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Revision 27358 of "Somalia" on enwiki'''Somalia''' ([[Somali language|Somali]]: '''Soomaaliya'''; [[Arabic language|Arabic]]: '''الصومال''', ''As-Sumal''), formerly known as the ''Somali Democratic Republic'', is an [[African]] country that exists solely in a [[de jure]] capacity. Somalia has no recognized central government authority, no national currency, nor any other feature associated with a well-established [[nation state]]. [[De facto]] authority is in the hands of the governments of the unrecognized entities of [[Somaliland]], [[Puntland]] and small groups of rival [[warlord]]s who lead small opposing governments.
[[Abdullahi Yusuf]] was elected transitional President by Somalia's transitional parliament on [[October 10]], [[2004]]. He won 189 of the 275 votes from parliament. The session of Parliament was held in neighbouring [[Kenya]]. His government is recognized by most western nations as the country's legitimate rulers, though his actual authority is extremely questionable.
{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|+<big><big>'''Soomaaliya<br>الصومال<br>As-Sumal'''</big></big>
|-
| style="background:#efefef;" align="center" colspan=2 |
{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
| align="center" width="140px" | [[Image:Somalia_flag_large.png|120px|Somalian flag]]
| align="center" width="140px" | [[Image:somaliaarms11.PNG|Coat of arms of Somalia]]
|-
| align="center" width="140px" | ([[Flag of Somalia|In Detail]])
| align="center" width="140px" | (Full size)
|}
|-
| align=center style="vertical-align: top;" colspan=2 | <small>''[[List of state mottos|National motto]]: n/a''</small>
|-
| align=center colspan=2 style="background: #ffffff;" | [[image:LocationSomalia.png]]
|-
| '''[[Official language]]'''
| [[Somali language|Somali]]
|-
| '''[[Capital]]'''
| [[Mogadishu]]
|-
| '''[[President of Somalia|President]]'''
| [[Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed]] ([[de jure]])
|-
| '''[[Prime Minister of Somalia|Prime Minister]]'''
| [[Ali Muhammad Ghedi]] ([[de jure]])
|-
| '''[[Area]]'''<br> - Total<br> - % water
| [[List of countries by area|Ranked 41st]]<br>[[1 E11 m²|637,657 km²]]<br>1.6%
|-
| '''[[Population]]'''<br> - Total<br> - [[Population density|Density]]
| [[List of countries by population|Ranked 88th]]<br> 9,890,000<br> 15.5/km²
|-
| '''[[Independence]]'''<br> - Merged territory
| from the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Italy]]<br>[[July 1]], [[1960]]<br>(Year)
|-
| '''[[Currency]]'''
| [[Somali shilling|Shilling]] (SOS)
|-
| '''[[Time zone]]'''
| [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] +3
|-
| '''[[National anthem]]'''
| ''[[Somalian National Anthem]]''
|-
| '''[[Top-level domain|Internet TLD]]'''
| [[.so (domain name)|.so]]
|-
| '''[[List of country calling codes|Calling Code]]'''
| 252
|}
== History ==
''Main article: [[History of Somalia]]''
Intermittent [[civil war]] has been a fact of life in Somalia since [[1977]]. In [[1991]], the northern portion of the country declared its independence as [[Somaliland]]; although de facto independent and relatively stable compared to the tumultuous south, it has not been recognized by any foreign government.
Beginning in [[1993]], a two-year [[United nations|UN]] humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew on [[March 3]] [[1995]], having suffered significant casualties, order had still not been restored.
Yet again another secession from Somalia took place in the northeastern region. The self-proclaimed state took the name [[Puntland]] after declaring "temporary" independence in [[1998]], with the intention that it would participate in any Somali reconciliation to form a new central government.
A third seccession occurred in 1998 with the declaration of the state of Jubaland. The territory of Jubaland is now encompassed by the state of Southwestern Somalia and its status is unclear.
A fourth self-proclaimed entity led by the [[Rahanweyn Resistance Army]] (RRA) was set up in [[1999]], along the lines of the Puntland. That "temporary" secession was reasserted in [[2002]]. This led to the autonomy of [[Southwestern Somalia]]. The RRA had originally set up an autonomous administration over the Bay and Bakool regions of south and central Somalia in 1999.
{{2004Earthquake}} Somalia was one of the many countries devastated by the resulting tsunami which struck the Indian Ocean coast, destroying entire villages and killing an estimated 300 people.
== Politics ==
''Main article: [[Politics of Somalia]]''
Somalia has no effective national government. In the northwest, there is a breakaway republic of [[Somaliland]]. In the rest of the country there are various warlords, cf. [[Puntland]] and [[Southwestern Somalia]]. The internationally-recognised government is the Transitional National Government, originally headed by [[Abdulkassim Salat Hassan]], which controls only part of the capital, [[Mogadishu]].
On [[October 10]], [[2004]] Somali MPs elected [[Abdullahi Yusuf]], president of Puntland, to be the next president. Because of the chaotic situation in Mogadishu, the election was held in a sports centre in [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]].
However, many more small political organizations exist, some clan-based, others seeking a Somalia free from clan-based politics (such as the [[United-SF|United Somali Front]]). Many of them have come into existence since the new president was chosen.
*[[List of Notable Somali Leaders]]
==Population==
Somalia has a population of around 9,890,000. However, estimates are difficult because of the continuing situation. The last census was in [[1975]]. Most outside analysts use this estimate but Somalia is one of the fastest growing countries in Africa and the world. Some estimates range between 6 to 15 million. If current trends continue, Somalia could have as many as 40 million people by [[2050]].
== Provinces ==
''Main article: [[Regions of Somalia]]''
[[image:Somalia-Factions.png|270px|thumb|right|Diagram of Somalian factions along regional borders]]
Somalia is divided into 18 regions (''[[gobollada]]''):
* [[Awdal]]
* [[Bakool]]
* [[Banaadir]]
* [[Bari, Somalia|Bari]]
* [[Bay, Somalia|Bay]]
* [[Galguduud]]
* [[Gedo]]
* [[Hiiraan]]
* [[Jubbada Dhexe]]
* [[Jubbada Hoose]]
* [[Mudug]]
* [[Nugaal]]
* [[Sanaag]]
* [[Shabeellaha Dhexe]]
* [[Shabeellaha Hoose]]
* [[Sool]]
* [[Togdheer]]
* [[Waqooyi Galbeed]]
== Geography ==
[[image:so-map-en.png|thumb|Map of Somalia including the self-proclaimed boundary of Somaliland]]
''Main article: [[Geography of Somalia]]''
Somalia is located on the east coast of Africa on and north of the Equator between the [[Gulf of Aden]] on the north and [[Indian Ocean]] on the west. Together with Ethiopia and Djibouti it is often referred to as the [[Horn of Africa]]. It borders [[Djibouti]] on the northwest, [[Ethiopia]] on the west, and [[Kenya]] on southwest. Somalia comprises Italy's former [[Italian Somaliland|Trust Territory of Somalia]] and the former [[British Somaliland|British Protectorate of Somaliland]] (now seeking recognition as an independent state). The coastline extends 2,720 kilometres (1,700 mi).
The northern part of the country is hilly, and in many places the altitude ranges between 900 and 2,100 metres (3,000 ft.-7,000 ft.) above sea level. The central and southern areas are flat, with an average altitude of less than 180 metres (600 ft.). The Juba and the Shebelle Rivers rise in Ethiopia and flow south across the country towards the Indian Ocean. The Shebelle, however, does not reach the sea.
Major climatic factors are a year-round hot climate, seasonal monsoon winds, and irregular rainfall with recurring droughts. Mean daily maximum temperatures range from 30°C to 40°C (85° F-105°F), except at higher elevations and along the east coast. Mean daily minimums usually vary from about 15°C to 30°C (60°F-85°F). The southwest monsoon, a sea breeze, makes the period from about May to October the mildest season at Mogadishu. The December-February period of the northeast monsoon is also relatively mild, although prevailing climatic conditions in Mogadishu are rarely pleasant. The "tangambili" periods that intervene between the two monsoons (October-November and March-May) are hot and humid.
== Economy ==
''Main article: [[Economy of Somalia]]''
One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, Somalia has few resources. Furthermore, much of the economy has been devastated by the civil war. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. After livestock, [[banana]]s are the principal export; [[sugar]], [[sorghum]], [[maize]], and [[fish]] are products for the domestic market. The small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, accounts for 10% of GDP; most facilities have been shut down because of the civil strife. Moreover, in 1999, continuing civil disturbances in [[Mogadishu, Somalia|Mogadishu]] and outlying areas interfered with any substantial economic advance and with international aid arrangements.
== Demographics ==
''Main article: [[Demographics of Somalia]]''
As early as the [[seventh century]], indigenous [[Cushitic]] peoples began to mingle with [[Arab]] and [[Persia]]n traders who had settled along the coast. Interaction over the centuries led to the emergence of a Somali culture bound by common traditions, a single language, and the [[Islam]]ic faith.
Today, about 60% of all Somalis are [[nomadic]] or semi-nomadic pastoralists who raise [[cattle]], [[camel]]s, [[sheep]], and [[goat]]s. About 25% of the population are settled farmers who live mainly in the fertile agricultural region between the [[Juba River|Juba]] and [[Shebelle River|Shebelle]] rivers in southern Somalia. The remainder of the population (15%-20%) is urban.
Sizable ethnic groups in the country include [[Bantu]] agricultural workers, several thousand Arabs and some hundreds of [[India]]ns and [[Pakistan]]is. Apart from the Brava people who speak a language similar to [[Swahili]], nearly all inhabitants speak the [[Somali language]]. The language remained unwritten until October [[1973]], when the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC) proclaimed it the nation's [[official language]] and decreed an orthography using [[Latin alphabet|Latin letters]]. Somali is now the language of instruction in schools, to the extent that these exist. [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[English language|English]], and [[Italian language|Italian]] also are used extensively.
== Culture ==
''Main article: [[Culture of Somalia]]''
*[[Music of Somalia]]
*[[Islam in Somalia]]
*[[List of African writers (by country)#Somalia|List of writers from Somalia]]
== Telecommunications ==
Somalia actually has better telecommunication services than its neighbours, despite (or perhaps due to) its lack of government. Some of the factors that have created this situation are lack of a [[government-granted monopoly]] and taxation, and the neutrality of telecommunication firms vis-avis the warlords [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4020259.stm].
Companies providing telecommunication services are:
*[[Telcom]]
*[[Nationlink]]
*[[Hormuud]]
*[[Global Internet Company]]
== See also ==
*[[List of Somalia-related topics]]
*[[Communications in Somalia]]
*[[Transportation in Somalia|Transport in Somalia]]
*[[Military of Somalia]]
*[[Foreign relations of Somalia]]
*[[Building block theory]]
== External links ==
*[http://www.unsomalia.net/ unsomalia.net] - United Nations in Somalia.
*[http://www.unsomalia.net/media/2002/stories/20021014_2.asp Historical Timeline at unsomalia.net]
*[http://www.unsomalia.net/media/photogallery.htm Photo Gallery at unsomalia.net]
*[http://www.liberalia.com/htm/mvn_stateless_somalis.htm From nation-state to stateless nation: The Somali Experience]
*[http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/so.html CIA: World Factbook: Somalia]
*[http://rru.worldbank.org/PapersLinks/Open.aspx?id=3762 ''Anarchy and Invention: How Does Somalia's Private Sector Cope Without Government?'' (PDF version)] [http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=%22tatiana+nenova%22+%2Bsomalia&btnG=Search HTML version]
{{Africa}}
{{Arab_League}}
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[[zh:索马里]]All content in the above text box is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license Version 4 and was originally sourced from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=27358.
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