Facts about Somalia
Official languages: Somali, Arabic, Italian, English
Capital: Mogadishu
Area: 637,657 km²
Population: 10.1 million residents
Population density: 15.86 residents per km²
Currency: SOS
Internet TLD: .so
ISO codes: SO , SOM, 706
The dialing code for Somalia is +252
Flag of Somalia
The flag of Somalia, which was first adopted by Southern Somalia in 1954, consists of a light blue sheet bearing a white five-pointed star in its center. The blue color is supposed to refer to the United Nations, which for many years administered part of Somalia. Each of the points of the star represents one of the territories in which Somalis live today. These areas are: northern and southern Somalia, northern Kenya, southern Ethiopia and Djibouti. The flag was adopted during the Italian administration and its layout may resemble the flag of Vietnam. The white color of the star signifies peace and prosperity, this symbolism is of great importance to Somalia as a country torn by a series of wars and upheavals.
Somalia (Somali: Soomaaliya; Arabic: الصومال aṣ-Ṣūmāl) is a state in the far east of Africa, on the Horn of Africa. It borders the Indian Ocean in the east, its Gulf of Aden in the north, Djibouti and Ethiopia in the west and Kenya in the south. See Somalia Location on World Map. The country name is derived from the Somali people, who make up the large majority of the population and are also resident in neighboring countries.
Somalia emerged from the merger of the former colonies of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland, which became independent in 1960. The national territory bordered the Indian Ocean in the east, the Gulf of Aden in the north, Djibouti and Ethiopia in the west and Kenya in the south. Since the overthrow of the authoritarian government under Siad Barre in 1991 and during the ongoing civil war, however, there has been no functioning central government.
Instead, various de facto regimes have emerged. In the northwest, Somaliland has been striving for international recognition as an independent nation since 1991. The areas of Puntland, Galmudug and Jubaland claim autonomy as self-governing parts of Somalia. Large parts of the former country are in the hands of local clans, warlords, radical Islamic groups or pirates.
Biggest Cities of Somalia by Population
Mogadishu is the largest city and capital of Somalia. It is located on the coast of the Indian Ocean in the Benadir region of Somalia. The city has a population of around 2.5 million people and is one of the oldest cities in Africa. Mogadishu is known for its vibrant culture, with a mix of traditional Somali culture and modern influences from other parts of Africa and Europe. The city also has some great beaches, historical sites, and markets selling local goods such as traditional clothing, spices, and handicrafts.
Hargeisa is the second largest city in Somalia with a population of around 1 million people. It is located in the northwest part of the country near Ethiopia’s border. Hargeisa offers visitors plenty to do including exploring its markets where they can buy local goods such as spices, textiles, and jewelry as well as visiting historical sites like Laas Geel which dates back to 5000 BC! The city also has some great restaurants serving traditional Somali cuisine such as sambusas (fried pastries) and suqaar (spicy beef).
Finally, Kismayo is Somalia’s third largest city with a population of around 500,000 people. It is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline in the Jubaland region near Kenya’s border. Kismayo has some beautiful beaches perfect for swimming or sunbathing as well as some interesting historical sites including old colonial buildings from when Italy ruled much of Somalia during World War II. There are also several markets selling local goods such as textiles, jewelry, spices, and handicrafts made by locals from around Kismayo.
# | City | Population | Latitude | Longitude |
1 | Mogadishu, Somalia | 2,587,294 | 2.03711 | 45.3438 |
2 | Hargeysa, Somalia | 477,987 | 9.56 | 44.065 |
3 | Berbera, Somalia | 242,455 | 10.4396 | 45.0143 |
4 | Kismayo, Somalia | 234,963 | -0.35817 | 42.5454 |
5 | Marka, Somalia | 230,211 | 1.71594 | 44.7717 |
6 | Jamaame, Somalia | 185,381 | 0.06968 | 42.745 |
7 | Baidoa, Somalia | 129,950 | 3.11383 | 43.6498 |
8 | Burao, Somalia | 99,381 | 9.52213 | 45.5336 |
9 | Bosaso, Somalia | 74,398 | 11.2842 | 49.1816 |
10 | Afgooye, Somalia | 65,572 | 2.1381 | 45.1212 |
11 | Gaalkacyo, Somalia | 61,311 | 6.76972 | 47.4308 |
12 | Laascaanood, Somalia | 60,211 | 8.47738 | 47.3597 |
13 | Garoowe, Somalia | 57,411 | 8.40207 | 48.4828 |
14 | Beledweyne, Somalia | 55,521 | 4.73583 | 45.2036 |
15 | Qoryooley, Somalia | 51,831 | 1.78784 | 44.53 |
16 | Jawhar, Somalia | 47,197 | 2.78087 | 45.5005 |
17 | Jilib, Somalia | 43,805 | 0.48829 | 42.7854 |
18 | Baardheere, Somalia | 42,351 | 2.34464 | 42.2764 |
19 | Ceerigaabo, Somalia | 33,964 | 10.6162 | 47.368 |
20 | Luuq, Somalia | 33,931 | 3.80315 | 42.5442 |
21 | Buurhakaba, Somalia | 27,903 | 2.80257 | 44.078 |
22 | Ceeldheer, Somalia | 26,673 | 3.84878 | 47.1806 |
23 | Wanlaweyn, Somalia | 22,133 | 2.6185 | 44.8938 |
24 | Baki, Somalia | 20,111 | 9.89206 | 43.3853 |
25 | Eyl, Somalia | 19,015 | 7.9803 | 49.8164 |
26 | Buulobarde, Somalia | 17,039 | 3.85375 | 45.5674 |
27 | Qandala, Somalia | 16,034 | 11.472 | 49.8728 |
28 | Bandarbeyla, Somalia | 13,864 | 9.4942 | 50.8122 |
29 | Garbahaarrey, Somalia | 12,763 | 3.32892 | 42.2209 |
30 | Hobyo, Somalia | 12,675 | 5.3505 | 48.5268 |
31 | Xuddur, Somalia | 12,611 | 4.12129 | 43.8895 |
32 | Bereeda, Somalia | 11,373 | 11.8704 | 51.0579 |
33 | Jalalaqsi, Somalia | 9,854 | 3.3766 | 45.5996 |
34 | Ceelbuur, Somalia | 9,142 | 4.68501 | 46.6176 |
35 | Dhuusamarreeb, Somalia | 9,111 | 5.53597 | 46.3867 |
36 | Yeed, Somalia | 8,540 | 4.55 | 43.0333 |
37 | Mahaddayweyne, Somalia | 8,384 | 2.9726 | 45.5347 |
38 | Saacow, Somalia | 8,004 | 1.62794 | 42.4407 |
39 | Las Khorey, Somalia | 7,052 | 11.1595 | 48.1967 |
40 | Bargaal, Somalia | 6,909 | 11.2864 | 51.0773 |
41 | Waajid, Somalia | 6,777 | 3.80958 | 43.2463 |
42 | Caluula, Somalia | 6,211 | 11.9661 | 50.7569 |
43 | Iskushuban, Somalia | 5,870 | 10.2837 | 50.23 |
44 | Oodweyne, Somalia | 5,602 | 9.4092 | 45.064 |
45 | Cadale, Somalia | 5,496 | 2.7603 | 46.3222 |
Somalia: Mogadishu
According to Abbreviation Finder, the capital of Somalia is called Mogadishu. Mogadishu is located relatively far south on the Indian Ocean. It was a few years ago that this city was called the “Pearl of East Africa”. Mogadishu was a rich trading city. Mogadishu is also home to one of the oldest Islamic buildings in Africa: the Fakr-ad-Din mosque.
The civil war hit this city very hard and many people had to flee Mogadishu. While some fled the city, others also came from regions of civil war and sought refuge in the city again. It is estimated that around a million people live here. Mogadishu is also the country’s economic center.