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Somalia country message. Geographic location, EGP, climate, population, economy, natural resources, history of Somalia

Somalia country message. Geographic location, EGP, climate, population, economy, natural resources, history of Somalia

Monuments of ancient civilizations are scattered throughout the country, from ancient Egyptian and Phoenician, to Coptic temples and settlements of ancient Punt, which was also mentioned on Phoenician tablets. Somalia as a state was known back in the days 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 Aksum. In the 7th century, the Arabs arrived in the region and organized 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 to the public. Many hundreds of kilometers of beautiful rocky and sandy beaches frame the coast of the Horn of Africa, as this land is often called, but all of them 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 Gares Palace, built in the 19th century by the Sultan of Zanzibar, the 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 in the animal world of these places was simply the incredible adaptability of flora and fauna to the harsh natural and climatic features of the region. The vegetation of Somalia is rather sparse - grass scorched by the scorching sun, thorny bushes and acacias, plants are found everywhere in the mountainous regions, from which precious natural resins - myrrh and frankincense are extracted. In the south of the country, eucalyptus, mahogany and spurge 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 snake.
Currently, in the Kismayu National Park, in the southwest of the country, you can still find many animals,
including several rather rare species. Hargeysa Park, located in the north, contains northern elephants, numerous antelopes and reptiles, which are already quite rare in the wild. But all the country's parks are abandoned in one way or another, and organized excursions to them are almost impossible or associated with 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 sections of the Caribbean or Red Seas.

On the Somali Peninsula, it is the only country in the world where there is no single central government apparatus. As a result of constant civil wars The state is now divided into three autonomous parts: southern part with a transitional government, as well as state entities Somaliland(in the northwest) and Puntland(in the north-east). In general, Somalia is a multi-tribal state, the main population of which are nomadic pastoralists, and all local clans and tribes very often quarrel with each other.

The official capital of Somalia is the city of Mogadishu, where most of the attractions available to tourists are concentrated. Other significant cities of the country are considered Hargeisa and port Berbera. It is worth noting that a great many monuments of ancient civilizations are scattered on the territory of the modern state, but now, due to the unstable political situation, most of them are inaccessible. And yet, despite all these troubles and problems, the locals do not lose heart and find reasons for fun and joy, constantly arranging various festivities. Moreover, the occasion can be anything: from the birth of a boy to the birth of a camel.

Capital	Mogadishu
Population	10 085 638 people

Population density	13 people/km²
	Somali and Arabic
Religion	Sunni Islam
Form of government	republic
	Somali shilling
Timezone
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

Most of Somalia has a subequatorial monsoonal climate, but in the northern part of the country weather correspond to the semi-desert tropical climate zone. In winter, the air here warms up to +23 °С, and in summer - up to +35 °С. In the mountains, however, it is quite cool, and in some areas the air temperature often drops to 0 ° C. Well, in the coastal regions of the country, the thermometer sometimes rises to +47 ° С.

Precipitation in Somalia is quite rare: their annual amount is a maximum of 300 mm. From January to March, a dry and hot season dominates here called "jilal", and during March, the rainy season "gu". August is characterized by the season of dry monsoon winds, which is called "hagaa", well, from September to December, another rainy season “dair” stretches here.

Nature

The state of Somalia lies in the northeastern part of Africa on the peninsula of the same name. In the south of Somalia, the waters of the Indian Ocean are washed, and in the north - Gulf of Aden. The relief of the country is mostly flat, and of all the rivers, only Webi Shebeli and Juba do not dry out. In the north and in the interfluve, sandy and limestone plateaus predominate, in the depressions of which rainwater accumulates. The plateau is separated by shallow but wide valleys (Daror, Nogal, etc.). The northern part of the plateau is dissected by deep gorges. Mountains rise in this region Warsangeli-Mijurtina.

The vegetation of Somalia is quite sparse and almost 90% of the country's territory is occupied by dry savannahs and grass-shrub semi-deserts. There are very few forests here, they are mainly concentrated along the lower reaches. Webi Shebeli and Juba.

The animal world is quite diverse: zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, hyenas, leopards, elephants, monkeys and rhinos. There are crocodiles and hippos in the rivers.

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 Punt. This is not surprising, because for many centuries the territory of the present state belonged to the most different countries. So, in the times of Ancient Egypt, this region was called Punt. Then Somalia became part of the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum, 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 available to tourists are located in the capital Mogadishu, which was founded by Arab colonists in the XII century. First of all, this is a museum in the palace of Gares, a mosque of the XIII century and a large number of picturesque buildings in the Afro-Arab style, a distinctive feature of which are patterned walls and shady courtyards. True, now many of them are dilapidated.

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

Nutrition

Somali cuisine is quite interesting and varied, so each region of the country has its own distinctive features. However, the main thing that unites all the local cuisine is halal - things allowed to Muslims, including food restrictions. In this regard, there are no pork dishes of any kind, and alcohol is not served. Prohibited foods include the meat of strangled animals and carrion. Also, a distinctive feature of Somali meals is the fact that lunch is served here at 9 pm, and during Ramadan - at all at 11 pm (after prayer "Taraweeh").

The most popular snacks that you can taste in any local restaurant are sambuusa(Somali variation of samsa) and bajiye(a mixture of maize, meat, vegetables and spices). Also traditional Somali treats are spicy rice and fried goat. Well, from the local delicacies it is worth highlighting crabs, lobsters, squids, serrated shrimps and fresh tuna. Among the desserts, you can most often find halva, which is the most popular confectionery here. It is also widely offered to taste the fruits growing here: bananas, mangoes, papaya, etc.

If we talk about the main food of local residents, then the most widespread here are camel milk, goat and sheep cheese, all kinds of cereals and flat cakes. In addition, the vast majority of the country's inhabitants do not eat poultry, fish and eggs, as 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 of Mogadishu, as well as in the cities of Hargeisa and Berbera. Moreover, when choosing a place of residence, it is recommended to focus not on its description, but directly on the reviews of guests. The capital hotels deserve the highest ratings here. Hotel Nasa-Hablod, Sahafi and Hotel Shamo. However, I must say that they do not particularly shine with European comfort.

If travelers want to get acquainted with the local exotic, then they are given the opportunity to settle in temporary housing made of camel skins, which is called "akara". It is in these dwellings that most of the population of the country lives. In addition, some hotels offer accommodation in "mundullo", which is a wooden hut with a thatched roof. Accommodation in such dwellings is remarkable in that its residents can take part in local mass festivities, watch original dances with tambourines and taste the food of nomadic pastoralists.

Entertainment and recreation

Unfortunately, given the difficult internal political environment, the beautiful rocky and sandy Somali beaches on this moment practically inaccessible to tourists. The same can be said about National parks Hargeisa and Kismayu, which also, despite their most interesting inhabitants, are now abandoned. Of course, excursions to them are organized from time to time, but they are associated with a fairly large risk.

Therefore, for entertainment, it is recommended to head to the capital, where there are restaurants, parks, stadiums and large shops. In addition, lovers of the exotic and rich recreation are recommended to visit some holiday in one of the Somali settlements, which are always accompanied by mass dances 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, there can be any reason for the holiday here: the birth of a son, the receipt of some income, the offspring of a camel, etc. Well, the main traditional Somali holidays are Eid al-Adha(Feast of the Sacrifice) eid al-fitr(end of Ramadan) Ashura, Mulud(Birthday of the Prophet), Independence Day and Founding of the Republic. Moreover, the dates of religious holidays are celebrated according to lunar calendar, so they are floating. Moreover, during the holy Ramadan, local residents fast during the day and eat at night, in connection with which many institutions do not work, and business activity is interrupted.

Purchases

In Somalia, shopping is best done in local markets, where merchants 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 horn 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 are a massive female silhouette with extremely large breasts. It is worth noting that in the days 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 and woven clothing. Well, wealthy tourists are attracted by jewelry stalls, 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 communication is mostly unpaved, with the exception of roads in large cities. The country's main road links the cities of Mogadishu and Hargeis. In addition, Mogadishu has an international airport. 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

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

Cellular communication operates in the GSM 900/1800 bands and is carried out by several local operators. Subscribers of major Russian operators are invited to use satellite communications Thuraya. Internet cafes are just beginning to emerge.

Security

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 advised to check the political and military situation directly in the region they plan to visit even before organizing a trip. Well, inside the country, you need to be very careful when visiting hotels, restaurants and other public places.

In addition, criminal activity is developed in the country, since most of the country's population is in a state of poverty and anger. Therefore, travelers should avoid regions 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 necessary, as well as medical insurance.

Business climate

In terms of economic life, Somalia is a poor and backward country. The economy is based directly on agriculture and its exports. Share industrial production here is very insignificant, so the possible mining of the country ( mineral resources, gypsum, tin, copper and salt) does not cover the cost of their extraction. The main types of industry in the country are represented by small businesses, as well as oil refining, sugar and textile processing. It is worth saying that Somali pirates make a significant contribution to the country's economy.

To date, Somalia is planning to open its own exchange, which will be the most important impetus for the development of the economic and business life of the country.

The property

The very unstable military-political situation in the country has significantly affected the local real estate market, making it unclaimed and uncompetitive. Many Somali cities are dilapidated or even abandoned. The same applies to the infrastructure of the vast majority of settlements.

If we talk about land plots, then earlier they were considered the property not of an individual, but of the entire clan or tribe. At the moment, the situation is gradually changing and generally accepted laws are being introduced here.

The very procedure for buying property in Somalia today is simplified and is mainly carried out through professional realtors.

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

In addition, it should be noted 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, remove the skin from all vegetables and fruits, and treat any scratches and abrasions with an antiseptic.

Visa Information

Russian citizens need a visa to enter Somalia. At the same time, it should be taken into account that today there is no single state here, but there are several state formations(Republic of Somalia, Somaliland, etc.). Moreover, in addition to the Somali Republic, other states are not recognized by the world community. However, despite this, Somaliland is pursuing 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 must 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, therefore, 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.

POPULATION: About 6.8 million people (not exactly known). Mostly Somalis (Kushites), 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 Djibouti in the northwest, Kenya in the southwest, and Ethiopia in the west. In the northern part there are several mountain ranges with a height of 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 an average of +34 C, however, in some mountainous areas, the temperature can drop to 0 C at night, and rise to +47 C on the coasts 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. There are actually four seasons. "Jilal" (Jilal) - begins in January and is the most contrasting, dry and very hot. "Gu" (Gu) - the first rainy season, lasting from March to June. "Hagaa" (Hagaa) in August - dry monsoon season. The second rainy season lasts from September to December and is called Dayr.

POLITICAL STATE: Nominally - republican form of government. The head of state and government is the president. Legislative power is vested in the People's National Assembly. In reality, in connection with the ongoing armed inter-ethnic and inter-party conflicts (almost since 1990, a war between two clans has been going on in the country, 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 translate into either financial or military assistance. Two former provinces - northern Somaliland and Puntland - have declared their independence, 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 are in circulation in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 shillings, 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 nearly impossible (US dollar traveler's checks are accepted but not recommended due to the risk of being robbed at or after cashing). Almost everywhere you can pay with US dollars, in the north - Yemeni rials and Egyptian pounds. Banking hours: from 08.00 to 11.30 from Saturday to Thursday. Shop 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 Punt, which was also 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 Aksum. In the 7th century, the Arabs arrived in the region and organized 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 to the public. Many hundreds of kilometers of beautiful rocky and sandy beaches frame the coast of the Horn of Africa, as this land is often called, but all of them 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 Gares Palace, built in the 19th century by the Sultan of Zanzibar, the 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 in the animal world of these places was simply the incredible adaptability of flora and fauna to the harsh natural and climatic features of the region. The vegetation of Somalia is rather sparse - grass scorched by the scorching sun, thorny bushes and acacias, plants are found everywhere in the mountainous regions, from which precious natural resins - myrrh and frankincense are extracted. In the south of the country, eucalyptus, mahogany and spurge predominate. And in such meager conditions, visitors met quite a lot of wild animals: crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, leopards and lions, zebras and many ungulates, a large number of snakes. Currently, in the Kismayu National Park, in the southwest of the country, you can still find many animals, including several quite rare species. Hargeysa Park, located in the north, contains northern elephants, numerous antelopes and reptiles, which are already quite rare in the wild. But all the country's parks are abandoned in one way or another, and organized excursions to them are almost impossible or associated with 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 sections 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 consulates of Somalia in neighboring states. When visiting the country, the risk of contracting yellow fever, bilharzia (cystosomiasis), severe malaria (falsiparum) is high, 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 REGULATIONS: The import and export of currency is nominally unlimited. Without paying customs duty, the following can be imported into Somalia: 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 rules are vague and change frequently.

State in East Africa. It borders Djibouti in the northeast, Kenya in the southwest, and Ethiopia in the west. From the north it is washed by the Gulf of Aden, from the south and east by the Indian Ocean.

State in East Africa. It borders Djibouti in the northeast, Kenya in the southwest, and Ethiopia in the west. From the north it is washed by the Gulf of Aden, from the south and east by the Indian Ocean.

The area of the country is 637657 km2.

In the northern part there are several mountain ranges with a height of 915 to 2135 meters. Further south, a rugged plateau with a height of 180 to 500 meters prevails. In the very south of the country lies a wide sandy plain. Two rivers flowing through Soma-li are located in the southern part - these are Juba and Shabelle.

Climate

The climate of Somalia, depending on the region, varies from arid or semi-arid to tropical. The average annual temperature is about 28 ° C, however, in some mountainous areas it can drop to 0 ° C, and rise to 47 ° C on the coast. The rainy season lasts from March to May, the dry season - from September to December.

Flora and fauna

The vegetation is rather sparse: grass, thorny bushes, acacia; in mountainous regions there are plants from which myrrh and frankincense are extracted. Eucalyptus, mahogany and spurge grow in the south of the country. There are quite a lot of wild animals: crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, zebras, a large number of poisonous snakes.

Population

The population (estimated in 1995) is about 10,173,000 people, with an average population density of about 16 people per km2.

Most of the population are Somalis (Cushites), Arabs, Indians, Italians and Pakistanis stand out among the minorities.

Language: Somali, Arabic (both official), English, Italian.

Religion: Sunni Muslims - 99% (Islam is the state religion).

Average life expectancy (as of 1993): 33 years for men and women.

Birth rate (per 1000 people) - 46.

Mortality rate (per 1000 people) - 13.

The capital is Mogadishu.

Largest cities:

Mogadishu (700,000 people),

Hargeisa (70,000 people),

Kismayo (70,000 people),

Mark (60,000 people).

State structure - according to the decision of the UN Secretary-General, adopted in July 1992, Somalia is temporarily a country without a government.

The monetary unit is the Somali shilling.

Somalia has been known since ancient Egypt, when the region was called Punt. From the 2nd to the 7th century AD Somalia belonged to the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum. In the 7th century, the Arabs arrived in the region and organized the Adel Sultanate, which lasted until the 16th century. The first Europeans on this land were the British, who captured several ports in the Gulf of Aden to ensure the free passage of their merchant ships. In 1887, the creation of the British Protectorate of British Somalia was announced. In connection with several uprisings of local residents, the British were forced to leave the central regions of the country, which over time were captured by the Italians. In 1936, Italian Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea were merged into Italian East Africa. After the outbreak of World War II, Italian troops also captured British Somalia. On July 1, 1960, Somalia gained independence. Since 1990, a civil war has been going on in the country between two clans, which could not be stopped even with the help of the UN contingent. Somalia is a member of the UN, the Organization of African Unity. Arab League.

Information for tourists

The main attractions are concentrated in Mogadishu: a museum in the Gares Palace, built in the 19th century by the Sultan of Zanzibar; mosque of the thirteenth century.

A narrow coastal lowland with coastal dunes stretches along the southeastern coast of the country, the rest is a predominantly flat plateau 500–1500 m high. The highest part of it is the north, where crystalline rocks come to the surface and form the mountains Surud-Ad, 2406 m), ending in a ledge to the Gulf of Aden. The main rivers - Juba and Vebi-Shebeli - are shallow. 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. At the same time, 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 during 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 savannahs, dominated by grasses, acacias, mimosas, and milkweeds. There are very few forests - only in the valleys of the two main rivers and in the coastal zone in the south. Savannahs and semi-deserts are the habitat of antelopes (eland, oryx-base, dik-dik, gerenuk), zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, leopards, hyenas. Elephants, rhinos, warthogs are found in river valleys, and monkeys are found in forests. In some semi-deserts, high numerous termite mounds create a peculiar 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 main part of the inhabitants are nomadic pastoralists. Camels are especially valued by the Somalis. Craftsmen make long-famous weavings, bags, belts, embossed leather sheaths, combs and spoons from wood, vases, jugs from clay and white stone - sepiolite. The country's capital is Mogadishu, founded in the 9th-10th centuries by Arab colonists. The city has preserved many beautiful old buildings. Other major cities are Hargeisa and the port of Berbera.

Attention!

Attractions

From a tourist point of view, Somalia is a very interesting country, as monuments of ancient civilizations are scattered throughout its territory, from Phoenician and ancient Egyptian to the settlements of ancient Punt. This is not surprising, because for many centuries the territory of the present state belonged to a variety of countries. So, in the times of Ancient Egypt, this region was called Punt. Then Somalia became part of the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum, 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 available to tourists are located in the capital of Mogadishu, which was founded by Arab colonists in the 12th century. First of all, this is a museum in the palace of Gares, a mosque of the XIII century and a large number of picturesque buildings in the Afro-Arab style, a distinctive feature of which are patterned walls and shady courtyards. True, now many of them are dilapidated.

If we talk about natural attractions, then it is worth noting that earlier the country was famous for its many nature reserves. Now among them the most interesting are the national parks of Kismayu and Hargeisa, as well as the National Park outside of Mogadishu, within which there are ten reserves. Rare plants are found in these places, from which valuable natural resins (frankincense and myrrh) are extracted. In addition, in the south of the country, coral reefs stretch, which 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 features. However, the main thing that unites all local cuisine is halal - things allowed to Muslims, including food restrictions. In this regard, there are no pork dishes of any kind, and alcohol is not served. Prohibited foods include the meat of strangled animals and carrion. Also, a distinctive feature of Somali meals is the fact that lunch is served here at 9 pm, and during Ramadan - even at 11 pm (after the Tarawih prayer).

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

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 of Mogadishu, as well as in the cities of Hargeisa and Berbera. Moreover, when choosing a place of residence, it is recommended to focus not on its description, but directly on the reviews of guests. The capital hotels Hotel Nasa-Hablod, Sahafi and Hotel Shamo deserve the highest ratings here. However, I must say that they do not particularly shine with European comfort.

Entertainment and recreation

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

Therefore, for entertainment, it is recommended to head to the capital, where there are restaurants, parks, stadiums and large shops. In addition, lovers of the exotic and rich recreation are recommended to visit some holiday in one of the Somali settlements, which are always accompanied by mass dances 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, there can be any reason for the holiday here: the birth of a son, the receipt of some income, the offspring 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 (Prophet's Birthday), Independence Day and the Foundation 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, in connection with which many institutions do not work, and business activity is interrupted.

shopping

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

Transport

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

Connection

Cellular communication operates in the GSM 900/1800 bands and is carried out by several local operators. Subscribers of large Russian operators are offered to use Thuraya satellite communications. Internet cafes are just beginning to emerge.

Visa Information

Russian citizens need a visa to enter Somalia. At the same time, it should be taken into account that today there is no single state here, but there are several state entities (the Republic of Somalia, Somaliland, etc.). Moreover, in addition to 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 must 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, therefore, 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. In the future, 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 in various ways. 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 massively settle landless Italian peasants in the region, but the process was slow and met with 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 authority in this area was dictated by the need to control the area of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the route to India more tightly.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Mahammad Abdile Hassan, nicknamed the “Crazy Mullah,” fought the Italians and the British for a long time under the slogans of jihad, the expulsion of foreigners and the establishment of a truly Islamic state. Hassan was defeated only in the early 1920s; in independent Somalia, he was considered a national hero; the country's military academy is 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 her independence after a long transition period. In 1960, Somalia gained independence, it was then that the two former colonies formally united - Italian Somalia and British Somalia (Somaliland). Aden Abdullah Osman Daar became the first president.

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, the Soviet fleet received a base in Berbera at its disposal. 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 victims were avoided only thanks to the actions of Soviet pilots who transported the population from the affected areas.

Politics

Somalia does not have a recognized national government. The 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 authority at all and are controlled by the heads of local tribes.

On October 10, 2004, the transitional parliament of Somalia elected the field commander, colonel, a graduate of the Soviet Academy named after Frunze Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, the leader of the northern province of Puntland, enjoying the support of Ethiopia, as the president of the country. The parliamentary session was held 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 Hawiye (it controls most of the capital Mogadishu, located on 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 animal husbandry. About 80% of the able-bodied population is employed in agriculture, mainly in animal husbandry; the sale of live cattle, meat products and skins brings the country over 80% of the total amount of export earnings. The share of industrial production in the national economy is very insignificant, and mineral resources do not pay off the costs of their development. Two factors adversely affected 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 flow of refugees from Ethiopia into Somalia numbered up to one million people. Even more damage was done 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 one religion - Islam and mutual language- Somali, belonging to the family of Cushitic languages and having a connection with the languages of the Ethiopian Oromo and Afar. Somalis actively support and develop the system of traditional political institutions. They are characterized by a careful attitude to the poetic tradition with complicated rules alliteration, 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 - the northeast and southwest, and the Hawiya - on the east coast. In addition, in each clan, members belonging to the "high" or "low" castes are distinguished. Thus, members of the clan belonging to the "low" caste, such as midgaan and tumal, have less rights than those belonging to the "high" caste. There are also differences between nomads and farmers, as exemplified by the Rahanwein tribal group.

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

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

Somalia country message. Geographic location, EGP, climate, population, economy, natural resources, history of Somalia

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State in East Africa. It borders Djibouti in the northeast, Kenya in the southwest, and Ethiopia in the west. From the north it is washed by the Gulf of Aden, from the south and east by the Indian Ocean.

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