Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Britain withdrew from British Somaliland in 1960 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 characterized by the persecution, jailing, and torture of political opponents and dissidents. After the regime's collapse early in 1991, Somalia descended into turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy. In May 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 and continues efforts to establish a constitutional democracy, including holding municipal, parliamentary, and presidential elections. The regions of Bari, Nugaal, and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring semi-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. In 2000, the Somalia National Peace Conference (SNPC) held in Djibouti resulted in the formation of an interim government, known as the Transitional National Government (TNG). When the TNG failed to establish adequate security or governing institutions, the Government of Kenya, under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), led a subsequent peace process that concluded in October 2004 with the election of Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed as President of a second interim government, known as the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Somali Republic. The TFG included a 275-member parliamentary body, known as the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP). President YUSUF resigned late in 2008 while United Nations-sponsored talks between the TFG and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) were underway in Djibouti. In January 2009, following the creation of a TFG-ARS unity government, Ethiopian military forces, which had entered Somalia in December 2006 to support the TFG in the face of advances by the opposition Islamic Courts Union (ICU), withdrew from the country. The TFP was doubled in size to 550 seats with the addition of 200 ARS and 75 civil society members of parliament. The expanded parliament elected Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed, the former ICU and ARS chairman as president in January 2009. The creation of the TFG was based on the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC), which outlined a five-year mandate leading to the establishment of a new Somali constitution and a transition to a representative government following national elections. In 2009, the TFP amended the TFC to extend TFG's mandate until 2011 and in 2011 Somali principals agreed to institute political transition by August 2012. The transition process ended in September 2012 when clan elders replaced the TFP by appointing 275 members to a new parliament who subsequently elected a new president.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10 00 N, 49 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 637,657 sq km
country comparison to the world: 44
land: 627,337 sq km
water: 10,320 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,340 km
border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,025 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and 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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 1.73%
permanent crops: 0.05%
other: 98.23% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.7 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3.3 cu km/yr (0%/0%/99%)
per capita: 377.6 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Somali(s)
adjective: Somali
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including 30,000 Arabs)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Somali (official), Arabic (official, according to the Transitional Federal Charter), Italian, English
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sunni Muslim (Islam) (official, according to the Transitional Federal Charter)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10,251,568 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
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
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 44.3% (male 2,270,282/female 2,273,506)
15-24 years: 18.9% (male 978,197/female 955,253)
25-54 years: 31% (male 1,643,803/female 1,538,723)
55-64 years: 3.5% (male 165,408/female 188,992)
65 years and over: 2.3% (male 93,434/female 143,970) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 100.1 %
youth dependency ratio: 94.4 %
elderly dependency ratio: 5.7 %
potential support ratio: 17.7 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 17.7 years
male: 17.8 years
female: 17.6 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.67% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
41.45 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.22 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-10.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 37.7% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.79% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
MOGADISHU (capital) 1.353 million (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,000 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 3
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 101.91 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 3
male: 110.74 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 92.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 51.19 years
country comparison to the world: 217
male: 49.22 years
female: 53.23 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.17 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.6% (2006)
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.7% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Rift Valley fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.8% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 162
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.8% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 11
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 37.8%
male: 49.7%
female: 25.8% (2001 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3 years
male: 3 years
female: 2 years (2007)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 1,148,265
percentage: 49 % (2006 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Federal Republic of Somalia
conventional short form: Somalia
local long form: Jamhuuriyadda Federaalkaa Soomaaliya
local short form: Soomaaliya
former: Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
in the process of building a federal parliamentary republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Mogadishu
geographic coordinates: 2 04 N, 45 20 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe (Middle Jubba), Jubbada Hoose (Lower Jubba), Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe (Middle Shabeelle), Shabeellaha Hoose (Lower Shabeelle), Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland that became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960 and Italian Somaliland that became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960 to form the Somali Republic)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1961, 1979; latest drafted 12 June 2012, approved 1 August 2012 (provisional) (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of civil law, Islamic law, and customary law (referred to as Xeer)
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President HASSAN SHEIKH Mahamud (since 10 September 2012)
head of government: Prime Minister ABDIWELLI Sheikh Ahmed (since 21 December 2013)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by the National Parliament; note - new cabinet sworn in 22 January 2014
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by the National Parliament; election last held 10 September 2012
election results: HASSAN SHEIKH Mahamud elected president; National Parliament vote - HASSAN SHEIKH Mahamud 190, Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed 79; the prime minister is chosen by the president and confirmed by the National Parliament
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral National Parliament consisting of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament (275 seats, elected by Somali citizens) and the Upper House of the Federal Parliament (54 seats, elected by people of the federal member states)
note: the inaugural House of the People in September 2012 was appointed by clan elders; as of December 2013, the Upper House has not been formed
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): The provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges including the chief judge and deputy chief judge)
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: federal- and federal member state-level courts; military courts; sharia (Islamic) courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
other: numerous clan and sub-clan factions exist both in support and in opposition to the transitional government
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU (candidate), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991); note - the Somali Government is represented in the US through its Permanent Mission to the UN
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US interests are represented by the US Special Representative for Somalia, James P. MCANULTY operating out of the US Embassy in Nairobi, 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 description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; the blue field was originally influenced by the flag of the UN, but today is said to denote the sky and the neighboring Indian Ocean; the five points of the star represent the five regions in the horn of Africa that are inhabited by Somali people: the former British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland (which together make up Somalia), Djibouti, Ogaden (Ethiopia), and the North East Province (Kenya)
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
leopard
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Qolobaa Calankeed" (Every Nation Has its own Flag)
lyrics/music: lyrics/music: Abdullahi QARSHE
note: adopted 2012; written in 1959
Government - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
regional and local governing bodies continue to exist and control various areas of the country, including the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia and the semi-autonomous state of Puntland in northeastern Somalia
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Despite the lack of effective national governance, Somalia has maintained a healthy informal economy, largely based on livestock, remittance/money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Agriculture is the most important sector with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and more than 50% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-pastoralists, 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 the machinery sold as scrap metal. Somalia''s service sector has grown. 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 transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling up to $1.6 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 are supported with private-security militias. Somalia''s arrears to the IMF have continued to grow. Somalia''s capital city - Mogadishu - has enjoyed a rebirth following the departure of al-Shabaab in August 2011. Mogadishu has witnessed the development of the city''s first gas stations, supermarkets, and flights between Europe (Istanbul-Mogadishu) since the collapse of central authority in 1991. This economic growth has yet to expand outside of Mogadishu.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.896 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.372 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 224
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 59.3%
industry: 7.2%
services: 33.5% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.447 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 98
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 71%
industry and services: 29% (1975)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
note: businesses print their own money, so inflation rates cannot be easily determined
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$515.8 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
UAE 51.7%, Yemen 18.1%, Oman 13% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.263 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Djibouti 27.3%, India 13.2%, Kenya 7.1%, China 6.7%, Pakistan 6.4%, Oman 5.1%, UAE 5%, Yemen 4.4% (2012)
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.05 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Somali shillings (SOS) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
310 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
288.3 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
80,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 186
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,659 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,399 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 94
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
753,400 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 146
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
658,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 162
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging the lowest international rates on the continent
domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers with one company beginning to provide 3G services in late 2012
international: country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America (2010)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 private TV stations rebroadcast Al-Jazeera and CNN; Somaliland has 1 government-operated TV station and Puntland has 1 private TV station; the transitional government operates Radio Mogadishu; 1 SW and roughly 10 private FM radio stations broadcast in Mogadishu; several radio stations operate in central and southern regions; Somaliland has 1 government-operated radio station; Puntland has roughly a half dozen private radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.so
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
186 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 202
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
106,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 159
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
61 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 80
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 55
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 20
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m:
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 22,100 km
country comparison to the world: 105
paved: 2,608 km
unpaved: 19,492 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
country comparison to the world: 148
by type: cargo 1 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Berbera, Kismaayo
Transportation - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
despite a dramatic drop in the number of attacks in 2012, the International Maritime Bureau continues to report the territorial and offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean as a region of significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships accounting for 25% of all attacks in 2012; 75 vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, were attacked or hijacked both at anchor and while underway compared with 237 in 2011; the number of hijackings off the coast of Somalia was reduced to 14 in 2012, down from 28 in 2011; as of April 2013, 77 vessels and 7 hostages were being held for ransom by Somali pirates; the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship operators, including the use of on-board armed security teams, have reduced piracy incidents in that body of water; in response Somali-based pirates, using hijacked fishing trawlers as "mother ships" to extend their range, shifted operations as far south as the Mozambique Channel, eastward to the vicinity of the Maldives, and northeastward to the Strait of Hormuz
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
National Security Force (NSF): Somali Army (2011)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 2,260,175
females age 16-49: 2,159,293 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,331,894
females age 16-49: 1,357,051 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 101,634
female: 101,072 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities in Berbera to landlocked Ethiopia and have established commercial ties with other regional states; "Puntland" and "Somaliland" "governments" seek international support in their secessionist aspirations and overlapping border claims; the undemarcated former British administrative line has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within Ethiopia's Ogaden and southern Somalia's Oromo region; Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading south across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists