from
CIA World Factbook 2006
Somalia
Introduction
Background: Britain withdrew from British Somaliland in 1960 in
order to allow its protectorate to join with Italian
Somaliland and form the new nation of Somalia. In 1969,
a coup headed by Mohamed SIAD Barre ushered in an
authoritarian socialist rule that managed to impose a
degree of stability in the country for a couple of
decades. After the regime's overthrow early in 1991,
Somalia descended into turmoil, factional fighting, and
anarchy. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an
independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes
the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed,
Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by
any government, this entity has maintained a stable
existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a
ruling clan and economic infrastructure left behind by
British, Russian, and American military assistance
programs. The regions of Bari, Nugaal, and northern
Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared autonomous
state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since
1998, but does not aim at independence; it has also
made strides toward reconstructing a legitimate,
representative government, but has suffered some civil
strife. Puntland disputes its border with Somaliland as
it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag.
Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort
(primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine
conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having
suffered significant casualties, order still had not
been restored. The mandate of the Transitional National
Government (TNG), created in August 2000 in Arta,
Djibouti, expired in August 2003. A two-year peace
process, led by the Government of Kenya under the
auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD), concluded in October 2004 with the
election of Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed as Transitional
Federal President of Somalia and the formation of a
transitional government, known as the Somalia
Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs). The Somalia
TFIs include a 275-member parliamentary body, known as
the Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA), a transitional
Prime Minister, Ali Mohamed GHEDI, and a 90-member
cabinet. The TFIs are currently divided between
Mogadishu and Jowhar, but discussions to co-locate the
TFIs in one city are ongoing. Suspicion of Somali links
with global terrorism further complicates the picture.
Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the
Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
Geographic 10 00 N, 49 00 E
coordinates:
Map Africa
references:
Area: total: 637,657 sq km
land: 627,337 sq km
water: 10,320 sq km
Area - slightly smaller than Texas
comparative:
Land total: 2,340 km
boundaries: border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km,
Kenya 682 km
Coastline: 3,025 km
Maritime territorial sea: 200 nm
claims:
Climate: principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to
February), moderate temperatures in north and very hot
in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in
the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot
and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in
north
Elevation lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
extremes: highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m
Natural uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore,
resources: tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely
oil reserves
Land use: arable land: 1.64%
permanent crops: 0.04%
other: 98.32% (2005)
Irrigated 2,000 sq km (2003)
land:
Natural recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern
hazards: plains in summer; floods during rainy season
Environment - famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human
current health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil
issues: erosion; desertification
Environment - party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone
international Layer Protection
agreements:
Geography - strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern
note: approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea
and Suez Canal
People
Population: 8,863,338
note: this estimate was derived from an official census
taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population
counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number
of nomads and by refugee movements in response to
famine and clan warfare (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 44.4% (male 1,973,294/female 1,961,083)
15-64 years: 53% (male 2,355,861/female 2,342,988)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 97,307/female 132,805)
(2006 est.)
Median age: total: 17.6 years
male: 17.5 years
female: 17.7 years (2006 est.)
Population 2.85% (2006 est.)
growth rate:
Birth rate: 45.13 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate: 16.63 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
rate:
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant total: 114.89 deaths/1,000 live births
mortality male: 124.18 deaths/1,000 live births
rate: female: 105.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life total population: 48.47 years
expectancy at male: 46.71 years
birth: female: 50.28 years (2006 est.)
Total 6.76 children born/woman (2006 est.)
fertility
rate:
HIV/AIDS - 1% (2001 est.)
adult
prevalence
rate:
HIV/AIDS - 43,000 (2001 est.)
people living
with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - NA
deaths:
Major degree of risk: very high
infectious food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal
diseases: diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever are high
risks in some locations
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2005)
Nationality: noun: Somali(s)
adjective: Somali
Ethnic groups: Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including
Arabs 30,000)
Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 37.8%
male: 49.7%
female: 25.8% (2001 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Somalia
local long form: Jamhuuriyada Demuqraadiga Soomaaliyeed
local short form: Soomaaliya
former: Somali Republic; Somali Democratic Republic
Government no permanent national government; transitional,
type: parliamentary federal government
Capital: name: Mogadishu
geographic coordinates: 2 04 N, 45 22 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC
during Standard Time)
Administrative 18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal,
divisions: Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan,
Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag,
Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer,
Woqooyi Galbeed
Independence: 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which
became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and
Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the
Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to
form the Somali Republic)
National Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note
holiday: - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland
Constitution: 25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979
note: the formation of transitional governing
institutions, known as the Transitional Federal
Government, is currently ongoing
Legal system: no national system; Shari'a (Islamic) and secular
courts based on Somali customary law (xeer) are present
in some localities; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive chief of state: Transitional Federal President
branch: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed (since 14 October 2004); note - a
transitional governing entity with a five-year mandate,
known as the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs),
was established in October 2004; the TFI relocated to
Somalia in June 2004, but its members remain divided
between Mogadishu and Jowhar inside Somalia, and the
government continues to struggle to establish effective
governance in the country
head of government: Prime Minister Ali Mohamed GEDI
(since 24 December 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and
approved by the Transitional Federal Assembly
election results: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed, the former
leader of the semi-autonomous Puntland region of
Somalia, was elected president by the Transitional
Federal Assembly
Legislative unicameral National Assembly
branch: note: fledgling parliament; a 275-member Transitional
Federal Assembly; the new parliament consists of 61
seats assigned to each of four large clan groups
(Darod, Digil-Mirifle, Dir, and Hawiye) with the
remaining 31 seats divided between minority clans
Judicial following the breakdown of the central government, most
branch: regions have reverted to local forms of conflict
resolution, either secular, traditional Somali
customary law, or Shari'a (Islamic) law with a
provision for appeal of all sentences
Political none
parties and
leaders:
Political numerous clan and sub-clan factions are currently vying
pressure for power
groups and
leaders:
International ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,
organization ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO,
participation: Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO
Diplomatic Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased
representation operations on 8 May 1991); note - the TFG and other
in the US: factions have representatives in Washington and at the
United Nations
Diplomatic the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US
representation interests are represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi,
from the US: Kenya at United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; mailing
address: Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO AE 09831; telephone:
[254] (20) 363-6000; FAX [254] (20) 363-6157
Flag light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the
description: center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN
Government - although an interim government was created in 2004,
note: other regional and local governing bodies continue to
exist and control various cities and regions of the
country, including the self-declared Republic of
Somaliland in northwestern Somalia, the semi-autonomous
State of Puntland in northeastern Somalia, and
traditional clan and faction strongholds
Economy
Economy - Somalia's economic fortunes are driven by its deep
overview: political divisions. The northwestern area has declared
its independence as the "Republic of Somaliland"; the
northeastern region of Puntland is a semi-autonomous
state; and the remaining southern portion is riddled
with the struggles of rival factions. Economic life
continues, in part because much activity is local and
relatively easily protected. Agriculture is the most
important sector, with livestock normally accounting
for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings,
but Saudi Arabia's ban on Somali livestock, due to Rift
Valley Fever concerns, has severely hampered the
sector. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon
livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion
of the population. Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal,
and bananas are Somalia's principal exports, while
sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods are the
principal imports. Somalia's small industrial sector,
based on the processing of agricultural products, has
largely been looted and sold as scrap metal. Despite
the seeming anarchy, Somalia's service sector has
managed to survive and grow. Telecommunication firms
provide wireless services in most major cities and
offer the lowest international call rates on the
continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector,
money exchange services have sprouted throughout the
country, handling between $500 million and $1 billion
in remittances annually. Mogadishu's main market offers
a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic
gadgets. Hotels continue to operate, and militias
provide security. The ongoing civil disturbances and
clan rivalries, however, have interfered with any
broad-based economic development and international aid
arrangements. Somalia's arrears to the IMF continued to
grow in 2005. Statistics on Somalia's GDP, growth, per
capita income, and inflation should be viewed
skeptically. In late December 2004, a major tsunami
caused an estimated 150 deaths and resulted in
destruction of property in coastal areas.
GDP $4.809 billion (2005 est.)
(purchasing
power parity):
GDP (official $2.483 billion
exchange
rate):
GDP - real 2.4% (2005 est.)
growth rate:
GDP - per $600 (2005 est.)
capita (PPP):
GDP - agriculture: 65%
composition by industry: 10%
sector: services: 25% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 3.7 million (very few skilled laborers)
Labor force - agriculture: 71%
by occupation: industry and services: 29%
Unemployment NA%
rate:
Population NA%
below poverty
line:
Household lowest 10%: NA%
income or highest 10%: NA%
consumption by
percentage
share:
Inflation rate NA%; note - businesses print their own money, so
(consumer inflation rates cannot be easily determined
prices):
Budget: revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Agriculture - bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane,
products: mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats;
fish
Industries: a few light industries, including sugar refining,
textiles, wireless communication
Industrial NA%
production
growth rate:
Electricity - 235.6 million kWh (2003)
production:
Electricity - fossil fuel: 100%
production by hydro: 0%
source: nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - 219.1 million kWh (2003)
consumption:
Electricity - 0 kWh (2003)
exports:
Electricity - 0 kWh (2003)
imports:
Oil - 0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
production:
Oil - 5,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
consumption:
Oil - exports: NA bbl/day
Oil - imports: NA bbl/day
Oil - proved 0 bbl (1 January 2002)
reserves:
Natural gas - 0 cu m (2003 est.)
production:
Natural gas - 0 cu m (2003 est.)
consumption:
Natural gas - 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2002)
proved
reserves:
Exports: $241 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal
commodities:
Exports - UAE 52.6%, Yemen 14.6%, Oman 6.3%, India 4.2% (2005)
partners:
Imports: $576 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs,
commodities: construction materials, qat
Imports - Djibouti 30.1%, Kenya 13.7%, Brazil 8.4%, India 8%,
partners: Oman 5.3%, UAE 5% (2005)
Debt - $3 billion (2001 est.)
external:
Economic aid - $60 million (1999 est.)
recipient:
Currency Somali shilling (SOS)
(code):
Currency code: SOS
Exchange Somali shillings per US dollar - 11,000 (November
rates: 2000), 2,620 (January 1999), 7,500 (November 1997
est.), 7,000 (January 1996 est.), 5,000 (1 January
1995)
note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared
independent country not recognized by any foreign
government, issues its own currency, the Somaliland
shilling
Fiscal year: NA
Communications
Telephones - 100,000 (2005)
main lines in
use:
Telephones - 500,000 (2005)
mobile
cellular:
Telephone general assessment: the public telecommunications
system: system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by
the civil war factions; private wireless companies
offer service in most major cities and charge the
lowest international rates on the continent
domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been
established in Mogadishu and in several other
population centers
international: country code - 252; international
connections are available from Mogadishu by satellite
Radio AM 0, FM 11, shortwave 1 in Mogadishu; 1 FM in
broadcast Puntland, 1 FM in Somaliland (2001)
stations:
Radios: 470,000 (1997)
Television 4; note - two in Mogadishu; two in Hargeisa (2001)
broadcast
stations:
Televisions: 135,000 (1997)
Internet .so
country code:
Internet 3 (2006)
hosts:
Internet 3 (one each in Boosaaso, Hargeisa, and Mogadishu)
Service (2000)
Providers
(ISPs):
Internet 90,000 (2005)
users:
Transportation
Airports: 65 (2006)
Airports - total: 7
with paved over 3,047 m: 4
runways: 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - total: 58
with unpaved over 3,047 m: 1
runways: 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 19
914 to 1,523 m: 29
under 914 m: 6 (2006)
Roadways: total: 22,100 km
paved: 2,608 km
unpaved: 19,492 km (1999)
Merchant total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 2,659 GRT/2,540 DWT
marine: by type: cargo 1
foreign-owned: 1 (UAE 1) (2006)
Ports and Boosaaso, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Merca,
terminals: Mogadishu
Military
Military a Somali National Army was attempted under the interim
branches: government; numerous factions and clans maintain
independent militias, and the Somaliland and Puntland
regional governments maintain their own security and
police forces
Military 18 years of age (est.) (2001)
service age
and
obligation:
Manpower males age 18-49: 1,787,727
available for females age 18-49: 1,714,792 (2005 est.)
military
service:
Manpower fit males age 18-49: 1,022,360
for military females age 18-49: 1,038,697 (2005 est.)
service:
Military $22.34 million (2005 est.)
expenditures -
dollar figure:
Military 0.9% (2005 est.)
expenditures -
percent of
GDP:
Transnational
Issues
Disputes - "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities to
international: landlocked Ethiopia and establish commercial ties with
regional states; "Puntland" and "Somaliland"
"governments" seek support from neighboring states in
their secessionist aspirations and in conflicts with
each other; Ethiopia has only an administrative line
with the Oromo region of southern Somalia and maintains
alliances with local Somali clans opposed to the
unrecognized Somali Interim Government, which plans
eventual relocation from Kenya to Mogadishu; rival
militia and clan fighting in southern Somalia
periodically spills over into Kenya
Refugees and IDPs: 400,000 (civil war since 1988, clan-based
internally competition for resources) 5,000 (26 December 2004
displaced tsunami) (2005)
persons: