Islamic countries

Islamic countries

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA
AL JUMHOURIYA AS-SOMALYA AL-DIMOCRATIA

General Information

Total Land Area:	627,340 km²
Land boundaries:	2,366 km
Coastline:	3,025 km
Capital:	Mogadishu
Other Large Cities:	Hargeisa, Kismayu(Chisimayu) Berbera
Official Language:	Somali
National Currency Unit:	Somali Shilling (SOS)
National Day:	July 1

Location and Geography

Somalia comprises the perimeter of the Horn of Africa, the Easternmost point of the continent. It is bordered by the Gulf of Aden and Djibouti in the North, the Indian Ocean in the East and South-east, Kenya in the South and South-west, and Ethiopia in the West. Southern Somalia is traversed by two rivers which flow towards the ocean from Ethiopia. This coastline forms “the Horn of Africa”. The terrain is made up mostly of flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in the North. A very small part of the land is arable and there are no permanent crops. Forests and woodlands are very limited. The climate is tropical but arid. Alternating North-west and South-west monsoon winds blow throughout the year creating a moderating effect on temperatures.

Demography

Population:	9.60 million (2002)
Crude Birth Rate:	50 per thousand people (2002)
Crude Death Rate:	18 per thousand people (2002)
Infant Mortality Rate:	133 per thousand (2002)
Life Expectancy:	Male: 46 years, Female: 49 years (2002)
Urban Population:	28.0 percent (2002)
Adult Literacy:	24.00 percent (1998)

Economy

Somalia’s economy is traditionally based on the breeding of camels, sheep, goats and cattle. Exports of livestock products account for most of the total export earnings. Corn, sorghum, and sugarcane are grown for domestic consumption. The country’s long coastline is important in permitting trade with the Middle East and the rest of East Africa. The industrial sector is small. Somalia’s main natural resource is uranium. Other natural resources are shale, iron ore and quartz. Most industries involve in meat and fish processing, sugar refining, textiles, leather goods, and fruit and vegetable canning.

GDP at Current Market Prices:	1629 million US$ (1990)
Per Capita GDP:	226 US$ (1990)
Share of Sectors in GDP:	59.0% Agriculture, 10.0% Industry, 31.0% Services, (1997)
Total Exports:	85 million US$ (2002)
Total Imports:	351 million US$ (2002)
Major Exports Items:	Livestock, bananas, hides, skins, myrrh and fish
Major Imports Items:	Manufactured goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs and construction material
Major Trading Partners:	UAE, Djibouti, Yemen, Kenya and Oman