white clay and pots and pans made of red clay are typical. Among nomads, products made from the skin of bulls, elephants and rhinoceroses are common.

A narrow coastal lowland with coastal dunes stretches along the south-eastern coast of the country, the rest is mainly a flat plateau with a height of 500–1500 m. Its highest part is the north, where crystalline rocks come to the surface and form the Ouarsangeli-Mijurtina mountains (the highest point is Mt. Surud-Ad, 2406 m), escarpments leading to the Gulf of Aden. The main rivers - Juba and Webi-Shebeli - are low-water. Often the only sources of water on a plateau are accumulations of rainwater in depressions in the area. The climate - with the exception of the southeast coast - is dry and hot. Temperatures in winter reach 23–24 °C, in summer - 34 °C. Moreover, their daily fluctuations in the dry winter season can reach 30–35 °C. Only 200–300 mm of precipitation falls per year, only in the southeast - up to 600 mm, mainly in the wet season, which lasts from April to July.

Almost the entire territory of Somalia is occupied by semi-deserts with sparse vegetation and dry savannas, dominated by grasses, acacias, mimosas, and euphorbias. There are very few forests - only in the valleys of the two main rivers and in the coastal zone in the south. Savannas and semi-deserts are the habitat of antelopes (eland, oryx-baisa, dik-dik, gerenuk), zebras, buffalos, giraffes, lions, leopards, and hyenas. Elephants, rhinoceroses, warthogs are found in river valleys, and monkeys are found in forests. In some semi-deserts, tall, numerous termite mounds create a unique landscape.

The majority of the population (about 14.3 million people) are Somalis belonging to the Ethiopian race; Negroid peoples also live in the southwest. The majority of the inhabitants are nomadic pastoralists. Camels are especially prized by Somalis. Craftsmen make long-famous weaving items, bags, belts, sheaths made of embossed leather, combs and spoons made of wood, vases, jugs made of clay and white stone - sepiolite. The capital of the country is Mogadishu, founded in the 9th–10th centuries by Arab colonists. The city has preserved many beautiful ancient buildings. Other major cities are Hargeisa and the port of Berbera.

Attention!

Today, Somalia is considered one of the most dangerous countries for tourism. First of all, there is a high probability of terrorist attacks and military clashes between local armed clans. Moreover, the civil war in this country has become a so-called “habitual state” and is interrupted only occasionally.

In this regard, all tourists are strongly recommended to check the political and military situation directly in the region they plan to visit before organizing their trip. Well, within the country you need to exercise serious caution when visiting hotels, restaurants and other public places.

In addition, criminal activity is widespread in the country, since most of the country's population is in a state of poverty and anger. Therefore, travelers should avoid areas with high unemployment rates.

The medical situation in the country is also extremely unstable. There is a high risk of severe malaria, yellow fever, HIV, hepatitis A, B and E. Therefore, before traveling to Somalia, vaccination against all these diseases is required, as well as health insurance.

Attractions

From a tourist point of view, Somalia is a very interesting country, since monuments of ancient civilizations are scattered throughout its territory, from the Phoenician and ancient Egyptian to the settlements of ancient Punta. This is not surprising, because for many centuries the territory of the current state belonged to a variety of countries. So, during the times of Ancient Egypt, this region was called Punt. Then Somalia became part of the Ethiopian kingdom of Axum, and in the 7th century the Arabs arrived in this region and created the Adel Sultanate here. However, now, due to the ongoing civil wars, all the monuments of past eras are in disrepair and are not always available for visits.

The main attractions of the country that are accessible to tourists are located in the capital Mogadishu, which was founded by Arab colonists in the 12th century. First of all, this is a museum in the Gares Palace, a 13th-century mosque and a large number of picturesque buildings in the Afro-Arab style, the distinctive feature of which is patterned walls and shady courtyards. True, now many of them are dilapidated.

If we talk about natural attractions, it is worth noting that the country was previously famous for its many natural reserves. Currently, the most interesting among them are the national parks of Kismayu and Hargeisa, as well as the National Park outside Mogadishu, within which there are ten reserves. In these places there are rare plants from which valuable natural resins (frankincense and myrrh) are extracted. In addition, in the south of the country there are coral reefs that are considered one of the longest in the world.

Kitchen

Somali cuisine is quite interesting and varied, so each region of the country has its own distinctive characteristics. However, the main thing that unites all local cuisine is halal - things that are allowed for Muslims, including food restrictions. As a result, there are no pork dishes here, and no alcohol is served. Prohibited products include meat from strangled animals and carrion. Another distinctive feature of Somali meals is the fact that dinner is served here at 9 pm, and during Ramadan - at 11 pm (after the Tarawih prayer).

The most popular snacks that can be enjoyed at any local restaurant are sambuusa (Somali variation of samosa) and bajiye (a mixture of maize, meat, vegetables and spices). Spiced rice and fried goat are also considered traditional Somali treats. Well, among the local delicacies, it is worth highlighting crabs, lobsters, squid, serrated shrimp and fresh tuna. Among desserts, you can most often find halva, which is the most popular confectionery product here. It is also widely offered to taste the fruits grown here: bananas, mangoes, papaya, etc.

If we talk about the main food of local residents, the most widespread here are camel milk, goat and sheep cheese, all kinds of porridges and flatbreads. In addition, the vast majority of the country's residents do not eat poultry, fish and eggs, since these products are considered “unclean” here.

Accommodation

In general, hotels in Somalia are quite inexpensive, but often their quality of service and living conditions leave much to be desired. The most comfortable and convenient hotels are located in the capital Mogadishu, as well as in the cities of Hargeisa and Berbera. Moreover, when choosing a place to stay, it is recommended to focus not on its description, but directly on the reviews of guests. The capital's hotels Hotel Nasa-Hablod, Sahafi and Hotel Shamo deserve the highest ratings here. However, it must be said that they do not particularly shine with European comfort.

If travelers want to get acquainted with the local exotica, then they have the opportunity to live in temporary housing made of camel skins, which is called “akara”. It is in such dwellings that the majority of the country's population lives. In addition, some hotels offer accommodation in a “mundullo”, which is a wooden hut with a thatched roof. Accommodation in such dwellings is notable for the fact that its residents can take part in local mass celebrations, watch original dances with tambourines and taste the food of nomadic herders.

Entertainment and relaxation

Unfortunately, given the difficult internal political situation, the beautiful rocky and sandy Somali beaches are currently practically inaccessible to tourists. The same can be said about the National Parks of Hargeisa and Kismayu, which, despite their most interesting inhabitants, are now abandoned. Of course, excursions are organized there from time to time, but they are associated with a fairly high risk.

Therefore, for entertainment here, it is recommended to head to the capital, where there are restaurants, parks, stadiums and large shops. In addition, lovers of exotic and exciting holidays are recommended to attend some holiday in one of the Somali settlements, which are always accompanied by mass dancing and singing to the accompaniment of clapping hands and knocking on wooden planks. Also in larger settlements you can see dancing to the sounds of tambourines and drums. Moreover, the reason for the holiday here can be any: the birth of a son, receiving some kind of income, the birth of a camel, etc. Well, the main traditional Somali holidays are Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan), Ashura, Mulud (Birthday of the Prophet), Independence Day and the Founding of the Republic. Moreover, the dates of religious holidays are celebrated according to the lunar calendar, therefore they are floating. Moreover, during the holy Ramadan, local residents fast during the day and eat at night, due to which many institutions do not work and business activity is interrupted.

Shopping

In Somalia, shopping is best done at local markets, where traders offer a fairly good selection of memorable gifts and souvenirs. Of these, oddly enough, the most popular is the local tool “hangol”, which is a stick with a spear on one side and a hook on the other. Moreover, local craftsmen paint them in bright colors and varnish them, turning them into full-fledged souvenirs. By the way, the cost of Hangol is quite low - only $1.5–3.

In addition, ebony figurines are sold everywhere in Somalia. The quality of such crafts varies greatly: from primitive figurines to skillfully carved compositions. Tourists most often buy bambara figurines, which represent a massive female silhouette with extremely large breasts. It is worth noting that during the times of Ancient Egypt, ebony was considered no less valuable than ivory or gold.

Also quite popular are souvenirs such as sea sponge crafts, baskets from the Benadir region and woven clothing. Well, wealthy tourists are attracted by jewelry trays where all kinds of precious stones are offered. Of these, the most affordable is blue or purple tanzanite.

Transport

Public transport in Somalia is very poorly developed and is in a rather deplorable state. Rail transport is completely absent here, and road connections are mostly unpaved, with the only exception being roads in large cities. The country's main road connects the cities of Mogadishu and Hargeisa. In addition, there is an international airport in Mogadishu. The country also has several seaports, of which the most significant are Mogadishu, Kismayo and Berbera.

Urban public transport is available only in the largest cities and is represented by outdated bus models.

Connection

Somalia's public telecommunications systems are in a dilapidated state, and functioning communications are very limited and based mainly on private systems. The capital's hotels have telephones with access to international lines, but the quality of communication leaves much to be desired.

Cellular communications operate in the GSM 900/1800 bands and are provided by several local operators. Subscribers of major Russian operators are offered to use Thuraya satellite communications here. Internet cafes are just beginning to appear.

The import and export of currency through the territory of Somalia is nominally not limited in any way. Without paying customs duties, you are allowed to import 400 cigarettes (or 400 grams of tobacco or 40 cigars), 1 bottle of alcoholic beverage and a reasonable amount of perfume. If we talk about export rules, they are vague and constantly changing, so it is best to clarify them immediately before the trip.

In addition, it should be taken into account that the sanitary situation in this country leaves much to be desired, and therefore tourists are strongly advised not to eat in street cafes, drink only bottled water, peel all vegetables and fruits, and be sure to treat any scratches and abrasions with an antiseptic.

Visa information

Russian citizens need a visa to enter Somalia. It is necessary to take into account that today there is no single state, but several state entities (Republic of Somalia, Somaliland, etc.). Moreover, besides the Somali Republic, other states are not recognized by the world community. However, despite this, Somaliland pursues its own foreign policy and has independent representations in a number of states. Naturally, the Republic of Somalia and Somaliland do not recognize each other's visas. Thus, when applying for a visa, you need to clearly understand which part of the country you are going to. In addition, foreigners are currently prohibited from entering a number of regions.

There is no Embassy of the Republic of Somalia in the Russian Federation, so to obtain a visa you need to contact one of the consulates located in neighboring countries (for example, in Ethiopia). The same goes for Somaliland.

Story

In the XII - XVI centuries, sultanates periodically arose on the territory of modern Somalia, which quickly disintegrated. Subsequently, Mogadishu and a number of other Somali cities were the possession of the Sultans of Zanzibar.

In the second half of the 19th century, European powers gradually deprived the sultans of all continental possessions by various means. In 1889, the southern part of the territory of modern Somalia became an Italian colony, and by 1925 the Italian possessions acquired their final form. Theoretically, it was supposed to settle landless Italian peasants in the region en masse, but the process was slow and encountered numerous difficulties. Since 1887, the northern part of Somalia, which had previously been formally subordinate to Egypt, became a British colony; The decision of the British leadership to assert its power in this area was dictated by the need to more closely control the area of ​​​​the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the route to India.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Mahammad Abdile Hassan, nicknamed “The Crazy Mullah,” fought for a long time against the Italians and British under the slogans of jihad, the expulsion of foreigners and the establishment of a truly Islamic state. It was possible to defeat Hassan only in the early 20s; In independent Somalia, he was considered a national hero; the country's military academy was named after him.

During the Second World War, Somalia was united first under the Italian flag, then under the British. The further fate of the colony caused great controversy at the international level, and in the end it was decided to grant it independence after a long transition period. In 1960, Somalia gained independence, and it was then that two former colonies formally united - Italian Somalia and British Somalia (Somaliland). The first president was Aden Abdul Osman Daar.

In 1969, as a result of a military coup, Mohammed Siad Barre came to power, declaring a course towards building socialism with Islamic specifics. In 1970-77, Somalia received significant Soviet military and economic assistance, and the Soviet fleet received a base in Berbera. The number of Soviet specialists working in the country by the mid-70s was estimated at several thousand, and it is believed that during the famine of the early 70s, even greater casualties were avoided only thanks to the actions of Soviet pilots who transported the population from the affected areas.

Policy

Somalia does not have a recognized national government. Former British Somalia - Somaliland - declared its independence, like a number of other unrecognized state entities.

In addition, a number of territories do not have any centralized power at all and are governed by the heads of local tribes.

On October 10, 2004, Somalia's transitional parliament elected a warlord, colonel, and graduate of the Soviet Frunze Academy Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, the leader of the northern province of Puntland, who enjoys the support of Ethiopia, as president of the country. The parliament session took place not in Somalia, but in Nairobi, the capital of neighboring Kenya.

The new head of state belongs to one of the two largest Somali clans - the Darod clan. The second most influential clan is the Hawiye (it controls most of the capital Mogadishu, located in its traditional territory).

Economy

Somalia is an economically backward and poor country. It has scarce mineral resources; the basis of the country's economy is mainly nomadic and semi-nomadic livestock farming. About 80% of the working population is employed in agriculture, mainly in animal husbandry; The sale of live cattle, meat products and hides brings the country over 80% of its total export earnings. The share of industrial production in the national economy is very insignificant, and mineral resources do not cover the costs of their development. Two factors had a detrimental effect on the state of the country's economy in the second half of the 1970s: first, a severe drought, which significantly reduced the number of livestock, and then the war with Ethiopia, as a result of which a stream of refugees numbering up to one million people poured from Ethiopia into Somalia. Even greater damage was caused to the country's economy by the inter-clan struggle that unfolded after the overthrow of the Siad Barre regime in 1991.

Population

Somalis are tall, slender people who are proud of their origin and language. They are united by a single religion - Islam and a common language - Somali, which belongs to the family of Cushitic languages ​​and has connections with the languages ​​of the Ethiopian Oromo and Afar. Somalis actively support and develop a system of traditional political institutions. They are characterized by a careful attitude to poetic tradition with complex rules of alliteration and a precisely calculated sense of proportion.

The main social and political differences are observed in the sphere of relations between rival clans - the Isa, inhabiting the northern regions, the Darod, in the northeastern and southwestern regions, and the Hawiyya, on the east coast. In addition, each clan has different members belonging to the “high” or “low” castes. Thus, clan members belonging to a “low” caste, for example midgaan and tumal, have fewer rights than those belonging to a “high” caste. There are also differences between nomads and farmers, exemplified by the Rahanwein tribal group.

The few groups of non-Somali origin live primarily in cities. This includes the Arab community, which, together with the Egyptians, numbers 35 thousand people, and several thousand Indians, Pakistanis and Europeans.

The main cities are Mogadishu, Hargeisa (formerly the administrative center of British Somaliland), Berbera, Marka, Bosaso, Bulobarde and Baidoa.

Monuments of ancient civilizations are scattered throughout the country, from ancient Egyptian and Phoenician, to Coptic temples and settlements of ancient Punt, mentioned on Phoenician tablets. Somalia as a state was known back in the days of Ancient Egypt - at that time this region was called “Punt”.

Somalia, Somali Democratic Republic, state in East Africa. Created on July 1, 1960 as a result of the unification of the UN trust territory, which was under the control of Italy, and the British protectorate of Somaliland. In 1960–1969 it was called the Somali Republic.

Somalia. The capital is Mogadishu. Population – 8304 thousand people (2004). Population density – 11 people per 1 sq. km. Urban population – 26%, rural – 74%. Area – 637.7 thousand square meters. km. The highest point is Mount Shimbiris (2407 m). Official languages: Somali and Arabic. The main religion is Islam. Administrative division: 18 regions. Currency: Somali shilling = 100 cents. National holiday: Independence Day – July 1st.


Flag of Somalia

Somalia is often called the Horn of Africa. The country has access to the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. It borders in the northwest with Djibouti, in the west with Ethiopia, and in the southwest with Kenya.

In 1998, the country's population was estimated at 6,842 thousand people. The area of ​​settlement of the Somali ethnic group does not coincide with state borders. In 1977, just over 75% of the total number of Somalis lived in Somalia; in the Ogaden region in Ethiopia - approx. 20%, in the north-eastern part of Kenya - approx. 4% and in Djibouti - less than 1%. As a result of the 1977-1978 war and numerous border conflicts in the 1980s, almost 1 million Somalis were forced to move from Ethiopia to Somalia. Due to an unresolved dispute with Ethiopia over the ownership of the Ogaden region, the area of ​​Somalia is indicated in the range from 565 thousand to 668 thousand square meters. km. The capital is Mogadishu (approx. 1 million inhabitants).

Nature. Most of Somalia's territory is occupied by the vast Ogaden plateau, with average altitudes of approx. 900 m above sea level It gradually rises to the north, forming the arid Houd Plateau. Along the northern coast of the country, from the city of Hargeisa to Cape Guardafui (Ras Aseir), stretches the raised edge of the plateau, which abruptly breaks off with rocky ledges to the coastal plain. The highest point of the country is Mount Shimbiris (2407 m), located in the Surud Ad massif within the Sanag region. The southern provinces of Somalia are flat arid plains, where more fertile lands are located along the river. Jubba, the only non-drying river in this part of the country, as well as the river. Webi-Shabelle. In the lower reaches of the river. Webi-Shabelle flows for 240 km along the coast of the Indian Ocean and is lost in the sands and swamps east of the estuary of the river. Jubba.

The climate of Somalia is subequatorial monsoon, in the north it is tropical desert and semi-desert. The year is divided into dry and wet seasons; dry continues from January to April, with rain in May-June, then the main monsoon, blowing from the southwest, brings relatively heavy rainfall from late June to September, with light rain again from October to December. The average annual rainfall is 50 mm on the coast, 380 mm in Hargeisa and 1270 mm in the mountainous areas of Erigabo and Borama. Average monthly temperatures range from 34–42 0 C on the northern coast to 24 0 C in the mountains, where frosts occur in January-February.

The coastal plains are composed predominantly of limestone, the internal plateaus and plateaus are composed of crystalline rocks (with a predominance of granites), in the northern mountains they are covered with sandstones and limestones.

The vegetation cover of the plateau is tall, coarse grasses, often reaching a height of 75–130 cm. In some places there are thickets of tree-like shrubs and trees, including mimosa, acacia and aloe, as well as ethereal bushes that produce myrrh, frankincense and balms (Somalia is sometimes called the “country incense"). In the mountains of the north, small groves of cedar, juniper, and fig trees have been preserved.

The fauna of Somalia includes such large wild animals as lion, giraffe, rhinoceros, leopard (translated as the name of the Webi-Shabelle River - “river of leopards”), zebra, hyena and kulan. Small animals include various types of antelope, warthogs, monkeys and baboons. Birds of prey - eagles, kites and falcons - are ubiquitous. Storks are typical. Upland game is represented by guinea fowl, partridges, black grouse and bustards. The arid plains are infested with snakes, scorpions and centipedes. Crocodiles are found in large numbers in coastal waters.

Population and society. Somalis are tall, slender people who are proud of their origin and language. They are united by a single religion - Islam and a common language - Somali, which belongs to the family of Cushitic languages ​​and has connections with the languages ​​of the Ethiopian Oromo and Afar. Somalis actively support and develop a system of traditional political institutions. They are characterized by a careful attitude to poetic tradition with complex rules of alliteration and a precisely calculated sense of proportion.

The main social and political differences are observed in the sphere of relations between rival clans - the Isa, inhabiting the northern regions, the Darod, in the northeastern and southwestern regions, and the Hawiyya, on the east coast. In addition, each clan has different members belonging to the “high” or “low” castes. Thus, clan members belonging to a “low” caste, for example midgaan and tumal, have fewer rights than those belonging to a “high” caste. There are also differences between nomads and farmers, exemplified by the Rahanwein tribal group.

The few groups of non-Somali origin live primarily in cities. This includes the Arab community, which, together with the Egyptians, numbers 35 thousand people, and several thousand Indians, Pakistanis and Europeans.

The main cities are Mogadishu, Hargeisa (formerly the administrative center of British Somaliland), Berbera, Marka, Bosaso, Bulobarde and Baidoa.

Public education. Training at all levels is free. Until 1972, its spread was hampered by the lack of a written Somali language. Teachers were forced to use educational texts in Arabic, English or Italian, which were incomprehensible to most students. Following the adoption of a modified Latin alphabet for the Somali language in 1972, new textbooks were prepared and a campaign against illiteracy began. The number of students in primary schools has increased significantly. Currently, 377 thousand children are studying in primary schools, 44 thousand in secondary schools. The National University of Somalia in Mogadishu and several specialized colleges have approx. 10.4 thousand students. In 1990, 76% of the adult population was illiterate (in 1985 – 83%).

Political system. According to the 1961 constitution, Somalia was a republic with a parliamentary system of government. The president was elected as head of state, and executive power belonged to the prime minister. The legislative body, the unicameral People's Assembly, was elected by universal suffrage according to the principle of proportional representation. In October 1969, a military coup took place and the President of Somalia was killed. The constitution was suspended. The Somali Republic was renamed the Somali Democratic Republic. In 1969–1976, power in the country belonged to the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC), consisting of army and police officers, headed by Major General Mohamed Siad Barre. In 1976, President Siad Barre transferred the powers of the VRS to the Central Committee of the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRSP), which took over the highest political and economic power in the country. The constitution adopted in 1979 provided for the creation of a one-party system of government.

Since 1972, local government bodies have included regional, district and a large number of village councils. Regional and district authorities consisted of government officials and representatives of the local population appointed by them. Village councils are re-elected annually by direct vote.

Close ties with the USSR, which remained in 1969–1977, were interrupted due to Moscow's support for Ethiopia during the Ethiopian-Somali war of 1977–1978. Since then, Somalia has significantly strengthened its relations with Western powers and Arab countries. Somalia is a member of the UN, the Organization of African Unity and the League of Arab States.

Throughout the 1980s, Siad Barre's regime gradually lost popularity among the population. In 1988, the Somali National Movement (SNM), consisting mainly of representatives of the Isa tribal group, organized an attack on government troops and by 1990 ousted them from the territory of Northern Somalia. The United Somali Congress (USC), created by the Hawiyya, and the Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM), which represented the interests of the Darod tribal group, operating in the south of the country, drove the remnants of Siad Barre’s army out of Mogadishu in early 1991. Shortly after these events, the USC appointed Ali Mahdi Muhammad as interim president and invited all other anti-government groups to jointly discuss the formation of a new government. The political group Isa SNM refused to cooperate, and its leader Abdurahman Ahmed Ali was proclaimed president of the breakaway republic of Somaliland, which included most of the territory of Northern Somalia. In August 1991, Ali Mahdi was sworn in as President of Somalia for a two-year term.

Economy. Somalia is an economically backward and poor country. It has scarce mineral resources; the basis of the country's economy is mainly nomadic and semi-nomadic livestock farming. About 80% of the working population is employed in agriculture, mainly in animal husbandry; The sale of live cattle, meat products and hides brings the country over 80% of its total export earnings. The share of industrial production in the national economy is very insignificant, and mineral resources do not cover the costs of their development. Two factors had a detrimental effect on the state of the country's economy in the second half of the 1970s: first, a severe drought, which significantly reduced the number of livestock, and then the war with Ethiopia, as a result of which a stream of refugees numbering up to one million people poured from Ethiopia into Somalia. Even greater damage was caused to the country's economy by the inter-clan struggle that unfolded after the overthrow of the Siad Barre regime in 1991.

Geography of Somalia

Topographic map of Somalia

Satellite image of the territory of the state

State of Somalia located in eastern Africa and occupies the extreme east of the Horn of Africa Peninsula, also known as the Somali Peninsula. In addition to Somalia, the peninsula also includes Djibouti, part of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Most of the country's territory is covered by plateaus and plateaus. Somalia's climate is mainly arid, with fairly scanty rainfall over most of the territory. Due to its geographical location, the state has the longest coastline of any country in Africa, which stretches for 3,300 km.

Territory and borders

Somalia shares land borders with Kenya (in the southwest), Ethiopia (in the west) and Djibouti (in the northwest). In the east it is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean, and in the north by the waters of the Gulf of Aden. The total length of the border is 2,366 km, of which with Ethiopia - 1,626 km, with Kenya - 682 km and with Djibouti - 58 km. The length of the coastline is 3,300 km. The area of ​​the state is 637,657 km², of which land makes up 627,337 km² and inland waters make up 10,320 km². The highest point of the territory is Mount Shimbiris (2,416 m above sea level); the lowest point is the level of the Indian Ocean.

Relief

The territory of Somalia consists mainly of the Ogaden plateau with an average altitude of about 900 m above sea level, which gradually rises to the north to form the Haud plateau. The plateau is formed mostly by young limestones and sandstones. In the far north, along the Gulf of Aden, there is a narrow coastal plain that widens significantly west of the city of Berbera. Along it stretches the raised edge of the plateau, which drops steeply to the coastal plain with rocky ledges. In southwestern Somalia lies the vast Golgodon Plateau, which gradually declines towards the Indian Ocean. The extreme south and southeast of the country are alluvial plains, which are separated from the ocean by a ridge of ancient dunes that stretches more than 1000 km from Kismayo in the south to Hobyo in the north.

Inland waters

Hilly terrain in northwestern Somalia

The only rivers in Somalia that never dry up are the Jubba and Wabe Shabelle, located in the southern part of the country. Beginning in the Ethiopian Highlands, both rivers cut deeply into the plateau until they reach the alluvial plains. Jubba carries its waters directly to the Indian Ocean, into which it flows near Kismayo. The Wabe Shebelle turns sharply north of Mogadishu and flows along the coast until it meets Jubba. Jubba has more water than Uabe-Shebelle, which in its lower reaches is sometimes lost in the sand during a prolonged drought. Most of the country's remaining rivers flow in narrow valleys of plateaus and plateaus and are seasonal. Groundwater in much of the country is deep and has high concentrations of minerals. Wabe Shabelle and Jubba are of utmost importance to the people and wildlife of Somalia, especially during the dry season.

Climate

Somalia is characterized by a subequatorial monsoon climate; in the north of the country the climate is tropical desert and semi-desert. In general, there is a dry season (from January to April), a rainy season (from late June to September) and transitional periods, but precipitation is characterized by its irregularity. The entire country is characterized by extremely high average temperatures throughout the year, with daytime highs typically ranging from 30 to 40°C, with the exception of the highest areas and some areas on the east coast, which are exposed to cold coastal currents. Average monthly temperatures range from 34 to 42°C on the northern coast and reach 24°C in the mountains. The country has recorded some of the highest average annual temperatures in the world. In the north and in mountainous areas frosts sometimes occur.

Somalia is characterized by rather scanty rainfall. In the northeast, there is usually less than 100 mm of precipitation per year (in some areas even less than 50 mm), in the central regions - from 200 to 300 mm. The heaviest precipitation falls in the northwest and southwest of the country, reaching 510 and even 610 mm per year. Precipitation is highly unstable, usually taking the form of torrential rains

Live nature

The plateau's vegetation includes tall, coarse grasses. Sometimes there are thickets of bushes and trees, among them one can note mimosa, acacia, aloe, and ether-bearing shrubs. In the mountains in the north of the country there are small groves of cedar, fig and juniper. Due to poor land use, natural vegetation has been completely destroyed in many areas. The fauna includes species such as zebras, hyenas, foxes, various types of antelope, lions, leopards, warthogs, various birds, etc. Large animal species such as elephants, giraffes and rhinoceroses were probably almost completely destroyed by poachers. Since the outbreak of civil war in 1991, any conservation measures have been completely absent in Somalia.

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